Thread: What Sells?

Hi

I mentioned this before if you are thinking of going into business get the book "the E-Myth revisited". It talks about the pitfalls of going into business for yourself in a field that you are a technician in.

In the end it effectively talked me out of doing this myself. Also I am halfway through a certificate 4 in small business and that has brought home just how much work there is to run the business successfully.

Now I have decided to keep my job and to make a few things and sell them through ebay to supplement my hobby.

good luck mate

Originally Posted by Richardwoodhead

But spend months & months in a workshop (after years & years of honing your craft) making the nicest stuff you can, and unless you establish yourself somehow via marketing (even if it's pro-active word of mouth), you're likely to not make much of a return.

Richard

Good post. I really believe that those who can make something really nice out of wood are artists. Trouble is, artists are rarely good at marketing. They would rather be in their workshops, plodding along on the next project, dreaming of the praise they're going to get from their wives or whatever acquaintance they can lure into their workshops when the whateverthehellitis is finally declared, 'complete'.

Oh well, perhaps its their destiny to join the ranks of so many artists whose greatness was only recognised after their penniless deaths...


Damien

Originally Posted by dazzler

Now I have decided to keep my job and to make a few things and sell them through ebay to supplement my hobby. good luck mate

Go Dazzler! You be sure to include that extra income on your annual tax declaration now ya here!

Originally Posted by dazzler

Hi

I mentioned this before if you are thinking of going into business get the book "the E-Myth revisited". It talks about the pitfalls of going into business for yourself in a field that you are a technician in.

In the end it effectively talked me out of doing this myself. Also I am halfway through a certificate 4 in small business and that has brought home just how much work there is to run the business successfully.

Now I have decided to keep my job and to make a few things and sell them through ebay to supplement my hobby.

good luck mate

Daz - does ebay work for craft type goods? I've sold quite a bit of stuff on ebay already (rep >100), but not anything I've made. Any suggestions on the approach to take would be much appreciated.

Dough slashers? lol sheeeesh those things look like dangerous weapons? How do you get them through customs???
Think I'm glad I'm not a cook... don't think I'd feel safe with those things in the drawer!
Had a night to think about why I did so poorly last night at the kindie sales.... since feedback was really good here's what I came up with:

I only had 3 days to get ready... rushing is never good for planing
Signs weren't good, some prices fell off
too many different, unrelated things
table too low ( after all it was in kindie)
middle of the week ( was told weekend would be better)
only about 30 people showed up.... with 10 different tables trying to pull money out of their pocket chances weren't that great to begin with

Who am I kidding? People are just like we are.... money's tight........

Considering this only got me a sore arm ( holding down wood while scrolling) and back ( carrying all the stuff back and forth) maybe I should have just invested the entrance fee in a Tatt's ticket?
Oh to have enough money to just make things because it's so enjoyable!
Juvy

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Daz - does ebay work for craft type goods? I've sold quite a bit of stuff on ebay already (rep >100), but not anything I've made. Any suggestions on the approach to take would be much appreciated.

I sell craft oriented ebooks, Dunno about craft items on ebay but it must work as there are a number of long term sellers.

Suggestions about selling on Ebay
You really have to be very cautious about selling on ebay as their fees can balloon right out of sight if you're not careful.

When you start adding all the various selling enhancements the costs really do increase very significantly. A lot of people have been badly burnt.

I use turbo lister (free download from ebay)
A very handy tool.
It lets me prepare listings offline and upload numerous listings in a single upload. It can also be used to calculate the listing fees before you upload. You can add or remove various selling upgrades or options and see the fees before you list the item. I found the cost of listing 10 items at a fixed price was double the cost of listing 9 items. Guess who no longer lists 10 items etc.

Ebay store listings are economical (10 cents per item) but there is less traffic through stores than through auctions.

Ever wonder why you see notices like
"buyers must be confirmed - click here for immediate confirmation" .

When you click the link you go to an identical page in the sellers store and thats where you buy from. This preserves the life of the auction listing which are dearer.

Generally things mainly sell in the last couple of days of the listing life, even fixed price stuff. Maybe people only look at the 1st page of their search etc

Successful marketing is all about self promotion. And to do that you have to shout out very loud and often just how great you are and great your product is. Trouble is, the majority of woodworkers are a humble lot and see that as being "up-yourself" You have to be constantly seen and heard when every opportunity knocks.

Also give everyone the impression your business is bigger than it realy is and if you are working alone get into the habbit of using the term "We" We can do this, we will do it this way, we will deliver it tomorrow etc. It gives your prospective customers peace of mind when they are handing over a lot of their hard earned for that special peice they have been saving up for. And if you are just starting out or have only been in business for a short time NEVER let that on. You dont have to lie, but people like established businesses.

Its not easy and the hours are long, but what small business is? And to those who think it will take the "Hobbie" aspect out, it dosnt. The buzz you get is huge when you deliver a great peice and see the joy on the new owners faces.

If you sit back and think word of mouth and your skill alone will put money in the bank, you will be in for a rude shock. So get "up-yourself" and tell everyone who will listen just how good you and your work is, and you will be taking the first successful steps to a great lifestyle and enough money to enjoy all the trimmings

And my 2bob worth on what sells. Tables and Plasma low-lines by far the biggest sellers, followed by coffee tables.

Lignum, great advice.

And... tables, coffee tables & plasma low lines are what I like to do most. Maybe there's hope... When you say tables, do you mean tables & chairs, or do you find you sell mainly just tables?

Richard

Both. But i tell people if they want a chair its a minumun of $320 for the basic and/or they can go to Ikea and get a half decent one for $90. Its surprising how many take up the $320 offer. I knock that down to $280 if they get a set of 8 or more. Chairs and plasma units are what i love doing. I tend to get lots of coffee tables and if i was starting again from scratch id realy concerntrate on them (coffee tables) to start with.

The one below i finished a few days back and i was in such a rush to get it delivered i didnt get a propper photo as the battery ran out and their was dust on the lense and the halogen lights were on and it looks like crap. But it was a great fun project. 1200mm dia and 300mm high with 150mm base set back made from American Oak

Lignum thanks for the input. Looks like you make SERIOUS coffee tables!

Do you have a "studio / gallery" with completed work. Or do they go out the door when finished. A website with pics & contact details etc?

Looks like you've successfully combined a love of wood & woodworking / great craftsmanship skills / AND marketing smarts so that you can make a living doing what you love. Well done mate!

Richard

This is turning into a great thread Guys, Keep it coming.
But Dough slashers must get a greenie!!