Thread: How do we market our crafts?

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, as I also have the same problem here at Port Vincent, therefore have over the years tended to stay well clear of most markets, although having said that, it also depends on the locality, for what won't sell at one market, will for some reason sell at another market 20 k's away. The best sales outlets I have found for quality skilled workmanship like your husband's models, ( which, going by the photo, have the, " WOW ! " factor ), are Specialist Craft Gallerys, and similar shops in touristy regions. Another answer is maybe ask local shops, ( newsagents are usually the best ), to put in your items on consignment, then they don't have to outlay any money up front. I have done this with our local Port Vincent Newsagency, who, " thought about it for 2 years," then when they desided to have a go, and put my toys, & things on display, @ 20% commission, they admitted they wished they had made up their minds sooner, as by adding my wood crafts they have improved their sales turnover, especially with tourists.

Hope this bit of info helps you
Roger

I would suggest:

Art Gallery (gift shop in foyer)
Motor Museums
Internet
Advertising in motor club newsletters etc

You are correct that the product is too advanced for the local craft market. To get the dollars you would want to justify the work you need to target to collectors and motoring enthusiasts.

Cheers

Stinky

What Stinky said, plus perhaps a stall at the Ute Muster to take orders.

The Duesenburg is beautifully made.

What sort of price would you expect for this?

Mick

Originally Posted by Sir Stinkalot

Advertising in motor club newsletters etc To get the dollars you would want to justify the work you need to target to collectors and motoring enthusiasts. Stinky

Yep..what Stinky said LiliB..
Weekend markets can be great for making pocket money but you need to make the items to suit the buyers and their disposable cash..(not much nowadays..particularly in regional areas)...This piece however, is a specialist item for a limited market and sadly the better the model and the more time spent on it decreases the market even more.
Gallerys may not be the way to go either, 100% mark up will often price it out of the market..
Adding to what Stinky said...there are people out there that want what your husband makes AND are willing to pay what it is worth...you need to put this in front of them..
specialist publications, vintage car meets, vintage car forums, etc...

Yup, first step is to identify your market, which is often not as straightforward as you might think, and then to promote strategically to that market. What does hubby want to do? Make or sell? If only the former, then don't begrudge what someone may ask to do the selling for you!

Originally Posted by underfoot

Gallerys may not be the way to go either, 100% mark up will often price it out of the market..

If a gallery is putting that sort of mark-up on your work, I'd expect them to be dragging customers off the street and forcibly extracting the cash from their wallets. Most galleries add 50% plus GST to your price, and only some of them earn it. If they are doing a good job, it's money well spent, if they aren't, dump them.

A couple of ideas-

*Does your hubby have a web site yet? And business cards?

* Someone was telling me yesterday about a site called "market roll" which I haven't even looked at yet where you can put links to your site and tell people where you can be found. Which markets etc.

* there are some high end markets around. You might have to travel to the city though. I am in the Maker's Market at Abbotsford convent, that is mostly proper crafts people, and some pretty pricey items get sold. But you still rely on passing trade until people know you are there regularly.

*an add in the RACV mag? Have an open studio at home.

*Also ETSY. Like ebay for arts and crafts.

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed ideas.

Many of them were ideas I simply could not have come up with. Pricing is of course key, and I would expect something like the Duesenberg to sell for $350. However, if galleries charge high commissions and put substantial mark ups on, the product will become quite unaffordable to many.

The range of thoughts are excellent, and it gives us excellent food for thought.

Thanks again
LiliB

Originally Posted by LiliB

the Duesenberg to sell for $350. However, if galleries charge high commissions and put substantial mark ups on, the product will become quite unaffordable to many.

You probably should just face teh fact that not everyone will be able to afford one of these beautiful cars. We don't have to supply the poor people all the time. And you would be surprised what is called "affordable" by some people. Don't worry about the price till you get to the gallery. They will know what their customers would think was reasonable. And if their customers are cheap stakes go to another gallery!

+1 on etsy and your own web site. Markets are fine for common garden variety stuff, but when you specialise, you need to target a global market, because the volume of buyers is just not the same. Buyers at markets tend to buy on impulse - "oh, how cute, I must have it". With a niche market, you don't sell by impulse, the buyer generally does his research first, and the best way to be found is by having a web site / on-line gallery.

Maybe link to a "gifts for guys" site? Or at least put tags for that one your site.

Originally Posted by LiliB

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed ideas.

Many of them were ideas I simply could not have come up with. Pricing is of course key, and I would expect something like the Duesenberg to sell for $350. However, if galleries charge high commissions and put substantial mark ups on, the product will become quite unaffordable to many.

The range of thoughts are excellent, and it gives us excellent food for thought.

Thanks again
LiliB

You have some excellent advice above, Lili.

Art and specialist craft galleries traditionally add 100% (or higher) margins to stock that they own and add margins of 50% to items that they sell on commission. Then you only get paid (if and) when they sell that item. They do not expect their stock to turn over at the same pace as in supermarkets, and they know that 90% of their customers are tyre kickers.

For the top 5% market tier that you and your husbands craft are targeting, price is almost irrelevant. It is about design, craftsmanship, quality, rarity, exclusivity and emotion. But people will still try to get a discount on a Rolls Royce. You are not selling to the 95% of real people!

One avenue not canvassed is to advertise in specialist magazines and club journals and solicit commissions to make models of member's cars. Veteran car buffs absolutely love their vehicles, and many would be willing to pay well for a model of their baby. You might also be able to provide trophies for classic car shows.

A friend makes model yachts and always has a waiting list. For 30+ years he has carved the trophies for a major yacht race - at the prize giving he is handed a perpetual trophy which never leaves the club, and is asked to provide plans or photos of his yacht. Three months later he gets the huon pine half model. The yachties love this trophy.

Cheers

Graeme

Hi Graeme
You are absolutely right in what you say. I guess once we get David's work out there, among those who will constitute his customer base, the rest will probably take care of itself.

The idea of getting the product among vintage car owners is good. They will most likely feel the right affinity with the models. Lots of people love the work, but most are in the 95% who are 'tyre kickers'.

David is such a lover of his craft, he really doesn't feel strongly about selling. To him, it's the pleasure of the making that is key. To me, the problem is I am a neatness freak and do not like clutter. So, realistically, we will have to find homes for his creations.

I won't explore the website avenue for a while. We simply wouldn't have the stock to keep people supplied. We are probably better off looking at commissions. We may even be able to start locally, since there is a car club, and they no doubt, have their connections and activities.

I feel a little more motivated now, to explore various different avenues. We're not talking big bucks in real terms, and I'd like David to have the joy of building for as long as it continues to give him such pleasure. Meantime, I'll just have to be the business manager as usual.