Six months without a single sale!

**NeilS** · 2nd October 2020, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Can I suggest a few things for when I'm in need of a FLOOD OF WORK?

(seriously, these literally pour the work in)

First, I make up (or refresh) My Pitch. There is a scene in Schindlers List (the movie) where the proprietor writes up a lovely letter to each military commander and ASKS FOR THE BUSINESS. I do this. It works, so well that I barely need to put any effort in.

-- Jewellery stores
-- Retail operations with displays
-- Architects
-- Shop fitting, display and retail design companies (usually small staff, but their turnovers are mighty)
-- Listed companies

If you are going to rely on retailing directly, you'll find it a lot harder. Etsy and galleries look attractive, but ultimately they are subject to the same whims of those above - just a different master. But you get only one sale at a time.

You will loose some of your creative flexibility, that's for certain, for the above will invariably know what they want, BUT will not know how to (either) get it done or the limitations of the project/materials/process. So there is some education there. They will always ask and once they ask, they are yours.

BUT (second but!) once they have "trained you" you are theirs forever. They are loathe to let go and will keep handing you jobs (and including you in quotes) year after year, even if they appear to go away for a while (or a long while).

They are not without effort. In the case of listed companies, they can be harder to penetrate (they are opaque), but a few well worded and targeted emails will get you pointed quick smart into the right places/people. The person sending you on also lends gravitas and an invitation to speak to the next person. I've had scenarios where people out of the blue have rung me up and asked me to do work as "I was their companies creative woodworker".

Keep an accurate pocket book journal for notes while you are out.

PITCH and ASK.

It works.

Sounds like good advice there WP and invaluable for anyone thinking of starting up in the game.

Reminds me a bit of when I first started to try to sell the pottery I was making back in the 60s... no such thing as a craft gallery back then, at least where I was then. Must say I was relieved when they came along and I only had to 'pitch' to the gallery. Some makers grizzle about the commission/margins that galleries charge, but I know from experience that they earn every bit of that.

**NeilS** · 2nd October 2020, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Things are crook in Tullarook...

All the best EG with the upswing when that happens for you!

**NeilS** · 4th October 2020, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

I've just gone six months without a single sale of my work through the gallery.

Well, I spoke too soon, my September sales have just come through. So, underway again.

It will be interesting to see what pattern they take from now on.

I will also be interested to hear from others when they start to experience some pick up.

**Fryers** · 6th October 2020, 08:09 PM

A late response to the original post, my experience is purely that of a hobby bowl and platter turner, and the few sales I made via local central Vic craft shops have dried out.

I've been thinking of attempting to place my work for sale online... Where is the big question followed closely by Why.
Not one that knows anything about social media, I'm lost.
- Does anyone have experience with online selling?
- any positive experience?
- do any of the sites work better than others?

I'd appreciate any constructive input.
Cheers,
Fryers

**woodPixel** · 6th October 2020, 11:59 PM

Fryers, I only sell online.

Perhaps we should do a writeup for online neophytes with wisdom on how and where to sell?

This would be wise, given COVID isnt going away and society will change for a while (low contact). Selling online has become necessary.

I'm happy to divulge all my secrets (muhahaha!)

On another matter further to the OP, I've had two juicy jobs hit out of the blue just this week. Not exactly my raison d'être, but one cannot be a choosing beggar

The key, as in all sales, is being obvious in what you're selling, be approachable/amenable/friendly and always ask for the sale.

**Simplicity** · 7th October 2020, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Fryers, I only sell online.

Perhaps we should do a writeup for online neophytes with wisdom on how and where to sell?

This would be wise, given COVID isnt going away and society will change for a while (low contact). Selling online has become necessary.

I'm happy to divulge all my secrets (muhahaha!)

On another matter further to the OP, I've had two juicy jobs hit out of the blue just this week. Not exactly my raison d'être, but one cannot be a choosing beggar

The key, as in all sales, is being obvious in what you're selling, be approachable/amenable/friendly and always ask for the sale.

A writeup sounds like a great idea.

Cheers Matt.

**Fryers** · 7th October 2020, 10:02 AM

A write-up or a thread about selling online is a great idea. There must be a lot of experience & wisdom out there.
I'm happy to start a new thread... very little answers from me, I specialize in questions.
I'll write something up and post it today.
Fryers

**NeilS** · 7th October 2020, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Perhaps we should do a writeup for online neophytes with wisdom on how and where to sell?

That would be an invaluable contribution WP.

**woodPixel** · 7th October 2020, 03:48 PM

I think for a woodworking community that the question is asked often enough.

It isn't as if we are a seething multitude of desperate journeymen - like welders, metal fabricators, gyprockers, painters and electricians. Those blokes must fight like cats and dogs for their crust.

Here in Oz there are PERHAPS 500 people who do what we do, 1500 tops, so any advice is hardly going to cut my own lunch

.... plenty of opportunity to spread around.

**mick661** · 15th October 2020, 09:56 PM

Things can only get better from here. I live in Melbourne

**Pat** · 16th October 2020, 05:32 AM

I had a call from the gallery last Saturday morning, the little platter I had taken there about 5 years ago had sold.
860-900ish natural edge blackbutt burl.
The owner asked for some smaller platters

IMG_20150215_125058.jpg IMG_20150207_154133.jpg

**NeilS** · 16th October 2020, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by mick661

Things can only get better from here. I live in Melbourne

All the best there, Mick, and that the revised restrictions go your way this weekend.

**NeilS** · 16th October 2020, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Pat

The owner asked for some smaller platters

Yeah, through put is what works best for the galleries.

However, I like to have at least one large piece in the gallery at any one time. Not that I expect to sell it any time soon, as I always price it accordingly. The primary purpose of the larger piece is to attract the customer's attention and having got their attention they then see the price tag on the larger piece... balk at that... then go on to buy one of my smaller pieces...

Congrats on selling the larger piece, Pat!

**Pat** · 16th October 2020, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

Yeah, through put is what works best for the galleries.

However, I like to have at least one large piece in the gallery at any one time. Not that I expect to sell it any time soon, as I always price it accordingly. The primary purpose of the larger piece is to attract the customer's attention and having got their attention they then see the price tag on the larger piece... balk at that... then go on to buy one of my smaller pieces...

That's been the strategy for the last 5 years

**woodPixel** · 17th October 2020, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by NeilS

The primary purpose of the larger piece is to attract the customer's attention and having got their attention they then see the price tag on the larger piece... balk at that... then go on to buy one of my smaller pieces...

Selling

Its called Anchor Pricing.

Its very real and highly effective. Used well it drastically increases a customers spend.

Waaaay back in my second "real" job, I had the honour of working with a guy who was a sales robot... a human sales machine! He told me everything about selling. Forced me to learn, with fire!

Its quite an art. Very subtle. Worth learning.

Open and closed questions, leading, price perception management, completion equalising, closing and asking for the sale.

Still don't see it done at all these days. Seeing current selling today... it's all so crass. No finesse.

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