Advice on Sales!!

Sure can!

Merchants Page:

http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dfz3dk33_0d2dvsbgx

(Needs updating, as I've not added anything in the past couple of days, but I'll get around to that this weekend.)

Thank you, Skell.....(pat on the butt, to the secretary)......Speaking of the weekend.......I'm issuing a Weekend Challenge...(at some point you are going to despise these challenges...hehe)

.....to do something that would be "out of the box" for you.....something you are not really sold on....but might want to try....maybe it's working for others, in other style businesses, but you don't think it would work for you.......but you can't really know for sure, unless you try. Rhaorth and I discussed this, above.

Examples:

3Ring encouraged me to try a mall space, which I will set up in her mall, this weekend. I've not done that before. And by the way, I love that mall! Review to follow. I've not done mall space, because I'm uncomfortable packing things in boxes.....but I want to get over that....I can't keep buying prims forever.....or can I???

I'm not sold on the freebie thing.....but will try and get set up this weekend, and give it a shot.

And I just purchased another section of land, that I want to set up yard sale style.....and get all the odds and ends out of the store....make it look really chic in the store, with less distractions....and entire room settings on all floors.

What can you do this weekend that will be out of the norm for you? Take a risk?

I'm thinking of taking up this challenge, and doing what i have been thinking about doing for a while, renting some space somewhere .. only small and something I can easily afford if only for a few weeks. My sales are dismal, almost none existant, though I did have a nice lady come to my store yesterday asking about something i did have on sale but had removed but not completely deleted, I ended up just giving it to her, she sent me 10L for it which was appeciated but not nessesary, what really boosted me and gave me a lift was the fact that she came to my store purposly wanting one of my designs, which is a real spirit lifter, means I may actually not be wasting my time.

If anyone has any ideas about renting a space somewhere that is less than 100L a week i would appreciate it, not looking for too many prims but a place that has decent traffic would be nice for a change.

Sadly I won't be SLing much- may be able to create though- depends on hubby's mood- he is not fond of SL...
I am doing a really different thing for me though- I am making a shorts and bandeau set- a far cry from the usual ball gowns.. And..hmm- someone did mention they wanted something sooo low cut she wd be risking a wardrobe malfunction....

Thanks for not mentioning any names, Am

Heheh...

BTW- I have been given a Designer Tag for Free*Style! Now- what the heck do I make my first post???
And- I have succumbed- I lowered my prices in Shiraz and Wren Mall stores-
I honestly don't think they were high in relation to places I have always shopped but- oh well- Tonight I will do the Main store- before sending out the notice of course.

I have had a great deal of traffic thru my SLExchange pages today but alas no sales

That is still a GREAT thing! Think of it as free advertising. Someone looked specifically at YOUR stuff. For that time you got to show off your best ad pictures at a great resolution and put your ad copy in front of them.

I see a pretty small conversion from slex looks to sales there, but I do get some, AND I generally see a bump in in world sales within 24-48 hours. I think a lot of people browse on Slex and make a note of things to look up in world, or pick up when they have a few spare L$'s.

Chin up.

50L and she complained???
wow people do amaze me, that is about along the same lines as the one who bitched me out over something that was free

*shakes head*

I have yet to see your skyboxes, they sound cool though

are they mod/copy? if so she could have made her own door, or just turned a prim phantom to walk through to get in and out (I have done that lots of times to get into a hidden room heh)

Not to be harsh, but I mentioned a couple of months ago that I thought your prices might need some adjusting. I *may* pay that much for a dress at a well-known design house, but typically, I keep my purchases around 250-300. A new designer (and Am, you're not the only one doing it, trust me) simply cannot charge as much as the big names right out of the gate. It takes time and reputation building to get to that level.

send out a notice about your freebie, that is what the group is for, it is not like fashcon where you send out notices for new items, instead it is for notices about new freebies

I have not checked to see if I got my tag yet or not, I hope so, been waiting to send that one out

You gave some excellent customer service there, Skell

My comments to maybe shed a bit more light on what this woman might have been thinking or wanting: I don't live in a "skybox" but I do live in a "house in the sky" - meaning it is a regular house that we have lifted 1,000 m up for privacy. Our house has a balcony on the second floor that we utilize a LOT. However, the downstairs front door does indeed open into empty space - but we just never open it...lol.

Our house has a large rock-looking foundation so we didn't see a need to build a platform on it, plus having our balcony for going outside. However, I have seen many homes and buildings located in the air built on a prim foundation that they do indeed landscape. So just my guess of what this woman might have had in mind. But since your ads state there are no doors....then she obviously didn't pay attention when she read them.

yeah I know the feeling, even though I am not a new designer, I think my prices need an overhaul too, sales at a lower prices is better than no sales at all

my plan is to redo them at the end of the month.
(and remove the giftcard system, which I already sent a notice to the group, and put it on the forums in the shopping area as well) they were popular when they were free, but people just never used them even to save 20%

ah well, easier with metacard anyway and it does generate some sale from people using the metacard

for the challenge I am going to try the sending out a thank you to the folks that purchase over a specific amount (otherwise I would be spending all day sending out noticed to 1L purchases, not that I do not appreciate them, but.. I am sure people understand)

plus there will be a gift included, something I made up last night heh (just need to finish it and box it up

The older ones aren't, no. But the latest one that I'm so bloody proud of I could burst (heh) is. I really need to rez them all, change all the permissions, and re-box them with new ads to show those changed permissions.

I try to create a complete atmosphere with the skyboxes. The woodland arbor is completely enclosed and is intended to be a peaceful place. The pink girly skybox is a complete girly, fluffy thing with beautiful windows, and the new gentleman's study is an oasis of calm from the outside world. Once someone is inside one of my skyboxes, doors are not intended to be a problem; everything is inside, and it's another world. That's why I rezzed part of the study at the store, so people could sit there and experience it.

That's the hope, anyway

Oh I know Honey- it just took a long time to sink in

what the heck can I do for the challenge ((

maybe I'll finish those boots I've been neglecting....

I'm glad it did. Put your prices at a more realistic level, and you may find your sales soaring, because you *do* have a great product! *hugs*

I still have to do the 'unique' challenge, although I do have an idea for it. God knows how I'd build it though, but I do love a challenge...

Here's another idea that I've been wanting to do for a while.....everyone tells me it's totally lame.....I think it might be lame, too....but will try it.

I want to go to the hubs, where the newbies hang out, and offer them a gift box with apartment style furniture....really low prim, with the basics, a starter package....with landmark inside.....maybe a buying land info card.....or add them to my property group, which I let die....so they can contact me any time with land buying questions......this could build a rapport, so when they get their first home, they will come look at furniture. A lot of people who have been dear friends for a long time....I met the first or second day they were here.

I do best with one on one chats.....and want to hear what the newbies think when they arrive....been a while since I chatted with the new blood.....always enlightening.




Go Dancing!....and wear that Amazing Gown.....to a busy spot. Look around at the gowns....if you see one you love....tell the woman.....don't be shy...... she will be flattered, then ask about your gown, too......and the conversation will flow. (unless she's a snob - hehe)

It doesn't sound lame to me at all. Newbies all come in very confused. any help they can get is a plus.

Thank you. Yes, I can see where a bit of confusion can set in for a moment when you come to my store/studio. The setup there is unlike other stores...I'm going for a more realistic, natural feel. Most people tend to use as many prims as they can on either structure of vendors...I believe in details...this bring a space alive (IMHO).

If anyone would like me to visit their store, and give a critique-lite, I would be more than willing.

Cheers.

I would love to see what your thoughts on my store are (link in my sig)

I will go peek at yours now

ok I did the thank you's to those who purchased things other than the dollarbies... was only 9 but even 9 took a little while to find the person send the thank you and drop the gift
If I got busy I don't realistically see how one could do this

If one was say the size of gurl6, or barerose, or any of the other big names, who I am sure have 100's if not 1000's of transactions a day...

so where does one draw the line, from being nice and polite to being purely business?
where is the happy medium?

Don't get me wrong.. I would love to have the time to send out a thank you to each and every customer, and right now, with sales low, I do have the time, but if things got busy, how would one do it?

I appreciate my customers, without them, I would not have the store I have, and the fun I have in making stuff, it is very fulfilling to see someone purchase something I made.

I get the same feeling when ppl buy my creations in SL, as I got when people bought my creations in RL (used to sell on ebay)

I think that although "Thank You" Is a very nice thing to do- and i do do it, btw- and then send them a little extra something or other- if I actually go big - and at the moment that means more than three sales in two weeks I would put up a nice sign expressing my appreciation- come to think of it thats not a bad idea regardless

I went over and had a look

Was not sure what you sold at first, (had an idea from comments I have seen previously throughout the forums)
I like the professional office feel when you walk in, the decorating is done nicely as well

It is obviously a niche product, so those who know what they want would know what to look for
not going to comment on the product or price as I have nothing to base it on

overall I like the feel of it

Whew...this one thread can keep a person busy!

After taking yet another class this morning, I headed over to Dani's shop for the mall's Bubblegum hunt. DANG those things were hard to find...and I'm a veteran "hunter" having completed the Pot Healer's Quest and Gion sim puzzle. BUT...I landed in the shop when Dani's lucky chair was on C! WOOT! SCORE a lovely dress there (haven't tried it on yet...still on the move...but the photo looks lovely!)

Bubblegum, bubblegum..here...bubblegum..ok, it's GOT to be here someplace. Using my camming skills I scoured every inch of the store and AH-HA!! Found it!!! Excitedly tp'd home to put on the cuuuuuutttteeee Broomstick skirt/halter outfit. (LOVE broomstick skirts RL - they are made of that crinkly fabric I don't have to iron!!)

Looking around for that dang gum kept me in the store awhile so as a "mini-review" - I'm very impressed with your store, Dani (that particular location I'm speaking of at least...have not made it to the others). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your logo!!!!!

Shop is cleanly laid out....ads large enough to read and rezzed quickly at draw distance of 64 m - I like the open space in the middle (I'm prone to open space - doesn't make me feel claustrophic) and having the lucky chair in the middle of the shop was great!

~ ~ ~

Freebies going out the door from the notice I sent via Fabulously Free and/or the post in Classifieds. Several people who stopped by for the free futon also purchased my "Amazing Closet" (including someone from this forum - thank you sent...and thank you again *smiles* you made my day!!)

Amar - you were the one mentioning not having rented a shop or stall (I think)....you might want to look into the free stalls at Big Dog Free Market (location on my profile). 25 prims (which for that size stall is a lot) FREE is a deal! No apparent natural traffic but the land I purchased for my eventual shop won't have that either - where our marketing skills will come in. They return all items the 1st and the 15th - then you can put things out again. For my purposes it's a WONDERFUL deal!

~ ~ ~

Now donned in my new Dani outfit...heading over to Michael's store to do review. (Ack...we had a brief lull in the hurricane-induced rains but I hear lightning again so it may take a bit longer.)