Advice on Sales!!

Hey Mickey- sure I see your point- And seriously LOVE the "Trunk show" idea- in fact, I think I will set something up -

I understand what you are saying and from where you are coming. I too want to end up on the A-List... but- right now, I need to get known- and if it means a few sales to get the word out then it's a start... Matter a'fact.... How's this for an idea.. said Trunk Show needs attendance else whats the point... I could invite from the list of folks that have made purchases (sadly right now it's small enough to make this feasible ) and schedule a show for them. Can't have a show with out any comers.. or- could send an invite across the group announcing said show- and then model for those that show up.. Point is, while the idea of a Private Showing (ooh- I like the sound of that!) is great- I need the warm bodies to show them too and before the onset of this thread, the group and the discussion- I had no one at all that had so much as heard of my store.

Have to start somewhere.

You have a great market-space and that is fantastic - me, I am still carving

Keep those ideas coming!

And unrelated but in case you guys are interested and not cruising the Building Forum:

http://sl-prim-emboss.bashora.com/index.php

hehe yea I always had 20/20 vision, then suddenly there was a problem with the light. Yes, that's it...the light. Not enough light. It took a while to realize that having to carry the newspaper classifieds over by a window or use a flashlight on the phone book wasn't the light, it was me haha

I can't even use a phone book anymore I just look up numbers online.

Yesterday/today 24 hour freebie: gave away over 150 sweaters (they were a big hit) and generated 3k in sales.

I love the trunk show idea too and if you have one and I have no commitments, I would be happy to attend! It's a new concept..I think! lol

Hm. If you all wanted to do a hunt where all of you could contribute, I'll loan you a half sim

I've just contacted a potential collaborator offering my teaching services. Might just see something along those lines soon. If so, will definitely announce it here and in the Biz Group.

Woot!!!!! Mega-gratz, Ralektra!!!!!

Great Czari, i look forward to hearing about it.

Oh that's great Honey, very kind of you

I was just thinking that...

Amar (or anyone holding a trunk showing) let us know on this thread and/or the Biz Group. We could come to support you (and even purchase an item or two... *grins*) and you know how people tend to look for a lot of green dots and drop from the sky.

That sweater was amazing....best I've seen. You are selling yourself short by giving that away. I have a friend in your store right now, that wants one. She loves your stuff. But she can't find it. You missed a full price sale. She bought something else. She is NOT a freebie shopper....

I would pay 200...I want one in a orange rust color....if she paid 200....that's 400 on just 2 sales....so 3k is peanuts in the scheme of things.

You have a huge talent, Ralektra. Don't get bogged down with doing all this piddly crap, and sell yourself short, or give yourself a freebie, give-away type image.....you can command better with your talent.

/me makes not to self.. "Learn to knit.."

OOh!!! Way cool- A Fashion Hunt! Hmm- ok- more thinking.. Topic for Discussion next meeting- anyone free tonight?

Freebie Hunt????

/me wrings her hands....shakes her head......snickers......and gives up......

Carry on......

I'll be back online in about 1 hour and free all night

Why would it have to be freebies?
It could be exclusive one-of-kind Finders Keepers objects- that one pays a nominal fee for- I don't know- we can discuss. I do know one thing- myself personally never ever go on hunts- just so you know- i really do not see the fascination.

Peeps... I put shoes in the store...

That's my whole point, Am.

Oh! - I've had a moment... /me slinks away...

Freebie Hunts are fun for "something to do". It's an event that can be listed as long as you're in attendance, and brings attention to your business. Other than a bit of time on the business owner's part setting up a hunt, it's a win/win situation.

I've already been planning to do this myself, and will advertise it. Each of you could contribute one or two items to the hunt, being very very sure to include the LM to your business in the package. It's been my experience that I may not remember the mall where I got an outfit, but if the LM is in the folder, I can always go back to the store.

My mall is 1/4 sim +/- and I can include another portion that, for all intents and purposes, has nothing on it but trees. I can add more landscaping to make it interesting. Perhaps at your meeting tonight, you can contact me and I can show you the premises.

Helps me, helps you.

why do you have such a problem with freebies?

so what if others want to do a freebie hunt

That doesn't mean you have to be snide about it, you do it your way, others will do it their way

and I for one, do not consider my freebies worthless
nor do I feel that a lot of the stuff out there are worthless, in fact some freebies I have seen are better than some other stuff I have seen selling for 100's if not 1000's of lindens.




you can think I am attacking you, or picking on you or creating drama or whatever

however I am simply disagreeing with your opinion, no different than you disagreeing with the opinion of those of us who like and use freebies as a marketing tool

Gosh...without freebies, I wouldn't have a blog!

Errrmmmm...the rest of us who don't make fashion can't participate?

Of course you can Czari! It's not just about fashion

and neither would a lot of others
and I have a feeling a lot of the bigger designers would not have the success they do, if they did not give out the freebies.

maybe the difference does lie in the fact that clothing seems to be the main freebie market for advertising and getting your name out there, it is also a very difficult market to work in

I look at other people's stuff, big name (at least to me) places like Simone! and Bare Rose, and DE Designs, BadKatz, and many more too numerous to name, and I think... If I could do it as well as they do...

but I plug along, and do the best I can, and learn as I go along.
I make mistakes and learn from those mistakes (one of them being a mistake I am currently correcting and that is my prices, I am reducing my prices, as I have come to realize, it takes more than nice stuff to sell clothes, the market is extremely saturated, so therefor... one has to do what one can IF they wish to sell stuff)

I am also learning ways that work for me, when it comes to getting my name out there. What works for me, might not work for another, and what works for another, might not work for me. I love that we share ideas here, I thank all of you for the tips, and ideas handed out here.
Please do not be offended if someone doesn't utilize your ideas, or if someone thinks your place is not perfect.

I hope that we can continue to help, assist, and discuss ideas with one another, and remember above all, that we are all unique, and that because of that, we will all have unique ways of doing things.

Yes Czari the more the merrier

I completely agree with you Rhaorth, some of the designers i will now only go to i found through Free*Style. I just love it when i can find a freebie that is so gorgeous and made by one of my fave creators.

I have to admit there is some clothing out there that is way overpriced for what they are giving, i have never and probably will never spent over 300L on a outfit i mean hey my skin i use was in the sale lol. I like it when you can find the perfect outfit and it's not going too cost you 500L just for a top and pants *sigh* so so many places really do overcharge.