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In the last four years, I focused on painting landscapes and my auto portraits for my gallery in Santa Fe. Sold 374 of them, but the seven day a week retail experience was totally too much. High overhead, employees, utilities, insurance and all the hassles of retail jail were too much, compared to being a sign gypsy.
The new deal of returning to doing graphics for the car dogs, after thinking about it the past four years taught me alot. Digital printing costs have come down. Still sub out any vinyl cuts projects. Building a client list with new names and a new territory is certainly hard work, but am already seeing some good results. I think the key is the Graphics, not just the sales efforts. Cold calling remains the hardest. Relying on my old reputation seems pointless.
What makes your business grow? Is it relying on your past reputation? Do you advertise more? Have any new ways to reach out and grab more sales? After years of being here at Letterville, I enjoy the sharing of ideas. What do you think works to generate new business? www.PrestonMcCall.com
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm seeing a large share of what was my market and my clientele moving elsewhere to a younger set. Their work is not livelier or cheaper or necessarily more current, but they are extremely engaging with social media. They have web presence that shows up on mobile devices. That seems to be the direction currently working.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Our website and social media are where the bulk of our projects come from. We service a national (and international) market. Cold calling has never worked for us.
Our business is different than most without a doubt. We typically do one large project and a half dozen small ones each year. We are extremely selective about the type of projects we take on - only the best customers will do. We turn down about 90% of what comes knocking.
I do a journal (blog) which I add to daily. This drives a lot of traffic to our site which returns regularly. I often hear from our new customers that they found us online and spent a fair amount of time on our site learning about us and what we do. Because of this we don't have to qualify them.... they know we aren't the lowest price and that we only do dimensional work.
Our road presence is also very important. We are a home based shop but still top shelf. After researching us online and then making an appointment they show up at our property. Walking into the studio is a breathtaking experience in itself. By that time they are either our best customer or not. A few minutes talking about their project and the budget needed sort out the rest. Healthy deposits are needed prior to any work starting and everything is paid before the finished projects leave the shop.
It works for us!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Find a good networking group in an area of interest and join, make new friends in the group, get involved with group activities. People like dealing with people they know and like. Our website is bringing in new business. Repeat customers, try to stay in touch with them. Email marketing, google page, facebook, linked in...people are online these days buying, researching. Try to get some good reviews - I know of a couple of people that came to us because of the reviews on Google. I can't say any one particular type of marketing has been significantly better than the others. It's a lot of consistent exposure, doing good work and providing good service.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1265 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Considering most of my clients are Car Dogs (New Car Stores), I still find the old 'go see them and shake their hands' works best with definite repeated follow up. Starting from scratch in a new market is always a challenge, but the old ways seem to be the way to go. It is never about the price, but the service.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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