posted
My wife and I would like to open our own shop in the near future, the one thing we haven't quite figured out is how to get the initial customers in the door and get a reputation started. We want our shop to be very craft oriented, (dimentional, gold on glass, ect...).
Any sugestions would be swell.
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy people?
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[This message has been edited by Tim N. Townsend (edited May 29, 2001).]
Posts: 11 | From: Boise, ID | Registered: May 2001
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posted
I typed up a short letter on opening the shop then open the ph.book and looked for local business with their fax no. listed, and faxed it to all the thoses business. I didnt get alot of hits that way but got couple. and from there they told there friends.so on so no. GOOD LUCK !!
posted
Building a reputation and clientelle is the hardest, scarriest thing to accomplish. And it's a job that's never done. It has nothing to do with where you're located. Location isn't the answer unless you're looking for walk-in 'quickie' trade of small one-time jobs. For a custom shop, my experience is that walk-in trade can eat up your day. I'd much rather be off the beaten path. (and the rents are cheaper).
No, your problem is much bigger than location, it's called marketing. Getting the word out initially can be a grass roots campaign of informing your existing customers, putting out fliers, cold calling and maybe even a press release to the local newspapers. Have a killer portfolio and show it to everyone. You could join a business club or civic organization. Become active in the Chamber of Commerce. Drop business cards like crazy. Make a point of asking for referrals from everyone you meet. I could go on. You get the picture.
Bottom line is, you do it and resolve to succeed - whatever it takes. It would help if somewhere in there you also resolved to make every job the best it can be, and for you to personally evolve as a craftsman in the trade. Good luck.
posted
Good sugestions above but I would add a couple more.
First off is you own shop vehicle. It should be the most outstanding in town and a good reflection of your business and the work you do.
Your store front and of course showroom should reflect this same style.
Letterhead and business cards, brochures etc. should also be exemplery of course.
And the portfolio should be nothing less than outstanding. And this would include the photography and the way they are displayed. How about the cover of that portfolio... It should be a work of art... perhaps hand carved and gilded box with overlays and fabulous examples of your work.
Make it all so good they want to take it home with them as a sign of their very own.
Good luck to you and your wife!
-dan
------------------ Dan Sawatzky Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Cultus Lake , British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.ca
posted
Really good comments on your opening! But also don't bite off more than you can chew! Some people will try to corner you in your new business and You may cut off your foot in the mean time. Stay in the markets you are comfortable in as you grow....
Leave the Big Stuff to the Big Boys, Unless you know how to do it now!
Yellow Pages,Brochures,Door to Door,Feed back from people,Card dropping....Etc.
Walk and talk alot to anyone interested to hear you.
Good luck as it's a hard start at first.
------------------ Raven/2001 Airbrushed by Raven Lower Sackville N.S. deveausdiscovery@sprint.ca
Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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