We took down the display last Friday. I finally got one call from it yesterday but they were more interested in an exchange of services than spending money. I didn't need their services!!
Then the chamber actually asked me to donate a sign to them for their hallway!
I'm out of ideas. Compared to the shops around me my stuff is like the Hope Diamond!! I guess I must look like I'm too expensive and all the cheap jerks go to the other places.
One guy up the street actually says on his window that he sells "magnatic signs" note the spelling. That is exactly how it is on the window.
posted
Don't try to define your success because you didn't get many jobs or calls while the display was in place. I'm often suprized when, I get a call from someone weeks after making a sales call. Some people will carry a card, because they are impressed and have a future project.
I get calls 6 months later from business cards left on a counter.... Don't worry about the clients!
But did all your cards leave the table when you took down your display? Many look and listen,to you worth and will keep your card on file for the future.
I loved your set up/presentation of yourself.
Believe me you will have some calls when the customer has some pocket cash to work with.
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Hey Amy - what Stephan said - you do great quality work - -maybe too upscale for your market? Just wondering, I've spent alot of time in Fla. myself - in the panhandle most folks make their own signs there - don't scoff---some of them are very good.....all I can advise is hang in there & you will do fine......It does take awhile for you to git a good reputation - it just depends on how hard you push it - -Carl
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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Don't get discouraged, we goto the local county fair each year with our mobile shop and sell decals and take orders, more for just good PR, well we just finished a job that a lady ordered for her new business, she said that she had talked to me at the fair, mind you this was last july...and really appreciated the way I took time to talk to her so when she opened her business she only called me for her signs. I could't tell you if i talked to her or not, that fair had 30,000 people per night roaming through it, but she remembered me. So I guess what I'm trying to say is it't not one thing that will launch you to fame in your business, but a consistent effort at quality work and fair dealings that will get you a reputation that your looking for...
Just my 2 cents.
Shawn
-------------------- Shawn Setzer Signs by Shawn 826 Hwy 47 East, Troy, MO Posts: 241 | From: Troy, MO, USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Hi Amy, I just now saw the display - that was a great idea, and all the pieces showed a wide versatility and high quality. Whether you know it yet or not, the message DID get across.
I picked up on your remark that you might look too expensive and scare people off. I grappled with that myself. You're right, you did scare some of them - that's the name of the game. It's the cost of running a quality operation - turning out a quality product. A whole bunch of the buyers out there will be satisfied the the 'magnAtic' guy and will flock to him looking for a bargain. You already know how that tune ends and you are well off to let the two of them dance that dance. Yes, you will be considered unapproachable by them. That's a good thing.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Amy, Don't look for the response to all come in immediately. Did you try the brochures to target clients? Repeat it , then go meet them in person and then repeat again..... My cold calls results have staggered over a year and a half.... They just take time. Good luck, Jack
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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That is indeed some beautifull work. Sometimes I have waited months before any noticable amount of responces came in, so hang on(like a storm when they start coming)they are aiming at ya !!
Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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Thanks for all the kind comments and suggestions everyone. I am trying to be as patient as possible. I just need some cash flow. With me being practically non-existent and my husband being on reduced work weeks it's starting to get scary around here.
Hopefully everyone is right and the calls will come in all at once. I don't mind being swamped with work. I can always get help if needed!
Happy Friday!
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Boy, can I relate to erratic cash flow. I think it is the single largest problem with running a high-end shop. It's almost like there must be a second activity to supplement the 'custom' side of the biz. Something that can turn over quickly and people need it on a regular basis. Something that can run side by side through the production mill without either taking too much focus off your primary activity, or confusing clients about what you specialize in. I have identified such an item for my company that fits in well with my product mix. Still, I treat it like a seperate entity, give it a seperate name and market it independent of my main business. Incognito. As far as the public knows, they are unrelated.
Maybe that could work for you too Amy. If you look around your community, what are the sign needs that are under serviced? Truck lettering, screen printing, sign repaints? (Sign repaints and maintenance are often overlooked sources of quick revenue that few shops want to mess with). Some cold calls may be in order to survey what needs exist out there. If you end up identifying an area you could fill a void, consider putting the word out a little more aggressively that you are actively pursuing that specific type of work.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Seems to me that the booth was only half of your marketing though. The display you set up set the tone for the work you want to do, but it wasn't the same as a sales presentation. Marketing requires background, such as your display, but also requires sales.
You've set the stage... maybe you need to get out and knock on some doors.
Some people MIGHT think you're too expensive. My guess is that most of the people who saw the display would NOT think that. (Most people are really clueless about the cost of signs). Maybe they just didn't make the connection between that display and their needs. "Oh, you can bakery/real estate/country club/fill in the blank signs too?"
(I don't know how many people saw the display while it was up... do you?) Get out there, walk around, and knock on some doors. A good line would be to ask the businesses you visit if they saw your display. If so, what did they think of it? If not, show them some pictures of it. Get them talking to you. That's where sales come from.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Very nice looking signs Amy. However your marketing appears to be lacking a few critical elements. I looked and looked for a supply of brochures or business cards. Most people that visit that booth would forget who you were within 10 minutes of leaving the building. There isn't even a pencil available to write down your phone number.
Next display consider having a fish bowl where visitors can drop their business cards or a notebook where they can leave you a note if they would like you to contact them about a project.
I would consider writing a short biography of your background and signmaking skills and intrests. Name, address, phone, fax and email at the bottom so they know how to contact you. Make it easy for your potential customers to find you.
As I mentioned in your advise seeking post on this display I am not confident this was a good venue to set up a booth. Since it is a vistor centre most people that past thru the doors are likely to be from outside your marketing area. Generally it is difficult to attract clients from over 30 miles away.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Chuck! There was a stack of brochures and business cards in three separate areas of the display. If you look at one of the picts you can see a sign where I asked interested parties to pick them up. I counted them to see how many were picked up.
Also, this was free and I really didn't expect much from it. The problem is I got tons of praise from the chamber and from the talking they did expected more. One call kind of surprised me.
I also had a sign that stated I ship anywhere and the display was up during speedweeks in Daytona which generated more traffic.
I'm not complaining. What do you expect for free. Being a stay-at-home mom I can't do like others and pound the pavement making cold calls. I've only been doing this one year and building a reputation takes time. I know that.
I put up the results because some asked me to. I'm really not complaining!!
Thanks!
[ February 23, 2002, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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If you are hunting buffalo and lower your sights, you are only gonna get rabbits! I agree with Amy. Shoot high for the upper crust of those that want and can afford the high end signs. I made a decision last year to only target the elite. I do not do vinyl, magnatics, MDO, storefronts, vehicles, or "plain" signs. I know that work is sometimes scarce. But, when it DOES come in, it comes in good. I agree with her approach. Top quality right from the git-go. If someone wants less, then they can discuss it. It is hard to convince someone you can "do better" if you only have out vinyl and plastic samples. I garontee you this, she WAS noticed !!! And, when it comes time to do my display, I will be using her technique. Only the best of my best will be seen.
-------------------- John Smith Kings Bay Signs (Retired) Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 819 | From: Central Florida - The Sunshine State | Registered: Jan 2000
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