Saturday, June 30, 2012

How to get your customers coming back for more!

When selling your hand crafted items online, you need to take customer care into consideration. You want to be the best in your line of artwork and adding a few personal touches to your customer service can make a huge impact on the reputation of your online shop.

Here are a few ways you can take care of your customers:
1) Make your customers feel appreciated, go above and beyond what they expect. This means making their shopping experience with you one that separates you from the thousands of other online shops out there.

I had a repeat client who bought a hand created bangle from me, I know she adores earrings so I made her a pair to "Match" her new bangle, she was thrilled and to this day is one of my best customers!

2) Always welcome customer feedback, this can be your best friend and give you an edge in the handmade market. I find that my clients have some really great ideas that I can easily implement in my business. Dont be afraid to ask customers what they want, run a survey on your website or your Facebook Fan Page you never know what great ideas they can suggest that will end up boosting your sales. .

3) I find that when handling custom created orders that adding a few days additional time is a smart thing to do. You never know what unexpected issues can pop up at the most in-opportune times. Another plus is when you can actually deliver your custom order earlier than quoted or exactly on time. This is extremely important to the reputation of your online business.

4) Dont be afraid to extend a courtesy to another shop or business if you don't have or can provide what your shopper is looking for. I have found that when I refer my shoppers to other online shops they go above and beyond to reciprocate! Plus, I have made some very amazing friends through doing so.

5) I always spoil my customers with "Extra" goodies with their purchase. I usually make up extra earrings and keep them on hand to include as my way of letting my customer know they are appreciated and special. My customers love that I take the time to create something extra and the positive feedback is so very worth it!

Pricing your handmade items made simple

Selling your handmade items online can be hard enough without having to worry about under or over pricing. I have spent years creating jewelry and pricing was always something in which I knew I had to come up a solution. I can say that having a successful Artland shop consists of many aspects, such the will and determination to make your shop a success, hard work, and tons of social networking (Yes, where you actually have to go out in the "REAL" world and interact with actual people!) and of course networking online with such places such as FaceBook, Myspace, Twitter, Pinterest, Digg... Etc. You really have to work at promoting your shop. Your efforts will not only increase your sales, but also increase your brand awareness and your shop name!

When wondering about profit you are probably wondering how to figure it into your price. Pricing your products for too low a cost can have a disastrous impact on your shop. You must remember that shoppers want to feel that they are getting a quality creation. The same goes for overpricing a product, it can be just as detrimental in a sense that the shopper will be looking at your competitors pricing. You must also take into consideration if you are targeting a high end shopper or a "Bargain" shopper.

Next, you will want to be sure that you take into consideration any expenses that you can such as rent, artistry tools and equipment, repairs, telephone, cell phone, electricity, water, internet, subscriptions and memberships, artistry supplies, advertising fees such as business cards, online venue fee's, craft fair entry fee's, instructional classes and insurance to name a few.

If you are working from home you may will need to calculate a percentage of your utility costs. A safe percentage to claim when running a business from home is 10% of your monthly utility may be applied as business related when considering electricity, water, gas or phone. You can claim 100% if you have a personal business phone line and internet that is strictly used for business purposes. You can also find out what your state tax requirements are as per costs of doing business.

How can you determine your prices?

First you must figure your profit as minimal and your overhead costs maximum. To do this you must take into account your cost of supplies and creating shop inventory (your actual created goods) I suggest beginning with a profit margin of 50% . This is a pretty fair assumption of profit.
Lets use this as an example:

1. Overheads: $10,000

2. Profit: $5,000

3. Overheads + profit = $15,000

4. Divide $15,000 by 50% = $7500 ( You are using your profit margin of 50% to gain this estimate)

Now we need to work on figuring your retail price: Below is a very simple formula for determining retail prices.

Cost of Goods + Markup = Retail Price
Retail Price - Cost of Goods = Markup
Retail Price - Markup = Cost of Goods

Pricing your items doesn't have to be scary, it can be a simple process once you know what you are looking at. When running your own shop it is very easy to track your inventory and all your expenses. Working for yourself as an artist can be fulfilling in so many ways, and profitable once you learn how to set your prices.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Fabulous Fridays

Fridays are more than fabulous when you get to shop with these awesome shops from Team Elite!

Give any outfit a touch of rustic elegance with this beautifully created necklace from Gendrea This necklace has a combination of brass and antique copper chain and links. I wire wrapped two swarovski crystals inside the heart for some color and sparkle. The necklace measures 24 1/4 inches long and the earrings dangle just under 3/4 inches long.

. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ˚ ✰* ★˚ ✰* ★

Wire wrapping is a true work of art as is this ring created by CoparAingeal This is an asymmetrical wire wrapped adjustable ring made with a black coated copper wire. It features an 18x13mm Oval Agate and 20 Trans Olivine beads around the edge of the stone and down the band. Agate is the stone for self-expression, creativity, health and good fortune. It makes it much easier to open up oneself. Soothes emotions and pain. Sensitizes and attunes senses. Helps to develop powers of eloquence, self-confidence and public-speaking. It is believed to be of special benefit to athletes and to those taking any kind of examination or test - mental or physical. It eases a sore throat and takes away the hoarseness. This stone also works directly with the nervous system to alleviate physical tension and is said to be a treatment of arthritis, skeletal conditions, and as an aid to digestion. General healing, reduces fever, hardens tender gums, gives courage and banishes fear.