Refections

Can you believe that we have yet again reached the end of a decade!!! 2010 is just about over and we are all eager to usher in 2011. As a business woman, lol, I love the way that sounds, I too am eager to usher in a new year. But FIRST I must reflect on some of the highlights of 2010...
April- I sold my first piece of jewelry
May- I launched A Queen's Dowry on Etsy.com
October- I revved up my marketing and promotions to increase traffic
November- I started my A Queen's Dowry Facebook page
December- I made it through the holiday season and had my first 2 online sales!!!
All in all it was a GREAT year for A Queen's Dowry


It is very important that I also look back at all of the business elements that have made me successful and those that have not this year, and make changes for the future.
1. Choosing my name- I feel was a success. It draws people in and starts conversation. Dowry is not a word that is used frequently today and that is one of the reasons that I chose it. So, when I hand out my card or simply tell people the name of the business they are intrigued, and of course want to know more.
2.Self promotion- One of the first pieces that I made I wore all of the time and people asked about it- So, naturally I told them what I did... Make jewelry. Coworkers began to commission me for pieces as well as advice. I made my mother a lanyard for her reading glasses and where ever she wore them people asked about the lanyard and she promoted for me. To this day I don't leave the house without wearing  a piece that I made and out of 100 at least 20 ask me about my jewelry!
3. Marketing- SUCCESS!!! Hands down no doubt about it. My first online sale was due to marketing on Facebook and the second was due to promoting my site face to face.
      * Business Cards- I love Vista Print. They always have a super deal and so many cards and finishes to choose from. I sprinkle these babies around EVERYWHERE!!! At school, at church, at work, I carry them in my purse- remember the 20 out of a 100 people per day that ask about my jewelry... They ALL get a card. People who hear via word of mouth get a card so that my site and number are right at their finger tips.
      * Fliers- Color fliers with pictures of some of my most popular pieces and of course my contact info. These go where ever cards go. On bulletin boards, cork strips, anywhere I can get a push pin or tape.
      * Email blasts- So maybe not the most effective, but I can say that I did see increased traffic to my site on the days that the emails were sent out. However, purchases did not directly result from these emails. It does get fingers clicking which is a start.
      * Facebook Advertisement- Not 100% effective at increasing sales, however traffic did increase and that leads to sales. It is targeted as well which is a plus.
      * Blogging-  From what I can tell not much is happening with the blog, but this is still pretty new to me. I do have one faithful follower, and I do promote it on Facebook, so the possibilities are endless. I am going to keep writing about what I know and let you, the reader(s) decide.
4. Pricing and Discounts- Pricing was probably the most difficult thing for me to get a handle on. I had to decide early whether this was a hobby or a business. As a hobby I could charge cost and not feel bad because I was doing it purely for fun; As a business, I have to cover costs and make a profit. So, things such as time and labor do come into play.
Thus far I have only offered one "discount" outside of my normal "buy as a set" discount. It has not lead buyers to me in droves. Pricing and discounting are always highly debated especially when it comes to handmade. I tend to only stick with the buy as a set and get a discount only because my customers usually like to have all the pieces and its the least I can do...
5. Staying true to me- I started making jewelry that I enjoyed wearing and that is still what I do. If I veer too far from that it will not be a good thing. Plain and simple.

I hope that my reflections help you reflect on your business moves from the past year and help you look towards future moves. I look forward to seeing you in 2011.
If there is something that you feel I missed PLEASE feel free to comment on it and I will get back to you.

Thanks Again for reading