PIFing the days away...

So, as I shop and sell on Etsy I have been noticing listings for $0.20, and I wondered what they were about. They are what we on Etsy call PIFs or Pay It Forwards. These nifty little listings are products that you would normally buy earrings, bracelets, necklaces, gloves, hats... and all that is asked of you is the listing fee ($0.20) and the cost of shipping and handling. How sweet is that? I currently have 2 PIFs listed at my site, www.anhartetsy.etsy.com, they are both earrings and they are SUPER cute. I did have a third PIF, but when you snooze you loose! You can find a host of other PIFs by searching PIF once you are on Etsy. My goal this year is to have at least 3 PIFs a month, they will get better and better as the year progresses... You gotta check them out.
It's a great way to shop and a super community to be apart of.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy shopping

What to do now?

So, your product/service is selling but not as quickly or as often as you would like. You have offered discounts and free gifts with purchase as well as exhausted all of your avenues of marketing. So, what do you do now?

Four steps to get your business rolling along again and at a higher pace:
1. Re-evaluate your marketing: This is a BIG one-
*Are you aggressively marketing or are you waiting for someone to come along and notice your product/service?
--For my jewelry and other products that can be worn- I WEAR them!!! People compliment me on the items and I whip out a business card and hand it to them while I am talking about it. I sold 5 pairs of earrings just by wearing a pair that day to work.
--For other products such as food, that can not be worn- Wear a crafty button or pin that has a picture your product featured and that is eye catching; for services wear the word and it will draw attention. I made an inexpensive button that I wear on me when I go shopping. It has interchangeable faces. One says: YES! I handmade my jewelry! When I catch people looking I once again whip out my business card while I talk about the pieces I’m wearing.
*Are you using EVERY opportunity to market your product/service?
--I use the doors of my car- Door magnets
--I am going to use my lawn and the lawns of loyal customers- Lawn signs- Check with your/ their neighborhood first.
*Are you marketing to your target audience?
--Who are you trying to attract? Ex: Who are your shoppers, most frequently?
--Do you market where your audience (from above) shops, eats, works out, reads the news?
--Is your presentation appropriate for your audience? Ex: Are you using tinker bell to attract a 56 yr old woman?
2. Have you looked for new places to market your product/services?
*Salons/ Spas/ Boutiques/ Galleries
*Mom and Pop (I just like saying that) shops that DO NOT carry your product/ service, but cater to your audience
*Your own website/ Etsy.com/ Artfire.com
*Craft shows
*Church/ Community events
*Hotels
*Home party- to showcase your product/service
3.Have you recently reached out to your customers?
*Send a handwritten/ made thank you note/ card/ postcard/ letter
*Send your BEST customers an exclusive discount as a return customer
*Offer a bonus/ discount for referrals


Last but not least… This one you may need help with:

4. Re-evaluate your product/service
*What is its value to others?
--Convenience
--Aesthetics
--Cutting edge
--One of a kind
*Why should people purchase your product?
--What sets your product apart from others?
--What’s the story behind your products?
*Why should people purchase from you?
--Who are you?
--Why can you be trusted?


--*Ask yourself: Why do I buy what I buy from where I buy it?
---**Apply your answers to your product/services

After following these steps you should be able to get a pick up in traffic and sales. I cannot guarantee it, but it should at least get you moving in the right direction!!!

Happy Sales

More Marketing

So, its coming down to crunch time for me. I am getting ready to start classes again and I really need to focus on school. However, I can not let my business stand idle, so I am working like a MAD crazy woman to get my latest pieces completed and posted to etsy. I am still on my aggressive marketing campaign to get more traffic to my site so I have made buttons for me and my distributors to wear when we are out and about, I have become more aggressive in my distribution of my business cards- if it looks like you are looking at my jewelry, then you get one- and I wear at least 3 pieces so I KNOW you are looking!!! LOL, I ordered car door magnets so that I can be EXTRA visible when I am rolling around the streets of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and last but not least I am getting ready to pitch my jewelry to a salon owner (or 2 or 7- until I get a YES) so that I can set and maintain a display in her salon. I am just trying to reach out to anyone and everyone I can in the hopes that they appreciate my jewelry and if they are not interested they at least mention it to someone who is. I think I an going to go on a promotion day tomorrow, walk through the mall with my most popular pieces and hand out business cards- as well as carry a few pieces for on the spot purchasing- I can't wait until I get my jewelry roll!!!)

Well until next time happy shopping!
p.s- all of the marketing items mentioned above (cards, magnets..) are can be ordered from Vista Print