The 3 Big Myths for Craft and Creative
Product Businesses
There are 3 big myths that hold crafters, designers, and small
cottage industries back from stepping up to the plate, realizing their
full potential and making a profit.
The truth is, all of these myths are centered around fear, doubt
and uncertainty. Change is an inevitable part of growth. Take a
look at these Myths and see which ones apply to your business:
 Myth
#1: If I price my products too high people won't buy
them. I keep my prices low to sell more
Truth: You can't decide what other people will pay for
your products. Pricing is an art combining perceived value,
workmanship, availability and timing in the marketplace and perhaps
actual costs. If you're lower than everyone else you may
encounter lack of sales because your products are considered inferior
quality even though they are better than other similar products. I had
a client recently who was thinking along these lines and when she
raised her prices she not only sold more units but greatly increased
her revenues. Ask yourself this question: do you always make purchases
based on the lowest price?
Myth # 2: Shipping & Admin work takes so much of my
time I don't have time for creating new products
Truth: Shipping and admin work are tasks
that can be easily systematized. You can't afford not to hire
help in doing those things that are not your forte. Rule of thumb here
is: Do what only you can do and delegate the rest. You cannot grow
your company if you do everything. As the owner you are the visionary
- and it is up to you to be working on your business and not in it.
For example, if it takes you 6 hours a week to ship and you could hire
that out for $72 a week - with that time saved you would then have 24
hours a month to devote to product development, marketing & sales. You
are actually losing money by doing it yourself - it is false economy!
Myth #3: It costs too much for marketing, people find
me by word of mouth
Truth: The life blood of any product based
business is marketing. If you don't get your name and products
in front of the public to let them know you're in business, you will
not have a business for very long.
Marketing is what draws prospects in to take a look at your
products. It is not enough to open up your website, buy an ad in a
magazine or attend a trade show. You have to "work it" over and over
again. The truth be told, marketing is what makes your business sink
or swim. Marketing makes people aware of your product and they must be
aware that you exist in order to buy.
There are many ways to promote your business that are low cost:
social media, newsletters, post cards, phone calls, classified ads,
special promotions, Blogging, SEO ( search engine optimization) and
press releases to name a few. The more often you're seen the more
likely it is that your customers will become familiar with your
company. You want them to know, like and trust you because they will
then buy your products.
For More information about this subject and much more about
creating your Design 2 Market Success business we invite you to join
our
INNER CIRCLE which you can test drive for $1 or $7. To take a look
at all the help for your creative business click here:
Design2Market Success Inner Circle
© 2009 Jane Button International Design2Market Success
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