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A Glass Blower’s Companion with Jason Michael -Helping Today's Glass Artist Think Like an Artistic Entrepreneur


Oct 19, 2016

Selling

Your work during the holidays.  
 
This is the time to begin gearing up for the holiday rush   As we all know time disappears even faster this time of year between the studio time, holiday parties, family get togethers and trying to find sleep amongst the chaos.  Ideally if you are able to continue the momentum created throughout the year the holidays can be highly successful allowing you to add new items to an already large catalog, try new items as well as create and continue an annual limited edition series or item.  Personally I make and sell a limited edition ornament.  Platforms like Etsy are a great place to sell and promote these items. Each platform has its own algorithm helping you promote yourself as an artist.  They are flooded with a sea of others but with persistence and time dedicated to this process as well as consistancy you can find success.   Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram allow you to promote the items you are focused on selling during the holidays. As you drive up interest in these items it is important to think about promotional sales for Black Friday and cyber Monday.   Personally I hold a Instagram only sale for cyber Monday and use my Etsy account for Black Friday.   Even though blackfridau is generally a brick and mortar retail sale day you can still take advantage with online platforms.  It is important to remember to promote heavily for at least a month in advance driving up the interest. Each day before the Skar launches you should promote the sale and items.  If you are selling different items you can showcase them individually throughout the weeks as well as promote the sales giving your tribe an advanced notice. Another important idea is to think of supply and demand or scarcity of your item.  Let your tribe know that you are only making 20 or 50 of a specific item and that they are numbered and dated and signed.  This adds to the hype and the need for your tribe to own your limited edition items. Remember if you do go this route that you have to stay true to your word and if you say you are only
Making 20 of said item then you have to stick to that number.   The item can change and vary over the years and seasons to keep this item a consistent collectors edition item and keep the scaricity mindset associated with it which will drive your tribe to feel the need to buy it now since they'll never be able to get that item again.    This is why it is so important to stay up with your social media and stay consistent with your word and posts......
 
Here's a few tips when it comes to selling wholesale orders to your retailers 
 
Shops are busy 
Visit or call in advance to see what the shop needs. Not wants. Make an appointment and hold shop to it  
Always make a few extra items that you want to sell 
Think retail 20-50.00 stocking stuffers. 
Put together a Christmas or holiday pack.   Stockings with goodies 
Follow up before going to confirm appointment made 
Platforms to sell retail 
  • Etsy
  • Shopify
  • Bigcartel
  • Social feeds 
These are just a few of the popular platforms of selling your work in a retail level. Most of these won't allow functional art so take advantage of this and make other items that still show your work and artistsic expression as well as the ability to expose yourself to a different community that loves art and supporting the arts.
 
links talked about in episode:
 
http://www.rushimprint.com/custom-lighters.html
www.wyzguymedia.com/130