|
Spring Is Right Around the Corner…
Get a Jump on Your Spring Business Cleaning Now that the 2007 winter tradeshow season is over, Spring is right around the corner! The change of season is a great time to review your business, see if you’re on your way to meeting your yearly goals, and do some spring cleaning, if necessary. Remember, the fiscal year (if you go from September to September as many businesses do) is only about half over. A quick review of your year so far will help you make any minor strategic or tactical tweaks to help you meet the goals you set at the beginning of the fiscal year. Here are some tips to get you started on your Spring Business Cleaning: Analyze Your Sales
With the winter tradeshow season over, take some time to review your sales. Which lines are selling…and which aren’t? Did you introduce any new products, and if so, how did they do? Also, have any of your lines out-lived their profitability? You may have a few products that you’ve been making since you’ve been in business, but if they’re not selling it might be time to consider updating the designs or dropping them all together. A fresh design (or a refreshed one) can go a long way to boost sales later in the fiscal year. Marketing Tweaks
Aside from your products, how well have you been identifying and communicating with your target customers? And is it working? Review your marketing plan. Which had the most impact…advertising, direct mail, a special exhibit or show at a gallery? How much have you spent on marketing and did it increase your sales? Which marketing channels increased the most? The least? Did you try any new methods to reach your target audiences, or did you use the same methods that have worked for several years? Whatever the method you choose, the big question remains: Are they working? Now that you’ve answered those questions, look at your marketing budget. If you’re not satisfied with the results, and you still have room in your budget, then now is the perfect time to research which new marketing tactics you might want to try…or which older ones you want to return to. Maybe you need to advertise more, or try advertising in a different venue. Maybe you need to test a direct mail piece to your best customers. Clear Out the Clutter
Some of us thrive under clutter, but some of us have a hard time getting things done with stacks of paper on our desks and general disorder in the studio. What shape is your studio in? Your office? Get a jump on spring cleaning and get organized! If you’re too busy to clean, hire an intern. You’d be amazed at how much more work you can get done in a day when you can find things! Wholesale Matters Blog-Watch
Did you know that the Buyers Market of American Craft now has its own blog? Find out what’s new in wholesale, get wholesale tips and tricks, find cool online business tools, and more at http://buyersmarketblog.typepad.com. Here are a few recent headlines:
- An Intimate Experience
- Jewelry, Beading and Blogs
- 2007 NICHE Awards Winners
- Innovative Booth Design
- Whew!
Who Will Be Tomorrow’s Top Retailers? YOU DECIDE!
Voting for the 2007 NICHE Top Retailer Awards is underway! Nominate up to five craft retailers you think deserve the Top Retailer Award. Additionally, we encourage you to nominate a craft retailer, art nonprofit, museum or guild for the special categories. Visit www.AmericanCraft.com and click on Top Retailer Awards to vote today! OPPORTUNITIES KNOCKING
Call for Artists
If you haven’t gotten your application for the 2007 August Buyers Market yet, now’s the time! Applications are currently being reviewed. Visit www.americancraft.com/BMAC/artist/index.html to read the eligibility requirements and download the application. Space is limited, so apply today! Artist-In-Residence
Artist-In-Residence position open at the Appalachian Center For Craft. In return for about 20 hours of work each week we provide: private room in our housing, semi-private studio space in the Metal's studio, and a one thousand dollar stipend. For more information email Robert Coogan at rcoogan@tntech.edu. Call For Entries: Appalachian Center for Craft.
The Appalachian Center for Craft is seeking artists for solo or group exhibitions for 2008-2009. All media will be considered. The Craft Center hosts up to 25 exhibits in three gallery spaces each year. Deadline is June 1, 2007. Please send 20 slides, or high resolution images, image descriptions, resume, artist statement, and SASE to Gail Looper, Gallery Manager, Appalachian Center for Craft, 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville, TN 37166. For more information please visit the website: www.tntech.edu/craftcenter or call (615) 597-6801. WJA Scholarships
The Women's Jewelry Association is pleased to announce its Scholarship Program for 2007. Every year more women find opportunities to build successful careers and flourish in this vital and very exciting industry. WJA is committed to encouraging talented students and helping their studies in fine jewelry and watch design. Student scholarships in varying amounts starting at $500 and as high as $5000 are available to female students who are enrolled in fine jewelry and watch design courses in the United States with classes between January 1 and December 31, 2007. Scholarship recipients are selected by a panel of judges from the jewelry industry. Scholarships are announced in late June or early July. THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS AND ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS IS MAY 1, 2007. To download the application and for the most current information about the Scholarship Program, please visit http://www.womensjewelry.org/awards/scholarships.htm. Quote of the Month:
Mind you, we are mind.
We are not the kind
To stay too confined.
—Robert Frost from “ Kitty Hawk”
Market Insider
Archive - MI newsletters from previous months. |
