I can’t believe that it’s been over a month since I’ve made a post to this blog. I guess that’s because it’s been a super busy CRAZY time for me, and, I have to admit that I have loved every minute of it! I am experiencing what every small business owner experiences, the necessity to wear a whole slew of different hats, and sometimes many different hats on one day.
I hope you enjoy this picture of beautiful English End of Day sea glass –
While my favorite hat to wear is Jewelry Designer there are lots of different hats I have to wear that are just as important. These are just a few…
“Materials Manager” – This is the first hat I have to wear. Its the hat I put on when I’m walking on the beach sea glassing or searching online and talking to vendors about obtaining sea glass and sea pottery to use in my crafts. I am also Materials Manager when I make a trip to A.C. Moore or Michael’s or to a bead shop to procure supplies or when I search online and order jewelry findings and other items. As Materials Manager I must also make sure that I don’t run out of any particular items which might stop production and it means I must be aware to be getting the best price I can on materials.
“Marketing Representative” – When you consider what is involved in marketing I don’t know if I ever really take off my marketing hat. I always have business cards in my wallet and hand one out whenever I can. I was in Michael’s the other day “procuring materials” and the gal at the register said “somebody is going to be making a lot of jewelry”. I used that opening to tell her that I create sea glass jewelry which led to her telling me how she loved sea glass and how she had just moved from North Carolina. She got a card. When I was in JoAnn’s getting fabric for a craft fair display and someone asked me what I was doing with the fabric I used the opening to tell her that I create sea glass jewelry, which started conversations with others and I gave out three cards. The clerk at the post office commented how often he was seeing me mailing packages and asked me what I was mailing. He got a card.
I also put business cards on public bulletin boards in super markets. I offer them to people in my hair salon, doctors office, gym, grocery store, shops and stores I visit, where ever I may be. My friends carry them to give out.
Another way I market is to wear my jewelry. This may be my most important marketing opportunity I have. There is no better opening than someone saying “oh, that’s a lovely necklace”, or “what unusual earrings”. You know what to do with an opening like that!
For me marketing also involves helping others. I donate animal themed earrings to a local animal rescue organization. My name is on the cards. They get the money and my business name gets out there. I am also working with an organization involved in the rebuilding of Pittsfield Vermont, post Hurricane Irene. I am creating jewelry and selling it through a local hair salon. Again, the rebuilding organization gets the money, I get my business name out there. Marketing, marketing, marketing.
Another way that I market my business is online. This is done through many various venues, Facebook, Etsy, Twitter, Instagram, Blogging, Pinterest, Flickr. This is a whole other discussion for a later date. Right now I have to put on my “Jewelry Designer” hat!
