CRAFT Forums
Do you pay commission to your sales associates? If so, how much? If not, why?
Please visit the CRAFT forum boards and share your thoughts and expertise on this subject .
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THIS WEEKS LINKS
From Retail Contrarian, 10 Tips for You to Consider in Your Retail Journey
From Tanveere Naseer, 3 Tactics to Improve Hou You Give Feedback to Your Employees
Have you read a blog or an online article that you found interesting or helpful? If it was helpful to you, it will probably be helpful to other gallery owners and artists.
Send it to me at rani@randomactsart.com to be included in our weekly newsletter.
American Craft Week
Reminder
We would like to think all members of CRAFT would want to participate in American Craft Week, but many of you have not signed up. Just because you are a member of CRAFT, that does not mean you were automatically signed up as a participant. If you are going to be participating in or promoting American Craft Week, please check the Participants page. If your gallery or studio name is not there, please email info@americancraftweek.com with the following information:
Gallery/Studio Name
City, State
Contact name & email
Website
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Are you planning on printing postcards or flyers for your American Craft Week event? Is it time to order business cards? Don't forget to check the prices at nextdayflyers.com
They do great work, are very, very affordable and also quite speedy. If you use this link to sign-up, and create your account, they will donate 7.5% of your order to ACW! You only need to do this once, and all your future printing will contribute as well. And we can promise, you will love their work.
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Before major shows we put out a list of CRAFT members exhibiting at that show. If you are going to be exhibiting at the summer NYIGF or BMAC, please email rani@randomactsart.com with the show name and your booth number. If you will be offering any show specials, we are happy to include that information.
Booth numbers for NYIGF must be received by Wednesday, August 11. Booth numbers for BMAC must be received by Wednesday, August 18.
Not Exhibiting at the Summer Shows?
We are always happy to spotlight a CRAFT artist member in It's Friday. If you are interested in being spotlighted email rani@randomactsart.com with up to two paragraphs about you, your studio & your artwork. Please include links to your website or Wholesalecrafts page and up to two pictures to be included. You can send the pictures as attachments or just send links to the pictures on your website.
Artist will be spotlighted, one per week, on a first come, first serve basis. You can check out this past newsletter for an example of an artist spotlight |
Table Topics over Lunch
NYIGF Sunday, August 15th
12:30-2:00 Room 1C04
$20, includes $10 food voucher
Sponsored by CRAFT:
TABLE 1: Making your blog work for you.Retail stores are learning the value of blogging to keep their customers' interest. Come find out how to get started, what constitutes good content and how to keep it going from a successful blogger. Led by: Janet Francoeur, Carolina Creations, New Bern, NC
TABLE 2: Public relation strategies for craft galleries/shops. You need to get the word out about your fabulous craft business ...but do not have many promotional dollars? This discussion will include the basics for creating a PR plan and how to execute it to attract free editorial coverage. Led by: Tom Handley, Marketing and PR Instructor, Parsons School of Design
TABLE 3: How to use Facebook and Twitter to build your business.
Learn how viral campaigns using these methods can be powerful tools with big payoffs. This artist/store owner will share with you how she ties it all together with great success. Led by: Fern Solomon, Fern's Garden, Long Beach, CA TABLE 4: Designer Jewelry Store Roundtable for a Tough Economy. Is a significant portion of your business in designer jewelry? Take this opportunity to learn and share some effective strategies to survive and thrive in an uncertain economy with this successful store owner who has weathered many years of ups and downs. Led by: Tara Silberberg, The Clay Pot, Brooklyn, NY
TABLE 5: Doing E-newsletters using Constant Contact can save your business.
Why you should do it right now! Learn why, when and how to accomplish this. Up to the minute facts and comparative figures from Constant Contact will be given and story ideas and examples will be handed out. Led by: Donna Milstein, Owner, Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX TABLE 6: Salesmanship: the Buyer/Seller Dance. Everyone talks about marketing, but how do you make a sale once you have a captive audience? Join this table and learn to lead the sales dance by making selling a natural, comfortable communication process. Led by: Nicole Carroll, Artist Marketing Consultant, Hudson Valley, NY TABLE 7: How to create a good Standard Operating Procedure Manual.Training and retaining good employees dictates having an up-to-date SOP manual. Attend this topic to learn what its contents should include and how to benefit from using it. Led by: Larry Williams, Gallery Director, Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX
TABLE 8: Using the Latest Technologies
Using the latest web technologies in your store (like Iphones and Ipads) to interrelate with customers and boost sales. Led by: Nancy Vince, President, Wholesalecrafts.com |
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