<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cuser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <wunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.45pt 841.7pt; margin:.7in .8in .8in .8in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:814836495; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-1948224918 67698699 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.25in; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:.25in; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Wingdings;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> If you are an artist who loves to create art and craft works then make the move to selling it through local stores and get your bank account ticking. With the great demand that art works have in today’s market as gifts or collectibles you would be able to find your target audience with the exposure that a local store provides you. What should you do to get started? <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->The first step would be to conduct a thorough survey in your locality regarding the demand for the product. Make searches online to find out what is hot and whether a market exists for what you wish to do. There may already be an existing market for the kind of product you wish to present. If there are similar products available you need to have something that makes yours stand apart from the rest. You need to have a strong USP (Unique Selling Point) to survive amongst tough competition. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Selling your works through a local store is a good idea to reach out to a larger number of prospective customers. Whether you are an artist yourself or plan a commercial venture to bring together the works of various artists, the local store would be a good place to make a sale. You would be able to reach out to more number of people and also keep a regular tab on the demand and sales. It is a great way to showcase your talents and make people aware of your creative skills. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->A gift store or a store that exclusively sells art works is what you must target. Do not hesitate sometimes all it takes to get started is just going in and talking to the person concerned. Meet the manager/owner and talk to them about what you have to offer and how the store stands to gain a wonderful addition to their products range and also a good margin. You must also carry a few samples so that you would be able to make a good first impression and then your work would speak for itself. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Pricing is an important aspect that needs to be considered before placing your products in the local store. The right pricing would make your product more attractive and also help to maximize profits. Go through the prices of similar products online and at local stores. The pricing must be done taking into consideration the prices of competitive products and also the cost involved in producing the work. The margin offered is one that makes it attractive to the store. You must price it in such a way that both the store and you benefit. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]<!--[endif]-->Start with one store and as the response gets better you could spread your wings further. Most local stores agree to sell products for a commission basis that is charged as a fixed amount or as a percentage of the price. They would keep the product on a consignment basis and pay you the amount decided on once a sale is made. They benefit by making a commission in between. Choose a good reputed store so that you are able to soon establish and be known in the field. Selling through an online or local store has several advantages. Opening and operating a store of your own can mean huge infrastructure needs and also money. The sale through a local store allows you to have the advantage of selling through a shop without the hassles attached to it. You are also free to concentrate on your creative pursuits and create more products. Maintain regular contact with the store owner and get feedback on the needs of the potential customer. Customizing products and catering to the needs of the customer would soon result in a larger customer basis and more loyal customers.
That's very comprehensive Vandana. I have seen a few of my friends targeting their area gift stores to sell their handwork. Usually the store owners are open to such products provided they are satisfied with the quality of the product and the pricing. There is also an advantage in this. Since you are promoting your products in stores nearby you, your friends and neighbors will also want to try out your products. Many Indian online websites that buy and sell handmade products are coming up now, like Craftsia Coupons. You can also get in touch with such websites and display your products. The concept is very similar to physical shops but the thing is that you will have a wider scope of buyers. Also you wouldn't have to worry about tracking the payments. You will have to have good pictures of your products and a clear description. When you display your products for sale in these websites, you can also promote them through your social networking pages which will be like an added advantage.
