NICHE MARKETING - 3 Presentations Offer Great Information
July 19, 2011
The Professional Development Seminar from the 2011 SNAG Conference was recorded and is available for listening and viewing!
Now you can see the same presentations and hear what our niche marketing experts had to say. I enjoyed the real-time events but learned even more when I was editing the audio....and I think you will too! Here are a few highlights, (then scroll down for the presentation with audio).
Alexander Girard mid-20th century
dolls sold to adults were a stylistic
influence on Hilary Pfeiffer new line
of wedding toppers.
Photo from H.Pfeifer PowerPoint.
Our first speaker, Hilary Pfeifer, describes her "Bunny with a Tool Belt" line that keeps her going in this tough economy.
Hilary explains that her childhood interests evolved into her wedding cake toppers sold on Etsy (left photos). She says these are among the few things that people keep and display in their homes after the wedding. Every one of her wedding cake toppers delights...check out success by looking at Bunny with a ToolBelt!
Next up, the Professional Development Seminar continues with emiko oye. Watch the presentation and take notes. No matter what your medium or style, emiko offers solid information that translates to success from gallery exhibitions to Etsy.
emiko's TOP five tips
for Getting Your Business Out There!
1. Professional Quality Photography
This is THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP for getting exposure for your business. First impressions are everything so why not wow people's socks off from the get-go!
2. Take Risks Don't Get STUCK: Balance
Even though you may sell a ton of one design in one style, don't get stuck just putting all your focus on making the same thing over and over. Balance: I'm a staunch believer in making important exhibition pieces (right images) as well as production, ready-to-wear. The exhibition work definitely helps sell the production work and gives broader exposure.
3. Take Note & Be Accessible
Pay attention to how people respond to your work, feedback helps define your niche market. Be Accessible: means have a web presence. As I've said in my lecture, "If you aren't online, you don't exist". Get involved in social media with Facebook, Twitter, and Crafthaus.
All jewelry (above right) by emiko oye
from repuprosed LEGOS
The Tire Earrings are included in new
Lark book 21st Century Jewelry
4. Be Ready Set Go!
When opportunity strikes, you must be ready with line sheets, images, bios, and artist statements. Flickr and your website are great for being ready for the press.
5. Get Involved.
While we love to hole ourselves up in the studio and make to our heart's content, it's important to get involved in your community, local, & national arts organizations.
Our third Niche Marketing speaker, Deb Stoner, has a multi-prong approach to support herself which includes teaching workshops on eyeglass fabrication, custom designing, and fabrication for Donna Karan, along with her jewelry & photography. She keeps it fresh by being open to opportunities. Read the Handout Deb created for the PDS about Niche Marketing. Download DebStoner_Final
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The Professional Development Seminar was organized by Andy Cooperman, Brigitte Martin, and myself, Harriete Estel Berman. We had a strong program brimming with information and over 500 attendees but the Internet offers the opportunity to share this programming with a much larger audience.