Jewelry Business: How to Find New Markets for Your Handmade Jewelry
Do you sell your jewelry through retail outlets? One way to boost your profits as a jewelry designer is to find new retail markets for your jewelry designs. It’s not as hard as you might think since there are a variety of boutiques, galleries, and gift stores looking for unique jewelry designs to sell to their customers. Here are some source for new outlets for your jewelry design business:
1. Your local yellow pages.
We all have access to a local yellow pages phone directory. This free book can be your best friend when it comes to finding new markets for your handmade jewelry designs. Sit down with a tasty cup of iced coffee and put your yellow pages to good use! Look through your local listings for art galleries, independent clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and gift stores that might be good markets for your jewelry designs. Write down their addresses and phone numbers. When you have an opportunity, visit each location a visit and see if your jewelry might be a good fit for that particular retail outlet.
2. Out-of-town yellow. pages.
Your local library should have a variety of yellow page directories for outlying cities. Find a city or large town within an hour of you and repeat the process you did for your local markets. Plan a day trip to visit some of the retail outlets you found in this new area. Be sure to pick up business cards from each location that looks promising. When you return from your trip, follow up with a phone call and see if your selected stores would like to see what you have to offer.
3. Attend Chamber of Commerce meetings for leads.
Many people don’t take advantage of this resource. Most Chamber of Commerce’s hold regular meetings where you have the opportunity to network with other business owners, including boutique, gallery, and gift store owners. Attend their meetings and let them know you can offer them unique jewelry designs they can’t find anywhere else.
4. Out of town shops
You probably have a few trips planned this summer. When you’re out site seeing, stop by some of the local gift stores, boutiques and galleries in the area. Write down any that could be appropriate fits for your jewelry designs. Grab a business card and contact the owner when you return
home. Talk about mixing business and pleasure!
5. Crafts Report Magazine
If you haven’t subscribed to this publication, you’re missing out on a valuable resource. This is a magazine designed for professional crafters and it discusses all aspects of marketing crafts and finding new markets for handmade items. There’s a gallery profile in each issue which highlights what type of items the gallery owner is looking for, along with contact information. Many of the gallery owners interviewed are looking for unique, handmade jewelry. You may be able to find this magazine in your local book store. If not, refer to the resource box.
6. Newspaper announcements of new store openings
The opening of new boutiques and galleries are usually listed in your local paper. Keep your eye out for these and visit them as soon as they open to see if your jewelry designs are a good match. Get there before the competition and establish your presence!
These are a few ideas to help you expand your jewelry design business. If you need more information on how to sell your jewelry designs to galleries, read this article
I wish you much success in your jewelry business. :-)
Written by Kristie.Leong.M.D
Posts related to Jewelry Business: How to Find New Markets for Your Handmade Jewelry
tags: Business, Find, Handmade, Jewelry, Markets
