Craft Sales Tips

There’s a saying among webmasters to ‘newbies’ where they try to explain that an internet business is not as simple as ‘if you build it, they will come’. The same basic principal applies here – you might have the most fabulous product in the world, but if you don’t spend quality time on marketing and sales, it’s not going to be flying off anybody’s shelves.

Unfortunately, too many people think it is as easy as just having a great product that’s going to sell itself. Of course, there’s no such thing, unless your product walks and talks for you too. The GOOD NEWS is that these people are your competitors, and they create the perfect gap for you to take advantage of! I call this type of person The Lazy Salesperson, and I love them because I know that with just a little extra effort on my part, I’m going to get loads more business than they are!

If you’re not a natural born sales person, either attend some basic training or read up as much as you can about it before getting started. Importantly though, remember that not everything might suit your personal style and the way you’re comfortable doing sales, so look for methods that will suit you so that you’re able to have more success with your efforts.

Here are the craft sales tips I’ve found to be successful, especially in picking up where The Lazy Salesperson has left off:

Craft Sales Tip #1 : Have Your Facts & Figures Available

Know what you’re talking about. If you don’t, the buyer will soon realize this and will take advantage of the situation to send you packing. Remember that buyers are skilled negotiators – they deal with prospective suppliers on a daily basis, so you’d better be able to at least match them, if not beat them, at their own game! Do some research beforehand to find out what you need to know so that you can present your products professionally.

Craft Sales Tip #2 : Personal Contact Is Always The Best

In this technological age, email and other electronic means of communication have become The Lazy Salesperson’s companion, but I’ll bet that if there are any statistics available, they will show that the person who makes personal contact is the one who closes more deals. Pick up the ‘phone and make that call! Even better, do it face to face – make an appointment and go see the buyer. Email is also an easy way for a prospective buyer to back out, because you’re not there to rebut them – they know they can just send you an email back saying 'No Thanks'. But if you’re having a conversation, you’re able to ask 'why' and to provide information that will counter their reasons for not buying. Do your research on sales tips and techniques, and be sure to look up 'rebuttals' – these can become some of your best steps towards closing the deal!

Craft Sales Tip #3 : Ask For The Business!

And be persistent about it! Don’t just comply with a request to 'send more information' – by all means, send the info, but then follow up that the buyer has received it. What do they think of it? If they can’t give you an answer now, when can you expect one? Then follow up on that (this is where you acquire a good friend – your diary). Better yet, ask for an appointment to personally bring along the info and samples!

Craft Sales Tip #4 : Always Find Out The Reasons Someone Doesn’t Want To Buy From You

This is a type of constructive criticism, and you may learn something that will help you to improve either your products, or your sales pitch. Then, once you’ve overcome the reason they wouldn’t buy, go back to them and tell them so – you might just get the order!

Craft Sales Tip #5 : NEVER GIVE UP!

'No' never means 'No'. It really only means 'not right now'. Situations and circumstances change all the time. It could be that the company you contact has already allocated their budget for that season, or they’re focusing on other products right now, or the buyer might leave and be replaced with another person, etc, etc, etc. The list is virtually endless, but the fact is that if you give up, you will not get the business. If you persist, you have a much better chance at it.

So go out there and give it all you’ve got! Good Luck, and have fun doing it!

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!