I am an online marketer. Online marketing comes easy to me. My online marketing efforts are done at my computer, in my pj’s with my baby crawling around. That is what I call the ability to work at home at its best.
I do realize that I can expand my business by directing my marketing offline. Local marketing or what I call offline marketing is more difficult to me, but I enjoy the challenge of getting my products out into the community. I had my first taste of offline marketing in 4 years putting together a home craft show. That craft show stirred my ambition to go local.
There are many ways that you can market yourself locally. You can sell at craft shows, farmers markets, flea markets, throwing your own craft show open house, having someone host an open house for you, selling at senior citizen homes and so on.
There are many options, but what is the best one. Because of my limitations (kids and finding a babysitter) I am restricted to marketing through my own open house, wholesaling, and fundraisers.
My Goals For Going Local:
- Plan other craft show open houses with more vendors
- Have 5 open houses scheduled in 2010
- Open my silicone mold shop in my basement – testing the market waters for opening a shop
- Have my melts and candle website open to the community
- Have a free sample campaign for the kids teachers and school staff
- Attempt 3 flea markets and 3 farmers market shows
- Visit gift shops in the area to wholesale to
Many of you are more involved with marketing in your community. I would enjoy any feedback you may have to help me with my goals. My list is not as long as my online goal list, but I do know that this is the beginning of a comfortable income stream.
Many Blessings,
P.S. Leave your feedback in the comments section below or visit us in the forum Candle Marketing
Other Great Reads:
- Hosting An Open House Craft Show Party #1
- Hosting An Open House Craft Show Party #2
- Selling Candles & Soaps In A Senior Citizen Home
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Joyce,
If the price reflects that then maybe it will justify the whole can theme. I do think it is cute.
. Michelle does very well, is very ambitious and motivated. She has 4 kids to boot.
I have heard that these grungy and even plain tin cans sell well. I never would have thought and I am planning on trying them out myself. I just was never sure of what customers thought about me pulling their candle container out of the recycle bin.
It sounds like you have a ton on your plate. Baby steps
Skype is a program (skype.com) where you need a mike and you can call someone up on your list and you can talk back and forth. (for free)
Let me know if you are able to get on and my caller id is dawnaurora4. Yes, the live blog is like a chat room. I just like the format. I want to look into webinar style rooms, but in this case baby steps for me. Hope we can meet up sometime.
TTYL
I have a web cam but not much luck with skype, (as I said, I am new to a lot of this technology stuff LOL) I would love to live blog with you but I am in school this term from 8:30 -12-:30 on Fridays. How does skype work anyway. Is a live blog like a chat room on some sites? i read the last one. Michelle has a lot going on. Hope my business takes off soon. My son-in-law doesn’t have a lot of time to work on my website right now with 2 boys in hockey and a full time job. My daughter also goes to school and has a full time job so they are quite busy. The boys are in scouts also and my kids are also den parents. WHEW!!!! Where they get the energy is beyond me. Well, hope to talk to you soon. Thanks for the info, I will try to make a “grungy” gotta get mod podge first. Sounds nice. Do they sell well?? Haven’t seen any here that I can remember. Maybe I can start something new here. That would be great, inexpensive too. Let me know if we can skype, sounds like fun. I am home a lot since I am not working right now. Studying a lot. Bye for now.
Hey Joyce,
I would not worry about competition. Competition is a great thing. It helps everyone stay on top of their game plus what works for you may not work for them. Customers are attracted to businesses for a variety of reasons.
The live blog was a ton of fun. I love bombing around ideas with everyone.
here is the ning site for here http://candlemarketingsweeti.ning.com/ . I do visit it frequently. I would love for you to post your questions there.
Don’t be afraid to try them. We will help you fine tune your ideas.
Would love to talk with you. Do you skype? My next blog is 1/29/10 at noon. I send out an email.
Many Blessings,
Dawn
We are still working on the web site and welcome any imput ideas as I am still VERY new at this. Tried to go to other blogs or posting at Ning but didn’t get in so came back to here. Feel like I am way behind the times. I did check out you last live blog and was in awe at the ideas there. I especially enjoyed Michelle’s comments from the uglyducklingweb. I have a lot of ideas but get a little afraid to try them because there are so many others there. I do some of what Michelle does. Competition you know. Don ‘t want people to think I am “stealing ideas”. Well, email me, love tpotalk. Hope I can make your next live blog.
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
Please ask away. What exactly do you want to do? Are you interested in having a website. I have been talking a lot about selling from your blog. I feel that it is cheaper. I know it maybe tricky, but I can help you out with a lot of it. What is your web address? Do you have it connected to anything? Let me know where you stand in that area. I can direct you.
Many Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn,
Hey, just thought I would ask a few questions. I am not very “computer saavy” and I do not understand all the talk about blogs, and forums, etc. I am trying to get my products out there for sale as well and appreciate all your input but I must admit………I am lost. The only thing I knew was ebay and not much about it except that there is a LOT of competition and I have no clue where to begin. Just got new biz cards and new web address.still not completed, by daughter is doing most of it for me in Maine and I am in TN so it takes time. I welcome any of your comments and suggestions so I needn’t bother her as much. Thanks so much. Love all your info.
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
I think some people use rubber molds, but there are more flexible options that people are turning to.
I am very excited to hear that you are opening a website. That is great. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate with your business and going to business school.
I am so glad you liked the ebook “stop burning time and money”.. I think it is a great book and I take a lot away from it every time I read it again. It helps you focus.
Keep in touch. I will definitely keep the emails coming.
Dawn,
I came across your sites while looking for “rubber molds” like I used years ago, but can’t find now. I enjoy all your information. I used to do home party plans like Mary Kay and Tupperware so I do have a bit of an insight for that. I also dabbled a bit with the candles and home parties but plan to do more this year as I am currently unemployed, and attending college for a business administration degree. I love all your help. Thank you for the info about the “Stop burning money” I truly love it and found it extremely useful. I look forward to your emails. I am in the process of trying to get a brochure together to order from at shows. (Not done much yet) I also do everlasting memory candles which is the name of my web site when it gets up. I make soaps, lotions, body sprays, etc., and hope to expand the cosmetic line soon. Please keep the emails coming, love them.
Joyce Curtis