Do I do this as a survey through my newsletter?
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s latest blog… Controlling Creativity: Timeblocking My Way to Success

Maybe a different variety of monster… the rare small-business lion, king of the entrepreneurial forest… ready to rule his (or her) corner of the world.

Some days, we’ve got all the inflatable gorillas we can handle ’round here.

Do! I do it whenever I really need to shake things up. Literally, because it make me a bit queasy beforehand, and figuratively, because it leaves me with a delightful high and a ton of new info to digest.

Here’s my theory (shh!!! another top secret!!)—if I’m not 100% as busy as I could possibly be, then what harm in using a 1/2 hour of my day this way, when plenty of good might come out of it?

James,

Every monster created makes me ultra-happy, and grows another business. Tell me, what better life’s work is there than this?

If I could create 26,004 monsters daily, my life would be complete.

Later,

Kelly

Regarding #3, you’re right. If I decided to offer net 30 or a buy back program (mentioned in #1), I have a feeling those key words might be something buyers would be searching for.

“Productive new ways of thinking” are exactly what has come out of this. I actually kind of want to do it again.
Todd Smith´s latest blog… Brighten Your World with Photography

Take care of your little person. You can shave years off your efforts to rule a new section of the world on another day. Today, be there for that cutie.

But you know, Todd totally ROCKS… something to think about when the fever breaks and Mum says she’s available to babysit…

Until later,

Kelly

And so will other people. Kid’s got a sudden fever and other nasties, so… yeah. Oh well.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s latest blog… Drive-By Shooting Special: Cheryl’s Casual Contemplations

This is a sure sign of how much YOU ROCK. You got a lot of little gems in that one outing!

#3 is an excellent point—for some of our customers, the web has not yet become a major factor. (Every day, the web is encroaching more and more, though. There’s not one business I wouldn’t have thinking about it these days, no matter how entrenched in old ways they think their customers are.)

Asking the question revealed that, but like I mentioned, often the keywords are hiding in answers to questions 1 and 2 anyway—and on the web or in a print ad or a brochure, the same trigger words and phrases are going to move your prospect to action.

I love it. Sometimes I wish the whole world would wander by a post, just so I could hear more great comments like this one. Absolutely awesome.

Glad it wasn’t too rough. What a wonderful contact you made! I hope your “homework” will lead to some really productive new ways of thinking for you, Todd.

Until later,

Kelly

Wow, was that ever a good exercise! Thanks Kelly.

I went to Papyrus in a local mall near me. The manager spent a good 20 minutes with me and was very helpful. Also, while I was waiting for her, I spend a half hour browsing through all the cards they sell there, and noticing tons of things about their products, including pricing and packaging.

Here are her answers to your four questions:

1. What would get a business sitting on the fence to change their mind about carrying my cards and calendar? She said, it’s a very good incentive to offer a guarantee, in case some cards don’t sell. That minimizes the risk for them. It could be a buy back program or an exchange program. Then she said, if you offer terms, it can push a buyer over the edge. Net 30 is good or even Net 60. For calendars, offer that the bill is not due until January (but she says you won’t always get paid). Offer a 10% discount if they pay early. She also suggested giving as much as 60% to the store with terms. Maybe with a 44 piece minimum order.

2. What would my biggest barrier be? She said getting the buyer’s attention can be tough. She recommended a place call LA Mart – a showroom where I could probably find a company to represent my cards for me in Southern California. She also suggested the San Francisco gift show (she said the LA show sucks). It’s easier to get a buyer’s attention when they have come to a show to find what you sell. She also suggested niche shops, like flower shops, gourmet groceries (which I have found successful). And she suggested that I consider submitting my art to larger calendar company like Graphic de France. She also suggested coffee shops, even seasonal calendar stores (I didn’t know there was such a thing).

3. If you were searching online what words or phrases would you use? She doesn’t search online for her cards since they come down the pipeline from Papyrus. She mentioned things like “nature photography,” or specific subjects like flowers, etc. It was clear that she didn’t have much experience there.

4. What words or phrases would definitely hook you on my products? Honesty was the first word out of her mouth. Also, it would be useful to know on average how often stores re-order and the average order amount, as well as the number of stores carrying the products. Those numbers, if good, would be very helpful to close a sale.

The lady was very helpful, gave me her card, and said I could call her anytime if I had more questions. It turns out she worked in an independent store until four years ago and was the card buyer. So she had lots of experience and knowledge to share and seemed happy to be asked about it.

I also tried the Hallmark store but the manager said she can’t engage in that kind of discussion without corporate approval. She did suggest that I call Hallmark directly and ask for their marketing department, and that I might be able to ask my questions to them.

Well, there you have it. The longest comment I’ve ever left on a blog. Very helpful, Kelly. It was fun getting out, and it wasn’t even really that scary.

Thank you!
Todd Smith´s latest blog… Brighten Your World with Photography