Ready to get some sales

[Mary San Paolo]

My wife and I have many of the skills required to get our home framing business going. A moderately large workspace, creative ability, license & insurance, business and material (mouldings, mats, conservation techniques, glazing) knowledge, etc. We don't have any sales. We could use some helpful hints in getting our sales moving. We will pickup and deliver. Our business plan relies primarily on the commercial business. Another tidbit...we both have full-time jobs. All ideas are welcome, fellow framers!

 

[Randy Parrish CPF]

Hi Mary
Welcome to the Framer's Corner! I would recommend networking and advertising. Go to art show's, art fair's, museum openings and meet people, it's free and if you hand out a few business cards it is well worth it.

Do you have a good website?

 

[Russ Wood]

Hi Mary and welcome.

Randy has some excellent ideas. Particularly the website. I am home based, and most of my business is commercial, but I am phasing out of the commercial and going more for consumer. I am getting my consumer business via 1) internet / website 2) personal contact and 3) referrals. I am also trying some other things to see if it sticks, but nothing really successful yet, but I'm still trying.

Concerning commercial, start calling some of your potential / mid sized distribution / manufacturing / other type companies. Ask to talk to the person who does training.

See if they have people come in for training, or if the have group training, or retreat type activities. Suggest they email you group photos. You will then print and mat only, a group shot for each person, plus 2 extra (at no charge for the training leader), and have it ready by the time the session is over. Have a per mat charge. The reason you do mats only, and not frames, is this way the trainees can easily carry their matted picture home. And it doesn't cost so much, at least until they get to know you.

For me, I now have commercial customers on the east coast emailing me photos that I can turn around and send back to them. I get it by 3:00 pm, and I can get a few Fed-ex'd by 6:30 so they can have it the next morning if they want; normally they can wait for a day or two for delivery. For example, client in New England had a group celebration of some of their employees at a Red Sox game. They took a bus and had a great time, and took a group picture. Guess who did the picture and did the work. A framer in Colorado., fed-ex ground.

And, make sure you have lots of business cards! I figure I have about a 1% success rate on the business cards I give to potential customers. I also carry a bag that has 5 or 6 matted samples with me most of the time. So if someone asks more about framing, I can show them some samples, and if you can get them to touch, your success percentage goes up.

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

Here are some of my tips:

-Join the local business-group
-Obtain or compile a list of all the businesses in your area
-Write a letter of introduction about yourself, your business and services you offer to these businesses
-Sign each letter with a pen
-I wouldn't just concentrate upon commercial customers. If you are not busy, then all customers are welcome.
-Businesses need to hang their artwork, so add this to your services.
-Whenever a new business sets up, get in contact with them to see, if they need any artwork hanging on their walls
-Go to functions of businesses
-Join the local golfclub. Many business-owners are members

 

[Mary San Paolo]

Thanks for all the great advice, we will take all of this into consideration. I appreciate everyone's input.
-Mary

 

[Mike Drury MCPF]

Join the local Chamber of commerce, go to everything they do and volunteer to help at chamber events. Then buy the member list and mail a letter to each one that says who you are and what you do. Also, web site, web site, web site. Your web site is just as important if not more than your phone #.