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I have a friend who was very successful selling his art at art fairs, open studios, etc. He used to say "I have two prices, full price and free. I occasionally donate art to select charities, but otherwise, my price is as listed." He delivered that line with elegance and kindness, and it was an effective approach for him. Great topic, Mei. Thanks for posting!.
That's a wonderful script! I think that when it's delivered with confidence, too, that makes so much of a difference. Thank you for sharing that, Joan! 💖
This was mind blowing! 🤯 I don't want customers who don't appreciate my stuff and chances are that even if I give them a discount, they're still not going to absolutely love my stuff anyway. I have to keep reminding myself of this every single day. I want to attract the people who will love and cherish the things that I make and are willing to pay what they are worth!!!
I direct them to subscribe which gives them an automatic discount, and family get wholesale prices. Thanks to your pricing model I can say yes to both and still make a small profit. Very grateful to you for that!
Oh, Jackie, I'm so happy to hear that!! Nailing pricing is so hard and I'm SO GLAD the pricing strategy worked for you and is giving you confidence in that tricky situation.
Or people that think they are going to get stuff ‘for exposure’ and I say ‘call my landlord and tell him that he should accept ‘exposure’ in place of rent money because you want free stuff but don’t want to pay
Oh man, I am good at drawing and have heard that line more times than I can count. "Design my tattoo, draw my giant, epic scale comic book space opera for free, it'll be good for your portfolio"
I had a guy ask me if he could get a military discount. Since I was still new at selling at craft shows, I said sure. But aside from that and a few random people here and there, no one really asks. At shows I say "Because I make everything by hand myself, my products are $X," and pretty much everyone is respectful of that (or they hear it, think it's too high, have a surprised look, and walk away). Showing that you're firm and why the prices are the way they are helps.
Excellent video Mei! Great advice for a sticky situation. I read in the comments about referring "discount request people" to sign up for my email list and let them know to keep an eye out for occasional discounts. I like that strategy a lot. If the person persists in asking for a discount I would then use the script that you came up with to explain why my prices are what they are. Thanks again!
I hate when they ask " do you have a veterans discount " I am a veteran so what does that do for me? It is taking money out of my pocket, I joined the military because I love my country and NOT to be treated different or for discounts, people dont realize that most of us get tired of people saying " thank you for your service " even tho I am polite and say thank you It still annoys me, it is being said out of appreciation to thank me but in is not necessary.
Having a Shopify site is moreso that you have the protection from Etsy shutting down your shop and taking all your customers, but if you are not selling much, then using Etsy is a fine option to continue with.
That's a great idea, Lily! This captures those emails for later, which is gold. Be careful of offering discounts too often, though - customers will come to expect them and will wait to purchase.
I worked at a call center and it always worked great to do what you said. Spot on! The absolute best thing you can do is thank them right from the start. Not doing that drastically changes the tone of your conversation immediately. It seems silly, but it works wonders with how they perceive you.
Hi Mei! I've been binging all your videos as I plan to setup a new online shop very soon. I would love to know your opinion on how many products and how much product diversity a shop should have when launching? I'm talking about individual products and not how many of each product you have in stock. I've been delaying my shop opening because I feel like I don't have enough different items for sale or that I don't have enough items in different price points. It would be very helpful if I could here your thoughts on this topic.
Ideally you need 3 price points - a higher, a lower, and then a mid-range for your product type. This could be $10, $25, and $50, or this could be $50, $75, and $100. It depends on what you make. I would say 8-10 unique products are ideal. This doesn't have to be 8-10 different things, though, it could be one item in 8-10 different designs, like t-shirts.
I recently started to create stained glass mosaic windows. My first one was requested from a lady at church who is not of great means. I priced it as low I I felt I could go..which was $200. I had not done one before, and was not even sure I could do it successfully. So, that was also a factor in pricing it low. I asked for half at the beginning and half upon delivery to allow her time to be able to afford it. The window did turn out better than expected. She was thrilled and she did have the second half of it at the end. However, the second window I have asked more, but no takers. Her's was a specific request. I jumped the gun thinking if I go ahead and create another one, different image, it woul self quickly by word of mouth, but it hasn't happened.
You don't have to price your stained glass low. And if someone is truly of modest means, they are really not in need of stained glass. Electric bill paid or groceries, yes, but stained glass is not an essential.
Your pricing is very important, and I talk a lot about knowing your customer, too. Your customers are going to be people with means who can afford an intricate art piece. If they can't pay your price, they aren't your customer. You may want to check out my Pricing Guide: www.creativehiveco.com/pricing-handmade-items-guide/
Hello mei just stumbled upon your channel and I see that you offer a course would you recommend it for beginners like me? I am interested, I am also going to community college and I’m thinking on studying business
🚨NEW FREE WORKSHOP FOR 2022🚨 Learn how to create a PROFITABLE handmade business online without keeping up with social media 🔽
Watch the free workshop here: bit.ly/3uX2yVb
I have a friend who was very successful selling his art at art fairs, open studios, etc. He used to say "I have two prices, full price and free. I occasionally donate art to select charities, but otherwise, my price is as listed." He delivered that line with elegance and kindness, and it was an effective approach for him. Great topic, Mei. Thanks for posting!.
That's a wonderful script! I think that when it's delivered with confidence, too, that makes so much of a difference. Thank you for sharing that, Joan! 💖
This was mind blowing! 🤯 I don't want customers who don't appreciate my stuff and chances are that even if I give them a discount, they're still not going to absolutely love my stuff anyway. I have to keep reminding myself of this every single day. I want to attract the people who will love and cherish the things that I make and are willing to pay what they are worth!!!
That's a really great attitude, Moana-Marie! Your products are worth the price you set for them.
I direct them to subscribe which gives them an automatic discount, and family get wholesale prices. Thanks to your pricing model I can say yes to both and still make a small profit. Very grateful to you for that!
Oh, Jackie, I'm so happy to hear that!! Nailing pricing is so hard and I'm SO GLAD the pricing strategy worked for you and is giving you confidence in that tricky situation.
Or people that think they are going to get stuff ‘for exposure’ and I say ‘call my landlord and tell him that he should accept ‘exposure’ in place of rent money because you want free stuff but don’t want to pay
Haha, so true! I love the comeback for that one.
Oh man, I am good at drawing and have heard that line more times than I can count. "Design my tattoo, draw my giant, epic scale comic book space opera for free, it'll be good for your portfolio"
I had a guy ask me if he could get a military discount. Since I was still new at selling at craft shows, I said sure. But aside from that and a few random people here and there, no one really asks. At shows I say "Because I make everything by hand myself, my products are $X," and pretty much everyone is respectful of that (or they hear it, think it's too high, have a surprised look, and walk away). Showing that you're firm and why the prices are the way they are helps.
And like we've talked about before, if they don't like your price, they aren't your target customer!
If I have relatives or friends running their own businesses, I pay the full price. Don't be a leech, be the support they need 💪🏻
I totally agree! Let's support them as much as we can! ❤️
I missed you 💕🌷
So glad to see your content again.
💕Love from Tennessee
I'm happy you are here! Thank you for watching! 💖
Excellent video Mei! Great advice for a sticky situation. I read in the comments about referring "discount request people" to sign up for my email list and let them know to keep an eye out for occasional discounts. I like that strategy a lot. If the person persists in asking for a discount I would then use the script that you came up with to explain why my prices are what they are. Thanks again!
That's a great idea, Jerome! And I'm glad you have the script to use in the future if you need it!
I hate when they ask " do you have a veterans discount " I am a veteran so what does that do for me? It is taking money out of my pocket, I joined the military because I love my country and NOT to be treated different or for discounts, people dont realize that most of us get tired of people saying " thank you for your service " even tho I am polite and say thank you It still annoys me, it is being said out of appreciation to thank me but in is not necessary.
Having a Shopify site is moreso that you have the protection from Etsy shutting down your shop and taking all your customers, but if you are not selling much, then using Etsy is a fine option to continue with.
I plan on having an email list that they can subscribe to, so they can watch out for discounts
That's a great idea, Lily! This captures those emails for later, which is gold. Be careful of offering discounts too often, though - customers will come to expect them and will wait to purchase.
I worked at a call center and it always worked great to do what you said. Spot on! The absolute best thing you can do is thank them right from the start. Not doing that drastically changes the tone of your conversation immediately. It seems silly, but it works wonders with how they perceive you.
Yes! Definitely acknowledging them and thanking them makes them know they are appreciated. Your points are so true!
Great video, really usefull. Thank you.
I'm happy to hear that, Maria! Thank you for watching!
Wonderfully helpful information as always!
I'm happy to hear that, Greg! This is definitely one of those tricky situations.
You make me think, and I get a lot of ideas. 💐Thank you very much.💕
You're welcome! And thank you for watching!
This is so helpful!!
Thank for covering such a common, crucial, and awkward topic 💖
You're so welcome, Becky! I'm happy to hear that it was helpful to you! And I hope you never have to use these strategies! 😂
Wow this is so helpful.... thank u🥺
I'm so happy it was helpful to you! Thank you so much for watching, Shantalee!
My great aunt can have it for free-unless she was never there for me during my struggles (naturally). Lol.
Haha! For some people it's totally fine as long as you're comfortable. When Hilda makes you uncomfortable, though, you can totally say no. 😉
@@CreativeHiveCo Absolutely 😆 Hilda does have her moments, so a ‘no’ is the best way to set healthy boundaries
Hi Mei! I've been binging all your videos as I plan to setup a new online shop very soon. I would love to know your opinion on how many products and how much product diversity a shop should have when launching? I'm talking about individual products and not how many of each product you have in stock. I've been delaying my shop opening because I feel like I don't have enough different items for sale or that I don't have enough items in different price points. It would be very helpful if I could here your thoughts on this topic.
Ideally you need 3 price points - a higher, a lower, and then a mid-range for your product type. This could be $10, $25, and $50, or this could be $50, $75, and $100. It depends on what you make. I would say 8-10 unique products are ideal. This doesn't have to be 8-10 different things, though, it could be one item in 8-10 different designs, like t-shirts.
@@CreativeHiveCo Thank you very much for taking the time to offer your advice. It was very helpful!
I recently started to create stained glass mosaic windows. My first one was requested from a lady at church who is not of great means. I priced it as low I I felt I could go..which was $200. I had not done one before, and was not even sure I could do it successfully. So, that was also a factor in pricing it low. I asked for half at the beginning and half upon delivery to allow her time to be able to afford it. The window did turn out better than expected. She was thrilled and she did have the second half of it at the end. However, the second window I have asked more, but no takers. Her's was a specific request. I jumped the gun thinking if I go ahead and create another one, different image, it woul self quickly by word of mouth, but it hasn't happened.
You don't have to price your stained glass low. And if someone is truly of modest means, they are really not in need of stained glass. Electric bill paid or groceries, yes, but stained glass is not an essential.
Your pricing is very important, and I talk a lot about knowing your customer, too. Your customers are going to be people with means who can afford an intricate art piece. If they can't pay your price, they aren't your customer. You may want to check out my Pricing Guide: www.creativehiveco.com/pricing-handmade-items-guide/
Thanks to your advice, Mei! Very helpful!
Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you being here, Brandon!
@@CreativeHiveCo Thank you, Mei!
Thanks 😍
You're welcome! Thank you so much for watching!
When people ask for discounts, a generally clear answer is, "I'm sorry, I don't give discounts". Say it with a smile. End of story.
Straight and to the point is great, Grace Ann! With confidence and kindness, but direct.
Hello mei just stumbled upon your channel and I see that you offer a course would you recommend it for beginners like me? I am interested, I am also going to community college and I’m thinking on studying business
Hi there! I would recommend it for anyone who is looking to sell their handmade products online and wants to have steady, consistent sales.
The LAST people that should be asking for a discount is a friend or family member. Ewwww!
Thank you for watching and sharing your insights!