Save Time and Money by Drop-Shipping, Prepared Lists Really Help

Written by Vinodh Pushparaj


Continued from page 1

Givenrepparttar number of companies who competitively price their product for reselling andrepparttar 145270 various drop shipping methods they offer, it get real confusing torepparttar 145271 new comer. The best thing they can do is purchaserepparttar 145272 hot drop shippers or manufacturer directories and ping each or broadcast for quotes. It is easier this way as it will fitrepparttar 145273 quick launching spirit they are in. Typically you get responses from 10-20% ofrepparttar 145274 requests you send. This is more useful thanrepparttar 145275 direct contacts you make. Here is why you will get better deals when you go through these directory purchases you make: 1. The product manufacturers know you are serious and not just collecting emails. 2. The product manufacturers advertise through these directories and offerrepparttar 145276 directory for premium placement and since this brings a constant stream of sales websites they offer a better deal than what they would through other sources. 3. Typicallyrepparttar 145277 pre-screening is done byrepparttar 145278 directories themselves hence they spend less time spending time to separaterepparttar 145279 wheat fromrepparttar 145280 chaff. 4. Sometimesrepparttar 145281 initial consulting is offered byrepparttar 145282 directories hence they spend less time in finding best match services.

The above are typically translated into higher commissions forrepparttar 145283 seller. There is just one caveat beware ofrepparttar 145284 multiple layer sale. 50% ofrepparttar 145285 folks who claim to drop ship are basically middlemen who add one more layer of cost. Ask your directory supplier to do this chaff removal for you.

----------x--------------x--------------x--------------

Here is one good and affordable directory of American Wholesalers, international sources and closeout sources – mydropshipperlist.com . You can also Google for Dropship directory to find other directories.



Author does freelancing for many great websites and is a master freelancer in no fee free freelance website freelancefree.com


Making the Connection: Customer Relationships That Build Your Business

Written by Kathy Gulrich


Continued from page 1

6 - Upgrade your customers

Another way to increase your income is to upgrade your customers to a more profitable product ("deluxe" shampoo for color treated hair, for example). It's really pretty easy, once you getrepparttar hang of it. Here are some upgrade ideas that have worked well for my clients:

• Encourage your customers who ordinarily buy giclee reproductions to purchase an original painting.

• Introduce your existing customers to some of your more expensive or larger pieces of art.

• If you have collectors who so far have bought only your sketches or drawings, suggest they purchase one of your paintings next time.

7 - Cross-sell your customers

Cross-selling is simply selling your customers something different from - but related to - what they're already buying. Think back torepparttar 145269 shampoo example. Wouldn't it be relatively easy to cross-sell hair conditioner to someone who already uses shampoo?

Now take a look at your own artwork. Cross-selling might mean selling a piece of your pottery to one of your painting customers, selling a painting to one of your sculpture collectors, or suggesting your art note cards as an add-on sale when a customer stops by to pick up his pet portrait. Be imaginative, and you can increase both sales and profits.

8 - Get to know your customers and collectors

Remember that your customers are people first, customers second. Take your relationships beyond "business" and build personal relationships, as well. If appropriate, invite them to social gatherings, send a holiday card or drop them a postcard from your favorite vacation spot.

When you're chatting with your collectors, make it a habit to listen for important dates and occasions. Then remember their very special occasions with an artwork gift. Imagine having a small piece of your artwork forever connected in your collectors' minds with their 50th anniversary,repparttar 145270 birth of their first child or grandchild, or their son's graduation from medical school. Sometimes a little goes a very long way.

9 - Let your customers get to know you - and your art

Don't you just love it when you get to watch another artist at work and see for yourself how they do what they do? You're not alone.

Almost all art collectors are curious about how you create. So it makes good business sense to find ways to share your process with them. You might invite them to an informal demo. Show them photographs ofrepparttar 145271 location that inspired you. Or even let them tryrepparttar 145272 process themselves. Takerepparttar 145273 time to show your customers what makes you and your art unique.

Customers who understand how you apply your paint, why you use those strange-looking long brushes, or how you get so many layers of color onto your canvas are not only educated about what you do - they're interested in what you do. And that will translate into more sales, and more referrals.

10 - Build strong, ongoing relationships with your collectors

Don't be shy about asking your customers for advice and input, whether it's on how you showcase or hang your work, or on new projects or techniques you're trying out. Do it one-on-one, or host a studio open house (notice I did not say "studio sale") to find out what they think.

And when you've just finished a new series or collection, or you're ready to hang a new gallery show, invite your best customers to your studio for a special preview of your new work. They'll love it.

Most importantly, be yourself with your customers and collectors. Yes, you may meet a collector or two who wants to be dazzled by art double-talk and rhetoric. Most collectors, however, will want to get to knowrepparttar 145274 real you. They'll love hearing about your feelings about your artwork, some of your artistic quirks - and even some ofrepparttar 145275 mistake youíve made.

Once customers and collectors really connect with you and your work, they'll be back for more. And that's good for every artist's business.

Best-selling author and coach Kathy Gulrich helps clients get from 'idea' to 'action' to 'results' more quickly, and more easily - whether they're looking to write a book, develop a new product, or market their product or business.

In a nutshell, Kathy is all about taking action - and getting exceptional results. Learn more at http://www.smARTbusinessCoaching.com


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use