The art of talking with customers

[koolbraider]

I posted a reply on the Show forum about how my little etched pendant came to be. It all started with just talking with the shop owner and a very nice young man who just walked in to see what was there. After a bit he noticed the other etched pendants and the show owner said well, here's "the copper lady" who does them. From there he wondered if I could do something special and of course I could...

So, here's a case in point: be yourself and just relax even if someone isn't immediately interested in your work. Anyone else have this happen? Maybe add a tip or two?

[Michele]

Sue, some of us find it uncomfortable to market our work. You've made a very good point of how important talking to someone about your work, can lead to a sale.

Having business cards with you at all times, just in case, would be my tip.

[caeterle]

Are we talking about real life and online?

I think it's harder to get to talk to people if you don't have pieces in a shop and/or have a blooming social life. I have neither.
Sometimes ladies asked me on the train what I was doing, but now I'm commuting with my sisters and even if we didn't chat, I think people wouldn't interrupt a group of people talking to ask questions.
If someone at work makes a compliment about a piece, all I can say is that I made it myself, but I can't hand out business cards or start talking about selling. There was an incident once with a co-worker who started selling strung necklaces, and that didn't go down well with our boss

When people were asking me on the train, however, I was always ready to talk about what I did and explain a little. I had some conversations with crafty older ladies who told me about what they used to do or still did
Nothing ever led to a sale, but I really enjoyed some of these conversations a lot.

[koolbraider]

Yes, talking in real life, and in the only place where I was selling my things. So far I haven't been lucky enough to have anyone ask about what I was wearing.

[DawninCal]

I still hold back talking about my work in RL even when asked as I don't want to bore people or come across as pushy. However, I'm much more comfy handing out my business cards than in the past - it's become almost second nature. That is major progress!



Dawn