Gifted Communications Blog-great resource for the new and seasoned jewelry artist/designer

I subscribe to the Gift List Media Newsletter and have found it to be a golden nugget in my e-mail inbox! It also reminded me that many "holiday gift list" deadlines are looming and if you haven't already got that pitch in you may have a sad looking 4th quarter.

Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned jewelry artist/designer, you may be scratching your head on how to introduce your product to magazines, newspaper editors, "on camera" (film or tv show), reviews, etc...

Publicity can make a huge difference in your sales and there is no "magic bullet" IMHO. It is a matter of "customizing" each product's pitch for each media outlet which can be very intimidating.

The Gift List Media now falls under the umbrella Gifted Communications and has a fairly new Wordpress blog so you can get articles from many PR experts in the field. I am excited to have another resource at my fingerprints! Grab a cup of your favorite brew whatever that may be and read some of the great posts that will help you navigate the PR and marketing of your jewelry professionally and successfully!

Online Resource-The Switchboards-Connecting Creative Women in Business

One of my favorite online resources for picking another artistic entrepreneur's brain or learning something new by just reading is The Switchboards. I know I have blogged about this site before but I can NOT write enough GREAT things about it! I have learned so many awesome tips from PR to photography that it is worth another mention.

Plus, I just stumbled across a post by one of my jewelry heroes, Amy Peters, that is worth it's weight in gold. It is a list of various online blogs to submit your PR to. Plus, it is so timely that I found it considering my most recent post.....partnership and promoting your jewelry/art to online blogs. Just realize that you MUST do your research first by checking out what the blogs target audience is before you pitch the blog editor. Some blogs have paid partnerships while others if they feature you are FREE.

The point is this is a great first step to get you marketing your jewelry/art to the masses via the world wide web. Remember, you must spend at least 10-15 minutes every day marketing your business and don't expect overnight success....just be consistent and you will see results...sales and more exposure!

Have a fabulous Monday!

P.S.
If you live in the Dallas /Houston area, stop on by one of the following events and say hi!

• Oak Cliff Earth Day 2008: Sunday April 2oth
• Shecky's GNO-Dallas:May 6th *
  
• Shecky's GNO-Houston: May 9th*
• Etsy Dallas Beer-B-Q Extravaganza & Trunk Show: May 18th

***I will unveiling my new Spring/Summer collection at the Shecky's GNO Dallas and Houston events. Don't live here or just can't make it? Make sure you sign up for the Diva 411 Newsletter to get a sneak preview and special pricing. Just remember to CONFIRM your subscription when you sign up!***

Promos-Let them sample the quality of your work

One of the ways, I attract new customers and retain the customers I already have is through "promos". For my business, it may mean simple silver earrings with beads and/or gemstones , art glass magnets, key rings, etc....The point of these promos is for them to try my work for FREE and feel and see the quality for themselves.

I was tickled to read an article on Making Promos by Caroline Gonzales ...
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Network to Use Models & Professional Photography

Photo Credits: Photographer: Abbe Foreman, Model:Megan Colley wearing Pink Garden Rose Necklace

There is nothing like having a picture to evoke an emotion for your jewelry. Plus, the fact it looks super for all media (postcards, PR, etc).

I was fortunate enough to connect with the very talented Abbe Foreman through She Unlimited which is now Daily Confection last year. I just loved the work that she did and contacted her personally to thank her ; I also offered my jewelry for any upcoming fashion shoots she may have.

She was gracious enough to take me up on the offer and voila I have another set of great photos; my only business cost was the delivery and return postage. Of course, my "thank you" to Abbe and the models was a few gift certificates so they could treat themselves to jewelry of their choice.

So, how can you apply this to your handcrafted jewelry/art business? Network in your area to find models and professional photography done through an "exchange of services":

• Does your city have a fashion/designer/beauty school? They usually have fashion shows.....contact them to use your accessories for the show and get some pictures of the students modeling.
• Graduating Class & local photographers-contact your local photographer who does "graduating senior" packages and see if you can leave a few jewelry pieces for the girls to wear in their photo sessions ( & get permission for their photo to be used in your marketing)
• Community College-contact the community college to see if the instructor for the photography class will be doing a "macro" class & offer your jewelry to be used. Place an ad on the bulletin board for photography work; up and coming photographers can expand their portfolio and you can get some great photos!

Remember you are an artistic entrepreneur ! Apply the same "creative force" you use to design to your marketing and PR .......differentiate your business just like you ensure your "designs" are unique!

Promotional Tool-Artisan of the World Catalog

Want a professional marketing tool to show off to your customers? How about pooling resources with artists from around the world who work in a variety of mediums to create a catalog ?

I was so tickled to find this promotional/marketing tool by Artisan Impact on Etsy. Not only does this dynamic duo create stunning jewelry, they are also showing entreprenurial* initiative with the creation of Artisan of the World catalog.

I'm excited to be a part of this catalog and can't wait to see what happens with this type of "in print" exposure!

*This is the 3rd post this week that mentions the word "entrepreneur". Why? If you wish to profit from the art/handmade goods you create, you must assume the risk of "getting out there" with your "creative goods" business.

Back to the Basics-What is Marketing ?

The definition of marketing:

the commercial processes involved in promoting and selling and distributing a product or service