How To Get Your First Sale Online

I really would like to know the answer to this question.  It's difficult to play the waiting game and get your first sale online.  In person, one can feel, pick up, scrutinize the product carefully but online, it's so much harder.  I've seen some things online that I wouldn't buy but there are a lot of sales on the item and I sit there looking at it and wonder, "Who are the people that are buying these things? They must be crazy?".  To each his own.
I have read a lot of articles about it and done a lot of research but to me it's all about luck and it always takes the first person or first few people to give other people confidence.  When there are no reviews, views are comments, most people seem to shy away from  buying a product because that's their evidence whether it's good or not.  I don't blame them because I do it too!
Very few people tell you the first sale takes time..and it may be a lot of time i.e. a long while before someone decides to take the risk.
A few tips I picked up (and should be doing but apparently, I am not):

• Photos - Visual impact is important and  remember since the customer can't do the tangible, then you have to make the intangible tangible by using the photo.  Hope that makes sense! 
• Wording - Entice the person to buy and make it believable.  Descriptions and headlines give persons an idea of what it's for, when to use it, how to use it and that's your selling pitch to the customer.
• Price - Always a touchy subject because as the seller, you calculate your selling price based on certain things but the client may not want to buy it for that price.  This is a touch and go thing because you want a price that is reasonable to attract a customer while gaining a profit. 
• Policies - Clearly defined policies whether it's return/cancellation policies, shipping information, etc.  By outlining this, it makes the customer feel reassured if there is a problem.  
• Contact - Be available! A customer contacts you to ask more questions, to give feedback or find out additional information, respond appropriately and timely.  It doesn't have to be right away so they think you're there waiting for their response every minute of every day.  

 The extra tip is don't be a flip flopper!  It may happen due to what you are trying to ship because there may be a problem shipping to a particular country or the shipping may be higher than you estimated or custom item took more material than you thought.  Whatever the reason, try not to change the price or keep going to the customer with another issue or problem that you're trying to resolve.  This is intuitive because sometimes it's good to keep the person informed at all steps and other times, it's better to try to handle things behind the scenes because saying something is unnecessary.  However, there are some instances where it is out of your control and you are trying your best to handle the situation in the way you believe it's best.  Running a business can be tricky and business is all about trial and error and learning what to do when.

Remember: After the sale, you will need to look at how you package and ship your item and how do you make it attractive for the person so that when it arrives, they are satisfied with the product. Building buyer's confidence continues after the sale and this is what keeps return clientele.


See ya! :)

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The Art of Crochet

Crochet has been around for years but the art of crochet has evolved over time.   Gone are the granny square sweaters (I hope!) and in are many design styles that are fun and fashion forward.  To be totally honest, there are some granny square designs that I actually like! These classic styles have been remixed or updated for the fashionista in mind!
Now I know there are persons out there that wonder why crochet items are at a particular price.  Without going into the economics of it, crochet takes time!  Even if you're very fast, the labour intensive nature of crochet is such that you have to create each stitch to come up with you "fabric", reducing and increasing to provide shape or a pattern or both.  If a mistake is made and you haven't caught it early, you may have to unpick a lot of your work and redo it.
At the present moment, I make made-to-order items simply because as a budding enterprise, creating a variety of stock just is not feasible!  I prefer to make ready-made items due to the fact that they are bought AS IS.  A ready-made item can be a wonderful product since it's already made and you can walk away with the item right then and there rather than a waiting period to receive your item.  Made-to-order items can be custom designed and custom made which actually brings a uniqueness to the product.  You are involved in the colour choice or combinations and the adjustments.
So when next you look at a crochet item and think "Oh my gosh" about the price, remember that someone had to make it by hand, just for you!  Show your appreciation for the great work the person did by buying that item and supporting an artist.  Who knows!  That particular piece may end up to be one of your most admired pieces!

See ya!

Melissa

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See something you like? Then buy and support my endeavours!!

 

Inflation Deflation

Everything has gone up, even my blood pressure at some of the prices of things such as materials.  For me to compete with others in this market, whose materials are cheaper, causes me to have seemingly high prices.  Sometimes I feel so deflated about pricing and the mental anguish I go through each and every time!
We all want to work and get paid, how is it any different for a craft business?  Some persons do not respect the time, labour and effort it takes to create a good product.  They see it and comment as follows:

• It shouldn't be for this/that price.
• It's way to expensive!
• I could do a better job
• I can do it for cheaper
• I can get it for cheaper
• I can buy something from a store for less

Now these are just some of the comments people make.  Whether out loud or mentally, the fact still remains that the person making the craft still wants to be paid for their efforts, work, materials and time.  Of course, I know the mental mathematics I go through when I'm buying something and the snap judgement or long deliberation over an item before I buy or move on to the next product. I get it! However, I believe my items are worth the money even if you do not think so.  If you do, however, believe that they are worth it, I applaud you for contributing to the success of Bajan Style Crochet and keeping the dream alive!

See ya! :)

Melissa

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Free Free Free ... and the Copyright Grimreapers

So if you thought this was an item for free, I'm really sorry but it's not!  I wanted to explore and talk about free crochet patterns some more.  On my perusal of the internet, I realised that there are some patterns offered free with stipulations! Huh? Why?
I really don't know!  I have gone back and forth in my mind about the subject and just don't understand.  If something is for free, why do you have a stipulation, e.g. Finished items are for personal use only. Um..ok.  This is just one of the examples.   So, you are trying to tell me that if you give written instructions for free and it's on the world wide web that I can't sell items made from it?!  Then why give it out for free?  Charge something then!  Another example is that you must post the link of the pattern with the finished product.
Here's my thing.  Once it's out there for free, I don't think there should be any stipulations.  If I were in the designer shoes, I can understand putting stipulations on the pattern, don't get me wrong but I think on the person viewing it, it doesn't make sense.  So if it states that you don't want them to sell the pattern, well...I can understand that but the finished item, I really don't understand.  You may be here wondering what's the difference.  If you write a pattern, it's you that took the time to write it and make up the instructions and word it carefully to be the pattern it is.  HOW you made the pattern is not my concern so if you had to redo something over and over to be able to write the pattern, it really doesn't matter.  To sell the written instructions to me would seem unethical but still it was found for free so that still doesn't matter.  To sell as your own work well that's definitely wrong.  Now the finished item, is the person making the product's hard work.  After all, it's handmade! You cannot claim it because it's someone's labour, not your own. If you can't see the difference yet, I don't know how to help you.
Now trying to get me to link to a pattern, I do not like to feel obligated.  I know in this world, it would be nice to help each other but if I spent all those hours searching for a pattern and finally, I found it.  Why should I make it easy for someone else to run with it?  However, everyone needs exposure so I think that's a choice.  My choice may seem selfish to some of you, most of you are all of you but I have realised that people like things easy especially in this technological world and we can go back and forth on the argument but life is about choices.  You don't have to agree or disagree.  You really don't have to care about this post and remember this is just my view on it.  I am not a legal expert.  Maybe there is something out there saying you can put stipulations on things but this world is going to get to the point where everything is copyrighted and be abused and therefore, the wrong people get the benefits.  Copyright was created to protect people especially artists and I would like it to stay true to that but just like how you can sue anyone for anything now and believe me, some of the most ridiculous things, copyright is heading down that same rocky road where being fair and just no longer exists.
I hope this has brought some insight.  It was quite a mouthful and quite a controversial topic.  The fact remains do what you want and deal with the circumstances to suit.  There's a lot more I can say but this post would then get too exhausting!

UPDATE: I actually did some research and a lot of claims people are making on the web are actually false!  People do a lot of things to frighten and gullible people believe it!  Know the rules! Do your research!! 

Please feel free to contact me! Your comments/feedback/questions matter!



See ya!

Melissa



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Help! I need Google Maps ..

I have no idea where I'm going with this blog and what I will be posting.  I don't know what the topics will be and have no plan really but I'm hoping that I get my thoughts about crochet out and that it's interesting!  My problem is staying focused and not running out of topics! Considering I have no topics, it's a real fear. 
If there's anything anyone can suggest that could be helpful that would be great or even to help with topic ideas. 
I'm thinking of maybe doing some tutorials but I'm not sure if I'm the tutorial type.  I like teaching but to go on camera and edit and all that is very time consuming.  My thing would be to use free patterns out there to do some of the things but it's still a headache.  It actually slows down what you want to do each week.  However, I'll give it some thought.  The next problem is that I can't get the supplies easily to do patterns so usually I have to improvise, reduce or increase a pattern to suit so maybe the tutorials aren't a good idea. lol
Like my title says, I need some direction and not sure what direction I'm going.  Sometimes I think I have an idea but other times, I'm just as lost as the next person. 
Any advice, comment or send a message.
I hope these blog snippets are helping someone.  Well, I'll be the first person to say that it's helping me vent! lol  Still stay tuned.  Who knows what's going on from one blog post to the next.  :)

See ya!

Melissa

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Free Vs. Paid Patterns

There are a lot of free and paid patterns out there and let me tell you, it's been a maze trying to figure out what to buy and what you can get for free.  I am a firm believer in if you can get it for free first, then do it!  That's the beauty about the internet!  If you cannot find anything on the internet for free, then what's the most economical pattern.  Everyone may not be like me.  Some people may choose to buy all their patterns.  Some people may choose to only use a free pattern.  Others may just make up something.  Designing, I believe, is a gift!
So if you see any of the items in my albums out there, you guessed it! I found it on the internet! You may think "Oh there needs to be more originality" but the market is big enough for everyone to get a cut.   Different people have different tensions, styles and ways of crocheting and knitting that it may end up looking like a new product.  Colour combinations and using various stitches make the original pattern product seem at times, drastically different.
At the end of the day, whatever you prefer to do it's your choice.  You don't have to be as cheap as I am.  Although, I do buy a few patterns here or there!

See ya!

Melissa


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Starting Out

Beginning any venture is a challenging process.  I'm here to say that my motivation to succeed is what keeps me going.  I created this page with renewed enthusiasm and drive to push even harder towards my goals and dreams.  Sometimes it takes a long time to get to the point where you can see what you've accomplished.  "Never Give Up" is on replay in my mind.
I do not let society define what's successful for me and I've always been the person to do things a little differently even if it's slowly! I believe in quality work and that's what I want to give my clients.
I would like this page to be an open environment where positive criticism and feedback is appreciated.  Negative criticism is accepted as well, once the delivery is a positive one.  I want to know what YOU, the consumer want.  I want YOU to feel like you are part of the page and a result part of my business.  EVERYthing you want may not be feasible and if it's not, maybe we can work on a different idea or outcome together.

I truly look forward to creating handmade items for you!

Please feel free to contact me! Your comments/feedback/questions matter!

See ya!

Melissa

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Why me?

I created this blog wondering, why me, why this?! I wanted everything on my Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/BajanStyleCrochet (If you haven't seen it, check it out! hehehe) I wanted my blog, photos, sales, everything come through Facebook.  I had this great idea that it would work but what made me finally go on a blog platform was I wanted to expand my reach.  I tried adding people on Facebook, ie., my friends and so on and it wasn't working.  I'm still waiting for confirmation from some people! 
I came to the realization maybe I should just look for people outside of my circle who may actually be interested in what I'm doing.  Forget the people that are not helping me even to do the simplest thing as clicking "like" on a Facebook page or commenting or participating in my seemingly solo conversations because I wasn't getting any feedback really.  That's not to say people weren't reading because maybe they were but I really don't have evidence of that since I can't even see my "Insights" on Facebook because I don't have many likes!  All I needed was 30 likes on my page. That was it and I couldn't even get that! Where is the support?
I shrug sometimes at the sheer pathetic way things have been going.  I tried to figure out where I was going wrong and decided well, I guess I have to do an external blog then.  People seem to have had success with it.  Why can't I?  Or maybe they're fooling me by having something compelling to make me look at their page! lol *shrugs*  Who knows?!
So we go on this journey together of exploring the blog world, hopefully, you can learn from me! (or I learn from you?) Some days my posts maybe short like an update on twitter (follow me on twitter:@Bajan_Style) or longer like an article but who cares! It's my blog and I can do what I want to!
As you will see, I may not be the best writer, the best photographer, the best blogger, the best whatever-else-er but I believe in being me!
I know my estores need work but still visit at: www.bajanstyle.ecrater.com and www.etsy.com/shops/BajanStyleCrochet.  Support my entrepreneurial dream and making it a reality by buying something even if you buy the cheapest thing! lol  I won't hold it against you!
Even if you don't buy anything, that's fine too! Keep following my story and checking for updates.  I will appreciate that!
See ya!
Melissa

Smile ... *spotlight*

Why does talking about yourself seem so weird and arrogant?  May just be my perception but I DO NOT like talking about myself.  That's the truth! So I ask myself, "Why are you doing it, Melissa?
I think when you're trying to run a business whether part-time or full-time, you need a human face to the brand and/or product.  Because this is my business and I want to interact with my clients and bring a sense of comfort to this space, the logical thing was to talk about myself. So here goes:
I started crocheting from very young, not sure what age and found the doily patterns intricate but boring.  I stopped for a while because of the boredom and reading patterns confused me with all the stitches to learn and putting those stitches together correctly.  It was only within the last couple years that I thought, why not crochet again.  I liked the joy and peacefulness of crocheting and the feeling of accomplishment when I finished an item.  I didn't want any boring pieces and at that time, I thought of the internet.  There must be some patterns out there that were interesting instead of having to go and buy a book and maybe only like one pattern in it.  That's when I started my search.  I enjoyed finding things I wanted to make and now I realise, I'm addicted to patterns.  I'm also addicted to crochet but sssh! That's our secret!  I started with hats and jewellery branched into clothing.  I do not design my own items yet and I'm not sure if I ever will. Crochet was really a hobby for me and in some ways, it still is.  I am certainly not the fastest crocheter and I don't want to be.  I am still learning and I still make mistakes and unpick work just to get a quality finished product.  There may be something I can do better and the great thing about life, is that it's one big learning experience.
Anyway, that's a little about me and crochet. I thank you for coming along for the ride of this journey, I have embarked on.  By purchasing any items from Bajan Style Crochet, know that you are an important part of its success!

As a side note:  I do not write in American English.  Schooling where I'm from is based on British English.  So please don't correct me on my English unless it's a British English correction.

See ya! :)
Melissa