Living in a Busy City

by Sarah

I have been creating jewelry for the last five years. I was doing well selling at home parties, craft fairs, farmers markets, local spas and resort gift shops.

My business was expanding by the day, it couldn't have been going better.

Everything changed when I moved across country to a boom town. It's an extremely busy city where people come to make their money and get out as quick as they can.

I've been here just over a year and I'm still finding it hard to adjust. There are very few venues for selling and people don't seem to be as interested in hand crafted jewelry here.

I find that my creative energy has been diminished and I rarely make anything anymore.

I recently took a weekend work shop which has put a bit of that spark back in me.

I think about jewelry making a lot. I just don't know where to start here.

I dreamed of my business and passion growing, not shrinking.

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Living in a Busy City

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Finding Your New Market
by: Rena

Hi Sarah,

Living in a big city can feel just as isolating as living in a rural area.

I can imagine how frustrating it must be compared to the success you were experiencing with your jewelry before you moved.

You might want to focus on selling your work online. You can do that successfully from anywhere.

I outlined an online jewelry marketing strategy for Wanda in another post here, which you could adapt to suit your own jewelry style and niche.

Or if you want to make in-person sales, you might consider finding unusual local businesses that are willing to host a jewelry trunk show. A lunchtime trunk show at a restaurant, pub, or oil-changing garage might be a big success - especially right before Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.

Or an after-work trunk show at a busy daycare center would be a big help for hectic parents wondering when they'll squeeze in some Christmas shopping.

Offer a win-win deal to the person in charge of the location - such as free jewelry or a percentage of sales - in exchange for hosting your trunk show.

And probably the best tip of all - get in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce and your Visitors & Convention Bureau.

These places can help you get in touch with tons of folks (especially in a big city!) who are likely to be jewelry customers themselves, or who can put you in touch with other people who want to buy your jewelry.

Good luck, Sarah, and please keep us posted on your progress!

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Submitted by: Rena

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Hi Sarah, Living in a big city can feel just as isolating as living in a rural area. I can imagine how frustrating it must be compared to the success you were experiencing with your jewelry before you moved. You might want to focus on selling your work online. You can do that successfully from anywhere. I outlined <a href="http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/no-one-knows-my-jewelry-exists.html" target="_blank">an online jewelry marketing strategy</a> for Wanda in another post here, which you could adapt to suit your own jewelry style and niche. Or if you want to make in-person sales, you might consider finding unusual local businesses that are willing to host a jewelry trunk show. A lunchtime trunk show at a restaurant, pub, or oil-changing garage might be a big success - especially right before Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Or an after-work trunk show at a busy daycare center would be a big help for hectic parents wondering when they'll squeeze in some Christmas shopping. Offer a win-win deal to the person in charge of the location - such as free jewelry or a percentage of sales - in exchange for hosting your trunk show. And probably the best tip of all - get in touch with your local Chamber of Commerce and your Visitors & Convention Bureau. These places can help you get in touch with tons of folks (especially in a big city!) who are likely to be jewelry customers themselves, or who can put you in touch with other people who want to buy your jewelry. Good luck, Sarah, and please keep us posted on your progress!

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