animal paints for chickens

What do animal paints for chickens have to do with selling handmade jewelry? Actually, a lot because it relates to one of the top questions around selling handmade jewelry. How do you stand out? When you're at a craft show and it seems as though every other booth is selling jewelry, how do you compete with 50 other jewelry designers?

First off, you are not competing. The key to selling successfully is to hone in on what YOU do best and then keep doing it better. Find out which items your audience resonates with and build upon that. Generating an interest in your collection starts with creating a great product followed by effective presentation. Once those basics are in place there is a world of opportunity when it comes to standing out from the competition. Everything that you say will have a direct impact on sales and what you say can leave a lasting impression.

Now, about those animal paints. This is a story that relates specifically to how you can make your product and the connection you have with your customers memorable. When I was in high school I had this friend named Michael who worked in a paint store after school. One night Michael called me and told me about this customer who came into the store looking for animal paints for chickens. I though this was totally bizarre, but then Michael explained that this man was an older gentleman who didn't have a good command of the English language and what he really wanted was enamel paints for kitchens.

Point is, although my friend Michael was not selling me anything, he shared such a hilarious story that I still think of it over 30 years later. What I'm talking about is the art of storytelling. There are lots of ways to tell stories about your products and you do not necessarily have to have the gift of the gab in order to implement some of the following ideas. In fact, if you are a relatively shy person, like myself, there are still ways you can get your message out there without telling stories about animal paints or other nonsensical stuff.

The following are seven tips for selling handmade jewelry using the art of storytelling:

7 Craft Show tips for
selling handmade jewelry...

the art of storytelling

Mythology and Folklore:

Whether you are selling mala necklaces, or mustard seed necklaces, sharing stories around Hindu mythology, or how the mustard seed is a symbol of faith, will not only engage customers, it will create a connection between the wearer and the pieces themselves. 

A little bit of history on how mustard seed jewelry was popularized during the Victorian era will add value and intrigue to the items you are selling and take your designs beyond ordinary and into the realm filling desires. Your story builds an emotional connection for customers by offering them hope and fulfillment.

Talismans and symbolic jewelry continues to be a huge draw in the marketplace and incorporating meaningful elements in your collection is an excellent way to entice customers to connect with your designs.

Styling:

Offering styling suggestions to your visitors is a great way to open conversation and create desire. Showing how that long tassel necklace can easily be converted into a short double strand necklace is a simple way to get customers to stop and take notice. Not only will they have a necklace they can wear two different ways, but when you throw in a little spiel about what's trending and how to pair up the necklace with the perfect top, you will practically have the sale in the bag.

Look for ways in which you can demonstrate wearing your pieces such as necklaces that work together and can be layered. Design items that work well on their own, but also naturally work with other items. Multi layer necklaces, stacking rings, stacking bracelets or simply bracelets that compliment each other in groupings, are all trends that continue to attract attention in the marketplace.

Even if you don't follow trends you are limited only to your design inspiration in terms of creating items that can be worn in multiple ways or combined in a unique way. This not only grabs the attention of your audience as you show them the uniqueness of your designs, it can also encourage multiple purchases.

Your Design Process:

Have something interesting about how you design your work? If not dig a little deeper until you have found the essence of your design inspiration or your drive to make jewelry. Customers should know what is behind your work and they will want to know if you make it interesting.

Without a little product knowledge your collection is at risk of blending into the vast selection of jewelry available. Do you use special techniques? If so talk about some of steps you use to make your jewelry or the inspiration behind some of your designs. Perhaps your ideas stem from your country of origin or your love for a specific era. Play with the wording until you arrive at a story that succinctly conveys the message behind your work.

Free of:

Is your jewelry lead free or nickel free? Just as you see zero VOC in paint and no trans fats or non GMO on food labels, being vocal about what your jewelry does not contain will encourage trust. Whether you use ethically sourced or eco-friendly materials, or you use allergy safe metals, these all speak to the quality of your work and how customers can make a purchase with confidence.

Visitors are more apt to remember your work if they feel you have something to offer them that is a cut above other products. Oftentimes customers are not aware of what they are buying as is the case with products from mall accessory stores that contain high lead levels. While you don't want to be an alarmist or a downer by spreading the fear of lead, you can certainly educate customers about the quality of materials in your collection.

Benefits:

What are the benefits to wearing your jewelry? The list of benefits around your collection can be vast and limited only to your imagination. For example, benefits can be how many compliments your customers will receive when they wear your earrings, or how on-trend the earrings will be when paired with the latest colors.

Benefits can also include healing properties of stones and symbols that help the wearer set intentions. These can be intentions for prosperity, creativity or for emotional healing. Communicating the symbolism and positive attributes will help customers see how they can benefit and feel good about wearing your pieces. This creates an enhanced experience for your customers in a way that draws on desire. 

Testimonials:

Customer feedback and testimonials are a great way to share stories that bring positive attention to your work. As you continue to sell your work you will accumulate all sorts of feedback and hear new perspectives about your work that you would otherwise not think of yourself. It may be feedback on how light your earrings are or how customers don't react to the chain you use. It can also be feedback that relates to styling or versatility. Take those testimonials and turn them into stories that you can repeat and you will encourage customers to buy.

Visual Storytelling:

There are lots of ways you can tell a story about your work without saying a peep. Even if you are relatively shy you can still convey the message about your work with great signage and labelling. Creating little cards that come with your designs is a great way of sharing details such as symbolism, healing properties or special meanings.

Use labels and signage both to communicate your message with visitors in your booth as well as to add value to each purchase. Customers love to have a little information about your individual designs to take home with their purchases and to accompany items intended as gifts.

Visual story telling goes beyond words when you use fabulous images to tell the story of your brand. Add beautiful images to your booth that show your jewelry in a way that captures your story. A large banner can pack a lot of punch simply by showing your pieces on a model that conveys the right message. A photo of a model with long flowing hair and a gauzy cotton top, wearing one of your mala necklaces will immediately convey the vibe of your collection. Pair your work with the right model, clothing or backdrops and your photos will speak volumes. 

Feeling shy about talking to visitors? Take the time to right down some short scripts and have them good to go. Look over your collection and create stories for as many pieces as you can. While it can be challenging to start talking with new visitors, having a few rehearsed scripts will make it all that much easier.

A little product knowledge about Baltic Amber and how it is millions of years old and the most beautiful Amber in the world will get people to see the value in your work. Whether you are telling stories about the design process, the way the stones catch the light or the symbolic meanings of your design, storytelling is one of the top tips for selling handmade jewelry successfully!

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