Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Diana Thakur February 1, 2023 at 12:50am

Hi Megan

You're 100%, I wear my hats to every occasion (note: I don't wear hats that I am selling, but designed for the occasion I am attending). Pop-up shops are very popular, which has open a door for me to sell on the spot and at the same time customers can see my product first hand and put the name with the face! Marketing your brand is key for a successful business.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda G. Joyner September 25, 2012 at 10:46pm

I teamed up with a local art gallery.  They have a gift shop and I've been there for a year now and it's been nothing but amazing.  They take a small percentage but because it's a art gallery they take really good care of my hats and in the contract if anything it stolen or ruined I get paid anyways.  I've also gone to stores and consignment shops and have done trunks shows, girls nights, and they have also done really well.  Etsy is slow but don't give up!  Mine has been dead for forever but it seems to be picking up steam.  Just make sure you use all 13 tags and have as many hats as possible to increase traffic.

Good Luck!

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Deniszczuk September 25, 2012 at 11:06pm

Hi Kathleen, I don't know where you are located but, I have found that local guilds are great for supporting me. In particular, I am a member of a weavers guild and we have an annual sale and trunk show that is juried, where I literally sell almost everything I create. The guild sale is one evening and 2 days long with invited guests but also open to the public for 2 days. This is not a craft sale, it is fine fiber art sale, the clients are looking for art pieces/art to wear.The sale includes lots of wearables and home wares as well. If you can find a fiber related organization that has something like this it may be a good alternative for you. Millinery can be considered a fine fiber art I believe.

Just a thought,

Tracy

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Permalink Reply by Kathi Harris September 26, 2012 at 1:14am

When I began, I had NO luck with stores, consignment or wholesale.  They just do Not know how to display or sell hats...damage is huge.  One option: If you want to go the retail store route is to propose a "trunk show" to a popular boutique in your area.  Be sure they advertise the event and you promote it through your customer list.  Then you are fitting your hats on the clients and selling your hats.  I ultimately went the route of higher end boutique, garden and craft show (for 15 years) and did VERY well.  Especially Garden Shows.  I stuck to the indoor shows.  Hard work.  Be sure to build a customer email list and use it to promote yourself wherever you and your hats are!  I went totally internet when I moved to FL 6 years ago and have done Excellent.  I design and maintain my own web site (glad I found the software co 12 years ago) and the only way to go! Spread the beauty of hats!   Kathi   http://www.Hat-a-Tude.com

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Gaffey September 28, 2012 at 11:36am

Hi Kathi,

I read your first sentence and was so 'inspired', it led me to  read http://www.Hat-a-Tude.com! I love your 'about me' page. I also spent years with a blank page! I'd fall asleep while writing it so I was sure no one would read it. I work out of Chicago, but I spend alot of time near St. Petersburg - N.Redington Beach. My hats are more 'sporty' than dressy, so I've been going to a few Country clubs while down there. We shall see. I love hats and love making hats and the thought of coming home and continuing with other accessories was so depressing. So I know, I've just got to get back out there. (In between a million family things). I'm also to the point, if I don't sell a bunch soon, I wont allow myself to invest much more money. So that is a huge incentive. (I've my eye on a block or two!). Plus, to go in with a wholesale price, hurts, knowing how much love and time went into each hat. But I dangle the picture of a new block , and I'm quickly over that. So thanks for your comment and advice. Back to the drawing board of Sales!

Kathleen

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Permalink Reply by Elsie Collins September 26, 2012 at 2:03am

Hi Kathleen,

  I would not send a hat sample, as you may never see it again!! My Etsy store is not performing as it used to for many reasons. Most of it due to Etsy's refusal to recatorgorize hats into subcategories.  My plan of attack is to send a mailing of my postcard, with multi views of my hats (Vistaprint.com is fabulous, inexpensive, fast delivery!!).  So, I'll warm up prospective shops that NEED my hats, and follow up with a phone call, and see if there is any interest.  Or, I may just walk in with a few hatboxes in my car. Offer no minimum order, (NO consignment--I'm with you), an ddefinitely will offer a trunk show!!  Just in time for the holidays!!.  Time to make myself much more visible.  I'd much rather hire a hat rep, but finding one is difficult, and then who do you trust with your precious hats??? I may look into a pop up shop for the holidays too. 

If you want it done right--do it yourself!!  If I could get a half dozen shops to carry my hats on a regular basis, I'd consider that a major step in progress!!

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Gaffey September 28, 2012 at 11:42am

Hi Elsie,

I love your postcard idea. My marketing ideas are usually so elaborate, they usually don't manifest. And when I plan on making sales calls, they too are very elaborate, I'm exhausted by the end. I think I should make up a sign with a saying I sometimes tell my kids : "KISS' - keep it simple stupid! That should be my new fiscal yearl resolution. I agree with you - no reps. That may be the only simple sales step I've taken!

Thanks so much

Kathleen

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Permalink Reply by Elsie Collins September 28, 2012 at 12:14pm

Hi Kathleen, If you join Vistaprint, please tell them I recommended you!!  I think there is a discount they give on my next order!!! Hope you'll use them!! They do great work, super affordable, and there are many templates and fonts/colors to choose from for your hats.  Then, research hat shops, and/or high end women's boutiques that you would like to see your hats in.  If they are close by, drop in after you do your mailing.  But a phone call (and ask for the owner's name!!) is always a good idea, as it is a waste fo time if you walk in and the owner or buyer isn't there!!  Be very casual about it, and say you'll be in their area, and would like to show them some samples.  If they are not open to buy on the spot, offer a trunk show at 50/50!! You get your wholesale price and they make their side fo the profit!! Just be sure to price your hats so that you get what you need!!  High end shops b/c they need to double your wholesale price.  Ask how they will advertise the trunk show, and how many they expect to attend!!  Be sure to show a range of styles, and price points.  Fascinators are so popular right now!! This is advice from a veteran pro!! I have yet to do one, but will this fall!!  Good luck!!

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Permalink Reply by Anna Hodgson September 29, 2012 at 5:44pm

Hi Kathleen, I live in the UK and started by looking at all this seasons colours, styles etc and making a couple of 'sample' hats to match the shops collections. I went to the more upmarket boutique shops (small independents) with established customers and left these hats stating I could make any colour, style their customers required. 3-4 of my local shoe/dress shops loved this as it complimented their sales for weddings, races etc and did not compete with their stock. These shops were not ones that had their own range of hats/fascinators so were happy to show mine. I eventually built up a good client base and now have my own shop and these original customers are still coming back & telling all their friends too. Good luck Kathleen it takes a while to get established but don't give up!

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Permalink Reply by Many Hats Millinery October 3, 2012 at 12:03pm

Have you thought of going to a trade show in the fashion or accessories industries? They can be pricey to attend, but your audience will be buyers from stores located all over the country. 

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Permalink Reply by Arline M Pozzo October 4, 2012 at 1:55am

I participate in craft fairs. This will be my busiest year yet. I make contacts, give out tons of business cards and get a chance to sell myself. And always wear a hat no matter where you go!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia G Peacock October 10, 2012 at 12:48am

How about giving shops with high foot traffic a couple hats for their display window provided you are allowed to place a conspicuous sign in their window promoting your custom-made hat business.  The shop allows you to hold client consultations in their store.  The hats in the display window are chiefly for marketing purposes, but if pressed by an eager customer, the shop can sell them at a price agreed to by you and them in advance.  

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