Posted by Fumi Bull at 9:28 AM, March 24, 2009
First I want to apologize for the delay of this entry. I should've done this right after the show...
Overall, from the point of where Davie & Chiyo is at the moment, as a starting business, this sale was definitely a success. We made a few sales (about 18 bags or so), were able to mingle with other Etsyers and discuss opportunities and what not, were able to observe the behaviors of customers and get their feedback on our products, and most importantly, my sister and I along with two of our friends, we had the best time ever! (thanks for all the help, Lauren and Nicole!!)
The place was a bit quiet in the morning, but it really picked up around 2 in the afternoon until closing time at 5. There was constant traffic, and I was happy to see the basket of free chocolates disappear to almost nothing by the end of it all. (The four of us did help that a little bit, but that's besides the point!) And I was really happy that some of my friends, and my grandparents were able to make it! They walked all the way from downtown west end! (Thanks Malia, Michelle, Jackie, and Nicole's family!!)
One thing I did realize though, was that there are two markets to our products. Two very different markets, and this sale was targeting one of them, and definitely not the other. The two markets are the following:
1.
-practical shoppers (interested in items that match the price)
-conscious about how much money they are spending and would rather not if they could help it
-interested in buying smaller cheaper things
-LOVES discounts
2.
-very fashion conscious
-interested in quality items (if higher quality means higher price, then so be it)
-would rather spend the money on expensive very special items that they can show off to the world
And the market that we had for this sale was definitely market number one. Now there are different craft fairs around town, such as Portobello West, that are catered more towards market number two (since my friend just bought a skirt from there for $175).
The thing we have to keep in my mind when doing different shows that target different markets is that we have to really target the right market. At this Etsy fling sale, we were trying to target everyone. If we had known, we would've targeted only market number one, making more room on the table for smaller discounted items, while removing bigger more expensive items that may make this kind of market uncomfortable. And the same goes when we do craft fairs such as Portobello West; we have to display only products that fit the market, by removing all small scale items that may draw down the impression of the shop.
Now with a clear vision of these contrasting markets at hand, my sister and I have been discussing ways to handle this situation on Etsy. We have one shop on Etsy, targeting both of these markets. If we separated these two into two shops, we may be able to target each market better??
Anyway, enough boring business talk, enjoy some pics from the sale!
on March 24, 2009 6:53 PM