For you experienced builders out there. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how to actually get to the point of being able to sell our builds? I know how to get the job done as far as building, but I'm a total idiot after that. Advise Pleeeeeeeeze!
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Thanks, Ted. I really appreciate your input. We have to date, started a website which is not complete yet, but it links with my Sipsey River Steel Myspace page. The Website should be complete soon. www.dontfretinstruments.com Check it out and tell me what you think. Like I said, For now, it's sending you to my myspace during construction. I also have youtube video demo's. Check out my myspace at myspace.com/sipseyriversteels. I have been fortunate to befriend Andrew Winton, Who is one of the premier lap steel players on the planet, and just sent him one of the steels. He has indicated that he'll promote it on his website.I like the newspaper idea. I also need to take your advice and set up a buy now account. If you have any info on how to do that, I'd surely appreciate it. I'm pretty new at all of this, and surely appreciate any info offered. Thanks again, Jack
Ted Crocker said:
Jack, from what I've seen you have a legitimate instrument that isn't an impulse buy, but a save your money to buy item. You've gotten a name for yourself here but sadly we're mostly poverty builders and can only dream...
What you have to do is generate interest in the folks that will gladly pay to be on your waiting list. Become a brand. The first thing you have to do is have a product. The second thing is presenting your creations so people understand how great it is. The third thing is getting that presentation out where people notice it. The 4th is making it easy to purchase.
Easy!
HAAAAAAA
As a first step you could work on a press release that you can email to your local newspaper. Pick your words carefully so that they know you are interesting and you and your (insert instrument name here ((srs?)) is something people wouldn't mind reading (and seeing) about.
I just went to your page here and it looks like FaceBook and not a web presence for your creations. And I didn't see your brand name there. It's easy to reorganize your page, just ask. What is SRS?
Local newspaper Features editors scramble to find some fluff to print every day, you have something interesting and all you have to do is let them know. They love it when an idea lands on their desk.
An online presence puts you in front of a worldwide audience. Get a website or manicure your page here so AT A GLANCE people know what you are about. Think out your photos and make it so they not only want to learn about srs, but will even click another link to learn more.
If you can't play it virtuoso, shoot a video of someone that can. Show them what they can do with it. Tickle them with something that they want to be able to do.
Make it easy for someone to buy one, make it enticing to buy one. Put a Buy It Now button right there after they see and hear your presentation. Don't be red dog obvious, but when someone clicks they should be able to look at, learn about, see & hear it and purchase.
Today's assignment is to make a logo, shoot some pro photos, shoot a great video with a star, quote some testimonials, code a website, create a PayPal storefront, and put all those links into an amazing letter to send to the local newspaper. Then after lunch clean and organize the shop and get ready for a wild roller coaster ride...
I think you have a gold mine there Jack, you have a one of a kind instrument that no one else is producing,,YET. Your product should bring better money then a cardboard box with a stick ever will demand. The trick to sales in any market, is to decide who you want for customers, the rich, the average, or those on welfare, and price your product as much as the market will bare. Don't whore out your product so "everybody" can afford them. Good quality should bring better money, and your instruments fit in that category. There is a market for everything, and exposer is key in getting your product out in the market, plant the seeds everywhere. Ted gave you some great tips.
The first CBG I saw was 2 years ago at a GC, believe it or not. I walked right past it and did'nt think twice about it. I thought it was a decorative thing to hang on a wall. It was'nt until I saw what sounds came out of that box that made all of the difference.
With the summer tourist season kicked in I'm now up to about 9 to 12 sales a week.Thats all I have time to build anyway.But I still have to be there and demo to sell.
But I also do a little show as I demo with a few jokes here and there ,picking and playing with the crowd as I go.
I also challenge the crowd to try to play a DB and I do this by turning the DB backwards to me and giving them the pick, and slide.
I then show them how to double pick and I put my finger in the end of the slide and guide the noting the 1st try.
Then I let them try it themselves , and in a couple of minutes they are playing a simple piece of a blues riff.
They love it and it generates a sale a lot of the time.
From what I have seen those guits should sell them selves.
Go to places where there's music people and show them off. I am going for instance tonight to a bluegrass thing they have on the square every saturday night.
Once you get a few out there that is the best advertisment there is one thing guitar people like to other than buy guitars is show off their new guitars.
I just sell my stuff like that and if I don't sell any at least I had a good time.
But I don't think I will ever put anything on ebay just me.
Good Luck I think you have one of the most interesting slides Ive seen in a while. Besides mine Haa!
One other thing it's hard to sell to CBG people because CBG people can usually make them self.
This week I only had time to build 6 BD's and 1 3 string fretless. The 3 string came out nice as I was able to luck up on a beautiful dark blue box that the Cigar shop had been saving for something.
I painted the peghead a matching blue and left the neck its natural dark color.
I didnt even have time to cut the strings to length before it sold yesterday.
I got to work about 2 pm. set up my table, started playing ( with small honeytone AMP run thru a "Corn Beef" to add a bit of depth to the sound drifting out into the hall, and then drew a crowd and by 8 pm had sold 4 pieces.I'm actually at the table off and on because I'm on the "clock" working for the mall at the same time and I have to slip away now and then to actually do REAL work.So I guess I was only at the table all told about 2 hours.
This mornin (SAT) I had to go out and shape 8 more necks for 1 stringers that I hadnt planned to do this weekend because I didnt expect to sell 4 pieces on the 1st nite of the weekend.
Ive been trying to make 6 to 8 1 stringers a week and 1 or 2 3 string fretless to keep up with the apparent demand but it looks like I have to figure out a way to build more and do it faster then I have been.
I dont know how to do that,I may have bitten off more then i can chew on this building/selling stuff.
Thanks very much for the advise. I'll try it for sure
Keni Lee Burgess said:
Your builds are very artistic and professional. The trick for you might be to get your lap guitars into a professional players hands. You could try targeting these players and writing letters. Someone is bound to bite. Selling thru ebay is easy if you make videos demonstrating the instrument. Also, consider finding players teaching lap style. You might need to spend some money by giving an intrument away to the right person, but if they have connections it will all pay off. I hope this is helpful. Good Luck!
Your builds are very artistic and professional. The trick for you might be to get your lap guitars into a professional players hands. You could try targeting these players and writing letters. Someone is bound to bite. Selling thru ebay is easy if you make videos demonstrating the instrument. Also, consider finding players teaching lap style. You might need to spend some money by giving an intrument away to the right person, but if they have connections it will all pay off. I hope this is helpful. Good Luck!
Thanks for the advise. I hear you. I need every bit of wisdom out there whether it's what I'd like to hear or not. Thats what I like and respect about you guys. I'm actually not neccisarily expecting to sell any srs's on cbn, but because you guys are creators yourself, and because of the comradery that I see among you, I respect your opinions and advise. Thanks, and keep it coming
Jkevn said:
I want to try to help without upsetting anyone...one of us has a serious problem with our product when it comes to sales.. By that I mean CBG's for sale in general, and the wonderful instruments that you create. CBG's "for market consumption" fall into the niche somewhere between hobby/flea market kind of sales. There are alot of enthusiasts, but alot build there own. A $75 - $100 CBG is a candidate for an impulse buy from someone who's falling into this addiction, or a real junkie that just can't get enough. YOUR creations don't fall into that category. Those are wonderful instruments, both looks and sounds, but...they're a little more than people (like me at least) can drop on an impulse. I watched in awe while you guys played the other evening and truly was impressed. It's kinda like having a collector car or motorcycle...you just have to find the guy looking for exactly what you have. Right now that's e-bay and advertising. Flush this if it don't help, if I can sell a @ss load of mine, I'll have one of those cypress knees myself!!!!!
Replies
Ted Crocker said:
But I also do a little show as I demo with a few jokes here and there ,picking and playing with the crowd as I go.
I also challenge the crowd to try to play a DB and I do this by turning the DB backwards to me and giving them the pick, and slide.
I then show them how to double pick and I put my finger in the end of the slide and guide the noting the 1st try.
Then I let them try it themselves , and in a couple of minutes they are playing a simple piece of a blues riff.
They love it and it generates a sale a lot of the time.
Go to places where there's music people and show them off. I am going for instance tonight to a bluegrass thing they have on the square every saturday night.
Once you get a few out there that is the best advertisment there is one thing guitar people like to other than buy guitars is show off their new guitars.
I just sell my stuff like that and if I don't sell any at least I had a good time.
But I don't think I will ever put anything on ebay just me.
Good Luck I think you have one of the most interesting slides Ive seen in a while. Besides mine Haa!
One other thing it's hard to sell to CBG people because CBG people can usually make them self.
I painted the peghead a matching blue and left the neck its natural dark color.
I didnt even have time to cut the strings to length before it sold yesterday.
I got to work about 2 pm. set up my table, started playing ( with small honeytone AMP run thru a "Corn Beef" to add a bit of depth to the sound drifting out into the hall, and then drew a crowd and by 8 pm had sold 4 pieces.I'm actually at the table off and on because I'm on the "clock" working for the mall at the same time and I have to slip away now and then to actually do REAL work.So I guess I was only at the table all told about 2 hours.
This mornin (SAT) I had to go out and shape 8 more necks for 1 stringers that I hadnt planned to do this weekend because I didnt expect to sell 4 pieces on the 1st nite of the weekend.
Ive been trying to make 6 to 8 1 stringers a week and 1 or 2 3 string fretless to keep up with the apparent demand but it looks like I have to figure out a way to build more and do it faster then I have been.
I dont know how to do that,I may have bitten off more then i can chew on this building/selling stuff.
Keni Lee Burgess said:
Jkevn said:
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