Christmas Is Over - Did You Profit? (Part 1)

If you are looking at the calendar making sure you really didn't miss the biggest holiday of the year, don't worry you aren't going crazy. Christmas is still a few days away, but the biggest shopping rush has been over for a few weeks now.

As the last few orders roll in (and don't expect TOO many, the last few weeks are usually only deliveries and a few last minute purchases from what's left over), it's time to sit back and look at the sales you've done over the past few months. The new year is approaching, so it's best to figure out what can be changed right now instead of only half way planning when the new year hits.

Ask yourself some of the following questions:

Take a look at your sales vs costs. Did you make a profit? If not, it's alright if you are just starting out. If you've been in business awhile, it's not so good to be showing a loss at your best time of year. If you sent out promotional materials to current customers, how many responded and was it worth the cost?

How many events did you attend? Were they worth the cost? Pay close attention to your profit (the amount you made from the sale), time spent at the event, travel cost, reorder rate, and cost of the table. Will you be doing each event again next year, or passing on a few?

When did you see the biggest increase in sales? Was it December, November, or maybe even October? The earlier your rush started, the earlier you'll need to get your promotion out to customers.

Next week we'll talk more about what you can do with the results you picked up, and how you can make 2007 even better!

Direct Sales Company Directory - Grand Re-Opening

I'm very happy to say after many different versions and a whole lot of time, our New Direct Sales Company Directory is up and running! We're hoping that this will give a lot more to our advertisers. As a matter of fact, during our testing and uploading we accidently put up a brand new advertiser's listing and she recieved a lead the very next day! If that was only a glimpse in the future, we're in for a fantastic ride!

Update: The new directory was only uploaded late last evening and we've already had another lead form filled out!

The new directory features a lead generating form on each page. Each listing has their very own full page (better for the search engines). These listings are exclusive (meaning, one rep per company).

We have special pricing at a very low price available for our Grand Re-Opening (with the option to be able to get 2 months free). But hurry, I don't know how long this price will last AND the introductory pricing will be good for as long as you keep your spot.

Click here to visit our Brand New Directory

3 Steps To Planning Your Own Event

If you have a hard time locating events in your area which are reasonably priced, it may be time for you to start planning your own event.

Planning your own event isn't as hard as you may think. While it is time consuming and requires a lot of organization skills, it could bring you a whole lot of local business.

Step 1 - Finding Vendors

The first thing you need to do is make sure you know enough vendors to host your event. If you know other local home business owners, get in contact with them and see if they can give you names. We've been contacted several times because our name was passed on by someone else who we met at a craft show.

Step 2 - Plan Your Costs

You'll need to rent a local community center or other space for your event. Many are low cost, while others may cost you several hundred. Go by your list above to figure out how much space you may need. Remember not all those you have contact information for may contact you, so it's best to over book than under book.

Be sure you also keep the cost of advertising in mind. Call your local radio stations and newspapers to find out how much it will be to run ads. You may want to kindly ask your vendors to let their customers know they'll be attending your show. Don't make it a requirement, but do ask. Many will do so automatically just because it's easier for their customers to meet them at an event.

Step 3 - Set Your Date

Check for events around the area in the larger cities as well as smaller towns to make sure you aren't holding your event on the same day as another. We've had to turn down many offers because we were attending another show. Not only will you be missing many vendors, but attendance will be lower as well. NEVER book your event on the same day as another craft show or similar event. Booking around other events in town which compliment your event is fine though.

Once the date is set, you can now start collecting money from your vendors and booking spaces. Keep your cost as low as possible, but do as much advertising as you can as well. Low cost options such as signs in town work wonders and help you stretch your advertising budget. Depending on the size of the town, you won't want to charge more than $10-20 per space. The more you do your event though, the more you will be able to charge since locals will begin to expect the show every year.

While organizing shows can be a lot of work, it can be a wonderful way for you to build a bigger customer base within your own town.

Have fun!