Consignment vs Selling

[sygrid]

It is time to quit apologizing for all your soapmaking efforts by putting your products into stores on consignment. I am a store owner and if an someone comes into the store and offers me her products on consigment I wonder why she feels her products aren't as good as the ones I buy outright. Aren't your products better than the commercially made soaps? Then why are you acting like they are not? Stand up and be counted for! You are not the illegitimate child at the family picnic. Your products are superior. The only reason to put product in stores on consignment is to apologize for taking up space when you are not sure that your product will sell.

Consigment keeps you in the 'craft' catagory, not the "Artisans' catagory and there is a huge difference. An Artisan will never apologize for her work and nor should you.

 

[TheSoapyEwe]

Amen

 

[beijaflores]

As a person who is fairly new to selling my handmade products, I can say it takes a while to build confidence in your product even though you know you have premium quality. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[sygrid]

I know, you stumble a little at first, but you'll get it.

If you get nervous practice what you'll say at home Keep it short and sing the benefits of quality ingredients. Offer the bar to the buyer for he/she to hold and smell. Tell her you brought that bar for her to try.
Tell her the fragrance and the main oils used.
Know what each of your ingredients contributes to the bar. Nothing impresses as much as complete knowledge of your product. "The Coconut oils in this bar give luxurious lather..... and the lavender essential oil is known for it's calming and soothing qualities.....
If you are giving a print presentation then go to your friends who you've been guinea-ing on and ask them to write you a one or two sentence testimonial each. Put 4 - 5 on a sheet and attach it to the presentation.

There's all the proof she needs to make a decision.

We were all there once,
I really wish you success,

Sygrid