I myself have my own small homebased business here in Bay View (Milwaukee) & am looking for ways to get my name out. Does anyone have any suggestions. I sell homemade soaps & soy candles among other craft items such as hand stamped cards. I worked the South Shore farmers market this summer & did very well, but now that the season is over I am in a rut. I want to find a botique of some sort to supply or maybe a bed & breakfast. does anyone have any ideas of how to start. Here is my site www.godscentgifts.com Thanks & I look forward to any response
I know the craft market can be tricky in winter since nobody likes to go outside, but you have a great idea with looking at B&B's and small shops for sales. Why not mail a sample bar of soap with a letter to B&B owners? The Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association (http://www.wbba.org) has most of the state's B&B's listed. You might try the same with small craft and gift shops.
It's also probably not a bad idea to scout as many summer shows and fairs now. Then you can plan ahead and have stock ready. Also, many towns have farmer's markets; I've seen them advertised in Waukesha and Menomonee Falls (though it escapes me what days they're held on). Lake Mills in Jefferson County has a Saturday market in the town square, and I think they charge little to nothing to set up a booth.
Another idea is to just keep adding to your website. I didn't see images of your soaps and candles, those would nice. You have a great start, just keep it up!
Thanks for the advice. I did have photos of my soaps & candles on the pages of my website but should add some to the home pages as well. I am working a show this weekend & did the shouth shore market in Bay View this summer. I should start contacting B&B's. I tried a few gift shops but got no where so got discouraged I guess. I should try again though
I'm starting up a small business too. I found a lot of sites of the internet to cusotm print things for companies, with a whole variety of things, but candy and pens/pencils sounded like the best idea to me.
Re: Small Business/Home Business Owners - Wisconsin
You're in the BEST place!
Being active in these forums, not schilling your products, but helping others with your interests (and having links to your site in your signature) is an AWESOME way to develop a following.
Who do you want to buy from? Someone who's always selling, or someone who wants to help you solve your problems and encourage you in your pursuits?
Plus, we're free. Including the more traditional (but free in our case) classifieds section, events calendar, Member page, etc.
Soon we'll be giving Members a free website too (stay tuned to the 'Members Only Specials' section for details).
Good luck with the biz. Just came across your Member page again and thought I'd chime in now.
I tried to check out your site, but I got a page error when I clicked on your link. Has anyone else had this problem?
I, too, am a small business owner. I have many of the same questions that you have. I for sure do not have all the answers. But here is what I have learned so far...
I have found that a good website goes a long way. I can't seem to get on to yours, so I can't offer specific advice on that right now. I will try again later. I recommend that you submit it to every add-a-link that you can. Especially the free ones, like here at theBubbler. Many sites will also do link exchanges with you.
Also take advantage of things like free classifieds. Even if you don't make a sale from them right away, it at least gets your name out. I have also done things like put up fliers with business cards at the Post Office and stuff where they have free bulletin boards and such. They may not be the best plan of action, but they are free and start to get your name out there.
I am still trying to hammer out the best ideas myself. When I come up with that perfect one, I'll be sure to pass it along!
It looks like the original post is a very old post (2004). I checked the domain in the registry database and it appears to not be registered to anyone.
I tried a few gift shops but got no where so got discouraged I guess. I should try again though
Just keep pluggn away I know I got the same way for a bit but got out of that fast and now Im doin so much better. Also this place has helped me so much.
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