Saturday, January 16, 2010

Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String...

I am a sucker for a pretty package; isn't everyone? At least, that is what I am counting on. In an effort to win some wholesale orders for salt & pepper shakers, I am sending out a prettily wrapped sample shaker to a handful of past and potential wholesale accounts, with a little folding card extolling the fine qualities of stoneware shakers. If it nets me a single order, it will be worth it; and I had all the fun of choosing boxes, tissue, and rafia colors.

I am starting to think marketing could be fun. My first job, not counting babysitting, was at a Dunkin' Donuts. I worked my way up the ladder from waitress to finisher, which mean I got to fill, frost, and decorate the donuts. I always had a mental bet with myself that I could make customers pick, say, blueberry filled donuts, on any given Sunday, just by the way I presented them. I am recalling that lesson now: presentation is almost as important as product, when it comes to selling.
Which is good news for an artist. It means you don't have to cater to the tastes (or your best guess of them) of the market. You just make what you are driven to make, and if it is presented correctly, people will buy it.
Or that's the theory. They bought those disgusting blueberry donuts, anyway.




5 comments:

Sue Pariseau Pottery said...

Mmmmm - doughnuts. Makes this granola bar seem so boring.

Felicia Kramer said...

You're absolutely right - presentation goes a long way. Good job!

Filth is Fashion said...

now I just need to figure out how to present my prints!

DirtKicker Pottery said...

Who wouldn't be thrilled to open that box?? Really great idea. I'm sure you will get a good response. Great... Now I'm hungry for a doughnut.

Frankie Perussault said...

I agree with you but personnally I'm hopeless with parcels!