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View Full Version : New to the candlemaking
Ldygwynn
07-25-2005, 01:34 AM
Hi all,
Before anyone jumps on me I'm not trying to advertise but I do have questions.
First off, HOW do i go about getting the candles out there for others to buy? I know friends and family etc are a great way to start. Ive also sold a few of the candles I've made-even to having an order for them. I've tried ebay but it doesn't seem to be working out well for me, though the electronics stuff i had there was great at selling. they sort of went quick. HOW do i get the candles or waxed figures i make to sell? Advertising is NOT my strong suit.
HELP!!!!!!! I really need something that allows me to have full control of my schedule as I have another income opportunity going. I work from home but the work I do doesn't allow intertwining the two right now.
Any suggestions or advice is welcome and much needed.
Before anyone jumps on me I'm not trying to advertise but I do have questions.
First off, HOW do i go about getting the candles out there for others to buy? I know friends and family etc are a great way to start. Ive also sold a few of the candles I've made-even to having an order for them. I've tried ebay but it doesn't seem to be working out well for me, though the electronics stuff i had there was great at selling. they sort of went quick. HOW do i get the candles or waxed figures i make to sell? Advertising is NOT my strong suit.
HELP!!!!!!! I really need something that allows me to have full control of my schedule as I have another income opportunity going. I work from home but the work I do doesn't allow intertwining the two right now.
Any suggestions or advice is welcome and much needed.
SandyMilton
07-25-2005, 04:35 AM
Have you thought about approaching any shops to set up a display for
you? There are tons of possibility with small local craft shops, beauty
salons, nail salons, etc. generally as long as they are the owner of
the shop and not part of a chain, that would be a really good
possibility! You could also put out flyers, and the best way to get the
word out are samples. Set up a webpage they can view the products on,
etc. That's all I've got off the top of my head with only one cup of
coffee in me lol.
Still waking up,
you? There are tons of possibility with small local craft shops, beauty
salons, nail salons, etc. generally as long as they are the owner of
the shop and not part of a chain, that would be a really good
possibility! You could also put out flyers, and the best way to get the
word out are samples. Set up a webpage they can view the products on,
etc. That's all I've got off the top of my head with only one cup of
coffee in me lol.
Still waking up,
Ldygwynn
07-27-2005, 05:04 PM
Sandy,
Thanks. that's actually some of what has been going through my brain lately as well. I've just got to work on the web deisng part. I'll have to see what else i can do as well. Thank you for replying and for the suggestions. I will work up something and maybe ask for opinions when i get it going :)
Thanks. that's actually some of what has been going through my brain lately as well. I've just got to work on the web deisng part. I'll have to see what else i can do as well. Thank you for replying and for the suggestions. I will work up something and maybe ask for opinions when i get it going :)
kymommy_3
07-27-2005, 08:15 PM
I would love to hear how you are doing. I currently just started making candles myself. How's your webpage?? I think that's what I need to do.
prov31
08-21-2005, 07:31 PM
Hi there!
Here are some ideas for places to market your candles:
Craft fairs
Salons/Spas
Your Dentist, Physician, Eye Doctor, Anyone you have contact with. If you are going to a Dental Appointment, consider taking a small candle as a gift to your dentist/receptionist, etc. You could use it as an opportunity to get the word out to the whole office that you make candles.
Hotels
Specialty Gift Shops
Realtors (they could give them as gifts to their clients)
One idea for getting shops/salons to put them in their store is to tell them that in exchange, they can have one burning in their store whenever they want.
Hope that helps! What sort of candles do you make? I make all natural soy candles with Candlewealth (so I get immediate profit from candle sales as well as earning bonuses and residual income!)
Let us know how you are doing!
Here are some ideas for places to market your candles:
Craft fairs
Salons/Spas
Your Dentist, Physician, Eye Doctor, Anyone you have contact with. If you are going to a Dental Appointment, consider taking a small candle as a gift to your dentist/receptionist, etc. You could use it as an opportunity to get the word out to the whole office that you make candles.
Hotels
Specialty Gift Shops
Realtors (they could give them as gifts to their clients)
One idea for getting shops/salons to put them in their store is to tell them that in exchange, they can have one burning in their store whenever they want.
Hope that helps! What sort of candles do you make? I make all natural soy candles with Candlewealth (so I get immediate profit from candle sales as well as earning bonuses and residual income!)
Let us know how you are doing!
Kelly V
08-21-2005, 08:19 PM
Hi there!
Now is a great time to really build your candle business! Fall and winter months are the busiest times for us!
Thistime of year craft shows work best for us. People love to shop for the holidays now as presents or just for themselves!
Have you thought about doing fundraisers with your candles. Now is the time schools, teams etc... look to do something.
Hope this helps!
Kelly andDan V
www.BurningCleanCandles.com (http://www.BurningCleanCandles.com)
Now is a great time to really build your candle business! Fall and winter months are the busiest times for us!
Thistime of year craft shows work best for us. People love to shop for the holidays now as presents or just for themselves!
Have you thought about doing fundraisers with your candles. Now is the time schools, teams etc... look to do something.
Hope this helps!
Kelly andDan V
www.BurningCleanCandles.com (http://www.BurningCleanCandles.com)
Ldygwynn
08-22-2005, 12:32 AM
WOW ok,
first off I'll have to get back to the lady asking about my website-at moment i DONT have one, because I haven't MADE one. I do have a couple of things in the "works" so to speak meaning that the ideas are there and i am working on getting the right presentations together to share with those i meet that could be of help in getting info out there ie: shops etc.
I'm also doing the verbal thing as I make them myself and hand pour them and paint some of them. (for a price list or pictures PM ME).
Next, I have an ebay sellers account so I am listing them there but so far no luck with them. (i'm not doing something right).
They are SOY candles as i like the creamier feel and the more smooth pour they make over paraffin and it supports the local soybean farmers (local meaning USA). They also seem to burn longer and cleaner if you have the right wicks. I learned this by GIVING candles to the neighbor and getting her feedback on the different types of wax etc. the last one she got she complained about it burning so long and the wick causing so much blackness because it got to close to the glass. that's a centering problem but i figured it out i think AND i changed the wick. if the wax burns cleaner the wick should to is my thinking.
I've sold some to friends and their comments were all positive about the candles they recieved so I know that's a good sign. As for when they sell best, Thanks for the information on this. It makes sense and I've found also that those who LIKE candles and burn a lot of them are looking for them in larger quantities SO I have offered discounted or free shipping as an incentive for clients who order a certain amount or clients who buy a lot of them. I have a pricelist but I am working on a list or brochure that had finished pictures of products as well as this is something New for me as I make something I photo it to add to my collection-a portfolio for the moment if you will.
Any other brainstorms? I really dont like the idea of a flea market right now though. I do have amother in lawwho is going to take the list to work with her and see if some of her people there want to buy any-that will be a good thing. As I sell more I want to add a bigger variety. I really DO have a plan (Now i've shocked myself). Thanks for all your support here and your ideas. I'll post any changes as iget them andquestions too!
first off I'll have to get back to the lady asking about my website-at moment i DONT have one, because I haven't MADE one. I do have a couple of things in the "works" so to speak meaning that the ideas are there and i am working on getting the right presentations together to share with those i meet that could be of help in getting info out there ie: shops etc.
I'm also doing the verbal thing as I make them myself and hand pour them and paint some of them. (for a price list or pictures PM ME).
Next, I have an ebay sellers account so I am listing them there but so far no luck with them. (i'm not doing something right).
They are SOY candles as i like the creamier feel and the more smooth pour they make over paraffin and it supports the local soybean farmers (local meaning USA). They also seem to burn longer and cleaner if you have the right wicks. I learned this by GIVING candles to the neighbor and getting her feedback on the different types of wax etc. the last one she got she complained about it burning so long and the wick causing so much blackness because it got to close to the glass. that's a centering problem but i figured it out i think AND i changed the wick. if the wax burns cleaner the wick should to is my thinking.
I've sold some to friends and their comments were all positive about the candles they recieved so I know that's a good sign. As for when they sell best, Thanks for the information on this. It makes sense and I've found also that those who LIKE candles and burn a lot of them are looking for them in larger quantities SO I have offered discounted or free shipping as an incentive for clients who order a certain amount or clients who buy a lot of them. I have a pricelist but I am working on a list or brochure that had finished pictures of products as well as this is something New for me as I make something I photo it to add to my collection-a portfolio for the moment if you will.
Any other brainstorms? I really dont like the idea of a flea market right now though. I do have amother in lawwho is going to take the list to work with her and see if some of her people there want to buy any-that will be a good thing. As I sell more I want to add a bigger variety. I really DO have a plan (Now i've shocked myself). Thanks for all your support here and your ideas. I'll post any changes as iget them andquestions too!
agoodsaid
08-25-2005, 05:35 AM
Hi LdyGwynn :)
Amy has some great ideas!
Something that you might want to be careful of is not spreading out
your inventory too thin to people who are not willing to pay up front.
Samples, yes ... whole displays ... well, they have to be left with
people you absolutely trust and only with written terms.
One arrangement I like is 'Net 30 or return' (ie. you have a
month to see whether you want them and then either purchase some amount
or send back). This has worked for my jewelry for years ... candles I
don't make, so the arrangements with shops is totally different in that
case.
And about your comment re. eBay ... don't feel like it's anything that
you're doing/not doing that is getting lousy results. Ebay is quickest
profit for unique (only one in the world type of unique) items ... it's
a supply and demand thing. It CAN be used to build a fabulous contact
list, but then you really need to do more than just post auctions with
it to make it pay off.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned here (I don't think?) that I LOVE in the Fall/Winter is doing home shows.
As you find that there are people who are enthusiastic about your
candles, ask them if they wouldn't mind you setting up a display of
them and inviting their friends in to an afternoon open house. They're
really fun and low pressure since people are coming to visit and often
bring a snack and just socialize. I usually find them plenty profitable
too ;-)
Sometimes you develop a relationship with a shop owner where you can do an 'event' like this in a shop too.
Oooh, one other thought ... I have a 'Customer Aquisition Program' .pdf from a friend at Mentoring For Free (%20http://andrea.mentoringforfree.com/?mad=2219) that I would be happy to share ... shoot me an email if you'd like a copy.
hth :)
Andrea
Amy has some great ideas!
Something that you might want to be careful of is not spreading out
your inventory too thin to people who are not willing to pay up front.
Samples, yes ... whole displays ... well, they have to be left with
people you absolutely trust and only with written terms.
One arrangement I like is 'Net 30 or return' (ie. you have a
month to see whether you want them and then either purchase some amount
or send back). This has worked for my jewelry for years ... candles I
don't make, so the arrangements with shops is totally different in that
case.
And about your comment re. eBay ... don't feel like it's anything that
you're doing/not doing that is getting lousy results. Ebay is quickest
profit for unique (only one in the world type of unique) items ... it's
a supply and demand thing. It CAN be used to build a fabulous contact
list, but then you really need to do more than just post auctions with
it to make it pay off.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned here (I don't think?) that I LOVE in the Fall/Winter is doing home shows.
As you find that there are people who are enthusiastic about your
candles, ask them if they wouldn't mind you setting up a display of
them and inviting their friends in to an afternoon open house. They're
really fun and low pressure since people are coming to visit and often
bring a snack and just socialize. I usually find them plenty profitable
too ;-)
Sometimes you develop a relationship with a shop owner where you can do an 'event' like this in a shop too.
Oooh, one other thought ... I have a 'Customer Aquisition Program' .pdf from a friend at Mentoring For Free (%20http://andrea.mentoringforfree.com/?mad=2219) that I would be happy to share ... shoot me an email if you'd like a copy.
hth :)
Andrea
agoodsaid
08-25-2005, 05:44 AM
Oh yeah ... I forgot :-p
PS. Here are two great resources for website building:
http://FreeWebs.com
http://BlueVoda.com
I build my own sites with software from here, but these are excellent, user friendly solutions with web interfaces.
A neat use of the two together is to use BlueVoda's free page builder
and upload it to FreeWebs where your first 7 (?) pages are free and
their ad space VERY minimal ;-)
Let me know if I can help, okay?
Best,
Andrea
PS. Here are two great resources for website building:
http://FreeWebs.com
http://BlueVoda.com
I build my own sites with software from here, but these are excellent, user friendly solutions with web interfaces.
A neat use of the two together is to use BlueVoda's free page builder
and upload it to FreeWebs where your first 7 (?) pages are free and
their ad space VERY minimal ;-)
Let me know if I can help, okay?
Best,
Andrea
Ldygwynn
08-25-2005, 07:33 AM
Wow that's a lot of info to take in as well with the other post i have on here. I'll check it all out and see what works. thank you all for being so helpful and supportive!
Ldygwynn
08-25-2005, 01:10 PM
Ok all, there's other things than candles BUT under home decor decorative lighting on the top link or url in my signature you can find a few of the candle items I have uploaded already. the scents etc if you need them are under the F&Q page if not on the page with the candle listings. I'm still tweaking on the site.any suggestions are More than welcome and if it's something i can change i will. Someone had asked how it was coming along website wise- SLOW! because these are my own candles i'm doing it makes it harder to find somewhere that i can list them and the other things I wanted to put on a web site as well. it's Not all candle related but just for an idea of what i've done. advice please on what's next? i've done search engine submissions :) i've added the link to my emails and to my signature here.
