Jeff Longtin on thu 7 aug 03
Allright gang I've got it!
How to put this whole marketing slogan/ K-Mart thread to good use.
Let's imagine, for a moment, K-Mart calling up the Potter's Council and
saying that they are willing to set aside an area, on their display shelves, for
locally made handcrafted pots. But before they commit to doing so they want the
Potter's Council to come up with a slogan/phrase that would be used to
designate the area and describe the work in such a way so as to attract customers.
Now let's put the opportunity into context:
1) We know that K-Mart probably has more customers in a day than your
favorite craft gallery does in a month, so we know there will be a big audience. Some
poor folks, some not-so-poor folks.
2) We know that K-Mart probably has a lot of products selling in the $20-$50
dollar range, so we know our $35 dollar stoneware mug is not totally out of
context, yes they sell a lot of $2 dollar mugs, but, maybe some of their
customers WOULD BE willing to spend $35 dollars on a handcrafted mug instead of
another toaster for their cousin's wedding?
3) Maybe, on the heels of the Martha fiasco, K-Mart really would like to show
its, " You can still trust K-Mart to carry products made by hand by honest
people," pride.
Granted it's a stretch (I'm reaching I know) but let's think about it. Maybe
if we can come up with a phrase that really does explain ourselves AND/OR
describes our work really well maybe K-Mart would consider it?
What would we have to loose? Hell, I'll pitch it if we really decide to get
serious about it.
I figure there would be two outcomes, 1) they tell me/us we're fools and
never come back, or 2) they say "We like that idea!", and they decide to take a
few pieces and do some test marketing. (Of course we would get our copyright
ducks in a row before anything happens.)
You tell me, am I a fool or what?
take care gang
Jeff Longtin
Jan L. Peterson on fri 8 aug 03
Sounds like it has merit to me. I saw a little hand-made pot in my drugstore
today. Not your usual one, and only one, and it will be there my next payday.
Which is soon, I hasten to add. but your plan sounds good, the slogan sounds
like a selling point, and I think you ought to try it. Jan
Roly Beevor on fri 8 aug 03
Jeff Longtin wrote:
>imagine...K-Mart calling up the Potter's Council and
>saying that they are willing to set aside an area...for
>locally made handcrafted pots...
>You tell me, am I a fool or what?
Jan L. Peterson
wrote:
> Sounds like it has merit to me.
Its a lovelly idea; but what chance do you have of a chain accepting the
risk and hassle of multiple local suppliers of variable products. I'm
sorry, but in the best sense Jeff is a fool. I mean he's talking nonsense
but perhaps there's the germ of genius in what he says. Just as there is a
mutual benefit in supermarkets hosting Farmers Markets in their car parks
you might do well to persuade a houseware store to allow a regular craft
stall in its car park. My version of the slogan:
"NOT featured at K-Mart...Locally made Handmade Pottery."
Roly
www.summerhillpotters.org.uk now showing more pictures of Anne MacDonald's
characterful raku animals.
Jean Lehman on fri 8 aug 03
Stores HAVE tried merchandising the handmade works in the past.
I recall in the 1970s, even JC Penney ran a special arts month and
featured several local craftspeople during that period. I remember
doing it, and lots of people came... don't recall selling much, and
we had to be there demonstrating as part of the deal. But it was
exposure, and we could have our business cards and flyers for shows
to hand out.
In 1990-1 we lived in Wellington New Zealand for six months, and the
department store there had a large section of giftware all made by
hand.
I know I saw a display of hand blown glass in a Nordstroms in
California a couple of years ago, with the artists names featured.
Here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, there is an upscale store
specializing in clothing and home furnishings. They have had handmade
things in the store for many years. When the PA Guild of Craftsmen
used to have a "wholesale only" day at one of their shows, Mr and Mrs
Donecker (owners of the store) always came to the show and ordered
merchandise for the store. Pottery, weaving, glass, leather, etc. I
am sure they still buy from some of the same people, and probably go
to the larger wholesale shows now.
So, don't dismiss this idea as an impossibility. One could approach
an upscale (preferable locally owned, I think) department store with
a proposal to organize such a thing. I suspect a total package
proposal might stand a better chance than "Do you want to carry my
pots? approach. Maybe not KMart... but you never know what will
appeal to an adventurous owner/manager/buyer who needs a different
approach to gain customers.
Jean, where it is way too hot and humid in Lancaster, PA
--
-------------------->
Jean Lehman,
jlehman73@earthlink.net
in Lancaster, PA
http://www.art-craftpa.com/sfpn1.html
Check in on line to see The 11th annual (2003)
Strictly Functional Pottery National exhibition, juried by Wayne Higby.
It will remain on line until next year when the 2004 exhibition goes up.
Next juror is Susan Peterson!
Kathi LeSueur on sat 9 aug 03
rolybeevor@CHRISTISON.COM wrote:
>Jeff Longtin wrote:
>
>
>>imagine...K-Mart calling up the Potter's Council and
>>saying that they are willing to set aside an area...for
>>locally made handcrafted pots..
>>
>>
>You tell me, am I a fool or what?>>
>
Only if you don't get cash in advance. You can always refund to them
what doesn't sell.
Kathi
>
>
>
>
>
>
| |
|
