Market Day

Over the last few Fridays we have been attending Spinningfields Makers Markets. They haven't been of the largest success. Over the 3 days we have sold one framed print. Elements to be exact. From a financial point of view this is hugely disappointing, but from a marketing point of view, not so.. here is why.

All businesses need a marketing budget. Now, our initial thoughts were to do the markets to get a bigger marketing budget, but, it hasn't happened that way. Sales in any business are never guaranteed. And from talking to other traders, this year has been particularly disappointing for them also, comparatively on other years. One artist last year made £600. The exact same day this year he made £70. Quite the difference. There is a road closed which has affected foot fall greatly.. if hindsight could be foresight eh?

So, due to disappointing lack of profit we have had to change our mindset on how successful the experience has been, and like I say, from a marketing point of view its been very successful. For a business to be successful it needs footfall and eyeballs.. without these how are the public to know you even exist? Big companies spend an absolute fortune on advertising, but unfortunately start ups don't have those luxuries, so we have to brave the elements, trudge across the city with suitcase and canvas in hand and stand for hours in the freezing cold to try and claw some money back.

What the markets have done for us, in a positive way, is given the brand and me some exposure. The comments have been awesome, and people as they walk past have commented how great the images are, different. We have met people who may in the future be able to open doors for us. Which, we need to have a plan to do the following up on these opportunities.

I shall run through the events that have happened so far...

On the first day, we didn't even get anyone stopping to look, but, at the end of the day we happened across a couple. Well, they had no choice as me being cheeky stopped them and joked how they had missed out on all this amazing art we had just packed up. This brought about laughter and conversation.. to which they then noticed Soul Sisters. They mentioned how amazing it was and how an interior designer they knew just may be interested as she loved horses, and had some pretty big contracts with Manchester pubs and restaurants. Thus far I have made one email to her, but business often needs more than one email..

The second day a woman was scooting past really fast, but again, she spotted Soul Sisters, stopped, commented how stunning it was and took the website details.

This last Friday we had a similar experience. i had already sold Elements framed but a couple of ladies stopped to have a reet good look, one particularly was interested in Blue Steele as it reminded her of her horse. Again they asked for the website detail. As part of our marketing we have been giving away postcards with which they choose. Again, Elements brought attention from one the ladies, who happened to be decorating next year, and the colours would suit her new interior perfectly.

Nothing may come of any of these encounters, but, encounters are vital for the future sales. And encounters will eventually lead to sales (remember, on average a person has to see a product 8 times before they commit to buy).

So to summarise, although we haven't gained from the markets what we originally hoped for (and we still have two more days left), we have gained fabulous wow comments, looks of intense interest and people asking for the website address. And of course the interior design contact. And we have met some super amazing people!

Comments from when I exhibited at Waterstones

Amazing Pictures, love the style, especially love Gallant~ Tina xx

I really love the style of painting, very abstract! Love it x

I love the Blue. Very entrancing and eye catching- beautiful work!

Similar to Mark Rothko

I love blue so much. Your work is amazing!!

Idyllic

I love these~ lea (4)

Radical Dude!

Beautiful Work, thank you for sharing!

Absolutely beautiful :)

Its really blue and I like blue so that means its good. Since blue is good I hope it does well. Couldn't tell it was a horse though- oops! But its still nice and I bet whoever did it tried really hard, so that makes it good too.. I can't draw but I like seeing people draw because they seem really into it, and that makes me all happy inside. So i like imagining someone making this art because that makes me like it even more. Hi mum.. ~ this comment made me smile

Absolutely lovely, keep up the good work!

Very polished art- captivating! Volcanic

Quite ethereal

Its very creative, lovely colours used

Great work!

Incredible colours- beautiful

Wonderfully evocative. Calming and vibrant all at once.

Beautiful Exhibition, love your work~ julia

Very beautiful and inspiring

A very spiritualism art. Beautiful. Thank you

Reflective~ very ethereal. Different and interesting.

Wonderful and mysterious. Very inspirational.

I loved (love) all of them. Thank you.

Very spiritual yet earthy. Holy- complete

Your use of colours is superb. I love your work!

Very beautiful.

Immerse me in your Blue Beauty! Beautiful

Gorgeous Darling- xxx Beautiful, ethereal.