Getting your name out there

I was pah-roosing around on craigslist (as I normally do when bored at work) looking for something interesting, when a post caught my eye - donations for an auction - more precisely - art donations for an auction.

This got me thinking, wrinkled brow and all.


It has to start somewhere.

Being in the craft/art business, one of the hardest things I have found, is to get your name out there. When you have this kind of business you don't always have startup capital - is more of a "pay as you go" plan. Cut costs where you can, forgoing business cards for your name and number scratched on a napkin when someone compliments what you are wearing. Printing up small flyers and adding them to the local community boards, spamming your friends with 'pass this along for me' messages - It really is a word of mouth campaign to get started.

When I first started I was desperate to get my name out there, to get noticed. I had to get my foot in the door, and secure me a corner at a local consignment store. If I was in that brick and mortor, I knew people could see me. Money was my obstacle - "How can I get people to take me seriously and also to see my work on this budget?"

Donate.

Donating items to local charity organization for auctions is a GREAT way to get your name out there. Not only are people seeing your work, they see your business card (even if you have to go to Staples, buy the paper and print your own) AND you are typically invited to attend. At the auction, you get a night out, you get to dress up, you can 'hob nob' (do ppl still use that term?) with other auction goers. You get to shake hands, you get to not only promote your items, but network and met other people in the area and make great business connections.

*insert sage widsom*
Sharing interests with others, creates interest from others.

So kids, whether it is an item, or a service, more than likely it is needed by someone, and can be auctioned off for a great purpose - plus you get a tax deduction!!!!

*drops two cents*

someone can pick it up or drop two more!!!!