“I’ve always considered myself a PR pro,” comments crafts business expert, Barbara Brabec, in her current e-newsletter bulletin, “but what I was particularly good at in years past was getting print publicity. 

       Yes, for many years Barbara has been considered a pro at helping crafts people promote their enterprises and has written several books on the subject.  Many of us have discovered, as Barbara has, that the PR field is a whole “different ball game” now that we can contact people all over the world through the web.  However,  Barbara has been adept at adapting her advice to help crafts people in this Internet age, as you’ll see when you visit her web site.

Also, the nature of our quilting and fabric arts businesses may change as the Internet opens up many possibilities, even when we have basically a business with customers coming into our shop or provide services away from our home office.

*We may produce an e-newsletter instead of a printed one mailed to customers.

For instance, the owner of a local quilt fabric shop asked my daughter for her e-mail.  She said she was going to send an e-newsletter instead of one by postal mail, simply because the cost was less (almost negligible), it was quicker, and reached her customers faster.  She would have a few printed newsletters in her shop for customers without e-mail to pick up.  But she wouldn’t send them out that way after a specific date.

*E-mail becomes a common method of corresponding with our customers.

*Orders will come to us via e-mail rather than, or as well as, the post office if we’re a mail order business.

*Customers/clients will find you via a blog and/or web site, even if you have a physical shop.

If you’ve operated a home business during both eras, what are some ways you’ve had to change?  Do share with us.

Post from: Blisstree

Promotion for Quilting Businesses Has Changed with the Internet

When you consider a name for your quilting/fabric art business, decide what you want to achieve, the customers you desire to attract, and the products/services you’ll be offering.  You want something that will catch attention and will be something people will remember.

When I operated a dressmaking/alteration business from my home (that evolved into my quiltmaking business), I used part of my sewing room for displaying and selling readymade original clothing and accessories.  What should I use for a name that incorporated all aspects of my business?

I chose MEA’s Boutique, utilizing my initials.  I didn’t realize at the time how well this captivated customers and stuck in their minds for years…even after we moved from that location to another home.  When this became a quilt business at the new home, I automatically called it, MEA’s Quilts.  (Later, for my home publishing company, MEA Productions, I’ve used my initials again. )

*A unique name will catch attention.  However, if it’s too far out, it may have the adverse effect.  If it’s mundane, it won’t capture your customer’s imagination.

*In addition to being unique, will your name adequately describe your business, give your customers a clear idea what it’s about? 

*Is someone else using that same name?  If your business name is exactly the same as someone else’s, you may be asked to stop using it.  This can be costly if you have signs, business cards, advertising, web site, etc. designed and printed with this name. 

*Do some research. You could start by checking the phone book and Better Business Bureau, then your state agency for registering business names.  Generally if the name reflects your name (particularly your surname) and/or initials, you can use it.  Those are “yours.”

*Sometimes you can use a play of words that will catch attention, such as Fabric Fantasia, Fabric Fantasy, Patchwork Potpourri, Quilters’ Quest.  (Just make sure they’re not already in use.)

What name can or have you come up with for your business that catches attention?

Post from: Blisstree

Naming Your Quilt or Fabric Art Business

From them, you can learn more about wood quilts and acquire the readymade items or the materials for making your own.  I also find theirs a fascinating story of turning one’s hobby or interest (Jewell’s folk art painting and craft business) into a much larger business.

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Want to Make Your Own Wood Quilts?