Six Months and Only 1 Sale. How do you get more sales?

[ReneesGreetings]

Hey all, Happy Tuesday!

So I'm feeling frustrated today.

For six months now, I've been posting to Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. The top platforms used by my target audience. My website is mobile friendly. The top method my target audience uses to view those platforms. I've paid for advertising on all three. I post regularly and I have a decent (at least I think so) sized inventory to choose from. I've also encouraged feedback and input (looking for what THEY want to see). And nothing. 
I'm even hosting a giveaway for two beautiful Christmas cards with matching envelopes-- crickets.

What am I doing wrong?
Is the market more saturated with makers than buyers?
Is it the current economy?

I don't believe it's the price because I feel my current pricing structure is acceptable considering size and materials. My ONLY sale was to a Co-worker who bought 10 cards but won't be needing anymore for at least a year! 😞

Any input would be extremely appreciated at this time.

[Abstractme]

Thanks for your helpful response.  No, I have not heard of tedoo, but I am going to try it today. Very encouraging.

Again, thank you.

[Abstractme]

How are you doing with Tedooo? I did try it, and actually liked it, but my joy was short-lived.  All of a sudden, I began to have some serious problems with it working properly. So, I cancelled it. I hope you are still doing well with it, though.

[Abstractme]

Hi,

I am having the same problem. I have not received any sales. I don't know what else to do. I was wondering if my SEO information could possibly be part of the problem. I'm new to writing SEOs, but I am determined to get it right. I also noticed that occasionally, I have been the third listing when I logged onto my website. 

I would appreciate suggestions/feedback that could improve my results.

Thanks

[maxpete]

@Abstractme thanks for joining in on the conversation here! Do you have a link to your website that you can share?

[Abstractme]

My website is:    www.Abstractabledecor.com

[maxpete]

Tagging in @HC_Charlie and @OhHandmadeByNat  for potential insights on this! 🙂 

[Abstractme]

Thanks for turning me on to Tedooo. Love it!!!

[Wonderboutique]

Where are you promoting your product? FB? IG? Do you have a website?  

[rtfulk]

@ReneesGreetings Have you ever thought of just going live on facebook or instagram and engage your followers? Have a Q&A let your followers ask you questions, show how you come up with ideas and make your cards. We have found out that a younger audience wants to be engaged and make a connection. We go live and sell our products at least twice a month, we have a good time and it lets our facebook/instagram customers know we are human and not just a website trying to sell something. When you make that connection, that is when the sales start.

[bonny]

I will share with you some creative problem solving type thoughts. Pretend for a moment, you were selling wholesale.  Wholesale would be half the retail amount.  I know from experience, there is no way you could continue to manufacture your cards for half the retail cost and pay yourself close to a minimum wage plus materials used.  What I'm getting around to here is, I kindly suggest your pricing structure is off.  

I'm in a similar business.  Your card prices are cheap.  Too cheap.  The only cards I have that are less than $5 are enclosure cards (very small cards). I think this is where some market research will come in handy.  Check out what the current prices are for similar cards at retail stores in your area.  You will find you are seriously undercharging.  People are willing to pay for quality.  

I understand the shipping cost issue, but folks are being trained for free shipping thanks to current market trends.  I'm not suggesting you need to offer free shipping but you have to somehow bring that cost down so it's not a pain point.  A question for you - are you paying retail for postage?  If you are, don't.  Sign up for a discount mailing service like Pirateship or Shippo or another similar shipping platform.  These platforms will save you about 45% of retail shipping fees.  If the sale occurs on Square, you can use the platform to buy postage for those sales at a discount.  

On paid advertising on your various platforms.  Over the years, I've tried a bunch of them.  I set up a spreadsheet so I could track ad costs to sales ratios. I had exactly the same response.  Nothing.  I think it's a problem of not reaching the right demographic. When I read the breakdown of who clicked on my ad, it was definitely not who I knew typically buys from me so no wonder it was a bust.  I adjusted the audience parameters and tried again. Based on the data (aka feedback), I discontinued buying ads on any platform.  I'm not suggesting that's the answer for you but I think you'll get better engagement posting short videos on your processes or something similar with a link to your featured product so viewers can buy.  

When I shifted to selling in person at my local farmer's markets, I learned a lot about my customers. Their likes, dislikes and meh's.  I also gleaned laser focused demographics information.  It has been invaluable.  I also put out an infrequent newsletter.  I can count on a boost in sales every time I release one.  It doesn't cost me a dime to email the newsletter.  The only thing I have into it is my time.  It's a better return on my investment than paid ads. 

Best wishes,
Bonny Wagoner - Artist/Illustrator

bonnywagoner.com