In need of a marketing partner

[zcsheldon]

Hello I'm Zac a maker of fine wood furniture. Just starting out,  new yo the whole game of selling my pieces and could use some help marketing my products? 

[Twpchair · Accepted solution]

Welcome, and congrats! I would take advantage of all the free social media platforms you can! I'm a retail furniture store and custom-built furniture. 98% of our followers are women. Between Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the list goes on with everything that gets you to get going, and they share like crazy. I am semi-rural; we stop in at our busiest gas station and closer to the interstate or traffic, and we leave flyers or cards. Everyone who stops there asks where is a good place to eat or something to do. Think outside of the box and think about what or where you go when out of town and ask for recommendations. We became Chamber of Commerce members really early on, and they promoted for us; or ours did for us. Don't go crazy and fall for all social media and reps wanting you to boost posts and spread it fast and hard. That can add up very, very fast! Good luck to you!

[Twpchair]

I forgot to mention the number of local farmers' markets in our area. Depending on your location, these markets attract many visitors, as do our festivals. The costs for attending can vary from free to very reasonable. These outdoor events often draw people from surrounding towns.

Make sure to bring plenty of business cards or, initially, create some flyers to cut costs and start handing them out. Word of mouth and having people see your work in person can generate more foot traffic and lead them to your social media platforms. Simply include a message like “Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.” Building up your presence on these platforms helps to reach a wider audience.

I'm sure others will chime in with different ideas that have worked for them. I will tag a few people to share their experiences. Try out a few of these suggestions, and you’ll be able to gauge their effectiveness based on the foot traffic you receive. From there, you can narrow down what works best for your business. @ryanwanner @Minion @JUYBoutique20 @TheRealChipA  @doc_choc. They are all different types of businesses that have years under their belts and can offer different approaches and services that are very cost effective, yet draw in more views and to get people interested to start following your business and letting them do the job of spreading awareness. 

[Helen]

Just want to add that this event that's coming up (it just opened for registration) - it might be useful: The Future of Retail 2025: What Consumers Really Want.

Kudos @Twpchair for the tips!

[Twpchair]

Thank you for the link! Is it okay if I copy it for future reference and paste it?

[Helen]

No problem at all! 

[Bpeake]

I wish you were in Tulsa because I've wanted to do this with someone... You might want to consider using a strategic placement partnership with a high-traffic retailer by building a functional showcase piece—like a cash wrap counter, display table, or fixture shelving unit—at cost. Here’s how and why this would work:

Strategy Overview:

1. Choose the Right Partner:
Find a retailer whose brand aligns with quality, craftsmanship, or local makers—boutique shops, gift stores, lifestyle brands, even coffee shops or specialty grocers. High foot traffic and aesthetic appreciation are key.

2. Offer to Build a Signature Piece at Cost:
Propose to build a custom furniture piece—like a cash wrap, display table, or shelving unit—that fits their needs at cost (materials + time). This creates immediate value for the retailer without a large investment.

3. Include Subtle Branding:
Integrate a small sign on the piece that reads:

    “Handcrafted by [Name or Business Name]”
[Website or QR code]
Custom furniture inquiries welcome

Display a small business card holder or brochure stand on or near the piece so customers can take your info.

4. Mutual Benefits:
    For the Furniture Maker:
    •    Ongoing exposure in a high-traffic space
    •    Builds brand credibility through real-world use
    •    Creates referrals and potential direct commissions
    •    Photos of the piece in use to share on social media or a portfolio
    For the Retailer:
    •    Gains a custom, high-quality piece of furniture at a fraction of the normal price
    •    Supports a local artisan and community story
    •    Enhances their store’s visual appeal and functionality
    •    Builds customer curiosity (many ask “Where did you get this counter/table?”)

[Twpchair]

Excellent idea! Multiple stores do that in my area. Our neighbor's coffee shop has a shop with all our custom-made tables, serving both of us. They get good, handmade, solid-quality tables, and we get free advertising every day! Even though we are neighbors, we still feed off each other. We have a buffet that I upcycled into a coffee bar, and we have a self-serve coffee station that they stock up with their coffee. It’s a win-win. A lot of the other businesses have a banner over their businesses and theirs is in the center with 10-12 smaller squares of other businesses as the border. They pay for their square and the main business gets it for 1/4 of the price by doing that. I told him to think outside of the box and that the more free or cheaper advertising you can get the better. We have a strong thriving downtown district where most have died with big box stores building out of the downtown district. I agree hit that foot traffic area in your town and work out a mutual deal if you can and save that money. All great ideas!