Hi Tom, store fronts, websites, and major advertising are broad focused means of marketing. Not only do most of us not have the money to pay for such things, high end furniture, lights, railings, sculptures and jewelry are not widely purchased by the masses. Instead, my suggestion is to review your market and focus you advertising/marketing on your niche. Nice flyers to architects/designers might be a way to go and using the connections you have already is a great place to start. That way you spend your money at the places that offer the best possible returns. The only other thing I can suggest is make sure you market the things you want to do not necessarily the things that make money if those things are important to you. Hopefully they are the same thing. Otherwise you might find your self making loads of $ doing things you don't really want to do again.

Good luck and keep us posted

Jake

Jake Balcom
Mettle Design
Lincoln, NE

Hi Tom, one of the first things is to have a good portfolio and don't be shy about showing it to anyone. You could visit interior designers, show them your portfolio and some sample pieces. Leave them with photos, price list, and/or small portfolio that they can show to their clients. I did my web site myself, with advise from a friend. It was a pain but can be done. The software I used is Web Easy, $50.00, but was not all that easy! I don't use the site to sell from but as a portfolio that clients can pull up and check out at their leisure. Good luck. Lin

Hi Tom,

One of my favourite marketers is Jay Levinson the Guerrilla Marketing Guru. In a recent post he wrote:

Where Guerrillas Market for Free

They post signs in places where there is high visibility and no cost:

* In front of their own business
* In front of neighboring businesses
* Subway stations
* School offices
* Senior recreational facilities and retirement homes
* College dormitories -- in the community area, hallways and bathrooms)
* Fraternities and Sororities
* Churches
* Other local community clubs and organizations
* Apartment buildings -- in laundry rooms)
* Community activity centers
* Grocery stores
* Shopping malls
* Car washes
* Laundromats
* Condominium complex party centers
* Hotel and motel lobbies
* Utility poles
* Military cafeterias and recreation centers
* Counters of public places
* Meeting convention centers and rooms
* Construction walls
* Libraries
* Union halls
* Chambers of commerce
* Medical or professional offices
* Roller rinks and bowling alleys
* Waiting rooms at auto repair and tire shops
* Liquor and convenience stores
* Company bulletin boards of friends and family
* Tourist information centers
* Highway rest stops
* Banks
* Factories
* Their cars -- featuring a compelling sign, parked in a conspicuous place
* On the fences outside a construction site

That's where guerrillas market for free. Where they market close to free?

* College and high school newspapers and yearbooks
* Classified services on the World Wide Web -- many are free
* Classified services on commercial online services -- many are free
* Local entertainment and tourist magazines
* Community group and association newsletters
* Small, local newspapers
* Chamber of Commerce publications
* Radio talk shows -- by appearing as a guest or calling in
* A lingerie store owner stenciled small messages onto the sidewalks of New York, with provocative sayings like, "From here it looks like you could use some new underwear."
* Projected at night onto the side of a building.
* On your voice-mail message, but please keep it brief

A web site is a must in this day and age, maybe you can trade some designs to a web designer then it only will cost you $15.00 a month to host a site. I have gotten more through this web site, my web site and local on-line sites like Craigs List and Kijiji.

Take the time to buy Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days and go through it as it will help you define your niche target market and get you on a solid plan to market effectively.

Cam (Chrome Dome)

I've been dealing with the same stuff lately having moved family and business 200 miles away from our established location. I'd add face to face meetings with possible clients. Talking to folks and shaking hands and showing your portfolio. I hate doing this stuff, but, one in ten of those meetings go well enough I'm confortible asking for their advice ( they know better than I how I'm doing and where my customers are) and a list of people to see and being able to say " John Doe told me that you should have a look at my portfolio " goes a long way.

In those casinos and homes (easier in the holmes i'd guess) ask who did the decoration ,0r, did you have that made custom .

I'm glad you brought it up and I've appreciated everyones input also. KevinW