What's Working? What's Not?

[Lindy Asimus]

Time to get some action happening around here. Some sectors of the business market are saying things are steady, others report business is slow.

So what's been your experience so far this year? What have you tried, what has been a success, what did you think would work better than it did?

What are you holding off doing?

Here's a good place to discuss this. Over to you!

[Dorinda Duclos-Favors by Dorinda]

So what's been your experience so far this year? So far, slow. Last years pace was much faster then this years. the collapse of the economy has definitely left it's mark. My product is considered a luxury and therefore suffers. A lot of wedding people have chosen to make a donation to a good cause in place of favors. While I applaud them for this, but it hurts my industry.

What have you tried, what has been a success, what did you think would work better than it did? I have tried different types of marketing, from Facebook ads, to different Bridal sites, to really working my fan page on FB. What I've found is I am generating a lot of traffic to my site but am not able to convert that traffic to sales. The jury is out on what is and isn't working at this time.

What are you holding off doing? Spending more money. The saying "you have to spend money to make money" is not necessarily true, at least not for me. Would like to see some coming in before letting it all go out!!

Would love to know what other business owners are experiencing and how they are handling things. Please, let's hear from some of you!!

Dorinda
Favors by Dorinda
Personalized candy bar wrapper favors & more.

[Lindy Asimus]

'Spending money' is an interesting one. If money were no object, what would you spend it on?

I admit, that leaves me wondering sometimes. Spending money on the right thing, when it comes to business. If only we knew in advance 'which money' would return us reward, 'spent where?' but of course I am thinking in terms of generating new business.

Some things in business need money spent that isn't related to generating new business as such, but is nevertheless vital to the health of the business overall, for it to function effectively to both attract new business AND to fullfil the delivery and service required when the new business comes.

[Dorinda Duclos-Favors by Dorinda]

I would probably spend it on more "props" for my business.. When we display wrappers for, let's say, a bridal show, we use what's called a dummy. We don't use actual chocolate. I wish I had more of those to display more of my work. I'd also like to get more involved with bridal & baby shows in the area and am looking into this. However, these are usually very expensive to vendor in and so the question still remains, do I spend the money to make money. This has always been a thorn in my side..for at least 11 years. The question really is which shows will return more for your business and that's a question that's never really been answered.

[Lindy Asimus]

Hmm. I wonder where else these might be sourced from. Someone may have some and not need them any more. Are you on Freecycle? Long shot but handy site any way.

I'm a firm believer in 'multiple ways to skin a cat'. Can these be shared and loaned or rented? I can't imagine you are the only one facing this issue.

Yes - knowing "which" of something is really the tricky part. In many businesses, there is not enough analysis of marketing ROI in an objective manner, but if it is done, then it can help to inform in an objective way, historical trends. That's something of a start, but not available when starting out to approach the challenge fresh.


We have wedding-industry people here, I wonder what other issues people in different parts of that industry have... and where some joint solutions or cross-methods might work.

[Dorinda Duclos-Favors by Dorinda]

I have a very good source for the mock bars. These aren't something that you can rent, you have to buy them. While it's not expensive, it does add up. Usually once you make the mock bar, it's your design that's on it so you would keep it unless you change the design and then you can reuse it.

I would love to hear from other wedding professionals about their experiences. I know we have some here on TeamCircle. Now would be a good time for them to chime in!!

[Lindy Asimus]

The more the merrier. The more in one industry, the more critical mass, and that presents more opportunties. For information sharing but also application. We can look at a brainstorming session.