[TheForge] Making money

Sun Jul 14 22:43:01 2002

Bob,
If you are doing architectural work you might try contacting a architect or
two and also contact some interior designers.  We work with some and have
all the business we can handle.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Ehrenberger" <[email protected]>
To: "theforge" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2002 8:33 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Making money


> Dan,
>
> I was on the go all day yesterday so didn't even look at the computer.
> Thanks for your ideas.
>
> I do struggle with pricing.  When I compare my prices to other smiths in
the
> area I'm pretty much in line or a little high. But I went to an event in
Ill
> where there was a smith from Michigan and his prices were almost double
> mine, so go figure.
>
> I had hopped to do the craft show circuit for two years to get my name
out,
> and then have enough comission work to support the bussiness. But the
> comission work has been slow in comming. I did just get a project for 100'
> of iron fence which will help. I am also finding that my stuff sells best
if
> I can demonstrate at the event, so we are trying to replace sales only
> events with demonstration /sales events.
>
> I know that my area is not affluent, I found out that Bob Pactric once
lived
> nere hare and left due to lack of work. But we picked the area mainlly for
> the farm ground, and for now can't move.
>
> I think that my quality is pretty good. I continue to improve with
practice.
>
> When I went full time two years ago it was my goal to make $100 worth of
> stuff in the shop each day. At that time it was a struggle to make that
> much. Now I can make twice that on most days. The problem it seems is
> selling it. I have a power hammer which helps and my son is still home
> working on knives so I can get him to help if I just can't do something by
> myself.
>
> Bob Ehrenberger
> Shelbyville, Mo
>
> Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2002 12:15:24 -0400
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Making money
> From: Dan Tull <[email protected]>
>
>
> The first thing that comes to mind? is ....
>
> 1.You are not charging enough for your work.
> 2.You haven't elevated your customer base.
> 3.Maybe you don't live in an affluent market.( I have a B/S friend
> in Troy ,Al.  that has only one upper middle class resident)
> 4.or...heaven forbid.... your Quality is not up to Pier one Imports.
> 5.Or in my case , you can't turn it out fast enough.
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  [email protected]
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>
>