First sale!

[PeteB]

Seven months, more thousands of dollars than I care to admit, and easily 1,000 hours into my little puzzle venture, and I made my first sale today!

Long story short, a lady e-mailed me mainly because my puzzle boxes resemble an object in her photo (!!) featuring her friends' granddaughter. After I planned and quoted the puzzle, she sent me another photo and now I'm making TWO 120 piece puzzles as gifts for some very lucky grandparents.

This comes at a good time, because it was looking like a BROWN Christmas Kinda wish Google would get around to indexing my website.

Feels GREAT!

Pete

[SharonW0111]

Ohh Lucky You-- but maybe it isn't luck-- it may just be talent-
I am ticled when someone gets to actually get to see income from their work. Heck me I take anything in payment as long as I don't have to feed it or clean up after it or call it "Dear:-- a few I do call Darlin tho -- lol.
I have been advised to set up my own web site but I haven't a clue as to how- Maybe we could use instructions on this too.
Sharon

[Little flower]

Congratulations, Pete. The first sale is something to feel good about. I remember mine - a $5 piece and it seemed like being given a gold nugget!!!! I still don't put much focus on sales - just a couple of shows a year and a few private sales give me enough to purchase the bits I need which is the way I like it. I do hope your show goes well for you. Goodluck!

[Jediscroller]

Congrats Pete! The first sale is a great feeling.

[Daryl185]

way to go Pete on your first sale, I can still remember my first sale from 4 years ago its a good feeling

[PuzzledMoose]

Congratulations, Pete. I'm pleased that your venture is starting to pay off.

So did your first customer find you online?

[Rolf]

Congratulations on your first sale, I am sure there will be many more to follow.
I know most of us do this for the enjoyment of the art, but having someone buy one of our works sort of validates things. It is like getting a big “ATTA BOY”

[Minnesota scroller]

Way to go Pete. You have now reached "pro" status. There is no turning back now. Whether the first sale brings $5 or $50 or $500, it's still a great feeling that someone appreciates your work of art enough to dole out cash for it. That sale will probably generate more.

[PeteB]

Thanks to all for your kind remarks. I can't really afford a hobby, so yesterday was an important day.

Originally Posted by SharonW0111

I have been advised to set up my own web site but I haven't a clue as to how- Maybe we could use instructions on this too.
Sharon

Probably your web service comes with a free site, or you can get one at Yahoo or Google. They have tools for setting up your pages, so you don't have to know HTML.

I think a very important use of a website is as a catalog. Your friends and satisfied customers can point people to your site, where they can learn more about you. You can put the site on your business cards and product labels.

I's also important to have a strategy for getting customers to find you. For example, if you put up a site about scrolling, your traffic will mostly be other hobbyists. This isn't all bad, because you will gain friends and referrals. For example, if anyone were to ask me about decorative scrollwork (which I would be a total noob at), I'd come right here and get some names.

Now if you come up with a product that people are likely to be shopping for rather than buying on impulse (like most crafts), you can advertise it, list it on Amazon or Yahoo, or sell on eBay. Ebay's a pretty dog-eat-dog venue, but it can be great advertising. Sell some items there, but have a wider selection on your site. This works for many people.

Sharon, you are an exceptionally fine woodcrafter. There are several exceptionally fine woodcrafters here, and a few genuine artists, so in this company you may feel that you have a lot to learn. However, in the larger world you have a very rare talent, so it wouldn't be out of place to toot your horn a bit.

Originally Posted by PuzzledMoose

So did your first customer find you online?

Yep, through a search. After a few weeks of no hits except from friends, I got desperate and did some advertising. The Googlebot has not dropped in for a visit yet, and though Yahoo picked me up, my keywords weren't quite right so I'm not getting many hits from them.

I really need to get out and pound the pavement locally, too, but the first emphasis was on the web.


Pete

Yea!!!!! It is fun when you make those first sales!

Congrats!