One of the most effective ways to get noticed and earn FREE publicity for your business is to express your opinion about an “issue” in your industry. That’s why you see representatives from Microsoft, Exxon, The Gap, and every company imaginable featured on TV news shows and in newspaper interviews. These
appearances position the company as a reliable source for information…and “expert” in the business. You can be the “Bill Gates” of wire name-jewelry. You can do an expose about a questionable business practice or do an upbeat article talking about some positive aspect of the jewelry business. There is always a cause that’s worth talking about. Newspapers are always interested in an “expert” opinion, so why not have one about:

•How buyers are hurt by the high mark-up at jewelry stores

•Over-pricing gemstones

•The benefits of buying directly from the artist

Remember, even regardless of your subject matter, your tone should be
informative and entertaining, not vicious.

Almost every city has an outlet for jewelry. That outlet can be a pharmacy counter, a small gift shop, a dress shop, a consignment shop or it can be sold through a jewelry sales rep. The jewelry sales rep can be as simple as a high school student who wants to make some extra money by selling jewelry to her friends. If you are fortunate to live in a larger city, visit the gift shop of a high end hotel chain. A good way to get acquainted is to ask for the buyer or manager of the shop and have a small display with your jewelry showing your wholesale prices. If you have resistance, you can suggest that you place the jewelry in their store on a 30 day consignment arrangement. If the jewelry does not work out, then you can remove it at no cost to them. A shop owner can hardly resist an offer that will not cost them a dime. Draw up a simple agreement or a sales contract clearly stating the terms of the agreement.

Better educate yourself in your trade this year. Making jewelry is a commitment of skills. The more you know, the better you get and the more jewelry you sell. Go to at least one workshop, seminar, or maybe even our boot camp coming up. No matter you need to hone your skills each and every year.

Many people shudder at the idea of setting up a home business. However, if you break it down into steps, it’s really not that difficult.

Ask yourself where you will put your “office.” You COULD use your kitchen – but check to see if a dual-purpose office is eligible for tax write-offs in your state. In most states, to be eligible, an office must be in a fully separate room not used for any other purpose.

Choice #1: Purchase Processing Equipment.
Choice #2: Get a PayPal account.

The choice is yours if you do a serious amount of shows and need to be able to charge cards wherever you go, purchasing a wireless credit card processing machine may be the way to go. However, for most beginners I think you will be much more happy getting a simple PayPal account because of the low cost and the large number of markets it easily opens up for you.