Comments on: Let Me Answer Your Questions http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/ How to Start a Quilting Business Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:31:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Chuck Smith http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-1871 Chuck Smith Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:15:53 +0000 http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/?p=131#comment-1871 Annie, I just noticed that I somehow missed your comment reply. So, here is my reply, although a bit later than I hoped... Trying to sell something like a quilt very quickly can be a daunting task. The first thing that comes to mind would be to check if there are going to be any craft or quilt fairs in the area, especially around this time of year. You would want to go to one of the nicer ones, although this may cost a bit more for a booth. Churches and schools seem to have a lot of craft fairs at this time of year and a handmade quilt is a great gift. Make sure you check this site for tips on optimizing your booth at the craft shows so you stand out above the crowd. Also, I've got some articles on how you can position your quilts to command a higher price. Good luck! Chuck Annie,

I just noticed that I somehow missed your comment reply. So, here is my reply, although a bit later than I hoped…

Trying to sell something like a quilt very quickly can be a daunting task. The first thing that comes to mind would be to check if there are going to be any craft or quilt fairs in the area, especially around this time of year. You would want to go to one of the nicer ones, although this may cost a bit more for a booth. Churches and schools seem to have a lot of craft fairs at this time of year and a handmade quilt is a great gift.

Make sure you check this site for tips on optimizing your booth at the craft shows so you stand out above the crowd. Also, I’ve got some articles on how you can position your quilts to command a higher price.

Good luck!
Chuck

]]> By: Annie http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-1833 Annie Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:51:08 +0000 http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/?p=131#comment-1833 I still want to sell my quilts. I'm having a hard time doing it. I can't afford to give them away. can you help me please. I REALLY need the money. I could try going back to having a web page again but I think I could have some help. I have about 10 quilts to sell. Please reply. Annie kaczmarek I still want to sell my quilts. I’m having a hard time doing it. I can’t afford to give them away. can you help me please. I REALLY need the money. I could try going back to having a web page again but I think I could have some help. I have about 10 quilts to sell. Please reply.
Annie kaczmarek

]]> By: Chuck Smith http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-1684 Chuck Smith Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:11:15 +0000 http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/?p=131#comment-1684 Hello Susan, Once you have created the style, you already have a copyright. But, to protect your style further, you could trademark the name, especially if you plan on creating books or other teaching tools to explain your style and how to use it to other quilters. The best thing to do, depending on how much time and money you want to invest in the concept, is to talk to a trademark and/or patent attorney. They will definitely be able to help more, and since I'm not an attorney, I certainly cannot give out legal advice. Best of luck, Chuck Hello Susan,

Once you have created the style, you already have a copyright. But, to protect your style further, you could trademark the name, especially if you plan on creating books or other teaching tools to explain your style and how to use it to other quilters.

The best thing to do, depending on how much time and money you want to invest in the concept, is to talk to a trademark and/or patent attorney. They will definitely be able to help more, and since I’m not an attorney, I certainly cannot give out legal advice.

Best of luck,

Chuck

]]> By: Susan Mathison http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-1683 Susan Mathison Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:55:17 +0000 http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/?p=131#comment-1683 Hello, Chuck. I have designed a specific quilt style (not a specific fabric or design) with a name for the design concept. Would I trademark or copyright the name rather than the design? Hello, Chuck.
I have designed a specific quilt style (not a specific fabric or design) with a name for the design concept. Would I trademark or copyright the name rather than the design?

]]> By: Chuck Smith http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/let-me-answer-your-questions/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Chuck Smith Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:46:14 +0000 http://www.quiltingbusiness.com/?p=131#comment-1682 Hello Annie, Selling online via a website can be difficult, but no impossible. A website is great for local marketing efforts, though, so I wouldn't get rid of a website unless its a budgetary issue. There are a number of things you can do to make your quilts more attractive to the local market, and concentrating on baby quilts is not a bad idea. People tend to spend a little extra money on items for a new baby, so you can count on a market being available. Now, you just need to tap into that market. Perhaps you can start looking at local obstetricians and get them to carry some brochures about your quilts. Really explain the quality of the fabric and the workmanship in your brochures. Make sure people understand this is a one-of-a-kind item, and that they can customize what they want (if this is something you will do). Be competitive in your pricing, but don't go on the low end. Be a little higher, but really deliver. Package your quilts in a special way that makes it easy for the purchaser to make it a gift (cool gift box or bag?). Make really special tags for your quilts. The little touches count. There are some articles on the site about getting higher prices and marketing, so do a search. Good luck, Chuck Hello Annie,

Selling online via a website can be difficult, but no impossible. A website is great for local marketing efforts, though, so I wouldn’t get rid of a website unless its a budgetary issue.

There are a number of things you can do to make your quilts more attractive to the local market, and concentrating on baby quilts is not a bad idea. People tend to spend a little extra money on items for a new baby, so you can count on a market being available. Now, you just need to tap into that market.

Perhaps you can start looking at local obstetricians and get them to carry some brochures about your quilts. Really explain the quality of the fabric and the workmanship in your brochures. Make sure people understand this is a one-of-a-kind item, and that they can customize what they want (if this is something you will do). Be competitive in your pricing, but don’t go on the low end. Be a little higher, but really deliver. Package your quilts in a special way that makes it easy for the purchaser to make it a gift (cool gift box or bag?). Make really special tags for your quilts. The little touches count.

There are some articles on the site about getting higher prices and marketing, so do a search.

Good luck,
Chuck

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