GCU Forum - January sales

Tom_133317

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 2169

January sales
Feb 1^st, 2010, 3:18am

As the regulars know, I have been posting my sales results monthly so that others will "keep the faith," as it can get rather discouraging at times given all the work we put in. Right? Sometimes we have a GREAT day of sales, and get really really happy,

and then nothing for days! embarrassed

Well, in time, like seeds, things should grow for us all.

Since I'm a certified geek, I've been tracking sales since I started here 23 months ago. I've greatly improved my skills as a greeting card designer in this time, and it's enjoyable to see my new cards selling right up there with some of the cards from those professional artists out there. The key is to keep improving your skills and adding appealing cards, and your garden too will grow!

My January sales were very good, thanks a great deal by one 150-card order mid-month. My average commission per card was 45 cents vs. a running average of 51 cents. Sales were up 29% over December but commission only up 14% due to that one large order. I had 3 days with no sales.

As for GCU, January sales were down about 8.5% vs. December as one would expect, but GCU sold 2.2x more cards per day than last January - awesome! About 400 new cards were added each day in January.

So, for fun, how about this ... how about we each post an answer to these 2 questions as a way help other gardeners:
1. What have you learned about being a Greeting card designer; things that you've changed that improved your sales.
2. What advice would you give to new designers?

Keep up the good work everyone. Share your sales results here too is you feel so inclined. We all started at ZERO you know!

TOM

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Bits_139043 Full Member artist Posts: 167	Re: January sales Reply #1 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 3:23am Gotta love geeks Thank you Tom this certainly does boost the old moral. I'm still happy though I have sold 9 cards so far. 3 November, 3 December and 3 January. Only started in November so I think i'm doing great LOL Am still new so don't really have any advice other than be patient
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Corrie_131338

Gold Member

Posts: 1611

Re: January sales
Reply #2 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 5:19am

We did well in January, a bit better than the same month in 2009. Not as spectacular as December, but as Tom said, that's to be expected. Now for Tom's questions:

1. What have you learned about being a Greeting card designer; things that you've changed that improved your sales.

Answer: We've learned to try and spot trends, and identify niches that have the potential to bring us sales.

2. What advice would you give to new designers?

Answer: Do research often, work to constantly improve your skills as a designer, try to think like a customer, and don't be afraid of marketing yourself! You'll only succeed if you put your best efforts into your business.

Corrie
http://www.corrieweb.nl
Need more info and how-to on GCU?
GCU 101 - http://www.squidoo.com/gcu101
Card Design Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/designcardsatgcu
Marketing Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/makemoresalesatgcu
Retail Sales Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/sellcardsretail

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Pamela_135500

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artist

Posts: 1945

Re: January sales
Reply #3 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 6:21am

Thank you again Tom, we love your number crunching!

Well I had twice as many sales in Jan as Dec

I have to add my christmas card selection is sorely lacking at least that's my excuse and I am sticking to it! Wink

Happy to report this was my best month since I started just over a year ago, excluding the one month I had a bulk sale last May, so there's hope!
I notice the brides are buying and these formed the bulk of my sales this month.
Also clicks and store visits were their highest ever.

As for what have I learned? I have found the most success has come from cards where I did a little research and a carefully targeted design and verse, designed specifically for the purpose, trying to convey the 'sense' of the occasion.
The second thing, which I have yet to implement effectively, embarrassed

marketing as Corrie stated. I am becoming increasingly aware that I need to address this more if I want to increase my sales.

Pamela

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Linda_132742

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 1796

Re: January sales
Reply #4 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 6:49am

Thanks all for sharing..
Jan. 2009....490 cards sold
Jan. 2010....262 cards sold

Did better last January due to a large "Year of the OX" bulk sale (250).
Visits and clicks are up this year, however, possibly due to me having more cards available.

1) What I've learned:
I know that my overall sales have increased in proportion to # of quality cards I have across many different categories. I believe that the exposure of quality cards=increased visibility which leads to more opportunities for sales. I can't stress enough the importance of quality over quantity.

2) Advice:
Self marketing is a big one...do I do it? No. Angry

No promises, but that looks like a good New Year's Resolution for me!
Continue to challenge your gift, don't be afraid to jump out of your artistic comfort mode.

Linda

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Bambi_136382

Full Member
artist

Posts: 135

Re: January sales
Reply #5 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 8:33am

I am always so grateful for Tom's number crunching and the other handful of folks for being great tip sharers.
Learned: #1. to get better sales, do more marketing and research --- that's a goal I'm going to squeeze in this year. (I do okay at marketing parts of my art business - just haven't quite made proper time for GCU)
and #2. The forum is a great fountain for advice and tips.
I've been here about a year and with no marketing (sorry to say), I've sold just less than 20 cards. I just know if I pay attention to marketing, I can do well here. but in the meantime, I love the "no pressure".
Thanks to all!
Bambi

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Marita_139630 Junior Member artist Posts: 67	Re: January sales Reply #6 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 9:03am Thank you so much for sharing the sales information with us. I am really new and was excited that I've had 3 sales!!!! I look forward to really increasing that number in the future. I really am so excited about the prospect of using my art for greeting cards!
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Doreen_137017

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 5274

Re: January sales
Reply #7 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 9:14am

I'm always excited to see the figures Tom, keeps me pushing to grow up to be just like you 'big sellers' Grin

I joined in late April 2009 and am proud to say in those 8-months I sold 600 cards! So...

1) What I've learned: That marketing, though time consuming, really does make a difference and I've seen that in my Zazzle stores as well.

2) Advice: Use the tools GCU gives us. Go back every couple of months and look at cards that have tons of clicks but no sales. To me it might suggest that the front of the card grabs attention, but the verse could use some tweaking or perhaps the card would be better off pulled and recreated for a more well suited category.

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Audrey_132599

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 429

Re: January sales
Reply #8 - Feb 1^st, 2010, 10:36am

Wonderful report, as always, Tom!

My sales for Jan. 2010 were almost 4x's as much as Jan. 2009 and almost double Dec.2009.

What I have learned is to be patient. Surprisingly, some bulk sales were cards I had up for a year or more with little or no sales for them until now!

My advice is to take your time in creating quality cards.Eventually, people who are seeking a great card in your style will find you.

With Blessings
~Audrey

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Angela_134247

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 761

Re: January sales
Reply #9 - Feb 2^nd, 2010, 12:38pm

After a not-so great last quarter, I am happy to say sales where up by 200 cards from January to
December. Something was up with my store report, so I couldn't compare from last year. we have also had our two biggest bulk sales this month, one of 30 cards and one of 51. I'm super pumped about this new year, especially because I'm starting it off with a new computer!

What I have learned and my advice:
Don't get discouraged. Like other people have said, sometimes a design can do nothing for several months and then take off like crazy.
Do make cards you like for yourself, but don't expect everyone else to want them. Spend the majority of your time researching what other people want, and then infuse your art into those themes.
Do find ways to promote your store. Set up booths at craft fairs and pass out your card. Get a car magnet with your store web site (VistaPrint sells them cheap!) write a blog, or lenses for Squiddoo. Promote!

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