Finding a market for your product abroad

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Finding a market for your product abroad
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Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice

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boisdevie1

Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3897
Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 07 9:08 pm Post subject:

Craft fairs and shops are fine but they cost big money in one way or another (fairs take a lot of time to organise and pay for, shops take a hefty percentage). I wonder, would it cost so much to get a part of your site translated into another language? Then add some tags so you're found easily and see how it goes.
If you'd like to try this in French let me know and I'll talk to my OH.
Good luck with the project.

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 07 9:17 pm Post subject:
Thanks - the expat forum look interesting. I tend not to sell much via the site - whether it's because people need to see the stuff in the flesh or whether it's just that I don't market it properly I don't know. I might try to get a list of crafts galleries in germany and try to contact some of them somehow. Thanks for the offer of help with translation - I'll definitely bear it in mind.

sneeuwklokje

Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 277

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 1:02 am Post subject:

I was thinking more in terms of craft fairs and exhibitions that are already set up - Stacey doesn't need to reinvent the wheel and be out a whole heap of money, if these things are already set up? Plus, it would be a good way for her to see what's already on the market there; hence the R&D side of things.

Stacey:
sometimes these things take time to build, so it might not be down to anything that you are not yet doing?

Your bag looked beautiful by the way. I still maintain you've got a signature product in the way that say, Debbie Bliss colourways are practically recognisable as her stuff; likewise with Mr.Fossett. I think you have the potential to do well. I wish I could afford to buy one. Or two.

.

I do however, wish you much luck with your venture.

tigger

Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 725
Location: Bologna (Italy)

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 6:57 am Post subject:
If you need any Italian translating, I'm here

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 7:42 am Post subject:

sneeuwklokje wrote:

.

I do however, wish you much luck with your venture.

Thanks

There's a feeling amongst the arts & crafts community that selling direct via fairs can sometimes cost as much in time taken out/accommodation costs etc as the galleries commission. Maybe that's what was being referred to? I worked out that to reach my break even point I have to sell 444 items at my average profit margin at fairs (taking all costs into consideration) and 750 items via a gallery/retail outlet selling at a 40% commission (though it's more usually 60 - 100% mark up the galleries take) I would certainly consider travelling abroad to research selling opportunities (would that be an allowable expense?

) and feel that people in Europe are much more appraciative of how much something hand made costs to produce whereas we in the UK are being drip fed cheap third world imports. I think it's great that these projects are set up to support women in developing countries but as a maker I feel it gives the consumer a false idea of the true value of handmade items.
Gosh, it's a bit early - haven't even had my 1st cuppa and I'm waxing lyrical

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 7:43 am Post subject:

tigger wrote:

If you need any Italian translating, I'm here

Thanks tigger

I think the Italians are probably a little too stylish to wear my outlandish stuff aren't they?

tigger

Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 725
Location: Bologna (Italy)

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 7:48 am Post subject:

Stacey wrote:

tigger wrote:

If you need any Italian translating, I'm here

Thanks tigger

I think the Italians are probably a little too stylish to wear my outlandish stuff aren't they?

Have a look at Missoni's stuff. He's one of Italy's top designers

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 7:55 am Post subject:

Stacey wrote:

I would certainly consider travelling abroad to research selling opportunities (would that be an allowable expense?

Yes it is, a friend of mine is an Incense trader and buys direct from the producers in person to make sure he gets the qualities he demands, all his overseas trips tend to end up fully deductable apart from any sightseeing elements.

sneeuwklokje

Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 277

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 07 8:19 pm Post subject:
Ah, I see. heh, it's good to wax lyrical.

MarkS

Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2626

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 8:32 am Post subject:
https://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073858802&r.s=m

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 8:44 am Post subject:
Thanks Mark Finding the outlets to start with seems to be the first problem.

MarkS

Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2626

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 9:18 am Post subject:

Doesnt that cover it ? I never bothered to read it all

They used to subsidise you to go to foreign trade shows/cultural events, I suppose government cutbacks have reduced the funding available etc etc.

tbh for small producers I would try and sort out things in the uk first. Unless you have good reason to think you can make lots more selling out of the uk, then the extra hassle of targeting foreign sales with issues about research, contacts, clearing payments, delivery, translation, etc would seem a serious distraction from the uk market.

perhaps a co-operative venture of some sort ?

Maxwell Smart

Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 607
Location: London Town

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 9:22 am Post subject:

Stacey wrote:

There's a feeling amongst the arts & crafts community that selling direct via fairs can sometimes cost as much in time taken out/accommodation costs etc as the galleries commission.

Then don't sell it as an arts & craft item.

I would suggest you contact the UKTI and get them to put you in touch with an overseas trade organisation. They will have a list of accredited trade fairs. If you participate in one of these then you are eligible to get a supporting export grant of �1800. That should cover a large chunk of your expenses.

There is a maximum use limite of three times - so choose wisely. They will tell you whether you are accepted prior to the fair so you can decide whether to spend the money or not.

Also German fairs are much much cheaper than in the UK. If you have or can borrow a camper van then you really don't have many expenses.

But MarkS is right - sort out the UK first.

Good Luck.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 9:25 am Post subject:
Thanks for posting Maxwell, I think it'd be good to see you commenting on Stacey's thread about profits/markup too if you have the time.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 07 9:28 am Post subject:

Maxwell Smart wrote:

Also German fairs are much much cheaper than in the UK. If you have or can borrow a camper van then you really don't have many

I have no idea about your market, but in mine, trade fairs in the UK are a dead loss. People don't consider them a great thing. In Germany, however, they are the first choice for buyers to see new things. Yep, very different markets for our products, but it may be similar. Germany may be worth a punt, and it's a fabulous place to visit. (and, they all speak English).

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