Tailor Archive
Thread: How do you drive business to your shop?
I've given fairly hefty "new customer discounts" for newish people who are short on cash - usually just entertainers, since I know they usually have a tough time making money. But never totally free, and usually just to people I like, which helps.
Oh...I don't think I made it clear...I don't sell to dancers and entertainers. They usually never have money, and they usually always want free goods even if they do. These people that I searched out in their noobie clothing were people I KNEW would make money and pay in the futre. Dancer types...well...it's odd ingame and in rl they almost have the same qualities; always broke.
I think someone else said it in this very thread, choose the line or make a niche that others aren't going for. For example, after I got casual wear and couldn't sell a single bustier or lekku wrap to a single entertainer I went straight for field wear, skipped formal, went to tailoring for more sockets and now I'm two boxes away in formal wear from master. My shop is geared for the males. There are many entertainers who are male, but in general, most of the males and a lot who are entertainers have some sort of fighting skill, and therefore mission and have money. That's my niche, I do stock hot pants and bustiers, but those are sold to the males that come in for their wives and gfs, or ingame sweethearts.
All the dancers don't want my clothes anyway, I'm not master yet, I'm old news, and I think you will find most entertainers won't be looking for your goods unless you're the highest tailor out there. In which case if they do want your clothes they will be expecting them for free because they'll save every single credit they have for the fleshwraps you can't make yet.
Wookiee specific wear is big business. I sell many more hoods and robes than bustiers or skirts.
Anyway, I for me, it was a huge payoff. Find the ones in brawler, scout, marksman, even artisan n00b wear, naked wookiees, and it will pay off, or at least did for me.
And actually, the best outfit that I ever gave for free in this situation were ribbed clothing.
STAY AWAY FROM DANCERS unless you are the highest tailor on the server! Go for sockets! Just my spiel of course anyone can continue to disagree.
I gotta say I agree that the dancers make a beeline for the master tailors. They all want the fleshwrap or the "exotip leopard" (haha I love that post), and it has become a boring uniform. I went into the cantina yesterday to dance and advertise, wearing a metal bikini top and the bikini leggings and there were three fleshwraps (with matchinglekkuwraps of course)and two leotards. Nothing else. So predictable. I really like the revealing top (not revealing bikini) with some matching infiltrator leggings and sandals, now that's cute.
n'Jessi
If you buy something from someone, give them a card and say if there is anything else that you have like this that I might want, here is where to reach me.
If you sell something to someone, say if you need anything else, here is where you can find me.
If you provide training for someone to get your apprentice points up for master, here is where you can reach me if you need any MORE training.
As someone else mentioned, drop a card on anyone who has purchased something from the bazaar as well. Here is where you can come to get more quality stuff.
Word of mouth is the BEST way to get more business to your shop. If you have not set up your shop yet, set it up by a quality weaponsmith/armorer/architect... this way they'll drive business to you and vice vera.
When you get a vendor, it is worthwhile to go up the advertising track in Merchant to put your shop on the map. I had 4 new customers within 2 hours of putting my shop 'on the map'.
Finally, don't be afraid to put people to work.. If you make something for someone, give them a card and offer them a discount if someone comes into the shop and mentions their name... They'll tell all their friends and complete strangers about you, plus are more likely to return just to GET the discount..