My brothers buisness venture - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rickg · #1 04-18-2003, 03:14 PM

My brother is trying to get a buisness going:
http://www.copperaccents.com/
He's having squat for luck. Been to several home-n-garden type shows, gets lots of good compliments on the quality and prices of what he's making. But no one's buying. Is he just hitting the bad economy? Or trying to sell something no one wants? He admits he's not really a salesman. But what he makes is nice stuff compared to his competition, and his prices seem to be right in there.
Any ideas from you self-employed types? (or anyone else)

Flash Gordon · #2 04-18-2003, 03:44 PM

The product description on his website is very unattractive to say the least! One must remember that no matter what you are selling, you are selling BENEFITS. What would they get if they bought from him? In addtion, perhaps he wants to show the closeup of his products so people can see them better compared to his competitors products. Or he can show photos of him while he is making the products so people can appreciate the detail work. Is he primarily selling over the internet? Doe he send out brochures to potential buyers? These brochures, again, has to be very attractive and provide BENEFITS. My two cents worth.

Frank X. Morris · #3 04-18-2003, 11:20 PM

Howdy Rick,
It looks like your brother does nice work and can do custom work. This may sound funny but double the price and advertise in the Robb Report. He needs to build something big and impressive to use in the ad and then talk about all the great custom things he can do. Just needs the money for the ad and references. Tell him good luck in his business.

rickg · #4 04-19-2003, 12:54 AM

Thanks for the input so far. I'm sending him the link to this thread. Don't be afraid to be open with any ideas/opinions. I warned him we're a great bunch, but we can be brutaly honest

He's to the point that he'll take it all in and sort it out as to where he wants to go next. He's been working at this venture on the side for several years now, but thanks to Boeing and their unemployment program currently underway, decided to try and make a go of it full time.

Frank X. Morris · #5 04-19-2003, 01:15 AM

Howdy Rick,
Has he tried going after the building contractors or other trades instead of the home owner market?¿

rickg · #6 04-19-2003, 01:25 AM

Hi Frank

I don't think so. I know he's gone around to a few nursery supply houses, and sold a couple items there. He's sold a couple items thru his web site too. Maybe a contractor of some sort would be helpful. That may open up a different avenue.
I think he has a great product, just needs to find the right way to market it. Flash Gordon had some constructive critisism of the web site. I know Lane (my brother) has been working on the site. It's better than it was before.
One thing that he's had a lot of questions about is custom gates. He's made friends with a fella down in california that makes a lot of high-dollar custom gates, and he's suggetsed that to Lane too. So he's tooling up for that next.

Frank X. Morris · #7 04-19-2003, 01:41 AM

Howdy Rick,
Does he have anyone helping him with the business end of things?¿ Another avenue would be public buildings.(hotels/motels). Maybe a trip to Las Vegas and try some contractors there?¿

rickg · #8 04-19-2003, 01:58 AM

Now that you mention it, this fella in California has made a set of gates for a zoo I think it was. I've seen pictures of that guys work. Fantastic stuff! He has done some other commercial jobs too. Not sure how much Lane has thought of persuing commercial customers. May be a way to get a break.
As of now, he's on his own. Anyone that would help him with the buisness end of it would have to be: #1 good, and #2 cheap

But seriously, that may be what he needs. Some kind of consultant or sales rep to do the foot work, one that would work strictly on commision. I suppose there are people out there that would fit the bill, especially now with the economy the way it is. Lot's of hungry salesman out there, I'm sure.

Diesel-Lover · #9 04-19-2003, 09:22 AM

RickG,

Hey the product looks nice. Love the clean designs.
When the site first opens perhaps the first page could be using one of his products as a background.

He may want to approach some home developers in his area and ask if he can furnish some of his products for their models. Provide them with a price list. For the next Homearama type event he may want to provide some of his products.

Some well placed products in high traffic area (correct market segment) will provide good visibility for his company in the marketplace.

He can also call and visit with the owners of local gardening services and ask if they would like to rep his product line.

The verbiage in the about our work could be tuned up a bit. The arbors are way cool but are they painted white?

Finally one of the best places to go is the local univ or college and harvest the information and assistance available in the small business center.

Wish him the best.

rickg · #10 04-20-2003, 01:41 AM

A million thanks guys! Good stuff here. I'm sending him another email to see if he's checked in on this.
I really want to see him make this work. He's tried a few other ventures that never got off the ground. This one has at least had some small success, just not enough to pay the bills. One reason he decided to go for it now is he has unemployment for a year(form this past January), plus his severance package from Boeing to live off of for awhile. So as good a time to as any to make a go of it.

Kuan · #11 04-20-2003, 09:07 AM

I'll have thoughts on that a little later, but first:

You basically sell two kinds of things on the internet. Whore market items of which there are tons around, or extremely specialized goods and services. Most people browsing the internet for items like CD's, books, flowerpots, or hotel rooms, are looking for the best price. Then there are things like fighter jet vacations and kidney auctions. Those are specialized enough. It's extremely difficult to tell someone on the internet that your copper trellis is better than they specials at Home Depot.

So what are you selling?

1) Service
2) A good story
3) Charisma
4) Sex

All the above or combination theroff make up your brand. You should have at least some of those elements in your brand. A&W, for example, has all of the above. They bring the food to your car, have this great story about Alan and Wright and the making of root beer, has charm in that frosty mug, and has sex (a hot dog in a bun)

okay, that's a stretch.

There's no way I can sell my services without actually meeting clients in person and convincing them that they want my product.

I have a brand (very expensive inhome parties, fine dining in your home... )

I have a story (I'm tired of corporate rubbish and this allows me to be creative, blah blah... )

I don't have much charisma, but I promise the meal of their life, or at least as far as their budget allows.

Sex? Yep you betcha, like a romantic dinner overlooking the lake.

Why me rather than some other schmuck who can bake a pie and make meatloaf? These days I let former clients do the convincing for me. But I still have to work at it.

Anyway it seems to me that you either have to be real specialized or sell enough of the cheap stuff on the internet. Basically I think you have to do something to separate yourself from the pack. You give them more, give it to them faster and cheaper, or you give them little, but make it very special.

Edit: It took me three clicks and some searching to get to the pictures. I suggest you put pics on the first page.

Kuan · #12 04-20-2003, 09:12 AM

Cheapest advertising to reach the high end market:

Porsche club newsletter
MB newsletter
BMW newsletter

rickg · #13 04-21-2003, 12:37 PM

Again, thanks for all the input. And my brother says a big thank you too!

Here's part of an email he sent me last night:

One of them reminded me that I was going to contact SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) http://www.scorechapter591.org/WHATSC~1.HTM and see if I
can make an appointment to talk to someone there.
I also am writing a sales letter to be sent out to about 300 Washington State landscape architects with some pictures.