I'm looking at a month's worth of poor sale stats for my recently launched puppet store, and am wondering whether or not to change tactics. Using Google analytics, it's clear that most people click on my banners, but not the store icon on the site. It's also clear that most people move away from the store page and onto my FAQ, the book page, or mainly just away from the site altogether.

Anyway, most of my hits to the site are thanks to my ever-widening FAQ. Most people are looking for puppet patterns (granted, yes, mostly free ones), but it makes me think that I'm marketing the wrong sort of product. Ie. most people visit my site for information, not puppets to buy. So I should be selling an information product, like a pattern, which fits my site a lot more.

I'm not saying that I'll drop the puppet generator - I really do love the concept - but widen the number of products on offer.

Anyway, this may sound like a lot of over-thinking, but I'm going on just over a month of unemployment, got bills to pay, and it doesn't look like I'll have a job anytime soon. Just trying to think of easy ways to increase earning potential...

So... yeah, what do you guys think? Is it worth it to try and sell patterns? What are other things that are easy to market? ... I've also been thinking of creating a POD book (Print On Demand), with patterns, instructions, helpful stuff for Aussie puppeteers...

Any ideas or thoughts most welcome!

Thanks,

Na

Why not sell patterns?  The POD book sounds like a great idea.  I also had an idea that you could set up a feature where a person could use the puppet generator to develop a puppet kit.  They design the puppet and you send them the pattern and the supplies they will need to build the puppet.  Sell supplies as well.  I guess in some ways you're looking for your market nitche

I just checked out your site and have one comment.  Perhaps the customizable monster puppet that you have on you puppet generator is not the right puppet for mass marketing.  He's very cute!!!  But is he the puppet that people will want to buy for themselves.  Perhaps a more conventional person looking puppet that people could customise to look monsterish or peopleish would appeal to a greater group of people.

Like I said, I think iyour one eyed monster is great.  I'm just as wondering if its right for the market.

Good luck

I know it might not be a favorite, but use the greeeeedy bunch over at ebay. Go global there. One sale might lead to more interest from the single buyer. It's a good launching pad.

Why not sell patterns?  The POD book sounds like a great idea.  I also had an idea that you could set up a feature where a person could use the puppet generator to develop a puppet kit.  They design the puppet and you send them the pattern and the supplies they will need to build the puppet.  Sell supplies as well.  I guess in some ways you're looking for your market nitche

I just checked out your site and have one comment.  Perhaps the customizable monster puppet that you have on you puppet generator is not the right puppet for mass marketing.  He's very cute!!!  But is he the puppet that people will want to buy for themselves.  Perhaps a more conventional person looking puppet that people could customise to look monsterish or peopleish would appeal to a greater group of people.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree I'm not hitting my niche. I'm really leaning towards selling patterns at the moment, as that seems to be the most wanted thing when people visit my site. They also look for unusual or specific patterns - today I had a search on my site for a panda hand puppet pattern for example.

I'm not sure what I think of the suggestion to do more people puppets than monster ones. I do agree that it might not be as marketable to do monster ones... on the other hand, they're different, and I was aiming for something that is fun and that is imaginative. I think my market is probably looking for something that you could easily find by going to Folkmanis, or ebay, and I don't want to offer something so... well... boring. (No offense to all you puppet makers out there!). Plus, the hope is to extend the options, which would help in the marketing area of things.

I do like the idea of selling kits. I was thinking of doing that initially, but never really considered it properly. Maybe I'll revisit the idea, think about it a bit more in detail. And I'm going to have a proper think about the POD book.

I know it might not be a favorite, but use the greeeeedy bunch over at ebay. Go global there. One sale might lead to more interest from the single buyer. It's a good launching pad.

Yes, I've been trying out ebay (with my leftover sheep puppet from my failed commission), but no luck so far. Problem is I'm terrible at marketing... or rather, can't be bothered. :P 

I think my major issue is that all of my potential customers are coming directly to my site.... Maybe I could set up an online survey or poll, and see what visitors are most interested in buying?

Keep the feedback coming! I need the critique!!

Well Na. ... You have to go with your heart on some things.  All I advise is to keep your options open.  Make sure you include what excites you about puppetry.  I kow some of the people here have made successful businesses with puppets get their advise.  Nothing beats experience when it comes to business.

Good luck

True! I'm really bad at business, but want to keep creating. I guess right now is also tough, because I'm out of work and don't have money to spend creating big plans. Honestly, all you people out there with puppet businesses, please do give me some advice on how to make a good start!!!

Running a successful business is not an overnight success.  It seems that you are hoping to be selling puppets like crazy?  I also get that you don't have a steady income and that can bring on an urgency to sell, sell, sell.

I know from other people who run specialized business's it is about promoting, and in most cases it is something that builds over time and not over night.  Unfortunately this wasn't an option for you.  You went from a full time job to a brand new business that hasn't had the time to build.  Most people transcend from a full time job to a full time private business over time.  This way they can build things up to make the money that they are already making, if not more.

As Jon said, I think that making more options for your puppets is certainly an idea you should further think about.  The puppet that you provide to sell will meet the needs of boys mainly so you have narrowed down your potential buyers to almost half.  I think providing something that has two eyes and a nose or an animal type of puppet as well as what you provide now helps to open up your customer buying options.  I understand that you want something that is unique but if people don't buy into it, you are standing alone. 

I guess this is food for thought, take what you want and leave it all if you want.  I do like the idea of patterns, add that as an option to your web and even sell the pattern with pre-cut material (kit) to sell as well.  This will open up more options bringing in more consumers. 

Have you thought about putting together a play with puppets to do shows at schools, bday party's, community centers, Corpret events, ect?  This can be quick good income for a couple of hours of work.  Have you thought about doing workshops for kids? youth? and adults?  This is another great way to bring in a constant income and build your business.  During these events you can advertise your website and have puppets to sell after the show.  This all helps with bringing more people to your website and buying your puppets/patterns and booking shows. 

I think in the puppetry business you need to be very flexible (not like yoga, flexible, LOL) but having many services at all levels of puppetry to help compensate income for down times. 

Please don't take this the wrong way it seems that you were reaching out for ideas and I hope this gives you some food for thought during this difficult time financially and emotionally. 

If you believe.....things will work out in the end......

Daryl H

Running a successful business is not an overnight success.  It seems that you are hoping to be selling puppets like crazy?  I also get that you don't have a steady income and that can bring on an urgency to sell, sell, sell

Oh no, I'm not expecting it to be an overnight success. I'm just looking at ways to improve sales. It's been a month, so I'm able to collect some decent data about the way people are viewing my site/store page, and try to improve areas that need improvement.

Yes, the unemployment thing is making me more nervous about it, but I'm not expecting it to be an overnight success. I agree that the transition was the biggest problem; my plan was to stay in my job until I could build up enough income from puppetry to leave. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.

I like the idea of adding an animal type... maybe I can look at my base puppet pattern, and have more designs.

As for putting together a show - again, I had thought of that. The problem is that I'm in no way a performer, and at this time, a show would mean finding actors and organising a whole bunch of stuff to be ready for a new school semester. To be honest, I'd much rather go the way of making webisodes, but I know that will be just as difficult to promote and get interest in.

I guess my biggest issue is that I'm on my own: I have very few friends/colleagues interested in doing puppetry, and those that do are working full time or still at university. I really would love a business partner, so that I could focus on running things, and someone else to look after the marketing/money.

Ah, pie-in-the-sky dreams...

Thanks for the advice Daryl. Totally not taken the wrong way, I'm happy to admit that I'm a novice 

I'm taking all of this on board, and am currently trying to find a way to add a survey to my site, which will help me narrow down my options.

I'm going to have a big think about what to do next, and maybe come up with some designs/plans for something new.

Ok, I've now got a survey happening on my site. (It's a pop-up, so it loads automatically)

Ok, I've now got a survey happening on my site. (It's a pop-up, so it loads automatically)

Don't forget to also put a non-popup version or link for the survey on your site.  Pop-ups are easily blocked by a persons browser so they may not even know there is one.  I am not sure how you are creating your pages but in HTML there is a noscript tag that can be used to display information if a person has javascript turned of completely.