The knife making market: Self promotion vs no self promotion..

Ive only done 3 shows, ever, and all 3 were over 12 years ago. I have never advertised, never sent in pics etc. to magazines, never pushed for articles, have been to maybe 2 hammer ins... And I sell plenty of knives, enough to make a living.

All that said, Would I sell more and get more $ per knife if I did shows, advertise and "got out" more.... YES. I plan on doing so in 2012.

EDITED TO ADD- after reading I realized the post may come accross as "bragging" or something like that, not my intent. I simply want to point out that you can definitely do OK without any promotion other then making good knives at a good price point, but that clearly some promotion can/will help.
 
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RMLamey said:
Ive only done 3 shows, ever, and all 3 were over 12 years ago. I have never advertised, never sent in pics etc. to magazines, never pushed for articles, have been to maybe 2 hammer ins... And I sell plenty of knives, enough to make a living.

All that said, Would I sell more and get more $ per knife if I did shows, advertise and "got out" more.... YES. I plan on doing so in 2012.
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But, you and your customers work the internet pretty well. And you make cool knives also! :D
 
Success is relative,

which would you rather have in your Garage today, a 1960 Lincoln Premiere or a 1960 Edsel Citation (considering the Lincoln went for $4,800 and the Edsel $3,600 back then)?
 
... If you think getting rich and famous is hard,… try getting un- rich and famous. Try that! :)

… It’ll just get you more rich and famous.

That’s what I’m saying…

It’s catch 22, damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Oh well... ;)
 
Back a couple of months ago, I was talking (to a pretty well known damascus maker) about how my sales had dropped off in 2011. I explained that, naturally, the quality of my knives was better than it was in 2010, and of course, the preceding years.

I tried blaming the slow-down in sales on the economy, and every other imaginable excuse I could to come up with. I finally admitted that "I just don't understand". "What have I done wrong"?

He said something that gave me a wake-up call........... "Robert, you have sold knives to almost everyone within your CIRCLE. It is now time to expand your CIRCLE. You have to do shows, even small shows. You need to get your knives and your name outside your CIRCLE. Your comfort zone so far has been within your CIRCLE. You might think about having your knives professionally photographed and submit them to all the knife related magazines. Perhaps you need to think about sending a well known collector one of your knives for an honest review. Do you advertise in magazines? Is your website user-friendly and up to date? There are more ways to expand your CIRCLE than you have thought of at this point."

One reason I never did shows was because I always sold everything I made almost immediately and never had enough knives readily available for a show. I thought I was on top of the world. On one occasion, I posted a knife for sale here on BF, and it sold in 12 minutes, I thought that I had "arrived".

Wrong answer............ We must continually expand our "CIRCLE". At the same time, we must never give up the quest for perfection. Anyone who thinks they have "ARRIVED" in the knife making business is only fooling themselves.

I encourage each of you to take a look at your CIRCLE, and explore how it may be expanded.

Robert
 
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Go down to your local chamber of commerce meeting and ask an average attendee if they think self-promotion is acceptable/normal/whatever. She or he will think you are joking and will humor you with a well practiced fake laugh, and hand you a business card and the world's most overdone handshake. You know I'm right!

In all seriousness - I'm no knife maker, but as a small business owner I think I have some perspective on the topic (I hope...or else I'm screwed...). I find SELF promotion to be slightly uncomfortable for me personally. Some people are totally comfortable with it and are good at it. Some are comfortable with it, and as tacky as pitch. I find it much easier to promote the name of my business rather than my own name. It feels more natural. You might consider promoting a name, like "M3mphis Forge" or whatever.
 
Robert Dark said:
Back a couple of months ago, I was talking (to a pretty well known damascus maker) about how my sales had dropped off in 2011. I explained that, naturally, the quality of my knives was better than it was in 2010, and of course, the preceding years.

I tried blaming the slow-down in sales on the economy, and every other imaginable excuse I could to come up with. I finally admitted that "I just don't understand". "What have I done wrong"?

He said something that gave me a wake-up call........... "Robert, you have sold knives to almost everyone within your CIRCLE. It is now time to expand your CIRCLE. You have to do shows, even small shows. You need to get your knives and your name outside your CIRCLE. Your comfort zone so far has been within your CIRCLE. You might think about having your knives professionally photographed and submit them to all the knife related magazines. Perhaps you need to think about sending a well known collector one of your knives for an honest review. Do you advertise in magazines? Is your website user-friendly and up to date? There are more ways to expand your CIRCLE than you have thought of at this point."

One reason I never did shows was because I always sold everything I made almost immediately and never had enough knives readily available for a show. I thought I was on top of the world. When I posted a knife for sale here on BF, and it sold in 12 minutes, I thought that I had "arrived".

Wrong answer............ We must continually expand our "CIRCLE". At the same time, we must never give up the quest for perfection. Anyone who thinks they have "ARRIVED" in the knife making business is only fooling themselves.

I encourage each of you to take a look at your CIRCLE, and explore how it may be expanded.

Robert
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Well said.
 
From another buyer's perspective. I see the commercial knife makers like Busse, and Spyderco interact with their "fan base" quite frequently. It is fun for the buyer and seems to work for everyone involved.

On the custom side I say build the best f*^#ing knife you are capable of. The collectors and other smiths and makers will know you by your product and if it is good, you will sell all you want to. I've been admiring knives for 20+ years but only recently have I jumped into the collectors market, and I love being able to recognize the different makers blades on sight. You guys are turning out some amazing knives. Thanks.
 
Leek_Freak said:
Hope you don't mind a buyer's input. When I saw this thread, the first thing that came to mind was Snody. I have had no direct interaction with him or any of his knives, but I am familiar with his work due to his promotions and (cheesy) images that always have money in them somehow.

I'd say it's all in how much you want to sell. By not advertising, it's obvious that your "fanbase" will be a lot smaller. If you want to sell more, then of course you need to advertise yourself more. In my opinion, simple advertising is best for knives. Nice pictures sell items, but you don't need cheesy sayings, etc.
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Happy New Year Everyone...
 
Tai Goo said:
Nice tooth shine Snody! :)
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I had my gold teeth diamond cut for that extra gliss..
Mouthful of gold and I still cant shine like you and the Don...
You guys set the bar high..
Huge Respect from Texas..
[youtube]pis66SKownc&ob=av2e[/youtube]
 
Show em how to sell knives Mike

Snody Style :)
 
AVigil said:
Show em how to sell knives Mike

Snody Style :)
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Thanks B.. You already know you got that hood pass down here on third coast.. Get at me anytime.. 361 443 0161
[youtube]KCuI6BPJb_I[/youtube]
 
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