Sndfrddy Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 This is my first year selling. Before christmas I was getting orders every day. Now just little ones here and there. Is this typical? If so, will it pick up at all soon? Everyone says they love my candles and are the best they've tried so I don' think tht's a problem. Just wondering if I'm not being aggressive enough with marketing. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EMercier Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I know Christmas is my busiest time. Also, some don't burn candles like others. I gave my mom one and she barely burns it. I'm starting to get lots of people that need refills, but it is slow. Then again, I'm not doing what I should be to get more business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsaycb Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Candles have always slowed down for me March through July. I tend not to do shows during the summer because of this. I found myself backing up and setting up for one day to make $60. Lots of smellers out there, but not spenders.My spring/summer shows are much more of a b&b production and candles become an accent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elle110 Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 March is historically slow for me, I do B&B. I think people are kind of in a transition from winter from Spring. I have my first big show in May and that is always huge and generated more biz on my website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Yes, this is my slow time of the year too. Why else do you think I'm hanging out on the boards so much? Once farmer's market starts back up for me in a few weeks here, I'll be back to being busier than a one-armed paperhanger. So I'm enjoying my rest break while I can!Website sales were huge in January for me -- big spike -- so things have slowed back down to a more reasonable pace because all my customers are well stocked. They tend to order a BUNCH at a time so they don't have to order again for a few months. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Common Scents Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 March is actually my slowest month. January & February have been slow but steady but March has been DEAD!! I have a show on Saturday so hopefully things will pick up. I'm trying to be more aggressive with my marketing as well so we shall see. Things will pick back up for me in April with a HUGE outdoor show that I do and then I have at least one show a month for the rest of the year so things probably won't be slow for me again until after Christmas! Hang in there...once spring gets here people usually start buying again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberly Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 As far as my WHolesale accounts...SLOW. But my personal customers...pretty steady. OMG FUNDRAISERS out the arse! I have 1 fairly large one starting on the 28th. I have had 3 smaller ones going on this month and tons of requests for fundraisers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 March is actually my slowest month. January & February have been slow but steady but March has been DEAD!! I have a show on Saturday so hopefully things will pick up. I'm trying to be more aggressive with my marketing as well so we shall see. Things will pick back up for me in April with a HUGE outdoor show that I do and then I have at least one show a month for the rest of the year so things probably won't be slow for me again until after Christmas! Hang in there...once spring gets here people usually start buying again. Sounds like my experience. Slow but steady Jan-March. Then April-December BUSY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindsaycb Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Crafty1 - Do you find though that your soaps sales increase versus candles at your markets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Soap sales are definitely stronger in the summer. Guess people *do* take more showers and baths in the hot weather! LOL But I've never had a day at market where my soaps outsell my candles. Candles still have the slight edge. HOWEVER, that could also be because I *started* with candles and added soaps later. So I've had a longer period of time to develop my candle customer base, KWIM? My soap customer base is just now starting to get on a roll.HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire and Ice Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Right after the holidays sale plumet due to everyone being candled out. They get so many for Christmas. Plus, people are paying off the huge CC bills when they come in so very little buying going on. Things will start to pick up next month though. Just a little but enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shell1226 Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Other than a couple of regular customers, sales are very slow for me this time of year. Good thing is I'm in the middle of one fundraiser and another large one just starting.Also glad it's a little slow at times so I can do some necessary testing (I'm looking to change wax for my apothecary jars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorrie Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 Yes, this is my slow time of the year too. Why else do you think I'm hanging out on the boards so much? I thought that you just liked it here AJ.. J/KYes, this is a very slow time for me too. I am working on developing new products and finding new suppliers for items that I wish to carry. I actually am enjoying the slowness. I can get something done.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinInOR Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 It's why I got into B&B in the first place, to cover those slow spring months for me, to carry a product mix that was more even over all the year. It was slow because of me, though, I never took advantage of all the hallmark holidays and fundraisers I could have worked for. Actually, this year it's an extremely busy spring, luckily. Jan/Feb were my best Jan/Feb ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clonefan80 Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 The closer it gets to April 15th the less people spend till their over the hump... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindym Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Picks up for me at the end of April before mothers day, lots of orders from regular customers but wholesale accounts are not parting with much money right now. I have be developing a touristy line with my soaps, lighthouses flip flop soaps, and shells , guest soaps and my wholesalers are going nuts for them, all cp , very time consuming and take a lot of room to cure but I am confident they willl sell well on the seashore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugtussle Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I have 5 fundraisers going on now, 1 small one about to be delivered, 1 large one and a small one I am pouring now, a big one just started, and then another starts next week. I am so thankful for these. It will probably get slow after May 15th. Then I need to start getting ready for the Holiday Seasons. I guess that's what it's all about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sndfrddy Posted March 25, 2006 Author Share Posted March 25, 2006 Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess good to know I'm not alone. Will hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudsnwicks Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 I don't often light candles (except for testing) during the warmer months. Somehow seeing the flame makes it feel hotter even though the candle doesn't really give off heat, at least not enough to make the room hotter. But it might help boost sales during the warmer months if you offer clean and fresh scents which feel cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftyChris Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 I agree with the other gals on the fundraisers. This is my best year yet, and I've been at this for 10 now. Fundraisers have gone mad this year!My wholesale accounts are pretty steady, but soft sales in Feb for sure. Picked up about 2 weeks ago, and now we are pretty busy. I find my real soft time is July and Aug more so than now. We take that time to stock up for fall fundraisers and wholesale orders. I have the bulk of my holiday wholesale line pre-sold by the end of june, and I have 80% of my fundraiser bookings in before schools let out, so i can get an idea on what fall numbers will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1_AJ Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 I thought that you just liked it here AJ.. J/KYes, as a matter of fact, I DO like it here! Everyone has been so kind to welcome me and given me such positive, warm feedback. I'm not even joking here (as I usually am. LOL) Great board!Well I had a sales spike in Jan. (double my normal sales volume -- whoot!) but Feb. and March have been much slower, which is more my normal pace for this time of year.I'm kinda liking the slower pace, but if it lasts too long, then I'll get nervous. ROFL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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