January 24, 2006.
Well, you know the old saying, about not succeeding, then try, try again? This reminds me of my daughter learning to swim, we are still trying to get her to swim. She has taken all the classes, and each year we get oh SO close and then she fizzles out like a fire cracker. Now that she is almost five and almost in kindergarten she is pressing for lessons, I think she knows we are not going on vacation with all her um 'floating stuff'. Really, really she tries...and come May we will try again.
Which brings me to today.....each January I go back over our 'People That Want to Carry Our Products' folder and look over the companies that have contacted us. I re-send our catalogs, emails, wholesale docs, anything they may need to make a decision. Then I go back over the folder of 'DAMN, why won't they take my products?" folder and re-send a kiss-ass, hey did you catch me on Ellen Show email. Now, I know this sounds desperate and childish, but I am like a dog that gets kicked.......I come back for more.
Truth be told, following up come February or March is very hard for me. It's not that I don't have every intention of following up on my submissions but I get so dang busy....with orders, life, kids, orders, life - seriously daunting. And, my biggest pet peeve ( and if I have done this to you please forgive me) some of these 'channels' do not ever ( and I mean EVER) respond! It is so RUDE!!! Why not just send the following letter:
Dear Crafty Ceramic Lady (if that is what you call yourself),
Thank you very much for submitting your "artwork" to our (catalog/boutique/website - fill in the blank) . We are totally NOT interested, but please feel free to submit your products at a later date........when you get some talent, or on Oprah.
Best of Luck,
Mean (Boutique/Catalog/Website)
Yes, yes, yes there are many 'channels' I would covet to be a part of, for whatever reason. I just wish I could get an honest answer, or an answer! I try to respond to all emails, I honestly do, even it if is to say, "No I am sorry I can not teach you how to paint tiles" or "No, I am sorry I do not have any interest in taking your artwork, placing it on tiles, showing it to my channels and giving you a royalty...uh NO thank you" I force myself to send out these letters. No matter how big (or small) your company is I think you need to remember the little guy. And, know that you will not be on top forever....trust me, coke, pepsi, coke, pepsi.........if one is number one, then the other is not.
Which brings me back to, the mantra, 'try, try again'....I was speaking to a large company I met in Atlanta on Monday, the buyer was new and told me she had worked for another large company prior. I was green with envy and stated I had tried for years to get my products in their catalog (her prior company), she said, "Well, you never got me on the phone".......case in point, you need to keep trying.
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