December 1997

Start to Advertise now for New Years Eve:
We are holding a New Years Eve event.  There are no places to leave the kids that night cause the sitters have plans too.. and a cultured event is a true find.
We already have people signing up... " pajama party".
Bring a sleeping bag and do art from 7:30 'til whenever, parents pick up the kids at or before 1:30. We may be insane but they are offering to pay whatever we want for us to do it. 
I am a state certified teacher so I have all the background checks that parents trust me.  plus I will have an assistant as well...  hire an art teacher for the event if nothing else..

Appeal To The Kids... and Mom Becomes A Customer
I have customers who say they come to my store rather than others in the area, simply because their child loves my free popcorn machine and my dog.  ( we tell my Pomeranian "Biscit" she is the CEO, but she really just cleans up the popcorn on the floor.)  We now call her " Bisque"
It's not that I have better prices or better stuff... it's my homemade cookies, popcorn and dog !!
I am by no means saying to go out and buy a dog to gain customers.  Every kid who walks by the window screams to come inside and pet the puppy and mom always says " so tell me about this place" after entering.  Do make your store "kid friendly" , my store is whimsical but unpretentious and kids go nuts over it, so parents come back.  Think of the playground at McDonalds, it makes them want your store !!  I don't have kids all over the place, but I do get comments all the time from the adults, that their child loves it as much as they do, and if mom is painting... you are making money.  I could charge for the popcorn, but it costs me pennies and kids just lose it over free popcorn, trust me !!  The popcorn machines are available at restaurant supply stores.. or Sams warehouse club.  Caution.. if you don't have a dog, get a broom fast. !!

Plan a Wine Tasting... mid month, You supply the appetizers or just cheese and crackers.. Admittance to the event is a bottle of wine, everyone brings one to share. Advertise this in papers read by the younger "into entertainment crowd".. they love it..  If you have guests that you can't convince to sit down and create art....  Make sure you have prices on all your finished samples.. gift certificates available.. and brochures on what goes on in your store at all tables.. After all Christmas is soon approaching.. and they could do some shopping at your get aquatinted Wine Tasting Event..

Breakfast Buddies...  Be prepared to sign up customers for this morning session... after you try the educational classes.. discussed in Step by Step..
Advertise these events to everyone..  Meet  "before work" pottery painting..  Have guest speakers.. ( like local artists.. authors trying to sell books.. etc.)  Offer a donut or bagel.. through in a small freebie..  Some speakers can be had at no charge... but you can always offer to pay them in pottery time..  We do this once a month !!

Lot's of planned events... is the key to a successful studio. 

Re-cycle broken pieces to make walk by people stop and take a look.  Grout broken ceramic pieces on large terra-cotta planters.. Have broken handles sticking out.. and mix and match colors.  Everyone loves mosaics... watch people stop and analyze this project before asking any questions.. !!

Don't Miss this Captive Audience Billboard Opportunity !
Keep in mind every customer has to wash their hands or at some point winds up in your bathroom, often for extended periods of time !  Use this for marketing !
Right now I have a poster advertising our " ladies night out " in the bathroom and you can, um, sit and read... the poster about how cool this is. All day long I hear ladies come out of the bathroom and say " Did you know they stay open late on Thursdays and we can bring our own wine?"