#203 What YOU Need to Know in 2019 About the Current Wholesale Climate with Robin Kramer
This week is Robin’s birthday!
I’m so excited to be chatting with her about the rapidly changing world of wholesale…
Robin is our go-to girl in this department… She’s our wholesale and sales expert. And in the 7 years since we started Flourish & Thrive Academy, this part of our industry has been changing nonstop…
But lucky for us, Robin is up on all of these changes…
So whether you’re about to dive into wholesale for the first time or you’re navigating the ins and outs of consignment or sell and return – we’ve got you!
These days, it can feel like the financial pressure is 100% on designers. Especially in wholesale.
It may have you wondering… Is wholesale even worth it anymore? Can you really survive and make a good living with this model?
The fact is, it's totally possible! But only if you’re staying on top of what’s working TODAY.
In this week’s podcast episode, we’re covering everything you need to know to stay relevant in wholesale.
In order to succeed in wholesale, you have to build great relationships with your buyers…
Relationations are truly at the core of any working wholesale model. You want to make things easy for the people you work with…
This can mean providing them high-quality images that make promoting your work simple.
It can mean checking in regularly or scheduling annual visits to each of your buyers.
It can even start as early as simply following and engaging with your dream stores on Instagram.
The more you build relationships and connections, the more success you’ll have with wholesale.
In today’s episode, Robin shared several of the big shifts she’s seen in the wholesale market in recent years. Here are a few of the major ones…
One of a kind pieces
The idea of retail stores buying one of a kind pieces used to be unheard of… But these days, consumers want something unique. So stores are jumping on this trend.
Not to mention, carrying one of a kind pieces gives them a way to stand out against the e-commerce market. This shift is actually good news for designers in a lot of ways!
Stores want your story
Along with the shift toward one of a kind comes an even stronger emphasis on story than we’ve ever seen in the jewelry market. Customers and buyers want to know your brand. Who is behind it? What are you about?
This is where social media and a branded website can go a long way! It's a chance for people to see you’re real and get to know you – the person behind the pieces they love.
Snail mail is making a comeback
Buyers are often difficult to get in touch with… The internet has made contact easy but it also means flooded inboxes. That’s why snail mail can be your best friend when it comes to making a first impression.
Start with something simple like a postcard with a few images of your work. This is a great way to get noticed and not get lost in a mix of designers.
If you want to hear more on the topic of succeeding in the current wholesale climate – including how to navigate the world of consignment and sell and return – listen to this week’s episode of the podcast.
If you want to stand out and thrive in today’s wholesale market, you have to stay up on the changes. And Robin is the woman in the know when it comes to this topic!
xo, Tracy
Sponsor Spotlight!
Don’t forget to download Robin’s free birthday gift to you – our Wholesale Accelerator Scorecard. This free giveaway will walk you through the five key components of having a successful wholesale business and it’s available for FREE by clicking here!
Links:
The Wholesale Accelerator Scorecard – Robin’s Bday Gift!
Robin’s Instagram: @RedBootGal
