A picture tells your story: celebrating customers!

I love my customers! And I'm not just saying that because they purchase my work, but I just love that they truly represent the eclectic and diversity edge that I aim for in my work. Since I can remember, I've always been a person who liked doing things that were somewhat different from other people. When taking pictures and designing cards, I don't look for the obvious. Instead I look for simple beauty in things that people might over-look, but nonetheless when they see it they see the beauty in the vibrant, and bold colors to simple lines that compose a picture. Simple beauty is timeless just like good customers. 

This is one of my favorite events in Cincinnati: Second Sunday on Main Street. It's an annual street festival with an eclectic feel with a variety type of people who stroll on Main Street in the Over The Rhine (OTR) looking for great art stuff. There is music, dancing, food and good times.  http://secondsundayonmain.org/

 My customer market is awesome it truly represents a wide range of people crossing many boundaries: cultural, age, gender and race. This lovely couple stopped by my table at the Poetry and Arts Festival in the OTR (read above) in the Findlay Market Square.  Findlay Market is a historical food market in Cincinnati with fresh vegetables, fish, meats and other delectables. They found something to purchase on my table. http://www.findlaymarket.org/

My new saying: "there is something for everyone at my table!" And really there is! www.ourspiritandsoul.com

 This beautiful group of ladies visited my table; guess which one is the mother! I remember when my mother was alive and people would think she was my sister. She would just smile, and say "you better hope you look this good when you're my age." I hope I do, momma! Anyway, I had a great time with these ladies. I believe you have to have more than a great product to attract and retain customers. You have to engage with your customers, you have to genuinely interact with them. Talk to them about your products: how you got started, where you took your pictures if you are a photographer, what kind of paper you use, etc. By the way I use a silky glossy paper of very good weight. When customers stop to look at your products believe me it is for a good reason. Now you have to keep them there!

"There is something for everyone at my table!"

This is one of my favorite customers! Last summer she traveled numerous times to Second Sunday on Main Street. It rained the last time I was there, last Fall so I packed up my things...paper goods you know. But just like crazy Cincy weather wait two minutes and it changes. Well, this time I moved my table off the street and onto the stoop of the store front when I saw my customer rushing down the street. She happened to look over and said, "there you are! I've been looking all over for you." Don't you just love your peps. I tell you another thing about my customers; they are usually really sassy, chic dressers too! I've noticed that. LOL!! Take note of your customers. 

                             

Aww..this beautiful baby and her pretty mother stopped by my table at an event called the Black Family Reunion. They were from Dayton, Ohio. The young mother purchased some cards from me and I fawned all over her beautiful daughter. You can't just sell to people and not engage with them. Sincerely talk to your customers, and build a customer list and stay in communication with them periodically.

 This card is called Posh Birthday, and it is one of my newest card designs.  My customers asked for cards with people on it. So I developed this new process I'm using which involves digital painting and my re-designing skills. My childhood dream was to become a fashion designer. I was great at fashion illustration, but I've re-created that desire through my card collection to give them that fashion edge.  I use the body as a template and begin re-designing from there. With this card, I re-designed the clothes, literally changed the neck and the dress neckline along with changing her clothes from a skirt to a dress. I designed the earrings, the hair and changed the color of the clothes, and added some bling-bling. In addition, I made her boots a silvery-lilac color. Guess what???...one of my first customers... a middle-age white man. Looking at him seriously, I asked him who is this card for? He told me he was buying it for his daughter-in law. People we are living in a different world! And I love it!

It's a family affair: 

This little gentleman is not my youngest customer, nor is he my only young male customer. The children love the vibrant colors of my cards. This young man picked out seven designs right away. He knew what he wanted. I thought he may be getting the cards for a school project and that's what I asked his mother. She said no, that they give out cards for various occasions. Encourage yourself and  children to write, at least a line or two. I'm trying my best to keep writing alive!

 Another timeless, but good idea is to listen to your customers and incorporate their opinions, oftentimes they really work to your and their advantage. For instance, I use to carry pre-packaged assorted boxes a couple years back, but many of my customers gave me the idea of giving them the option of mixing and matching and making their own assortment of cards. They love going through and making up their own packages. It gets kind of hectic, but it is fun and it attracts attention and gets other people to your table to see what the commotion is. They said they love doing this because there are so many cards of mine they like. But, you have to start with a good product or there will be no mixing and matching! :)

There is something for everyone at my table! I talked to this nice lady for a good amount of time. We found that we had a friend in common. Again, it is so important to not just sell to your customers, talk to them. You will gain so much from the interaction: network with your customers.

Now, this customer was a surprise to me, but again the colors from my table attracts customers. He walked right up to my table and said, "Do you have any 'thinking of you cards?' I said yes and he purchased the one you see in his hand. Right after he left a Rastafarian, black man bought a $12.00 set of cards. I love my customers they are just so diverse!

 The young lady above in the red coat made her father stop and wait on her because she stopped at my table and just kept starring. I asked her "what card do you like sweetie"? She pointed to the butterfly that was sitting on a flower. I photographed that picture in Eden Park in Cincinnati. I told her she could have it. Good business also involves giving. You have to give in order to receive. Make it a part of your business practice.

Another thing I noticed about my customers, is that they love to pose. This young lady and I had a great time talking. She also purchased a different butterfly card, which was also taken in Eden Park.

















This gentleman, originally from Boliva, South America, a now twenty year Ohio resident, was smittened by the colors of my cards. He saw my Feliz Quinceanera card laying on the table of a young lady with a bright green dress on. We talked about it and then he gave me a brief lesson on South American history. He also purchased a butterfly card. As you can see, while you have to be creative you should love the customers that love your work! For more beauty and tips visit my website at www.ourspiritandsoul.com