Projecting a Professional Image

A professional image doesn't just happen, it has to be created.

The right image is an essential part of your marketing effort in promoting your home based jewelry business because it not only helps define your business, but also projects a message of professionalism to let people know that you are not just playing around with a hobby.

In order to combat a hobbyist image, you must begin with your own attitude about yourself and your business.

The way you conduct your business influences the way people think of you. Ours is a visual culture, and first impressions are important.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Every aspect of your home based jewelry business, from your business name and logo, to good-looking printed and promotional materials, to the way you handle your business and your customers, should send the same message and make a clear statement that you are a professional.

As a home based jewelry business, you have to project the utmost in confidence and professionalism, which must be created by you, and then carefully maintained through the life of your business.

You won't have the luxury of having a big corporate name, nor the budget to handle large promotional campaigns. You won't have a fancy store-front with sales clerks or a parking lot.

Your business is YOU, and it's success depends on how you handle it and promote it. The more thought and attention you place on creating a professional image the more successful your business will become.

Your Personal Image

Projecting a professional image not only involves the quality and look of all your promotional materials but also the quality of service you provide.

Therefore, your personal image is important in promoting your business, because you are selling yourself as well as your business.

You must convey a message of enthusiasm and excitement about your venture, and a belief in yourself and in what you are doing.

Building a personal image involves more than the clothes you wear or the products you make. It also means acting like a professional in all facets of your business.

Greeting and helping customers in a friendly and considerate manner, being on time for appointments, filling orders promptly, paying bills on time, and even answering telephone calls are all part of your professional message.

If you are always late for appointments, filling orders, and paying bills, and rarely return telephone calls, then how can anyone take you seriously as a professional business person.

To be successful at promoting your home based jewelry business you need to build a good reputation. Earning a good reputation not only involves the quality of your products, but also how you handle all your business matters.

You must consistently strive to earn a good reputation as a jewelry designer through both your personal and professional image.

Developing Your Business Personality

One of the essential keys in promoting your business is to develop an image that will not only attract customers but also keep them.

You have to give your home based jewelry business a personality, that special something that makes yours unique and sets it apart from the competition. Then, you must cultivate this "personality" to create an interest in your business and attract customers.

In developing your business personality, you may want to convey a certain theme or style that will help people remember your work and your business, and also to help you in targeting your market. In determining your theme or style you have to consider what you are making and who your products will appeal to.

Do your products lean to the modern or traditional, simplistic or ornate, inspirational or whimsical? Do you want your business personality to be Country, Victorian or Contemporary? How about Exotic or Funky? Maybe you prefer to be more Sophisticated or Earthy.

No jewelry style appeals equally to the entire population.

To be successful you must know which group of buyers is drawn to your work or which group of buyers you want to attract, then promote your home based jewelry business specifically at pleasing that group.

The personality, or the style that you choose will help you in reaching your target customers letting them know that you make and sell the type of products that appeal to them.

Once you have picked a theme or a style stick to it and incorporate it throughout your marketing in your name, logo, business cards, printed promotional materials, advertising and displays.