Getting jewelry store clients

[Jim Rentfrow]

Hello everyone,

What do you think is the best way to get a client for your gemstone cutting services? I work with jewelry stores for gemstone recutting and repair services but I am always looking to get more clients. I also sell wholesale to some stores in my area but due to a non compete agreement I have with the store that trained me, I do not sell in my hometown. Is it best to cold call stores to try to get gemstone repair jobs? Direct mail? Tradeshows? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jim Rentfrow
Flawlessfacets.com

[Coyotegems]

Jim,

one method which works is to have professionally glossy printed cards made aprx 6"x9" On one side have a handful of your best stones pictured, on the reverse state pertinent info on what you cut, if calibrated sizes is available, if you are selling stones or only providing cutting services this should be stated. Personal info (bio is unnecessary): phone & email is sufficient.

Put together a sampling of gems, presented in a well designed professional closed case. Cold call and make an appointment with buyer/jeweler/owner- ask for no more than 5-10 mins of their time... try to schedule as many in the same area as possible so you don't waste time & gas.

Be on time, not early or late. Know your pricing structure- either for services or gems per carat... know the wholesale for what you're offering before you walk in.

Basically what you want is to seem competent, and available to do the work or provide a quality cut stone(s) in a timely manner for a reasonable price. Once any relationship is established room will open for finer quality/higher priced material in the future.

Leave the glossy info-card with them. Alternately you may just go to every non-chain jewelry store you can find and drop off the card with the clerk... which works but expensive.

David

[Jim Rentfrow]

Thanks for the information, David. I will try that. I recently bought Cashvertising and I am also going to be getting some Dan Kennedy books on direct mail to companies that I hope will help give me some great ideas for marketing.