Marketing Ted Gibson's Art Auction!

I wanted to update everyone on Ted Gibson's Art Auction and let you know we were profitable. The auction ran for 3.5 hours. The event was a fun and we established new customers for the store.

We attribute our success to Email and our direct mail campaign with a customer list that included collectors, artists, designers, interior designers and friends. This proved to be the heart of our promotion. Facebook kept all our friends updated and built a strong new sales base. I say this because our list were primarily made up of artists who sell their works and need framing for exhibitions all the time. We blogged and initiated website postings about the auction on three targeted national art websites. While we did not receive business from them we did obtain phone calls and queries for future business.

The print ads helped us to brand the store and increase awareness of the Ted Gibson name in Los Angeles. The store has been in business for eighty years and is a word of mouth business. I found this out because we also distributed flyers at several locations and door hangers in zip coded areas where there is a market for art and antiquities. I ran into people and they would comment on the store and tell me about Ted Gibson's great technique for high quality and hand made frames at a sound price.

The print ads established the brand for new customers since we thought out the single most important thing to say about the business. Planning for the campaign was insightful and an understanding of the business and market was clear. We are now building a brand that is changing in the mind of young artists and collectors.

The point to all this is that with a small budget marketing can be accomplished with success and creativity for many retailers and small businesses. Please call me to discuss marketing needs and business growth for your company. If we were successful in the arts in this depressed market I know we can help other business categories achieve greater success in 2010.

Ted Gibson Inc., Art Auction!

Before I post more information on Marketing and Business Plans. I would like to introduce you to our client Ted Gibson Inc., gallery, frame and auction center. We are supporting the company with marketing channels on the Internet and advertising through print and and an art auction. All my life, I wanted to be a part of an auction and especially in the arts. Now my dream has come true! Richard Gibson will be auctioning one hundred fifty original works of art and antiquities. The store is a step into the past and many customers have been visiting since the early 40's. Many of their clients are from around the nation, which includes museums, galleries, decorators, collectors and artists. There will be some great art work affordable to the discerning eye.

The historical art and frame store Ted Gibson Inc., is on Seventh Street in downtown Los Angeles and has carried treasures of art for over seventy years. Ted Gibson restores and frames entrusted customers art treasures of paintings, sculpture, watercolors, engravings and prints.

Many visitors can get lost at the store just perusing the layers of work displayed throughout the 9,000 square foot area with workshops and a gallery which is a feast for the eyes. The front of the store is filled with a variety of artwork samples; the walls are lined with over 1,200 sample frames and original paintings. A scent of varnish and sawdust fills the air and when you speak with the craftsmen you feel a sense of pride from their handcrafted work.

We are not marketing just any auction and you will see why if you attend the Auction on September 27th. Our auction combines the exquisite taste of art work by Richard's father with the unique Ted Gibson style of framing. Each piece is surrounded by the unique attention paid to best treat each piece. The works have been treated with individual attention, meticulous care and exquisite framing techniques. Thy will have something for everyone because they want to share the world of art with all. The pieces vary in style and an eclectic mix will be auctioned for the varied taste of our customers.

ANTIQUE ART AUCTION: DECORATIVE TEXTILES INCLUDING EMBROIDERY ON SILK FLORAL IN FRAME, ANTIQUE PRINTS, SERIGRAPHS, ETCHINGS, WATERCOLORS, SCULPTURES, SIGNED OIL ON CANVAS PAINTINGS FRAMED (circa 1800'S), VINTAGE PRINTS AND STONE CARVINGS.

AUCTIONING APPROXIMATELY 150 COLLECTIBLES AND LIMITED EDITIONS. LISTED ARTISTS AND ALL ARTWORK ARE FRAMED WITH THE GIBSON TRADITION OF ARTFUL AND HISTORICAL ELEGANCE!

AUCTION HELD AT OUR LOCATION:
2866 West Seventh Street,
Los Angeles, California 90005
For additional Information:
Richard Gibson
213.382-9195
Mark J. Carreno
310. 869.3360.

Good Deals - some asking prices start at $20.00

For C&C Associates the thrust of our marketing promotion has been extensive and we have used multiple cost effective marketing channels as follows: direct mail campaign; print advertising; Internet social networking; Email Distribution, posters, website development, flyers, posters (street and retail distribution) for targeted markets. Our goal is to reach artists, collectors, designers, museums and and gallery owners. We have accomplished this task on a tight budget and on time! I will let you all know the result after September 27th. So please come on down to the auction if your in Downtown Los Angeles and looking for an old world Los Angeles art experience!

The Business Plan

THE BUSINESS PLAN

What goes in a business plan?

The body of the business plan can be divided into four distinct sections:
1) The description of the business
2) The marketing plan
3) The financial management plan
4) The management plan
5) Addenda to the business plan should include the executive summary, supporting documents and financial projections

THE BUSINESS PLAN - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

Provide a detailed description of your business. An excellent question to ask yourself is: "What business am I in?" In answering this question include your products, market and services as well as a thorough description of what makes your business unique.

The business description section is divided into four primary sections. Section 1 actually describes your business, Section 2 the product or service you will be offering, Section 3 Marketing and Research and Section 4 Financials.

1. Business Description

A cover sheet goes before the description. It includes the name, address and telephone number of the business and the names of all principals. In the description of your business, describe the unique aspects and how or why they will appeal to consumers.

When describing your business, generally you should explain:

1. Legal - business structure: proprietorship, partnership, corporation. The licenses or permits you will need.
2. Business type: merchandizing, manufacturing or service
3. Define your product or service is
4. Is it a new independent business, a takeover, an expansion, a franchise?
5. How your business will be profitable. Explain the growth opportunities?
6. Research and Marketing
7. Financial Current and Projections

The description of your business should clearly identify goals and objectives and it should clarify why you are, or why you want to be, in business.

THE BUSINESS PLAN - 2. Product/Service

Try to describe the benefits of your goods and services from your customers' perspective. Successful business owners know or at least have an idea of what their customers want or expect from them. This type of anticipation can be helpful in building customer satisfaction and loyalty. And, it certainly is a good strategy for beating the competition or retaining you competitiveness. Describe:

1. What you are selling.
2. How your product or service will benefit the customer.
3. Which products/services are in demand; if there will be a steady flow of cash.
4. What is different about the product or service your business is offering.

Coming up next Marketing!