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Original poster

Disposable income...

79 replies

surlycurly · 31/07/2021 22:00

I was hoping to get some feedback please. I run a small business (part-time on top of my FT job) that sells 'luxury' or unnecessary interior items (up for debate but to simplify and prevent outing I'll go with this). The past two months have been dire. The products haven't changed, nor have the prices, but I'm just not selling anything really. Can I ask what you're spending your spare money on just now? I don't want to give up if this is just a blip caused by holidays/ eternal purchases etc. Please don't pummel me into the ground for the title, or for being nosey - I don't have a spare penny just now because my business isn't doing what it normally does. I'm just hoping to find out if it will come back to me or not. Covid has changed all previous norms and I'm getting more and more bleak as time goes on with little to no sales. I rely on the extra income to keep us afloat. Thank you so much in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 22:28

*normally- not Norway 😂

OP posts:
HalzTangz · 31/07/2021 22:32

For me I only buy interior items when I'm decorating a room. Which I do every 5 years or so. Every room in the house was redone in lockdown one (everyone I know redecorated, there was literally nothing else to do).

Trade may pick up in few months when people start buying for Xmas, but in the meantime maybe introduce a new range that compliments existing ranges. That way customers that previously bought from you at be tempted to buy the new item to go with their other items

imamule · 31/07/2021 22:35

and I sorry OP, it must be hard.

waitingpatientlyforspring · 31/07/2021 22:36

Spending on going out again. This week kids have been to cinema, today all of us did plus went to pub before. Tomorrow we are going out for breakfast.

Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 22:37

Thank you! I appreciate it. It's irritating not to be more specific, sorry, but I get the jist of the feedback.

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ISeeTheLight · 31/07/2021 22:41

From a performance marketing perspective - whee does your traffic usually come from? If you're relying on Facebook ads they have been quite heavily impacted by apple's iOS14.5 update - I'm seeing very poor results across a range of clients.

Bellabelloo · 31/07/2021 22:44

Sorry to hear this OP. Running your own business is tough.

You said that you hoped people might have a bit more money by forgoing a foreign holiday, but lots are still going abroad and having to pay for loads of tests on top - or are holidaying in the Uk which can actually be more expensive than going abroad!!!

I hope it picks up for you. X

Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 22:47

Most customers are indeed from social media. I also work with a gallery but they have seen things dip heavily too. I've paid more for ads than I've made in the past two months.

My ex did a bunk last year. This income replaced his maintenance, never mind giving me any real extra.
It's like a double whammy.

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Ideasplease322 · 31/07/2021 22:48

There has been a huge upswing in people moving house and I am one of them.

I am furnishing a new house, so am actually spending more on luxury items. For example, I spend £400 today on a piece of art.

Is there anyway you can tap house movers?

Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 22:50

I wish I could @Ideasplease322 . It's the perfect market. I normally have commissions for specific items too but they've completed dried up just now. Not had one since February!

OP posts:
ISeeTheLight · 31/07/2021 22:53

Try a different channel to advertise. Eg Google ads in particularly shopping ads may work well - I'd get in touch with a small agency if I were you as you can easily burn money on advertising if you're not well versed in it. Also make sure you have a Facebook/ Instagram shop set up. For Facebook ads; including reviews and star ratings in the actual ad image can help drive good results. Good luck.

StoneColdBitch · 31/07/2021 22:55

I am a clichéd Mumsnet high earner. But the events of the past 18 months have taught me that "stuff" doesn't make me happy. We have cut our cloth a bit to allow DH and I to both work part-time. We still have disposable income but are spending on travelling to see family, and meals out, rather than things. We are also aware that financial stability is important in the current climate so are being more cautious with money and guarding our savings closely.

Eleoura · 31/07/2021 23:00

DH and I are renovating and extending a completely derelict home we can move into. I interviewed for and got a job on 1st Jun, BUT, the paperwork and red tape is taking ages. They have penciled in mid Aug to start!

In a few months, when we actually have plaster on the walls, it painted etc, I will be looking for art for the house. Maybe I could look you up then?

Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 23:06

Thanks all- that's incredibly helpful. I set up a website this year and get moderate sales from that (normally) but am heavily reliant on SM. Google ads may be the way forwards. Don't think I can do an agency just now.

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Original poster
surlycurly · 31/07/2021 23:07

@Eleoura you're very sweet- thank you.

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Ideasplease322 · 31/07/2021 23:11

I struggle to know where to start on home decor. I know I want to be original and have my own style, but I don’t have time to research.

PM me your website link. I would love to see what your product is (I won’t out you I promise 😊)

LlamaGiles · 31/07/2021 23:14

We have a lot less disposable income thanks to the pandemic. We have cut out luxury spending unless it's experience type stuff (the odd day trip, a cheap holiday).

MistySkiesAfterRain · 31/07/2021 23:15

Home improvements, tech items, overpriced UK holiday accommodation, food treats. Books I don't read. I'm not buying clothes as I put on weight.

Summergarden · 31/07/2021 23:31

How about maximising your existing SM audience and customers by promoting a giveaway or similar (if you can afford to- maybe one of your smaller or cheaper pieces)?

I often see those competitions on FB where friends have to like and share a post to be entered for a chance to win, and then their friends will see the company and may choose to enter themselves by sharing the post. Could help generate new customers?

Or how about trying to get featured in a local publication such as your county’s named magazine or local advertising flyer? If you tried to get interviewed about your particular type of art as a general interest piece with your contact details for anyone who reads it to get in touch.

PaddleBoardingMomma · 31/07/2021 23:38

Not much help I'm sure but the recent weather and further promises of a coming heatwave have pushed myself and others I know to be DOING more rather than buying more. We spent over a year stuck indoors buying online and now we want to do things, go places, enjoy locations opening up again and so on. I pretty much did all I could and wanted to to my home over the past 18 months, the money saved on travel and childcare has gone on buying all those nice things I wanted but never had the extra cash for, now it's going back to normal and buying "stuff" is very low down the list after holidays and meals out, days out with the kids etc etc. I hope this is temporary for you and may well just be my experience not a good snap shot of the bigger picture. Either way I hope you weather the storm xx

Original poster
surlycurly · 01/08/2021 07:54

Thanks again. All the info is kind of what I suspected. I just hope to be able to weather the storm until the weather breaks and the holiday season ends.

OP posts:
Mintjulia · 01/08/2021 08:06

Any spare money goes in the school fees pot.

The last six months, I've bought a few clothes (return to work), a pc for ds, and I've upgraded my car (the old one was 12 years old). A few inexpensive bits for the garden. We haven't bothered with a holiday because of all the covid restrictions.

Since I wfh three days a week, I've cut my food bill by £20 a week, and generally buy less of everything because I go out less.

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 01/08/2021 08:10

@countdowntonap

We’re currently spending money on extensions and renovations, and so until the building work is complete we aren’t buying any interior decor items. The tradesmen are extremely busy - could it be that everyone is currently developing their external rather than internal?
Exactly the same as me. I am coming to the end of an 8 month renovation that has cost much more than I thought it would so any frivolous spending has been shelved for now.
Bizjustgotreal · 01/08/2021 09:35

@Summergarden

How about maximising your existing SM audience and customers by promoting a giveaway or similar (if you can afford to- maybe one of your smaller or cheaper pieces)?

I often see those competitions on FB where friends have to like and share a post to be entered for a chance to win, and then their friends will see the company and may choose to enter themselves by sharing the post. Could help generate new customers?

Or how about trying to get featured in a local publication such as your county’s named magazine or local advertising flyer? If you tried to get interviewed about your particular type of art as a general interest piece with your contact details for anyone who reads it to get in touch.

If you haven't already, Google Sena Martin and get her book - Art is my career. Most of it you've probably heard before, but you get access to the Facebook group that is full of commission based artists who share tips and tribulations.

Best of luck to you.

Original poster
surlycurly · 01/08/2021 10:35

@Bizjustgotreal thank you! I just had a google and can't find anything though. Could you give me the name of her book/ SM?

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