I started my taxidermy business in January of 2003 in Western Kentucky. I have advertised using an advertisement on the back window of my truck, a sign on the premises of my business, and business cards around various places of establishment. I have also ran an add in the local paper. There is alot of competition in my area with lots of experience. My mounts look as good, if not better and my prices are lower than theirs. And everyone has been pleased with my mounts. What can I do to get more business? Please help!
How long does it take a business to get established?
Any ideas are very much appreciated!
-Ed Waldrup
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If you were a hunter and you'd just killed "Mr. Wonderful", would you take it to the lowest price in town? If your work is equal to or better than others, why would you think of charging LESS than they do? Taxidermy is a luxury market. People use your services because they've decided their trophy needs preserving. If there were to Chevy Dealers in town, would one charge less than the other, or would one try to offer better services or perks without lowering his prices?
You also have yet to prove yourself in this market. I'd suggest you join the Kentucky Association as a bare minimum and enter your work. A few ribbons always dress up an advertisement. I don't encourage "Big Buck Contests" with a free mount as that's all you get from these people. I also am no overexcited about donating mounts to DU, NWTF or the Elk Foundation. You might offer a 50/50 or a percentage discount which is all tax deductible, but there are only so many deductions you can use in a year anyway. The majority of your customers are going to come to you by word of mouth. Make sure the customers you do have, only have good things to say about you. And most of all, BE PATIENT. It'll happen and often quicker than you were prepared for.
Putting some of your mounts out for the public to see. It might be worth spending some money on buying some farm raised ducks or fish or buying even a few small capes and antlers. Mounting the stuff up and if you local sporting goods stores or even Wallmart will let you , put them up on display with some of your cards. This is how our 2 main local guys get most of their business. Most of it is just simple comercial stuff and nothing fancy but money is money when you need it . Good Luck
on average it takes about 3 to 5 years to be established to the point to where the business will support you completely. Word of mouth is the most powerful advertisement there is. Yeah price is important but don't get know as "the cheap guy in town". Let people talk about your service and quality work. Most people are interested in high quality and a good turnaround time. If you can return those mounts within 6 months and your competiton takes over a year you won half the battle right there. Don't lie to your customers either. Be honest with them and they will appreciate it by bringing you more business. Too many times you see a guy promising the moon to the customers and then not following through with it. This is the fastest way to ruining your reputation. Just be patient, you'll get more business in as time goes by. Rome wasn't built in one day either.
It takes time, this is a business that you will not build clientiel overnite. It may take 5-10 years before you have enough good reputation to go fulltime.
Now you said your mounts look as good as everyone elses, right?
Guess what, good as dont cut it anymore. You have one of two choices in this business today, be cheap and yea sooner or later your butt will be covered up.
Or set the standard, what you say? yes join your state assoc. learn to do better work than everyone else and be the highest priced.
You can go either way, its your choice, but should you go the higher route, you will make more money and do less work, have a good turn around time and many many happy customers.
In 15 years you will be the one everyone want to be like.
I don't think you would have a big business
If you were In canada..your In the biggest
market there Is right were you are.try and
do some work for the other taxidermist then?
do there birds eh?
Hi,
It may be a good idea to have us make a website for you. We have already taken on many taxidermy accounts and can show you their progress. They all have been very pleased with the work. Jeanettestaxidermy.com is one we are working. I can send you a list of more sites we have done if you are interested. It is just a one-time fee of $20 and then $8.99 after that, domain is included. Unbelievable, but true. That's why we are the nutty hosts.
Jason
I started my shop about the same time as you did and Ive learned a lot over the past year but I still have no customers. I know its gonna take some time and a lot of effort to overcome the obstacles assosiated with being the "New guy" on the block. My biggest problem is my competition. He does good work though I would not call it excellent and he is cheap. He has been around for several years and thats just where everyone goes. I work full time at the local farmers Co-op and I display some of my work here in the office and I get a lot of encouragement and even some good specimen's to work on through the local farmers. They still run to the old favorite and I have to say I think my work is as good as his already. I tan my hides while he uses DP and I think he pretty well rushes his work through, and among some of the more discrimanting hunters I have heard low murmered complaints concerning the detail in his work.
I was hoping to take in maybe as many as 10 deer heads this year but I am doubtful of this because I have not proved myself yet.
Like you I have passed out a bunch of business cards and talked to the hunting supply shops in the area.
I remain patient, content to do my own work, building some display pieces and working on a reputation. Since I also enjoy hunting very much Im stocking up on critters to mount and thought I might try and generate some extra cash by selling on Ebay this year. Who knows?