I totally agree with you. Perfectly said to new makers, not only new laser makers, but to anyone that is starting a new endeavor. Pick a fair price for your work, do not waver... and also pick your customers too. Anyone that wants to bust your chops over a few dollars, you have to ask yourself if this is all worth it in lowering your prices and the headaches it is going to create further down the road.
I had someone tell me they wanted to do engraving on Stanley tumblers locally, but cheaper than what they could get at Stanley. I kindly said, I can't compete with their prices and dropped it. It was a case where they really didn't value what I did at all. Just signed up for the newsletter - need to email you to figure out a time to do an interview! Have fun with the Laser Everything guys - let me know when you'll be on so I can make sure to watch live. Appreciate you!
Very good advice when I train new knife sharpeners I have to preach the same thing don't get in a race to the bottom and build a relationship with your customers and followers. Now that I am adding laser to my sharpening business I am doing the same thing. Great content Justin I enjoy all you videos. Paul
You are Bang-On with pricing - You are selling yourself not your product, they come to you because they perceive you to be the one they want to do business with. Once I learned about A, B, C, D, Customers - That you ONLY want A customers and B Customers if they are willing to self-regulate themselves into A customers I fired 7 out of 10 on my existing customer base and doubled my profits while cutting headaches 99% In the trades clients have a common habit of bragging to friends/associates/neighbors "I have a Guy" (This is word-of-mouth advertising and all I have ever needed unless adding a truck initially on startup). My favorite line for those B,C,D customers, any customer w/o a referral, any customer mentioning price, and a lower one somewhere else out of the gate became. "We're not a good fit, followed with I can't be your guy" if they persist.
The overlap with trade work is very similar. There are several contractors I WANTED to do my workshop build out but couldnt get them. Even willing to pay top dollar. Too popular at the time haha.
Thanks for this! New laser owner and was trying to figure out how to compete with these ridiculous low prices. Build the brand, build your reputation and the followers will come...hopefully.
Very good adive, not only for small business. I do this as hobby, but already encountered the low, or better no, price questions too. And you are totally correct when you say that a low price results in low appreciation for your work.
Thank you for the videos. This spring I am going to jump start a small side hustle with my CNC and possible my D1 laser. You bring up a lot of things I have not thought about. I am having to figure out things without Facebook. I deleted my account in 2009 and will not go back. So I am exploring other avenues to show what I am making. Keep up the good work and have a Merry Christmas.
Thanks Kevin! Its doable without Facebook you just have to imagine where your potential customers are at online and go there. Or you can do the offline/local route which still works just.a little slower going usually. Good luck!
Timing is perfect. Was looking at Etsy earlier today seeing what others were pricing their products at. Was shocked how low they were. I definitely couldn't compete. I'd take a loss if I tried to price at or less than them. Really appreciate this.
@@justinlaser I've heard more recently Etsy has turned into a lot of selling just rebranding Alibaba products and has become less of a makers/crafts ecosystem. I've also heard good/bad about it, but feel like for getting started it's the best jumping off point with the lowest effort.
Great video! This is a topic that more influences should talk about as our market is being devalued by people that don't know how to sell. Signed up for the newsletter!!
Excellent tip. I've been sucked into that race to the bottom too many times throughout life with all sorts of things. I'm surprised I never thought about it like this. Great Vid!
Another great video with some really inciteful info! And seeing that I'm getting ready to embark on a new chapter involving lasers 🙃, I really appreciate all that you do to help us noobsters out! Looking forward to future vids! Til next time ...
Thank you for the really useful information. Signed up for the news letter because of this video. Keep up the good work! I'm really looking forward to your future videos.
great video, I just bought a 10W laser engraver for my personal use and I'm not expecting to receive any orders. It's basically one more hobby for me than a business. I thought to myself, yes, I could make money with it, but do I want to spend the effort on it???? Let's see what the future brings, and also in Portugal there is no big market for this, since almost any copy shop have already this services and the prices are too low to compete... So, moving on, I just to love to see content about the way it works to learn and take more advantage of my small laser engraver.
This is a great video, stuff I have learned many years ago but so glad you are getting the info out there. I have shared it to my Etsy sellers group as a lot of people make major mistakes in pricing.
Another great video Justin & invaluable advice to a new comer. Have just registered for your newsletter for more invaluable information from you. Keep the videos coming they are greatly appreciated!!
You're man! I really love this video. Because it's maybe the most important thing I've ever heard of, or at least wanted to hear. You're d...n right! It's a one way ticket - undercutting the price dime by dime. I really appreciate your effort and BTW this 2 plane camera view - looks really cool.
Yeah, It should be a bit better quality camera, but believe me: the contrast between a main camera and a side one - it also cool. It make this video kinda human-made. @@justinlaser
Oh Hell, Peter? I go to his site whenever I start thinking my photography editing skills are really hitting the mark, boy does he give me a dose of reality. Crap, didn't know about the bandana, now I am going to have to get myself that for Christmas too.
I tried telling my girlfriend about this, we're doing these little 14 mm earrings and she hand paints them. She sells them for $5 a piece though friends and family who have bought them said that minimum they needed to be $10-15. We've literally had zero customers from our social media, but almost everybody who physically sees a pair is instantly a buyer.
Yes increase the prices for sure. Document the making process, the maker, be personable even if not actually on camera. That increases the value for you on social.
@justinlaser I'm glad your talking about this because with lasers becoming a lot cheaper, everyone is getting one and not everyone knows how to price. I'm in a facebook group and I preach to not sell stuff cheap. It will devalue our products and everybody looses out!
This was very informative. My wife and I are thinking about opening an Etsy store, but I can’t even sell them on facebook marketplace at a fair price. Love your perspective on this and I would like to see you do a deep dive into this
Hello, I'm wondering if you have any content on metal engraving. Non-ferrous, specifically. I didn't see anything pop out, and if you don't, would you know someone reputable that is into that? Thank you, and a great video. There are far too many people trying to be the cheapest, and far too few people trying to be the best.
I’m one of those customers that will buy the more expensive item over a cheaper one. Especially if it’s a gift. I’ll go with the most professional company and pay premium price. I do it because I do not want to have to contact a company to complain. I just want to buy an item, get it, be content, and go live a stress free life doing funner stuff than contacting customer service. It’s a hassle. Nicer brands, more expensive items, don’t usually cut corners. When I find a brand I like, I stick with that company no matter what they charge. I don’t want the hassle. If I see something super cheap I think “well, that’s gonna be a hassle to deal with, is there anything better,” and I scroll until I see a more expensive and branded company. It’s like eating at a restaurant with 200 items on the menu. They’re not going to cook them all good. Go to the Italian place if you want Italian. Go to the branded quality place if that’s what you want. Don’t go to the online junk store and be surprised when your item is junk.
When cutting and engraving acrylic, how do you eliminate the “splash black” on your laser nozzle? I have the same Boss laser and after a few acrylic cuts my nozzle is contaminated with a bunch of acrylic dust. I’ve always heard to keep your air pressure low when engraving acrylic. Love your channel!
Off topic, sorry, but what software are you using to track orders, such as received, made, shipped, etc. Just what's built into etsy or something else as well?
I do almost everything through either my website (Shopify) or Etsy. Even if it was an in-person order I would still create an order in Shopify with all the info. From there I use something called Shippo which just pulls my Shopify and Etsy orders into one area for shipping. Lots of people just use Quickbooks or even a spreadsheet.
Im going to do full videos on how to start with no customers because theres just so much to that problem. We all faced it in the beginning. At the foundation I recommend having at least your webpage/FB business profile filled in with information about you and what you offer. Picture of you, where youre located, and just start documenting your work. Even if no one is looking at it yet.
I also totally love Peter McKinnon. But just know Peter McKinnon is loaded. If we all keep putting money into people who already have a lot of money because they are popular, the "little guys" will never amount to anything. No matter how great the "little guy" makes it look on RUclips. In the end, only a few will be left who have it really good. More than good. But I guess I don't understand. Ciao and good luck with your business. Good content.
You don't anymore. Everyone has turned to RUclips and now everyone is buying lasers and the profit is dead! The only reason people make video's like this is for profit and views. That leads to more lasers out there and less work for all. It nice that people can learn but its not so simple. The reason for all these video's is they stopped making money and now using RUclips for earnings.
As a small business coach and advisor with a doctorate in business, I cant hit that like button enough. This is fantastic advice!!!
Thank you appreciate it!!
I totally agree with you.
Perfectly said to new makers, not only new laser makers, but to anyone that is starting a new endeavor.
Pick a fair price for your work, do not waver... and also pick your customers too.
Anyone that wants to bust your chops over a few dollars, you have to ask yourself if this is all worth it in lowering your prices and the headaches it is going to create further down the road.
My man here speaks the truth!
I had someone tell me they wanted to do engraving on Stanley tumblers locally, but cheaper than what they could get at Stanley. I kindly said, I can't compete with their prices and dropped it. It was a case where they really didn't value what I did at all. Just signed up for the newsletter - need to email you to figure out a time to do an interview! Have fun with the Laser Everything guys - let me know when you'll be on so I can make sure to watch live. Appreciate you!
Thanks Katie! Great episode - glad the baby decided to sleep well enough I could see the Live version haha.
Very good advice when I train new knife sharpeners I have to preach the same thing don't get in a race to the bottom and build a relationship with your customers and followers. Now that I am adding laser to my sharpening business I am doing the same thing. Great content Justin I enjoy all you videos. Paul
Thanks! Lasers and knives go hand in hand. Big market in personalization.
Yes yes yes yyyeeesssss 1,000,000,000% agree with this!!
Thanks! Workshop build is looking awesome wish I could do something like that.
You are Bang-On with pricing - You are selling yourself not your product, they come to you because they perceive you to be the one they want to do business with.
Once I learned about A, B, C, D, Customers - That you ONLY want A customers and B Customers if they are willing to self-regulate themselves into A customers I fired 7 out of 10 on my existing customer base and doubled my profits while cutting headaches 99%
In the trades clients have a common habit of bragging to friends/associates/neighbors "I have a Guy" (This is word-of-mouth advertising and all I have ever needed unless adding a truck initially on startup).
My favorite line for those B,C,D customers, any customer w/o a referral, any customer mentioning price, and a lower one somewhere else out of the gate became. "We're not a good fit, followed with I can't be your guy" if they persist.
The overlap with trade work is very similar. There are several contractors I WANTED to do my workshop build out but couldnt get them. Even willing to pay top dollar. Too popular at the time haha.
Thanks for this! New laser owner and was trying to figure out how to compete with these ridiculous low prices. Build the brand, build your reputation and the followers will come...hopefully.
Thanks! Yep do your thing and try different stuff. Followers mean they are interested in you and from there you can nurture sales.
Real talk, on a huge issue that is not discussed enough by Business owners. Another Great video!!
Thanks man appreciate it!
Very good adive, not only for small business.
I do this as hobby, but already encountered the low, or better no, price questions too.
And you are totally correct when you say that a low price results in low appreciation for your work.
Thanks! Double whammy when you dont make money AND no one appreciates your stuff.
Oh and I just subscribed. There’s something about your delivery of the topic that kept me watching
Much appreciated!
Thank you for the videos. This spring I am going to jump start a small side hustle with my CNC and possible my D1 laser. You bring up a lot of things I have not thought about. I am having to figure out things without Facebook. I deleted my account in 2009 and will not go back. So I am exploring other avenues to show what I am making. Keep up the good work and have a Merry Christmas.
Thanks Kevin! Its doable without Facebook you just have to imagine where your potential customers are at online and go there. Or you can do the offline/local route which still works just.a little slower going usually. Good luck!
Wow .. what a different approach of doing business. You are right. Branding is everything! Small steps at a time.
A much better path to follow especially for those (including me) that dont have $ to spend on ads.
Your small business IQ is really valuable, and appreciated
Timing is perfect. Was looking at Etsy earlier today seeing what others were pricing their products at. Was shocked how low they were. I definitely couldn't compete. I'd take a loss if I tried to price at or less than them. Really appreciate this.
It will happen dont worry about them and proceed.
@@justinlaser I've heard more recently Etsy has turned into a lot of selling just rebranding Alibaba products and has become less of a makers/crafts ecosystem. I've also heard good/bad about it, but feel like for getting started it's the best jumping off point with the lowest effort.
Köszönjük!
Thank you so much!
Great video! This is a topic that more influences should talk about as our market is being devalued by people that don't know how to sell.
Signed up for the newsletter!!
Appreciate it! 🤜🤜
Excellent tip. I've been sucked into that race to the bottom too many times throughout life with all sorts of things. I'm surprised I never thought about it like this. Great Vid!
Appreciate it!
Another great video with some really inciteful info! And seeing that I'm getting ready to embark on a new chapter involving lasers 🙃, I really appreciate all that you do to help us noobsters out! Looking forward to future vids! Til next time ...
Thanks for watching!
This is very good advice - thank you for the reminders to not sell myself short!
Thanks!!
Attracts worst customers. Man that is so true. (From email or txt, "Whats the lowest price you will go".
Haha its so bad.
Thank you for the really useful information. Signed up for the news letter because of this video.
Keep up the good work! I'm really looking forward to your future videos.
Thank you so much!
great video, I just bought a 10W laser engraver for my personal use and I'm not expecting to receive any orders. It's basically one more hobby for me than a business. I thought to myself, yes, I could make money with it, but do I want to spend the effort on it???? Let's see what the future brings, and also in Portugal there is no big market for this, since almost any copy shop have already this services and the prices are too low to compete... So, moving on, I just to love to see content about the way it works to learn and take more advantage of my small laser engraver.
This is a great video, stuff I have learned many years ago but so glad you are getting the info out there. I have shared it to my Etsy sellers group as a lot of people make major mistakes in pricing.
Thanks appreciate it!!
Another great video Justin & invaluable advice to a new comer. Have just registered for your newsletter for more invaluable information from you. Keep the videos coming they are greatly appreciated!!
Thanks Jeff appreciate it!
You're man!
I really love this video.
Because it's maybe the most important thing I've ever heard of, or at least wanted to hear.
You're d...n right! It's a one way ticket - undercutting the price dime by dime.
I really appreciate your effort and BTW this 2 plane camera view - looks really cool.
Thanks I appreciate it! The 2 camera was fun Ive got to use something with better quality then a GoPro though haha.
Yeah, It should be a bit better quality camera, but believe me: the contrast between a main camera and a side one - it also cool. It make this video kinda human-made. @@justinlaser
You are spot on!
Oh Hell, Peter? I go to his site whenever I start thinking my photography editing skills are really hitting the mark, boy does he give me a dose of reality. Crap, didn't know about the bandana, now I am going to have to get myself that for Christmas too.
Love his stuff. I try to mimic his product photos but they always look bad haha.
Great advice!
Thank You
Great advice, as always
Thanks David!
I tried telling my girlfriend about this, we're doing these little 14 mm earrings and she hand paints them. She sells them for $5 a piece though friends and family who have bought them said that minimum they needed to be $10-15. We've literally had zero customers from our social media, but almost everybody who physically sees a pair is instantly a buyer.
That's crazy cheap we sell ours for 15 and we sell a lot of them.
Yes increase the prices for sure. Document the making process, the maker, be personable even if not actually on camera. That increases the value for you on social.
@justinlaser I'm glad your talking about this because with lasers becoming a lot cheaper, everyone is getting one and not everyone knows how to price. I'm in a facebook group and I preach to not sell stuff cheap. It will devalue our products and everybody looses out!
Awesome!!!!
Thanks!
A larger discount purchasing xtool S1 recently was not able to use your code, this is sharing the wealth.
Thanks so much David!
This was very informative. My wife and I are thinking about opening an Etsy store, but I can’t even sell them on facebook marketplace at a fair price. Love your perspective on this and I would like to see you do a deep dive into this
I will for sure be doing that!
Don’t worry about Facebook Marketing. It’s the very bottom end of the market.
powerful message!!!!!
I want people to be successful!
Hello, I'm wondering if you have any content on metal engraving. Non-ferrous, specifically. I didn't see anything pop out, and if you don't, would you know someone reputable that is into that? Thank you, and a great video. There are far too many people trying to be the cheapest, and far too few people trying to be the best.
I dont at the moment. Check out the Laser Everything channel for metal. They do A LOT of it!
@@justinlaser awesome! Thank you.
Great advice, thanks
I’m one of those customers that will buy the more expensive item over a cheaper one. Especially if it’s a gift. I’ll go with the most professional company and pay premium price. I do it because I do not want to have to contact a company to complain. I just want to buy an item, get it, be content, and go live a stress free life doing funner stuff than contacting customer service. It’s a hassle. Nicer brands, more expensive items, don’t usually cut corners. When I find a brand I like, I stick with that company no matter what they charge. I don’t want the hassle. If I see something super cheap I think “well, that’s gonna be a hassle to deal with, is there anything better,” and I scroll until I see a more expensive and branded company. It’s like eating at a restaurant with 200 items on the menu. They’re not going to cook them all good. Go to the Italian place if you want Italian. Go to the branded quality place if that’s what you want. Don’t go to the online junk store and be surprised when your item is junk.
When cutting and engraving acrylic, how do you eliminate the “splash black” on your laser nozzle? I have the same Boss laser and after a few acrylic cuts my nozzle is contaminated with a bunch of acrylic dust. I’ve always heard to keep your air pressure low when engraving acrylic. Love your channel!
Why don’t you call Boss support?
You do great content!
Thank you appreciate it!
Would love to see a video about how you go about instagram and Facebook.
Another fantastic video! Keep it up
Appreciate it my friend
Off topic, sorry, but what software are you using to track orders, such as received, made, shipped, etc. Just what's built into etsy or something else as well?
I do almost everything through either my website (Shopify) or Etsy. Even if it was an in-person order I would still create an order in Shopify with all the info. From there I use something called Shippo which just pulls my Shopify and Etsy orders into one area for shipping. Lots of people just use Quickbooks or even a spreadsheet.
What would you recommend to people who just start and don't have any customers.
Im going to do full videos on how to start with no customers because theres just so much to that problem. We all faced it in the beginning. At the foundation I recommend having at least your webpage/FB business profile filled in with information about you and what you offer. Picture of you, where youre located, and just start documenting your work. Even if no one is looking at it yet.
Get some
Frequently get asked “what’s the best price” on an item I am selling at £30. My answer is always “£40”
Another cool video :)
Thanks Tom!
I wonder if a lot of the cheap priced stuff on Etsy isn’t mass produced in China.
I’m trying to remain anonymous in my online businesses. I have people that I don’t want to know about me.
Can still make it work. A little bit trickier though.
@@justinlaser very good!
I also totally love Peter McKinnon. But just know Peter McKinnon is loaded. If we all keep putting money into people who already have a lot of money because they are popular, the "little guys" will never amount to anything. No matter how great the "little guy" makes it look on RUclips. In the end, only a few will be left who have it really good. More than good. But I guess I don't understand. Ciao and good luck with your business. Good content.
Screw the laser...who does your hair?!
LOL... I spent more time on that than I care to admit.
He uses the laser.
You don't anymore. Everyone has turned to RUclips and now everyone is buying lasers and the profit is dead! The only reason people make video's like this is for profit and views. That leads to more lasers out there and less work for all. It nice that people can learn but its not so simple. The reason for all these video's is they stopped making money and now using RUclips for earnings.