swallowtail Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I am going to open a made to measure, curtain and blind mail order business, making up people's own fabric, for English clients all over France. Where is the best place to advertise my services in order to reach all expats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keni Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Try the local Eco-marche or supermarket, we have spotted many adverts being pinned to boards both inside & out. Also look out for any local free newspapers - or ask the local Immobilier if you can leave cards there. New house, maybe new curtains? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 [quote user="swallowtail"]... making up people's own fabric, for English clients all over France. [/quote]Just a thought, but wouldn't the postage/parcel costs be horrendous if material was being sent to you and you are then returning the finished article to the customer?Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Sorry to be a downer, but, have you done the maths?Let us assume that there are 150.000 English-speaking households in France and let us assume that 25% of them need curtains (37.500) and that 50% of them (18.750) can't make them themselves, plus 50% of the remainder can get them in the UK (leaving 9375 potential customers in the whole of France). Let's now assume that 50% of them have no money (4688) and half of them can go to the shop down the road to get them you have a little more than 2300 potential clients - in France. You have yet to decide on your marketing methods, but if you scattergun the original 150.000 (allow 150.000€), and you get a very good (and unlikely) 2% order rate, then you will need to earn over 3200€ from each client to pay for the advertising, plus 130€ from each client to pay for your cotistations (remember that this is profit, not income), before you can pay yourself anything........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 And I'm sorry also, but with shutters and inwards-opening windows, curtains and blinds are unnecessary, imo. In times of hardship, they'd be one thing I could do without anyway. I've never bothered with them myself and don't miss them at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Swallowtail, a friend in this area does curtain making and soft furnishings and has a nice little business going. We like having curtains - it stops the hollow sound in the room !I would suggest you tout your wares and services in an area closer to home, say within one or two hours drive. You can either deliver or insist that the customer come to you. Or compromise. But I think with the cost of postage or by carrier, it will become rather expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I like curtains, I couldn't live in a house that has no curtains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I don't fancy the creepy-crawlies (dead or alive) not to mention the cobwebs that would gather on top of the rails.................shudder!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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