Talking business.

I don't have much hope for people who treat hat making like arts and craft selling at your local flee market. that is an excellent business and I have heard fruitful things of hand-over-fist money making from time to time. but I see this as holding yourself back. there are so many venues of selling available I simply expect more from people.

cottage industry hat making is its own worst enemy; from over priced - to awkward selling tack ticks

"how loud do I have to say this complicated dose not sell"

I don't shop from the net often (its just not my thing) why is this a fact ????? because anything I want to buy that is different and unique wants information I am not willing to give they all want my phone #, how long I have been living in my current address, for me to sign up for there bullshit flyer etc.

maybe back in the 80s these gorilla selling tactics worked but they are lost on me and many others

spend money to make money
hire someone get a website made don't make it complicated if you don't want to just put a picture you can click and a shopping cart feature
pay the money get PayPal they will handle all your fraud issues with a king of power you cant afford
and don't hold off posting you work to sell.

artist have an issue selling there work I understand giving up something you spent a part of your sole creating is not easy to let go (knowing you will never see it again) but lets be serious hats don't get made for free and if you want to be a hat maker then you must be a hat seller as well.

I like trade shows they can be specific you would not bring the same hat to a wedding show as you would a horror fest (without some modification I hope) and it allows you to feel out your neighbourhood market. for example I will sell 1000 fedoras more then I will sell top hats if I theme them fairy-tale still outsells steam punk.

this is situational; pirates of the Caribbean revitalized the tri-corner hat, Alice in wonderland filled people with the mad hatter 10/6 top hat. everything has its time I don't play to trends unless I find I convenient. tri-corner hats are easy to make but require a real talent to make them something special embroidery techniques, proper seems and lastly the right feather if you find them your muse you can make $1000 per hat with a making cost of only one of two hundred. but you will sell you sole in time to make it.

all hat works have exceptions; given endless material I find it simple to make a fedora hat with all this timing in a day , two if I get fancy with the lining. straw on the other hand is a sow process for me and takes great effort to execute.