āļø Invite a Boutique
STEP 4: Securing your first order
A first meeting can be stressful. Preparation is key! Read Step 3: Prepare to meet the boutiques if you havenāt already.
Now letās look at how to conduct such a meeting and what to do when you receive your first order. You got this!
The Presentation
The main points for your presentation are simple :
Emotions before facts;
Show, donāt tell;
Keep it simple;
Donāt forget the closing statement!
Emotions before facts
Your story and approach differentiate you from any fashion brand they have met. You have a purpose. Your products carry a message.
So, keep that in mind when talking to a buyer. They should be able to know what inspired you and why you do what you do. This knowledge will become a selling point going forward.
Show, donāt tell
Boutique buyers are visual & tactile people. Hold the product in front of you or hand it over to them when you explain why you chose this silhouette.
Instead of saying, āthis fabric is so soft and comfortableā, you could choose a more inspirational approach. For example: āI created this collection around the idea of comfort. Just feel how soft the fabric is. The artwork is soothing. I want the wearer to feel good and cozy.ā
Another tip: Look around you. If you find an item in the store that would complement one of your own, highlight it.
Keep it simple
Presentations typically take 30-45 minutes. Ask about what they are looking for in a new brand. Tell your story while showing products. Ask if they are willing to try a few pieces.
Close the deal
The person in front of you is a buyer. So itās OK to ask if they will buy a few pieces as a test.
Another great way to put the buyer in a buying mood is to ask for a small buying decision such as āwould you prefer making your selection based on silhouettes or artworks?ā
Hereās the information required to complete the order:
Product selection;
Quantities for each product and each size (by the way, if the buyer says āzero, one, two, two, oneā, it means they donāt want extra smalls but will take 1 small, 2 mediums, 2 larges and 1 extra large);
The desired shipping date;
Shipping and billing addresses and contact information;
The payment terms (when payment is expected)*.
Writing the Order
For traceability and information centralization, we recommend orders be placed and paid from the userās Boutique Portal. There are no transaction fees, and the difference between their cost and yours will be automatically transferred to your Wallet (which you can use as credit or withdraw at any time). The only exception should be pre-booking.
You can request that we open a Boutique Portal for your client via this form.
You will have your boutiqueās credentials. If you know the content of the order (SKUs, quantities, sizes), your client will greatly appreciate you preparing the order on their Portal before inviting them for confirmation & payment.
If you have offered terms* to your clients (net payment 15 days after delivery, for example), you could place and pay the order yourself from their portal and invoice separately (here are free invoicing platforms you could use).
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You have your first order! If you wish to help the Boutique make the best of their purchase, be sure to read the following article š