Know Your Market

During the day (some days) I sell Bernina Sewing Machines. I love it. It's fun. And, that's what I did all day Friday. However, I'm constantly thinking about writing, and Friday, I couldn't help but compare first time shoppers to first time writers.

Many times, a first time shopper will come in to look at Berninas. Why? Because they are the best. (Seriously, Consumer Reports ranked the Bernina 440QE as the #1 sewing machine in 2010.) Just saying... Anyway... (I easily get sidetracked...)

So, first time shoppers come in because they want to buy a machine, but often times they will see the price tag and nearly faint right there in the store. Why? Because they had NO IDEA a sewing machine could cost $12,000. (That's right. I did not add an extra zero, but that is for the top of the line model 830.) Now, granted there are also entry-level Berninas that cost $649 (on sale right now, a real steal!) and Bernettes (I like to call them baby Berninas) that are as low as $149.  But, many people see the $12,000 price tag and walk away thinking, "Oh, man. I can never do that." They didn't research the market at all first, and left prematurely because they were caught by surprise.

How does this compare to the first time writer?

Often, first time writers will think, "I'm gonna write a book!" And, they (we, us, me) jump right into it and write the book. But, then when the writer shops it around (queries agents), they are disappointed no one wants it. And, then many times, these writers will quit shopping because they are caught by surprise and don't understand the industry.

Furthermore, many writers don't research and study the market they're writing for and/or the business of writing.

We need to research, ask questions, learn, improve, and keep shopping around until we find just the right fit for ourselves and our ms. Maybe the $12,000 machine isn't right for us, but maybe... it is. Maybe we need to save the money first (learn our craft and build our skills).

Does this make sense only in my brain?