Sometimes inspiration can come from outside the crochet business world. So today, I want to share what I learned from the pizza delivery guy when I was in college in the ’80s. If you’re here for all the new wave, punk rock, neon colored, off the shoulder things, hang around. We’re going to be talking about a business strategy that will get your crochet business to sell out! Just like in the pizza industry, it’s all about finding your target customers and consistently serving them the products they crave!
Don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops. “I can help you. I can serve you. I have what you need—” all of those kinds of things so that they know that you’re here and you’re here to serve them. And then finally deliver the pizza. When they do say yes to you, finally deliver what you promise.
-Pam Grice, the Crochetpreneur
The Pizza Guy Strategy: How to Sell More Crochet
Picture this: It’s the ’80s, and a pizza delivery guy becomes a nightly hero in my college dormitory. Why? Because he showed up every night, consistently delivering delicious pizza and grinders to a lobby full of hungry students clad in their pajamas. Read, listen, or watch below to learn how the pizza guy leveraged a winning business model to sell out every night—and how you can apply his strategy to help your crochet business thrive! 👇
5 Steps to Get Your Crochet Business to Sell Out!
The pizza guy’s seemingly simple strategy is loaded with valuable lessons for any business owner, especially those in the crochet world.
1. Know Who You’re Feeding – Who is Your Audience?
Like the pizza guy knew he was catering to busy, hungry college students, you must know who your ideal crochet customers are. This means understanding their needs, desires, and what exactly tickles their fancy in the world of crochet. Are they seasoned crocheters looking for innovative patterns, or beginners eager to learn the craft? Identify your audience so you can tailor your offerings to meet their specific needs.
🍕Action Step: Download my free Ideal Customer Workbook, a tool designed to help you dig deep into understanding your customer’s mindset. Discover what your audience needs and how you can uniquely fulfill their desires.
know your Ideal Customer
Free Checklist to Know Your Customers
Understand your ideal customers, identify their needs, and create crochet products that they can’t get enough of! Sign up for my email newsletter and get access to this free checklist.
2. Head to the Dorms – Meet Them Where They Are
Just as the pizza guy showed up where his customers were (the dorm lobby), you must reach your ideal crochet audience where they gather. Whether that’s online through social media platforms, crochet forums, or local craft fairs, find your audience’s hangouts and position yourself there. Being present in these spaces creates convenience and builds your presence in their minds.
🍕 Action Step: Research where your potential customers spend time and focus your efforts on being active and visible in those places. Whether it’s online groups or local community events, your presence is your power.
3. Just Show Up – Consistency is Key
The pizza guy’s success didn’t stem from a one-off visit. He was a nightly fixture the students could count on. Likewise, consistency breeds trust and expectation. Show up regularly in your audience’s world, offering content, patterns, and engagement they look forward to. This consistency not only fosters trust but keeps you top-of-mind.
🍕 Action Step: Plan a content schedule that includes regular social media posts, blog updates, or newsletters. This ensures your audience knows when to expect updates from you and helps maintain their interest and loyalty.
4. Get a Loudspeaker – Amplify Your Message
The pizza guy had the dormitory loudspeaker to announce his arrival—what’s your megaphone? In today’s world, your loudspeaker can be social media, email marketing, or even collaborations with influencers. It’s about making sure your message reaches your audience effectively and efficiently without being overbearing.
🍕 Action Step: Choose the right platforms for your business message. Whether through vibrant Instagram posts or engaging email newsletters, ensure your message reaches your audience clearly and creatively.
💡 Bonus Tip: Read this post to learn more about how to stop selling “crochet” and start speaking your customer’s language.
5. Deliver the Pizza – Give Your Customers What You Promised
When your audience responds and makes a purchase, it’s crucial to deliver what you’ve promised, and maybe even a little more. This goes beyond just good customer service—it’s about creating an experience that leaves them eager to return. High-quality patterns, beautifully crafted crochet pieces, or timely support all contribute to building a loyal customer base.
🍕 Action Step: Evaluate the quality of what you’re offering. Ensure that every product or pattern reflects the standards you’ve set for your business. Overdeliver where possible to ensure your customers feel valued.
Putting the Strategy to Work to Sell More Crochet
As you integrate the Pizza Guy Strategy into your crochet business, remember that the foundation rests on truly understanding your audience and building genuine relationships. By doing so, you’re not just selling patterns or crocheted goods. You’re offering solutions, happiness, and community.
To wrap it up, these timeless strategies from a humble pizza delivery routine unlock a treasure trove of business wisdom. To recap:
- Know who you’re feeding: Identify your ideal crochet customers.
- Head to the dorms: Engage with them in their favorite spaces.
- Just show up: Be a consistent and reliable presence.
- Get a loudspeaker: Communicate your offerings clearly.
- Deliver the pizza: Fulfill your commitments with quality and flair.
By adopting these lessons into your business model, you’ll not only cultivate a community but craft a thriving and memorable crochet business. And as you embark on this journey, remember, when one person prospers, we all prosper. Let’s spread the love for crochet and create a supportive space where success is shared!
Have any questions or want to share your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment or reach out—I’d love to hear from you!
