Changing merch is not easy because it requires changing products as well as changing minds.
Greetings
I knew sales at MultiVerse this past weekend were gonna be rough. I’m still trying to change my main sales product from CDs to Musical Pins. But how do I do that?
Everyone who hears about Musical Pins loves the idea. You get a lapel pin themed to a specific album so you can wear your album on your sleeve or lanyard, jacket or whatever. It’s fantastic!
If there’s a design they like, then it’s very likely they will buy a pin.
Or if there’s an album that they want to own, they are likely to buy the music and get the pin.
Sales all come down to the table display and the designs. The pins need to be front and center. CDs need to be on the side. The Celtic Heartstrings and tote bags can’t take up too much space. I still haven’t figured out how to display them to entice onlookers to buy them.
Designing Musical Pins is the toughest part. My Celtic Cat pin is a favorite. But the designs I love, like the Selcouth pin, don't always sell well.
So while sales were lower this weekend, I learned a little bit more. With any luck, I will have a very solid table setup when I do my holiday markets in December.
I also had a great time networking. I went to a room party for Sara T. Bond who released a new book this weekend. She shared cocktails that were customized for characters in her book. I ended up improvising singing “Love Song to Alcohol” to suit the characters and rhyme with the drinks.
That and some growing attendance at shows made a low sales weekend profitable in other ways and still a lot of fun!
Come Adventure With Me:
PODCAST. Soul of a Harper by Rie Sheridan Rose – Who was the red-headed queen of Ireland? Why did she assault the harpers of old? Author Rie Sheridan Rose tells the story behind the Brobdingnagian Bards’ song and my first solo CD title “Soul of A Harper”. Listen to Pub Songs & Stories.
PODCAST. Redemption | The Mandalorian – It's just you and us against the galaxy. Mikey Mason shares his song ” A Clan of Two”. Marc Gunn shares a new Stormtrooper drinking song to sing jokes about the many ways Stormtroopers get killed in Star Wars. Listen to In the ‘Verse.
LIVE STEAM. Spooky Halloween Fun – Their demons into your bed, a deal with the devil, and even a Witch Doctor. There’s a free public show this Wednesday at 11:30 AM Eastern on YouTube. Watch Coffee with The Celtfather.
SHOW. Ironshield Brewery – join me this Friday in GA from 6 to 9 PM. I’m singing Irish drinking songs and all of your favorite sing-alongs.
MARKET AND SHOW. Nerdy Wonderland – I am organizing this holiday market with my friend Amanda of. Carmanda Art Things. It’s based on Nerdy Noel in Huntsville. The goal is to have a holiday market of nerdy crafts and gifts. I will also be performing music at both events. They take place in December.
Travel, Listen, Learn:
TRAVEL
Driving along the north coast of County Mayo, I saw a sign for Céide Fields. The name was interesting. I couldn’t resist but to stop. So happy we did. The view was amazing. Years ago, someone was digging up peat when they came across some stones in the middle of the bog field. It turned out, there was a farm there 5000 years ago. We learned a little bit more about bogs, carbon, and how this was converted to a natural park on this year’s Celtic Invasion Vacation. Read more about Céide Fields.
MUSIC
The Celtic Kitchen Party – they have a new Celtic Christmas album that is coming out in a couple weeks. I got to interview Andrew VanHorn for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I was particularly fond of their version of “Jingle Bells” and “Not So Silent Night” (think bagpipes). But they also have a lot of great songs like the “Covid-19 Shanty.” They are a fun Celtic rock band you should check out.
LEARN
Did you know that peat organic matter is the planet’s biggest terrestrial carbon store. It covers only 3% of the earth’s surface, but contains twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests. Re-peat after me: Protect the wetlands of the world. You can learn more about it here.
Bonus for Paying Subscribers:
Members of the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon get even more. You can watch the Spanish Lady episode of Coffee with The Celtfather and get weekly updates. You can also see some pics from my family’s recent Apple picking trip. You get a to download a Stormtrooper drinking song. Sign up on Patreon right now.
Thanks as always for your generous support. Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
#celtfathernews #marcsmusings
