How can i get fashion/womens magazines to use my jewellery designs.?

Question

I want to see my designs in magazines, but not sure how to go about it. Do i write to the magazines and send in a sample of my work, or just write in and give them my website. I have thought about phoning them up, but I am very shy. I know it would help if I was more confident, but I worry they may turn around as say they don't like my designs or that they are naff.
I am willing to offer a discount to readers in the magazines to entice people to buy. I notice that Wedding Ideas magazine has companys mentioned in it that offer discounts for a limited period of time.
Any ideas at all would be great,

Answer 1

First of all, everyone has to start somewhere. I think your best option to start with is to speak to (or get a confident friend) the fashion editor of a few magazines. Be prepared to have LOTS of information about yourself, inspiration for your designs, etc,. It helps if there is a story behind you and your work.
Don't ignore the local media though - they can be just as productive in terms of getting exposure and any publicity you get can only be good. I would suggest you start with your local newspaper because I can almost guarantee they will feature you as a local, aspiring designer, so long as you have some story to tell.
Back to magazine, and yes - you would need to provide samples for them to review/photograph, etc. The truth is that not everyone is going to like or appreciate your work because it is an objective subject, so you will get people at one time or another who tell you that you they don't like your work. It is part of life, although not a nice part, but you just have to learn to ignore these comments.
I don't think you should offer discounts to start with because it devalues your work - almost like saying I am desperate to sell. Set a price and stick to it because that is what you are worth.
Good luck, and I hope it works out for you.

Answer 2

To get into the big magazines, you really have to think about doing some advertising with them if only in the classified pages. When you've got the sales and marketing person on the phone suggest doing an advertorial piece for the news pages and offer some of your jewellery as competition prizes. Remember if a salesman thinks they can sell some ad space to you they will bend over backwards to accomodate your ideas. If you want help designing an attractive ad I've enclosed some useful cheap design companies below

Answer 3

If I were you I would look to set up a simple EBay shop selling a sample from your collection. This will give you feedback for the most and least popular pieces. At the same time if it is a success you will be able to take the figures from your EBay shop, e.g. highest bid and number sold, and present them to a magazine to prove their is already interest in the designs so that they will be convinced of the benefit to their readers. Simply, without paying for exposure through ads, you will need to start creating an interest through other methods. EBay is a simple way of selling your products securely to a mass market and can be a useful way of sampling your jewellery.

Answer 4

Send them samples and information. You will probably also have to pay them, even for the discount offers as that is advertisement for you.

If you are shy, could you get a friend of yours to go with you or for you and maybe invite someone from the magazine for lunch and show them your stuff and talk about a deal?