Getting Started Selling Your Crafts
Until recently crafts were usually sold locally or, at best, regionally.
Now you literally have the whole world at your fingertips! Some of you may
choose a gradual progression from selling to friends, to selling at fairs
and shows, to retail selling ? and so on. Others may decide to jump
directly from selling within their circle of friends to the worldwide
Internet market ? the costs are low enough that this is surprisingly
doable.
My first career was as a special education teacher.
After 15 years of teaching I earned an MBA degree followed by CFA
(Certified Financial Analyst) certification. After 15 years in finance I
was a vice-president and portfolio manager of a major insurance company
before I was downsized. Tired of the rat race, I opted for early
retirement. Looking for something to do with all my free time, I started
crafting and am now making a nice supplemental income from it.
As a crafter and a businesswoman, I feel I have some
valuable insights into the craft business that I can share with you.
Getting Organized to Sell Your Crafts for Profit
At some point in your progression from crafting for fun
to crafting for fun and profit, you go from handcrafting individual items
for yourself and friends to filling quantity orders for a broader
marketplace. That's the time to take a very business-like approach to your
craft business. This needn't be daunting. You don't need an MBA or
management experience ? just a bit of common sense. If you're going to do
this for profit, you need to understand
The Four M's:
1. Meet your market;
2. Minimize your costs;
3. Maximize your selling price; and
4. Market the heck out of your product.
Simple, right? But very few people get it. Look at the high failure rate
for new businesses. It takes effort to be successful, but the task is
hardly impossible.
Traditional craft retailing methods are what most
crafters use to get started. They're the easiest way, especially if you
don't know if anyone will buy what you make.
I believe that there is a market for any well-made
craft, whether decorative or useful. The problem facing many crafters is
how exactly to go about selling them, or more accurately, finding paying
customers. The fact is that there is an awful lot of competition out
there.
My own business got jump-started by my "circle of
friends". My friends noticed and liked my calling cards and began to ask
me to design and make cards for them. Starting with just Broderbund's
Create-a-Card program, I was soon earning a nice supplemental income in
just a few hours a week. It probably helped that I was retired and live in
an area dominated by retirees.
But I think that everyone has a "circle of friends"
either socially or at work. Of course you don't want to impose on their
friendship by making a hard sell, but rather use or display your crafts in
front of your friends to see if they draw any interest. If they do and if
they're priced right, you're on your way to craft retailing for profit. If
your "circle of friends" market starts extending to friends of friends,
you're probably ready to tap the general marketplace of craft retailing.
Most crafters are aware of the periodic craft shows put
on by local groups or even by the local Parks Departments. These usually
cost little or nothing to join and should give you a fair idea of whether
there is any broader interest in your craft. What better way to jump into
craft retailing?
There are also organized craft shows that tour the
country, most of which charge an entrance fee for participants. Check your
local papers, especially the free shoppers, for information about upcoming
shows
Another venue for craft retailing is at the local flea
markets that spring up in every community just about every weekend. Again
the entrance cost is usually minimal. The only other thing you need is a
little marketing savvy.
With little cost and some effort, you will be well on
your way to knowing whether there is a market for your craft. Once you
know that, you can move on and think about other ways of selling, such as
in galleries, on consignment, on eBay or from your own website.
All these methods and more are discussed in great detail
on my website,
www.theartfulcrafter.com. Come visit and see what you can do to become
successful in the craft business!
By Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
www.theartfulcrafter.com |
