Crafting. It’s either a hobby or a job – sometimes both. Those who do it and enjoy it don’t want to take it further than what they’re already doing in case they lose some of the fun from it. Then there are the ones who know or have been told that they would profit considerably from what they are making, if only they were to market it; a lot of the time, they’re not proven wrong. However, this isn’t to say that there isn’t some initial trepidation when you get started. There are a lot of things that you have to consider before you start on your crafting-for-business venture.
What Platform Are You Going To Use?
There are a number of ecommerce platforms already available for you to utilise. The most popular for crafters is arguably Etsy, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other options available. You could set up your own shop on your own website, sell via social media (Facebook has recently introduced ‘marketplace’ for you to be able to freely sell your wares) or go down the route of seeing if there is somebody who will do the selling on your behalf (an already established online shop with a real-life presence is often the case in this instance).
Are You Going To Pitch IRL?
Just because the internet is making waves with shopping currently, this doesn’t mean that real shops should be disregarded. Your crafts are there to be seen, to gain attention, to be admired and felt as well as looked over. Putting examples into a store isn’t a bad idea – especially as there are many craft stores specifically opening their books for people who are new to the game. They want fresh talent, as they know that that’s what secures sales.
Make Sure You’ve Got The Stock
Getting yourself sorted out stock-wise is something that you definitely need to consider when taking your craft business to the next level. You need to meet demand, obviously, but it’s hard to gauge when you are first starting out. Getting a business loan from Octet Finance or another company that could provide you with your start-up funds is essential if you don’t already have the money in place. To figure out how much you’ll need, do a little bit of market research; see how quickly your current stock goes and determine just how much you’ll need in the future on your best sellers.
Keep At It
Too many businesses these days are bowing out as soon as time gets tough. The truth is that a couple of times a year, trade will be slow – and it’s the same for everybody. It’s the slump after the main holidays, and it affects trades from hospitality to retail, so you’re not alone. The more you stick at it and establish your business, the more that people will take you seriously. Keep your social media updated, make sure that you attend various craft shows and don’t slack on selling yourself – it’ll all work out.
