This is something I wrote and posted on another site ages ago and I realise that you create scrapbook products and I sell jewelry but I think most of this will still be relevant. I also want to apologise in advance for how long this post will be but anyho, I do sell my jewelries and this is what I’ve discovered so far:-
1. Gift shops & local galleries: - Don’t depend on the internet because your designs are up against a zillion others. Get out there and see if you can get gift shops and galleries to take on your designs. There’s a gallery & gift shop near where I live that takes my designs on consignment so I only pay a small fee when the pieces sell. Before you approach a gallery or gift shop you should be able to talk about yourself, the work you do, your inspiration, materials that you use and take a case with examples or a portfolio of your work
2. Craft fairs - This can be a good way to sell a lot of work in one go.
3. Online clubs, galleries, communities etc. - Like this one and numerous others. It can be a good way to, amongst other things, get important feedback. Feedback is essential because it helps get another perspective on your work, let you know when you’ve gotten it wrong. I find also that sometimes the one piece that I’m not that crazy about is the one that everybody else loves. I can’t stress how important feedback is!
4. Etsy - Like ebay but for everything handmade!
5. Get your own domain - Pay for one, it’s not expensive and pop-ups don’t make people like you.
6. Promote your website - Just because you get yourself a website doesn’t mean that people will flock to it in a frenzy to buy your work so list it in every directory you can and exchange links with everybody, basically have no shame. Website submission tools can be a good plan.
7. Good website - If you’re going to have a website at least have a good one. Customers won`t purchase your work if you don’t have a professional look to your website especially on the front page. If they don’t like the front page, they leave. Learn how to write in HTML code or have a professional design it for you, it’s worth the money.
8. Promo cards - Have some cards printed up. They don’t have to be expensive but they should have a nice look and good quality. Give your cards to customers, family, friends, random people and most importantly to other crafters. I’ve discovered that the people that are most successful are the ones that exchange their cards, then mail them out together with their own cards to their customers.
9. Local newspaper ads - Tried and true for decades to connect you to your target market.
10. Google Adwords & similar - This is another good way to advertise and it doesn’t cost a lot.
11. Start a Blog - This is a good way to let people know more about yourself and what you’re trying to do.
12. Keywords - have the right keywords in your title and description and for gods sake keep it relevant, people don’t like being tricked.
13. Secure payment: - Implement a secure cart system or use Paypal or something because nobody will buy your work unless you have a secure way for them to pay up.
14. F.A.Q. - Customers like to be well informed so you should have a good F.A.Q. section on your website to answer some of the questions they might have.
15. Contact info - Using an email form is ok but make sure your contact info is clearly displayed. People will think it suspicious if you don’t display your contact info and just use an email form.
16. Selling point - Develop your own style. If you sell the exact same thing as everybody else then it’s going to be difficult to convince customers to buy from you an not everybody else.
17. Good craftsmanship - You don’t have to go all fancy, sometimes simple designs are the best but whatever technique you’re using, perfect it before you try to sell it. If you give somebody a crap item then they’ll rep
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