Part 2 of 2:
Selling Your Wares
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-760px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":760,"bigHeight":570,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
1
Market your product and yourself. Whether you are selling in person or online, you need to spread the word about your craftwork and about you, the craftsperson. Especially when buying handmade items, people like to feel a connection to the artisan. When selling at a craft fair or other locale in person, distribute professional-grade business cards. Also try to build a “mailing” list — although email or social media accounts may be more appropriate these days.[7] X Research source Create a business website where people can visit and learn more about your little enterprise. Spread the word on social media via friends and family. Emphasize personalized customer service, regardless of sales venue. Ship orders promptly, and provide contact information for service or questions. Consider providing refunds, exchanges, or repairs.[8] X Research source
EXPERT TIP
Ylva Bosemark
Teenage Entrepreneur
Ylva Bosemark is a high school entrepreneur and the founder of White Dune Studio, a small company that specializes in laser cut jewelry. As a young adult herself, she is passionate about inspiring other young adults to turn their passions into business ventures.
Ylva Bosemark
Teenage Entrepreneur
What Our Expert Does: "I use a platform that allows me to plan my posts weeks or months in advance. That way, I know I'm reaching out to my followers, but I can also plan ahead and don't have to stress about posting every day, which can be draining. Planning out my posts beforehand has been a lifesaver."
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-760px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":760,"bigHeight":570,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
2
Sell online. Gone are the days when crafters had to rely exclusively on craft shows. The internet can act as one giant, never-ending craft show if you utilize it well. [9] X Research source Etsy.com is probably the most well-known of numerous sites that focus on the sale of handmade items. There, you have the opportunity to create your own little online “shop.” Make the most of it by creating an enticing name, logo, images, and descriptive stories of your business and your product(s) for sale. Professional quality photographs of your crafts are now the standard for sales on such sites. Take the time, or pay the price, to get the best shots of your product. If you don't know much about search engine optimization (SEO), learn. You need to choose the right titles and tags in order to direct search engine traffic to your page. Sites like Etsy take a cut of your profits, of course. So, if you are web savvy, you may want to consider selling over your own site. This may serve you better after you have developed a solid customer base, however.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-760px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":760,"bigHeight":570,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
3
Set up shop at festivals. While online sales have superseded them for many crafters, selling at festivals and craft shows can still be a keystone of your strategy. After all, there is no better way to show the quality of your wares, and use your charms as the craftsperson, than in person. [10] X Research source There are many online resources that can provide information on festivals and shows nationwide and in your region.[11] X Research source Start with festivals in your local area, and start small. Perhaps you can “sublet” some space in another vendor's stall, for instance. Don't go “all in” until you see how your product sells. Scout festivals first whenever possible. Get a feel for the atmosphere and whether items like yours are likely to sell well. Festival ads and reviews are helpful, but cannot replace the value of seeing things with your own eyes. Be a people-person in your booth. Talk to people. Tell your story. If possible, conduct demonstrations of you creating your crafts, or show videos of the process.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-760px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":760,"bigHeight":570,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
4
Get your product into stores. Instead of trying to compete with retailers both large and small, try to work with them. Your quality products and their customer volume can make a profitable combination. As with craft shows, starting small and starting local in the retail setting can help you “get your feet wet” and better determine the profit viability of your craftwork.[12] X Research source Look first for businesses in your area that focus on selling local handmade products. Then consider retailers that sell products that are comparable or complementary to yours. Prepare a sales pitch for owners or managers of potential retail shops. If you can provide specific information on sales projections, anticipated profits, etc., you will likely increase your odds of success. When possible, try to negotiate an arrangement that lets you set up your crafts as a virtual shop-within-a-shop. Display your crafts together, along with business cards or other promotional materials.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"https:\/\/www.How Known.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-760px-Make-Money-Selling-Crafts-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":760,"bigHeight":570,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
5
Sell products out of your home. If your specialty is framed artwork targeted toward children, ask around at pediatrician offices, kids' clothing stores, daycare centers, and the like. See if you can place some of your product and provide information about sales from your home. Advertise with flyers, social media posts, and so on for a craft party to be held at your home. Display your product line(s), show where they are made, and work to build up an interested potential customer base. Wherever you are selling, at home, online, or at shows or stores, make sure you know the rules.[13] X Research source When selling from home, you may need to deal with local business licensing and permitting regulations. Craft shows and websites like Etsy will have their own lists of rules and regulations that you need to know and follow to continue selling there. Wherever you sell, you probably need to know how to collect taxes on your sales. The website or craft show may be able to help you out with advice on the process, or you may have to navigate the process alone. Don't just skip this step, assuming that no one will ever notice You could very easily regret it down the line.