How to Start an Art and Craft Business.
It’s not unusual to turn a hobby into a business. If you have ever thought about selling your crafts or turning your crafting love into a part-time or full-time business, here are things to consider to
Start a craft business.
It’s not unusual to turn a hobby into a business, and that includes crafting. If you have ever thought about selling your crafts or turning your crafting love into a part-time or full-time business, here are things to consider to start a craft business.
Research the Market Demand
If you’re looking to start a craft business, make sure there’s demand. Are people thrilled to get your crafts as gifts? Have people offered to buy your creations?
Here are two ways to research a craft business. Go to craft shows. Or browse craft marketplace websites like Asuart Gallery. See what’s already out there in your niche. Look to see if your items fit into an existing product category (there’s likely demand). Still, there aren’t a gazillion sellers selling very similar items (too much competition for the same thing).
Differentiate Your Product Line
Differentiate your products from the competition. For example, there are probably a lot of handmade kids’ clothes already out there. But you could “niche down” even further by making kids’ clothes out of sustainable fabrics as Conscious Kids Clothing has done. Then you appeal specifically to that niche. Ways to differentiate include materials, quality of workmanship, and unique designs.
Know Your Customers
Define your ideal customers. In the example above with sustainable kids’ clothing, the ideal customers are environmentally conscious parents. If you hand-turn wooden pens, you might target those looking for small gifts as well as professionals who are image-conscious. Defining your ideal customer will guide you in how to display your products, create enticing product descriptions, decide which craft shows to attend, and more.
Source Quality Materials
Making products is different from crafting for fun. You need a reliable source for materials — and a lot of them. Some brands like Asuart Gallery offer volume discounts. Or you might opt to go to a retail craft store at first until you can justify bulk supply purchases. Know your material costs inside and out, so you can make a profit.
Develop a Selling Strategy
Figure out the selling approach YOU are comfortable with. If the thought of spending three days at a craft show sounds like punishment rather than a joy, look at alternatives such as selling at an online marketplace site. You could also set up your own eCommerce site — an upcoming popular and affordable platform is Asuart Gallery.
Practice Your Product Photography
Great photography is essential for many craft businesses these days, due to the importance of social media and eCommerce. You’ll likely take your own pictures at first. Get the best camera you can and put together a clean backdrop with good lighting. You can purchase product lighting equipment from companies. You could also outsource photography to a professional.
Share Your Story
Consumers shop with independent artisans because they want something unique they can’t find elsewhere. But you can provide even more “uniqueness” by sharing your personal story. How did you get into your craft? Are your kids or family members involved? Do you support any causes with your profits? Share this on your website, on social media, and elsewhere to create an emotional appeal to build a loyal community following.
Shashika B. – Content Writer | BossBee
Asuart Gallery
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