With Christmas just 2 short months away, you may find yourself looking for ways to earn extra money. If you enjoy creating and you constantly hear people telling you that you should sell your creations, it may be time to voyage into the world of selling your crafts for money.
Like all things, entering the world of selling crafts should be carefully planned out.
Online venues are a great way to reach customers all over the world. Popular websites like Etsy, Artfire and eBay are great tools that help to reach your targeted customers. Facebook Marketplace is also a great place to sell your crafts.
Before making the plunge into selling your crafts, be sure to take the time and do some research beforehand. Keep the following questions in mind as you consider the prospect of selling your creations:
Do I have a product that people would want to buy?
This is the most important question you have to ask yourself. If there is no target market for your products, you will have a hard time selling your creations. You may create incredible items, but they may not sell because they're not in demand.
Who is my potential target market?
This is a continuation of the question above because you need to know who to advertise to and how to successfully draw your target market to your items. It would be a waste of time trying to sell baby clothes, for example, to those who do not have children.
What will I charge for my creations?
Pricing is an important strategy. All too often, people undercharge for their creations forgetting to take into consideration the time and materials that go into a product.
Make sure you account for both the cost of the materials as well as the time and effort you put forth to create your goods. Also be sure not to overcharge. You may find that your items do not sell because they are over priced.
Where will I sell my items?
With Christmas just around the corner, you will see Holiday Bazaars, Handcrafted Marketplaces and Craft Shows popping up all over the place. Many of these are 1 or 2 day events where you can purchase a table to display your crafts.
This is typically an inexpensive way to get your feet wet in the world of selling crafts. You can also try finding a local store that will sell your items on consignment. If you choose to go this route, be sure to get all terms in writing. Otherwise you run the risk of having your items kept and not paid for.
Online websites are plentiful when it comes to selling handmade goods. My favorite site for selling crafts is Etsy. You have the power of their search engine behind you so it will be easier for people to find the items you're selling.
While Etsy does charge you for each item you list, you can use this link to get 40 free listings in your new shop.
If you already have a big online presence, consider opening a Shopify store.
EBay is also another popular venue to sell handmade goods. Be aware though, that you will be competing with the other goods that are not handmade and may be cheaper. A good description of the item and its benefits is always a good idea.
It is very possible in today's day and age to make some spending money selling your crafts. Be sure to do your research and follow through your plan by keeping the above questions in mind. Once you have your plan in mind, go ahead and take the plunge. But remember, like anything else, you will get in return what you put forth so make it worth your while.
If you've made money selling crafts, do you have suggestions I missed?
