Many of us spend a lot of time crafting. It’s a greatly rewarding hobby to have. You learn a new skill set, you can make something new, but perhaps most importantly, it’s enjoyable in its own right and relaxing. You can bond with others over it. You can do it while chatting or watching TV. The list goes on. But nowadays, more people are realizing that there’s money to be made in crafting too. If you’re any good at your craft, chances are, people will want to buy what you make. Whether that’s a knitted scarf, a quilted blanket, a macrame plant pot holder, or anything else. Put simply, it’s nice to know that you can make some money from doing something you love – and giving your work to other people for them to enjoy. Here are some tips that can help you on this journey.
What’s Your End Goal?
First, you need to decide what your end goal is here. Do you want to just sell a few pieces for a little spending money? Do you want to sell enough pieces for this to count as substitute income, significantly boosting your disposable cash? Do you want to go all out and start a business, making this your main job? Different goals require different approaches, so it’s good to know where you’re heading, as this will help you to make the right steps in the right direction.
Deciding What You’re Selling
If you’re only selling a few things that you’re already making, you don’t need much direction here. You know what you’re producing. But if you want to make more, you may need a wider variety of products that appeal to more people and this will require research and planning. What do people want? How much are they willing to pay for it? Is this worth your time and investment? Come up with a clear line of options for people to choose from that are profitable for you.
How Will You Deliver It?
How will present your items to people? Do you need packaging from Redi-Bag? Will you need jars? Will you need boxes? Will you be selling them at markets and fairs? In this case, people will take them from you on a face-to-face basis, but you may need branded carrier bags for them to carry their purchases away in. Will you be selling online? In this case, you need post-friendly packaging that can be clearly labeled. When things really start taking off, you may need to look into order fulfillment services.
Selling Online
Selling online is one of the most simple and straightforward ways to reach a wide audience. Anyone can find your products and buy them, even people across the globe if you offer international shipping. Of course, different platforms will suit different projects and approaches. Selling to friends and family can be organized through social media platforms like Facebook, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram and more. Selling to others can take place on auction platforms like eBay, online managed stores like Etsy, or through your own website if you want to go all out and cut out third-party costs.
These are just a few starter steps, but hopefully, they will help guide you on this new venture!