How to Run a Craft Business From Home
by Michelle Hogan
Doing crafts at home can be a relaxing way to indulge a creative endeavor. For those who become experts in their craft, the endeavor can expand into a home business that not only helps you pay for the craft materials, but even your living expenses. Many artists and crafters have turned their creations into lucrative part and full-time businesses.
1.
Determine what craft you will specialize. If you are already involved in that craft, for example knitting, then become as much of an expert as you can. This doesn't mean that you have to know how to knit every type of sweater, but if you are going to knit hats and mittens for example, then make sure they are neatly and expertly done. Get help if you need it. Take classes to expand your abilities. Become involved in your local knitting or textiles community. You may be able to expand your business at some point to include classes or a store, so staying involved in a network will help you.
2.
Write a business plan. Even small home-based businesses should have a plan. Going through the process of writing up the plan will help you focus on your business and give you goals to strive for as you get started and continue on. A business plan helps you make the business part of your craft a priority and gives you timeline to follow.
4.
Develop your promotional materials. Choose a name you like that is easy to remember. Try and get the domain name for it, or something similar. Remember that you can hyphenate domain names and use .net or .info if you can't find the .com for your name. Create a logo, or get someone else to do it, and use it on all of your materials from brochures and catalogs to your website and labels.
5.
Package your crafts well. If you're not sure where to begin, do an online search for others who craft in your niche. If you can, order something from one or two of them so you can see how the item is packaged when it is shipped. Gift bags and specialty boxes can get expensive, but with good labels and interesting designs, they will also help you create a distinctive look that will keep customers coming back to your developing brand name.
6.
Sell your crafts online. When selling online, use your website to its fullest potential. Make sure people can see your products clearly--take good pictures; describe them well and completely; and make ordering easy. People don't want to have to click on a bunch of links just to order one item. Make the interface as seamless as possible. Use a service such as Paypal to accept credit cards. Sell items on websites, such as Etsy and eBay. Use Facebook, Twitter and a blog to keep your friends and potential customers up to date on where you'll be and when as well as new items you have up for sale.
7.
Take your inventory on the road and sell your products at craft fairs, farmers markets, local county fairs and festivals, and any other public venue you have near you. If you can, always offer a free sample or small item for purchase that people can buy easily and see what your craft is about. A little mini-soap, for example, is a good giveaway for a soap-maker.
8.
Promote yourself. The idea of self-promotion makes some people uncomfortable, but using social media as well as offering gift baskets or gift certificates with your products in them to charities and organizations will help you get known. Send press releases to your local media. Write guest posts on blogs related to your craft. Offer classes in your craft, if you can. You can also offer informational sessions at your local library for people who may be interested in your craft. Getting your name known as the person who does that craft will help you create vital word-of-mouth advertising.
Things Needed
- Craft equipment
- Craft materials
- Computer
- Internet access
- Telephone
link of the article; https://smallbusiness.chron.com/run-craft-business-home-258.html
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