Attention, crafters and aristans! You don’t have to join a craft fair or set up your own website to sell your work. Many people are making a good amount of money selling their unique items on etsy.com.
Etsy.com is a website where people can buy and sell handmade things. This includes paper crafts, jewelry, mixed media, practically anything! It’s also a great place for you to test your product and hone your business skills. Here are some ways to use etsy.com to build your crafts business.
Use Etsy to develop your product
You can sell cheap auto insurance quotes anything at Etsy, but if you’re smart, you won’t be a snobby artist and say, ‘This is my art, take it or leave it.’ Use the website’s feedback mechanism to get valuable comments from your potential customers. Yes, you still have creative freedom, but if you want to make a profit you also have to understand what the market is looking for.
Check your customer’s buying history
Etsy lets you look at the other products that your customers have bought. This lets you get a really clear idea of what the market is looking for, how much they’re willing to pay for it, and how frequently they tend to buy.
Compare your prices with your competitors
Look at the goods that are similar to yours, and what people are charging. You can also experiment with your price range, and eventually find that delicate balance between markup and volume.
Build a community of customers
While Etsy does let your customers keep track of your new products, it’s best to build several ‘touchpoints’ so they can see your work (and you!) even when they’re not shopping. These include Facebook, Twitter, blogs, FLickr, demo videos on Youtube, or an e-group.
Take good pictures of your products
Presentation is everything. Photograph products in an uncluttered background. As a rule of thumb, light products look best against a dark background, while dark products look best
against a light background. Products also look better in natural light, so either shoot it outdoors or near a large window.
Don’t just make things, make a brand.
The most successful Etsy entrepreneurs built a name for themselves through great social marketing and their unique style, craftsmanship, or presentation. This helped them stand out among thousands of other sellers. Spend just as much time building your brand as you do creating your art. It pays off!
Photo from skinnymoose.com
I didn’t even know about this website! Will share this article with my artist friends.