Okay, I've been talking about so many different ways of making money online here. But haven't I missed something really important?
Of course, making money by selling your goods. Now commercially available goods are what everybody is selling out there on the Internet. What you need is something different, something creative and innovative. How about some handmade crafts reflecting your own unique personality? Why not start your own crafts business sitting at home?
I'll be honest. I'm not at all creative. I do a bit of knitting sometimes, but that's about all. To write this down , however, I've conducted some thorough research to get the right idea across.
No wonder, crafts are popular selling items in the market. They are unique in their own way and people want different things for a change or just to look or feel different. Crafts may be made up by an individual or a small group of people together to create something out of nothing. If you to can think and create something, why not sell it and make some money out of it?
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you with starting your own crafts business at home.
Explore yourself: If you haven't thought about making crafts to sell,it is just the right time to start thinking. Start by exploring the creativity inside you. Think what you are good at. The ideas could be different for each individual. Some might think they are good at painting,sketching or pottery. Others might be good at knitting,stitching,crochet or embroidery yet others at making things out of the craft dough or play dough. You could make flowers out unused paper or create different creatures and cartoon characters using paper mache'' tricks and techniques. The options could be endless. If you can't come up with any but are interested in any,search on the Internet for free tutorials or do some courses and practise a lot to make yourself good at it.
Some popular items are hand knitted jumpers,blankets,baby sets,jewellery,candles,soaps,personalised gift baskets, pot pourri etc.
Discover the Consumer Market: Now out of the options you might have short listed for yourself,do a bit of research in the market. Find out if you can actually sell your product,what kind of people would buy them and would you be actually able to make profit out it.
You may find out that paintings do sell at a good price but only the riches can afford to buy it. It is very likely that you might not be able to sell them well until you gain some popularity as an artist. However,if you've decided to make your own candles or soaps with different fragrances,the demand for them will always remain in the market. Most people can afford to buy it and if its not for themselves it'll definitely be for their friends or partners. Think of such popular items but with a difference. If you do the same thing as others,you won't be able to capture the market.
Prepare Yourself: Before you start making your product think again until you convince yourself . Ask yourself several questions. Some of these may be :
If, for instance, you have thought of knitting jumpers, hoods and scarves, you know it'd satisfy you by doing it and you'd be able to sell it at a good price. But you'll need a lot of time and concentration to do it. Also you know such things are in good demand during winter season. Take your time to make a good stock before the next winter. During this time advertise your products to other people. Just prepare yourself completely before you launch it for sale in the market.
Produce Variety and Uniqueness: Try producing a variety of different things of various types. If ,for instance, you wish to make candles,make them in different shapes,sizes,colours and fragrances. This would help you attract more customers,because not everybody has the same choice. If you have another friend who makes soaps and beauty products ,you could make a gift containing a soap bar,a candle and a body lotion which all have similar colour,packaging and fragrance. People would love to buy it and you can get a better price for it too. Try experimenting with different combinations and come up with something new.
Personalised Gifts are Loved by All: You can engrave people's names on mugs, bracelets, pendants etc. or print them on their T-shirts or blankets if they ask you to do so. Make your things unique and exclusive to attract consumers. You can always charge them extra for this service and earn some extra cash.
Productivity: If you've been convinced to sell your home made item so far, just give a little thought on how much time it would take you to make your product. If it is time consuming, you might not be able to provide for large demands unless you've helping hands and machines to help you out and increase your output.
Find the Appropriate Time to Sell: Find out when your products will sell best. Some products will like home-made soaps and beauty products will sell all the year round but gift items such as personalised baskets or egg surprises will sell at Christmas and Easter times respectively. Crochet and knitted items will sell during winter. Be aware of when to start to start making to products to sell them at the right time. Produce and market your crafts according to occasions. You surely don't want to sell hand-decorated wreaths after Christmas has passed by.
Advertising and Selling: Find out how you'd sell your product. It could be online on your own website or websites like eBay, Amazon or a devoted crafts website such as Etsy.com. You could also make your workshop at home, provided that you've that extra space available, and let your friends and relatives know about it and pass it on further. Distribute brochures in the neighbourhood advertising your products. Leave your contact number on them so that interested people may be able to contact you. Another option could be to ask a crafts shop in your area to keep your products on display. Of course you'll have to pay some percentage of your profit to that shop keeper.
Also, think about its cost and selling price and determine to make your cost price as low as possible and selling price as high as it could be to maximize your profit. Many crafts such papier mache' crafts and greeting cards can be made cheaply using things you normally would put into the bin. Remember, if you make it too expensive, you won't be attracting many customers. Why would they buy from you anyway when they can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere. You need to offer competitive prices. Make it reasonable and affordable for people. If a similar product sells in the market, find out its price and try to introduce yours cheaper (only if you can afford to do so).
Conclusion:
Of course, making money by selling your goods. Now commercially available goods are what everybody is selling out there on the Internet. What you need is something different, something creative and innovative. How about some handmade crafts reflecting your own unique personality? Why not start your own crafts business sitting at home?
I'll be honest. I'm not at all creative. I do a bit of knitting sometimes, but that's about all. To write this down , however, I've conducted some thorough research to get the right idea across.
No wonder, crafts are popular selling items in the market. They are unique in their own way and people want different things for a change or just to look or feel different. Crafts may be made up by an individual or a small group of people together to create something out of nothing. If you to can think and create something, why not sell it and make some money out of it?
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you with starting your own crafts business at home.
Explore yourself: If you haven't thought about making crafts to sell,it is just the right time to start thinking. Start by exploring the creativity inside you. Think what you are good at. The ideas could be different for each individual. Some might think they are good at painting,sketching or pottery. Others might be good at knitting,stitching,crochet or embroidery yet others at making things out of the craft dough or play dough. You could make flowers out unused paper or create different creatures and cartoon characters using paper mache'' tricks and techniques. The options could be endless. If you can't come up with any but are interested in any,search on the Internet for free tutorials or do some courses and practise a lot to make yourself good at it.
Discover the Consumer Market: Now out of the options you might have short listed for yourself,do a bit of research in the market. Find out if you can actually sell your product,what kind of people would buy them and would you be actually able to make profit out it.
You may find out that paintings do sell at a good price but only the riches can afford to buy it. It is very likely that you might not be able to sell them well until you gain some popularity as an artist. However,if you've decided to make your own candles or soaps with different fragrances,the demand for them will always remain in the market. Most people can afford to buy it and if its not for themselves it'll definitely be for their friends or partners. Think of such popular items but with a difference. If you do the same thing as others,you won't be able to capture the market.
Prepare Yourself: Before you start making your product think again until you convince yourself . Ask yourself several questions. Some of these may be :
- Will I be able to spare time to do it without having to affect my routine and family?
- How much money will I need to invest in starting my own business?
- Will I meet public demand?
- Can I produce good quality products?
- Will my product attract consumers?
- Will the profit be worth the effort I put in?
- How much should I make?
If, for instance, you have thought of knitting jumpers, hoods and scarves, you know it'd satisfy you by doing it and you'd be able to sell it at a good price. But you'll need a lot of time and concentration to do it. Also you know such things are in good demand during winter season. Take your time to make a good stock before the next winter. During this time advertise your products to other people. Just prepare yourself completely before you launch it for sale in the market.
Produce Variety and Uniqueness: Try producing a variety of different things of various types. If ,for instance, you wish to make candles,make them in different shapes,sizes,colours and fragrances. This would help you attract more customers,because not everybody has the same choice. If you have another friend who makes soaps and beauty products ,you could make a gift containing a soap bar,a candle and a body lotion which all have similar colour,packaging and fragrance. People would love to buy it and you can get a better price for it too. Try experimenting with different combinations and come up with something new.
Personalised Gifts are Loved by All: You can engrave people's names on mugs, bracelets, pendants etc. or print them on their T-shirts or blankets if they ask you to do so. Make your things unique and exclusive to attract consumers. You can always charge them extra for this service and earn some extra cash.
Productivity: If you've been convinced to sell your home made item so far, just give a little thought on how much time it would take you to make your product. If it is time consuming, you might not be able to provide for large demands unless you've helping hands and machines to help you out and increase your output.
Find the Appropriate Time to Sell: Find out when your products will sell best. Some products will like home-made soaps and beauty products will sell all the year round but gift items such as personalised baskets or egg surprises will sell at Christmas and Easter times respectively. Crochet and knitted items will sell during winter. Be aware of when to start to start making to products to sell them at the right time. Produce and market your crafts according to occasions. You surely don't want to sell hand-decorated wreaths after Christmas has passed by.
Advertising and Selling: Find out how you'd sell your product. It could be online on your own website or websites like eBay, Amazon or a devoted crafts website such as Etsy.com. You could also make your workshop at home, provided that you've that extra space available, and let your friends and relatives know about it and pass it on further. Distribute brochures in the neighbourhood advertising your products. Leave your contact number on them so that interested people may be able to contact you. Another option could be to ask a crafts shop in your area to keep your products on display. Of course you'll have to pay some percentage of your profit to that shop keeper.
Also, think about its cost and selling price and determine to make your cost price as low as possible and selling price as high as it could be to maximize your profit. Many crafts such papier mache' crafts and greeting cards can be made cheaply using things you normally would put into the bin. Remember, if you make it too expensive, you won't be attracting many customers. Why would they buy from you anyway when they can find cheaper alternatives elsewhere. You need to offer competitive prices. Make it reasonable and affordable for people. If a similar product sells in the market, find out its price and try to introduce yours cheaper (only if you can afford to do so).
Conclusion:
The above are only some tips to get you started. Selling and marketing your crafts is also an art. If you think you have the right skills to do it, there's no harm in giving it a try. It is very satisfying and helps you utilise your extra time in the best manner. Moreover, if your product does sell, you can make really good money out it. Handmade items will sell for more than the commercially made ones. Just do a bit of research before you start.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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