Many artists and crafters are learning that to really succeed at your hobby as a business you need to market your crafts well.

Marketing involves engaging your customers in a relationship that builds trust and friendship.  It is easiest and most cost efficient to maintain this relationship using the resources that the internet provides us.  For instance online stores, web sites, e-mail marketing, and more.

Selling crafts online gives customers who want to buy but don’t have the money right now another place to buy when they are ready.  Include a coupon and link to your online store or website on your business card and give it to every customer who enters your craft show booth.  Let customers know if they visit your online store and enter the coupon code they will receive a discount.

With more crafters than ever looking to sell crafts online more and more places to sell crafts are popping up all over the internet.  I’ve created a page to help you sell your crafts online.  http://www.extravaganzacrafts.com/index.php?pr=SellCraftsOnline

Please comment below and let us know if you’ve used any of these sites and how you felt about your success with them.  Also please include the price range of your arts or crafts, and what you sell, if you sell crafts online feel free to include a link to your online store so we can take a look.

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copyright by Rena Klingenberg

I first stumbled onto the “jewelry shopping service” approach to marketing my handcrafted jewelry a few years ago.

I couldn’t believe I’d never heard anyone talk about this before – because it’s a wide-open field with TONS of opportunities to sell your jewelry. It’s the main way I sell my jewelry now. Personal shopping services are a growing trend in all kinds of market niches.

Typically a personal shopper helps clients determine what they should buy, locates the best deal on an intended purchase, or finds the perfect gifts for customers to give.  Personal shoppers tend to specialize in a particular area of expertise, where they know a certain market and its suppliers inside and out.

Above all, personal shopping is a service business, and as people get busier and shopping options get more overwhelming, there’s an increasing demand for specialized personal shopping service businesses of various types.

What if you operated your handcrafted jewelry business like a personal shopping service?

There are absolutely immense opportunities for jewelry artists to sell their work this way, as you’ll see in “Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service”.

A jewelry shopping service could easily be your entire jewelry business, or just one income stream of it.

It’s a very flexible way to sell your jewelry, and I’ve found that it’s very easy to fit it in around all the other things going on in your life.

Why It’s Such a Profitable Way to Sell Your Jewelry

By operating as a jewelry shopping service, you’ll be selling directly to your clients at full retail prices, so you won’t be paying any booth fees, shop commissions, party hostess incentives, wholesale discounts, etc.

In fact, one of the best things about it is that you have very few sales-related expenses, because there’s no “middleman”. Nearly 100% of the proceeds go directly to your business.

And what’s more, many of your clients will be fairly big spenders. They’ll shop from you over and over again because they love your customized products, personal service, and the way you take their problems out of their hands – and they’re willing to pay quite well for it.

The book also has a chapter describing a clever strategy that will increase your profits even more; I give an example of this strategy from my own business, and explain why it’s so profitable.

Everything You Need to Know
to Start Your Own Jewelry Shopping Service

In this ebook I share my entire successful business model with you. It’s easy to do, and it really works. I’ve tested and refined my jewelry shopping service strategies, and I describe them in detail in this step-by-step guide.

I also share dozens of real-life examples of successful products, services, marketing methods, and stories from my own jewelry shopping service, to help you get started.

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel and go through the same learning curve I did to figure out what really works (and what doesn’t!). It’s all in the book. )

———————————————-

Unlock the secrets of a new way to sell your jewelry to customers who are VERY willing to buy from you, again and again, in Rena Klingenberg’s ebook “Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service” -
http://www.jewelry-books.com/shopping-service.html .

Today I came across this site I thought you might be interested in.

Sell your arts and crafts (or anything else you want) on The SOC Exchange.
Similar to Etsy and Artfire and allows you to sell unlimited items for just one price.

Hope it helps some of you out,

Shasta

I first stumbled onto the “jewelry shopping service” approach to marketing my #handcrafted jewelry a few years ago.

I couldn’t believe I’d never heard anyone talk about this before – because it’s a wide-open field with TONS of opportunities to sell your jewelry. It’s the main way I sell my jewelry now. Personal shopping services are a growing trend in all kinds of market niches.

Typically a personal shopper helps clients determine what they should buy, locates the best deal on an intended purchase, or finds the perfect gifts for customers to give.  Personal shoppers tend to specialize in a particular area of expertise, where they know a certain market and its suppliers inside and out.

Above all, personal shopping is a service business, and as people get busier and shopping options get more overwhelming, there’s an increasing demand for specialized personal shopping service businesses of various types.

What if you operated your handcrafted jewelry business like a personal shopping service?

There are absolutely immense opportunities for jewelry artists to sell their work this way, as you’ll see in “Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service”.

A jewelry shopping service could easily be your entire jewelry business, or just one income stream of it.

It’s a very flexible way to sell your jewelry, and I’ve found that it’s very easy to fit it in around all the other things going on in your life.

Why It’s Such a Profitable Way to Sell Your Jewelry

By operating as a jewelry shopping service, you’ll be selling directly to your clients at full retail prices, so you won’t be paying any booth fees, shop commissions, party hostess incentives, wholesale discounts, etc.

In fact, one of the best things about it is that you have very few sales-related expenses, because there’s no “middleman”. Nearly 100% of the proceeds go directly to your business.

And what’s more, many of your clients will be fairly big spenders. They’ll shop from you over and over again because they love your customized products, personal service, and the way you take their problems out of their hands – and they’re willing to pay quite well for it.

The book also has a chapter describing a clever strategy that will increase your profits even more; I give an example of this strategy from my own business, and explain why it’s so profitable.

Everything You Need to Know
to Start Your Own Jewelry Shopping Service

In this ebook I share my entire successful business model with you. It’s easy to do, and it really works. I’ve tested and refined my jewelry shopping service strategies, and I describe them in detail in this step-by-step guide.

I also share dozens of real-life examples of successful products, services, marketing methods, and stories from my own jewelry shopping service, to help you get started.

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel and go through the same learning curve I did to figure out what really works (and what doesn’t!). It’s all in the book. )

———————————————-

Unlock the secrets of a new way to sell your jewelry to customers who are VERY willing to buy from you, again and again, in Rena Klingenberg’s ebook “Secrets of a Handcrafted Jewelry Shopping Service” -
http://www.jewelry-books.com/shopping-service.html .

One day I was riding in my sisters car. The roads were slick and the car slid off the road into a deep snowbank. The car was very stuck and trying to drive it out did no good. Along came a car with 5 guys in it. They couldn’t pull the car out using their car. They all got out and stood at different points around my sisters car then lifted up her car and put it back on the road.

One guy couldn’t have lifted the car alone, but together the 5 of them easily moved it.

Business is like lifting heavy objects. Doing it alone it’s too heavy but with many people working toward the same goal it becomes light.

Craft businesses often go out of business before they even get a good start when business owners try to do it all alone. There is just too much work to do and too many things to learn for one person.

Have you noticed that KFC and A&W teamed up? Have you thought about why they would do that? I have.

KFC and A&W are in direct competition with each other.

They chose to work together because they share costs and reach a wider customer base.

• They rent/own one building instead of two as well as sharing equipment.
• KFC and A&W share advertising costs. They put out one ad with both chains specials mentioned.
• They both use one set of employees rather than each company having to hire their own.
• KFC and A&W foods compliment each other. You might want rootbeer and ice cream with your fried chicken and mashed potatoes. You might want fried chicken and mashed potatoes while your friend wants a coney dog and tator tots, and everyone wants a rootbeer float. Both companies get more sales by working together.

In the business world working together is called a Joint Venture (JV for short). Jeff Dedrick says doing a joint venture isn’t like if I would make $1000 selling jewelry and my friend would make $1000 selling hair bows that we would make $2000 together. He says that if I would make a $1000 working alone and she would make $1000 working alone it’s possible that we would make $5000 working together.

So how do you make joint ventures work for your art or craft show business?

1. Choose someone with similar products but not exactly the same.

• Jewelry-Handbags-Accessories-Clothes-Other Types or styles of Jewelry-Makeup
• Woodworking-Furniture-Home Decor-Pillows-Curtains-Florals-Pictures-Light Plate Covers-Wood Carvings
• Pottery-Table cloths and place mats-Furniture-Florals
• Body Care-Embroidered Towels-Bath Fixtures
• Rugs-Furniture-Lamps-Curtains

2. Choose someone with a different style than yours if you choose a product that is very similar to yours. For instance two Asian jewelry artists can work together if one does very elaborate work and the other does only very fancy work. They would be able to offer products that closely match their target audience but would be able to offer a wider variety of price ranges, making more sales. Both jewelry artists would be experts in the same field and able to share information on the use and care of Asian jewelry.
3. Ask show promoters if it’s okay to share a booth or rent two booths next to each other and mix products.
4. Make an agreement to know each others products and to offer them equally if someone is looking for that item. Offer each others product as an upsell or downsell.
5. No one likes to work for nothing. Be honest with your partner and keep good records making sure they get paid for their items that sold.
6. Evaluate partnerships and adjust or discontinue as necessary

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http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=1111

She also mentions which shows do well for her in her area.

Have a nice day,

Shasta

by Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions
copyright 2008-2009

Well today I was checking the polls and there have been a lot of you respond to them.  So I will let you know what the results are as they currently stand.

What is the average price of your product?

• 1 person answered $20.01-$30
• 1 person said $100.01-$125

What are the 3 biggest obstacles your business faces?

• 1 person answered How to Market/Advertise My Business
• 1 answered Displays
• 2 said it was How to Make my Website Make More Money
• 1 said Cutting Costs
• 1 said How to Make More Sales at Shows

What seasons do you do shows?

• 1 said they do Fall Shows
• 2 said they do Winter Shows
• 2 of you do Spring Shows
• 2 do Summer Shows
• 1 only does Holiday Shows
• 2 or you do Shows All Year Long

When do you start selling Christmas and holiday merchandise?

• 1 said I sell holiday merchandise all year round
• 1 starts selling holiday merchandise right after Halloween
• 2 start selling holiday merchandise right after Thanksgiving

Do you change the look of your booth to coordinate with seasons, holidays, and other special occasions?

• 2 of you said Yes, I decorate my booth for the holidays and seasons
• 3 said No, my booth stays the same through out the year

What is your average income at craft shows per year?

• 4 answered Between $0 and $10,000
• 1 answered Between $30,000 and $40,000
• 1 answered Above $50,000

What do you sell at show?

Note:  I changed some of the answers to this poll so some of the answers are skewed just a bit.

• 3 answered Fine Art-Painting, Sculptures (this is where I made some changes, I divided Sculpture into it’s own category so some of the answers here might have belonged in the new category).
• 1 of you does woodworking
• 1 sells candles
• 1 sells health and beauty
• 1 pet items
• 2 of you sell jewelry
• 3 answered Other
• 1 answered Sculpture
• 1 answered Photography, Scrapbooking, or Paper Crafts

What types of shows do you usually sell at?

• 2 answered Juried Fine Art & Craft Shows
• 3 said Unjuried Art & Craft Shows
• 1 said Fair or Festivals
• 1 of you sells at Gem and Bead Shows
• 1 of you sells at Other Specialty Shows

Do you sell your arts and crafts on the web?

• 12 of you said Yes, I have a website
• 5 said No, I don’t have a website

Do you do any marketing outside of craft shows?

Is this poll working?  So far only 1 of you has answered this poll.  I wonder if this is the same person that is making over $50,000 a year.  Do this one thing to out compete your competitors.

• 1 of you answered Yes I follow up with my customers outside of craft shows.

Do you do arts & crafts on the side or as a regular 9 to 5 job?

• 6 people do arts and crafts to make an extra income
• 2 people said Arts and crafts are my regular 9 to 5 job
• 5 people said that they want arts and crafts to be their regular 9 to 5 job

How much of you time is spent looking for quality show?

• 2 said 30%
• 1 said 50% or more
• 2 said 10%

So that is the results of the polls as of 3/3/2009.  I hope that gives you some  insight into your business and your competitors.

To your profitable business,

Shasta

From the beginning of this site I have been taking some polls and I wondered if you would be as interested in the results as I was.  Although they are early results, here are the answers to what other artists and crafters are doing.

What seasons do you do shows?

• 1 person said they do fall, winter, spring and summer shows, but did not select holiday shows.

When do you start selling Christmas & holiday merchandise?

• 2 people said, “I start selling holiday merchandise right after Thanksgiving.”

Do you change the look of your booth to coordinate with seasons, holidays, & other special occasions?

• 1 person said, “Yes, I decorate my booth for the holidays & seasons.”
• 2 people said, “No, my booth stays the same through out the year.”

What is your average income at craft shows per year?

• 2 people said, “Between $0 & $10,000.”

What do you sell at shows?

• 1 person said, “Fine Art.”
• 1 said, “Woodworking/Furniture.”
• 1 said, “Health Beauty Products.”
• 1 said, “Jewelry.”
• 3 said, “Other.”  Unfortunately my polling software doesn’t have the ability to ask them to define what “Other” means.
  

I find this question very interesting.  I know I only have a very small number of results, but at this time it doesn’t look as if jewelry out weighs the other answers.

What types of shows do you usually sell at?

• 1 person said, “Juried Fine Art & Craft Shows.”
• 1 said, “Unjuried Art & Craft Shows.”
• 1 said, “Fairs or Festivals.”
• 1 said, “Gem & Bead Shows.”
• 1 said, “Other Specialty Shows.”

Do you sell Arts & Crafts on the web?

• 6 people said, “Yes, I have a website.”
• 1 person said, “No, I don’t have a website.”

To the one person who said they don’t have a website.  Here is what the six who do have a website know that you don’t.  They know that you can do websites for any price.  From $0 to $unlimited.  They know that a website is a salesman for your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  They have income coming in from a website while they sleep.  Do you?

Do you do any marketing outside of craft shows?

• 1 person said, “Yes, I follow up with customers outside of craft shows.”

Good for you, I guarantee your business will be more successful than most other respondents of these polls.

Do you do arts & crafts on the side or as a regular 9 to 5 job?

• 1 person said, “I do arts & crafts to make an extra income.”
• 1 said, “Arts & Crafts are my regular 9 to 5 job.”
• 2 people said, “I want arts & crafts to be my regular 9 to 5 job.”

I think this should speak to both show promoters and to the goals of those people who want this to be their living.  Are you doing enough to make this a profitable 9 to 5 job?

Are Art & Craft Shows More Profitable Than 5 Years Ago?

• 2 people said, “No-art and craft shows are NOT more profitable than 5 years ago.

This is sad to me.  I know that the current economy is not rising and prices are rising which doesn’t bode well for profits.  However, I know that people have turned toward buying locally made goods from local people, who use local products.  We need to find a way to take advantage of both this attitude and the economy to make our shows more profitable.  Remind your customers buying products made locally supports the economy as every dollar spent in your community changes hands approximately 7 times before leaving the community.  Display a sign that says handcrafted products, made locally (or in the U.S.A.), with products purchased locally.

How Much of Your Time is Spent Looking for Quality Shows?

• 1 person said, “10%.”
• 1 person said, “30%.”

To the person who said they spent 30% of their time looking for quality shows wouldn’t your time be better spent making and improving your craft, marketing it, selling it, and enjoying the profits?  If you live in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota or South Dakota check out The Extravaganza Craft News.

And just for fun I asked, How is my site?

• 1 person said, “Good.”

Only 1 vote and only good.    Can I get a few more opinions here? 

So there you have it, that’s what I know!  If you have specific questions you would like to know more about please email me.  I’ll add a poll and we’ll find out.

To your profitable business,

Shasta