The crafting movement origins are as old as time. Traditional crafts such as sewing, pottery, woodworking, etc were the underpinning of communities as traditional crafters produced essential everyday items.
During the height of the pandemic lockdowns home deliveries became lifelines for many with crafting supplies becoming a very popular way for many to fill their extra time.
As the passion for crafting continues to grow, it is no wonder that many people have turned their hobbies into small businesses or as is the case of Sara Davies MBE, a global crafting phenomenon. With television programmes such as The Great British Sewing Bee, The Great Pottery Thrown Down & The Repair Shop adding to the great interest in crafting; this homebased tradition looks set to continue on its growth trajectory.
However, if you are considering turning your hobby into a business, what are the key elements to consider before you start?
Last week Virtually Smart Ltd took a look at products & business/brand names & this week we will share some ideas on selling platforms, soft launch & social media.
Selling platforms
One of the largest craft selling platforms is Etsy. 2005: Etsy was founded in a Brooklyn apartment in 2005. Founders Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire & Haim Schoppik created the company with the vision to create a business that would function as an online platform for craftsmen to sell their goods.
Etsy has an estimated 4.36 million active sellers on the platform, with an estimated 81.9 million active buyers. Etsy directly employs 1,209 workers & was ranked as the 4th fastest growing eCommerce company in 2021, behind Apple, Chewy & Amazon.
Etsy has the perfect solution to any budding craft entrepreneur. An easy to use platform where you set the cost, quantity & shipping & Etsy take a percentage fee for every sale you make. They function very similarly to other selling platforms such as Ebay, but are specifically targeting the crafting consumer.
Ebay is a great selling platform, but is not crafting specific. Although the idea of selling on as many platforms as possible seems sensible, it also means that you must have the time & logistics capabilities to monitor, interact & act on sales across multiple platforms.
One of the greatest ways to spread the word about a new business venture is through social media & online content.
Social media
Knowing which platform is best for your product is crucial. You can spend hours spreading your new venture across a host of different social media platforms, but many of them may not be the right space to gain engagement & or convert interest into sales.
Before you forge ahead with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn,etc, do your homework. Research which platforms have the most engagement for your business type & or craft. You are trying to discover where your client avatar ‘hangs out’ the most & once you do, you can target this specific platform.
Craft fairs
Never forget the origins of the crafting movement & where crafts people used to sell their wares before online apps & social media gave them an online audience.
Craft Fairs are a fantastic way to reach a different level of customer & have gained in popularity as the Artisan Movement has grown.
Check local craft groups for information about where craft fairs might be taking place & ensure you book early, especially for the Christmas or Easter fairs as these are usually heavily subscribed.
Soft launch
One great way to get the message out about a new crafting business is a soft launch.
Once you have built up a considerable stock, you could invite family & friends to a soft launch.
Displaying your crafts in your home & servicing up some canapes & bubbly is a great way to create engagement. If every attendee took photographs of the event & your products & shared them out to their social media platforms; you instantly have created a further layer of interest & have started to reach a wider potential customer base.
All of these ideas can be easily adopted into a business strategy, even if this something you are creating as a part time venture. The opportunities for crafting are endless, but always remember that whatever you are selling must be unique, of fantastic quality & have a price point in keeping with your competition.
Written by Katy-Jane Mason for & on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd
