It's an exciting new world for crafters. Handmade is hip, creativity is what the market wants, and there are many profitable sales opportunities that didn't exist a few short years ago. For crafters who have more confidence running a sewing machine than setting up a Web site, The Handmade Marketplace breaks down and makes sense of the global possibilities for marketing and selling crafts.
First, determine the right price for every item - not too expensive and definitely not too cheap. Whether the product is beaded jewelry or felted slippers, illustrations or tote bags, author Kari Chapin helps crafters determine cost of goods, market competition, and the pros and cons of wholesale and retail sales. If the price is right, customers will buy.
Then it's on to selling. The boom in indie craft fairs and sites such as Etsy ("Your place to buy & sell all things handmade") is providing artisans with an ever-expanding marketplace for handcrafted items. Chapin demystifies every venue. She explains the guidelines that craft fairs impose on exhibitors, the typical yearly calendar of shows, and how to start a new craft fair.
For the crafter interested in online sales, there are tips on styling and propping crafts for photographs and technical explanations of how the most popular Web marketplaces run. Traditional brick and mortar consignment stores are still very good options for many crafters. Chapin explains how to approach shopkeepers and build strong relationships.
Wrapping everything up with media advice and tips on how to get the word out, The Handmade Marketplace is the sales and marketing bible that today's crafters need.
| Introduction | p. 1 |
| My Creative Collective | p. 4 |
| Getting to Know Yourself and Your Business | |
| Setting the scene For Success | p. 12 |
| Setting Goals | |
| Build a Nurturing Space | |
| Getting Unstuck | |
| Translating an Idea into Reality | |
| Branding Your Business | p. 27 |
| Who are you Customers? | |
| What's Your Message and Look? | |
| What's in a Name? | |
| Develop a Logo | |
| Establishing Basic Business Practices | p. 37 |
| What Kind of Business Are You? | |
| The Next Steps | |
| Colleting Money | |
| Pricing Your Work | |
| Hiring Help | |
| Spreading the Word - and Images | |
| Marketing Basics | p. 64 |
| Marketing Defined | |
| Essential Marketing Materials | |
| Photographs Are Key | |
| Your Craft Community | p. 76 |
| Making Connections | |
| Online Communities | |
| Community Swaps | |
| Blogging | p. 84 |
| Blogs and Websites Defined | |
| Basic Setup | |
| Writing a Successful Blog | |
| Give and Take | |
| What Makes a Blog Successful | |
| Create an Online Newsletter | |
| Advertising and Publicity | p. 107 |
| Advertising Online | |
| Be Your Own Best Ad Agency | |
| Attracting Media Attention | |
| Approaching Print Media | |
| Putting Together a press Kit | |
| Writing Press Release | |
| More Online Marketing Networks | p. 128 |
| Podcasting | |
| Social Media | |
| Getting Down to Selling | |
| The Craft Fair Scene | p. 146 |
| First Things to Know | |
| The Fair Application Process | |
| Getting the Word | |
| Preparing for the Fair | |
| Designing Your Booth Space | |
| Fair Day Etiquette | |
| Starting Your Own Craft Fair | |
| Selling in Online Stores | p. 171 |
| Evaluating Marketplaces | |
| Setting Up Your Online Shop | |
| Customer Service | |
| Answering Customer Questions and Comments | |
| Selling in Brick-and-Mortar Stores | p. 191 |
| Getting Your Foot in the Door | |
| Persuasive Leave-Behind Materials | |
| Meeting with the Store Owner/Manager | |
| Selling on consignment | |
| Get Creative: Other Selling Options and Opportunities | p. 202 |
| Join a Co-Op | |
| Teach a Course | |
| Hold Trunk Shows | |
| Host House Parties | |
| Offer Kits and Patterns | |
| Parting Advice | p. 208 |
| Resources | p. 211 |
| Craft Show Supplies Checklist | p. 214 |
| Index | p. 215 |
| Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved. |
ISBN: 9781603424776
ISBN-10: 1603424776
Audience:
General
Format:
Paperback
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 224
Published: 27th February 2010
Dimensions (cm): 19.0 x 16.5
x 1.9
Weight (kg): 0.353