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I’m so excited that Kari Chapin’s new book, The Handmade Marketplace is finally out! Kari and I are planning to do a podcast together soon, and thought you might like to contribute.
Got any craft-business questions for Kari? Just leave them in the comments, and we’ll include as many as we can in the podcast.
The Handmade Marketplace covers subjects like:
- Branding
- Pricing Your Work
- Hiring Help
- Marketing
- Blogging
- Advertising
- Selling at Craft Fairs
- Selling in Online Stores
- Selling in Brick and Mortar Stores
…So as you can see, Kari knows lots, and there’s a lot you could ask her! So, let’s hear your questions!
I always hear people say “you need a business plan”. That is, in traditional business. Also, I hear SCORE and the SBA are great resources. My question is, many of our crafty businesses are so different from the typical idea, do you think that's correct and do they have pertinent advice for us? I want to go in and see, but i'm afraid they will tell me “You'll never make any money unless you outsource to China!”
And if i may ask another, I often find the advice given for “small business” doesn't really consider our micro-businesses. Where can one go for help within our demographic?
Thanks! i LOVE craftypod!
Both marketing and pricing are something that I'd be very interested in learning more about. I'm in the process of opening up my own Etsy shop and these are the two areas I'm really struggling with. Could you ask her if it's really worth it to pay for advertising online (i.e. buttons on people's blogs, etc) or does she recommend more of just a “presence” approach where you comment on people's blogs (not linking to your shop of course because that's obnoxious), do guest posts, host giveaways, etc? I think pricing is too complicated for me to think of a good question right now, teehee!
Thanks for the opportunity to ask some questions! I'd like to know Kari's general thoughts on craft shows vs. online and brick and mortar stores. Are there advantages to one over the other or reasons why I might choose one of these three over the others.
I'd also like to hear any suggestions Kari might have about getting started and getting your products out there i.e. Tips about how to approach buyers for brick and mortar stores.
Can't wait for this podcast!!
Oooh. I am looking forward to that! I just bought the book last week and not only is it a great how-to crafty business book, it's so current and quotes bloggers that I read right now- really great. My question is about exposure. I sell knitting patterns online and have a blog that my sister and I write together. We have decent blog traffic and I do sell some patterns, but I wonder how to bump up to the “next level”- Is it just to keep on truckin' or create a new magical viral pattern, or explore other options like wholesaling or teaching classes? So I guess my question is- I've had a bit of success and wonder how to build on that and promote myself more so that more people other than blog readers and Ravelry users know who I am. Also, I know that multiple income streams are a great goal, how to decide what to focus on next.
Thanks!! Lovely and excellent work both of you!
Hi!!
That original!! You, as always posting things so great.
I like your blog.
Kisses from Spain
My question would be…. is it “allowed” to sell your wares online AND in local shops?
Approved
i've been mulling this one over, and i'd like to ask about ways to operate 'outside of the box'. is there a way to craft a business without a niche? i posted about this on my site too, if anyone has preliminary ideas. i'd love to hear them! thank you!
When is it a good time to hire help and what's the best way to do it?
What things other than money can we use to barter for services from freelancer?
Money is so scarce in a lot of indie businesses. Where's the best place to spend a buck and see an impact on your business (or a return on the investment?)
What are the best mainstream tools or philosophies for indie business owners?
I'm looking forward to this. The only question I have may be moot. But basically, I'm wondering what the likelihood of maintaining sales when you only sell one of a kind items. If people see something you've made and really only want that one thing–but it's gone–how likely are they to come back? Maybe that's not even an issue! I see a lot of people selling mostly one of a kind items, so it may not be a consideration. I'm a one of a kind kind of maker!
Oh my goodness!! I purchased this book a week ago and I have barely been able to put it down. Gosh, this book would have been gold to me 5 or 6 years ago, when I was first starting out selling jewelry on the internet. What has taken me years to learn on my own, is crammed into a 210 page book!!! And for less than $15 ~ how can you go wrong! Anybody that's a “stuff maker” [whether you sell your goods on the internet yet, or not] can benefit from having this book. It's very well written, educational and fun to read. Plus, It's helped me find lots of new things I didn't know existed ~ like this website! Which is Awesome!!
I'm looking forward to this. The only question I have may be moot. But basically, I'm wondering what the likelihood of maintaining sales when you only sell one of a kind items. If people see something you've made and really only want that one thing–but it's gone–how likely are they to come back? Maybe that's not even an issue! I see a lot of people selling mostly one of a kind items, so it may not be a consideration. I'm a one of a kind kind of maker!
Oh my goodness!! I purchased this book a week ago and I have barely been able to put it down. Gosh, this book would have been gold to me 5 or 6 years ago, when I was first starting out selling jewelry on the internet. What has taken me years to learn on my own, is crammed into a 210 page book!!! And for less than $15 ~ how can you go wrong! Anybody that's a “stuff maker” [whether you sell your goods on the internet yet, or not] can benefit from having this book. It's very well written, educational and fun to read. Plus, It's helped me find lots of new things I didn't know existed ~ like this website! Which is Awesome!!
I'm currently reading Kari's book (that's how I came across your podcast Diane!!) and I'm loving it. I'm just getting started in my own crafting business and don't make any one specific thing at the moment. I've learned how to make a lot of things through online tutorials on different blogs–what I'd like to know is when do you need to worry about copyright infringement–can I make things from tutorials as long as I put my own spin on it/make my own patterns to use? Where do you need to draw the line for the origins of your ideas?