There are a million different ways to go about promoting your handmade business and just as many schools of thought on what will be the "key to success". When it comes right down to it each and every business is different and so you will have to find what works best for you, your product and target market, and your time.
When I first began promoting the supplies shop I run with my mom and Bijoux Designs For You (which my mom has taken over), I signed up for anything and everything that I thought would give us some recognition. I quickly learned that meant WAY TOO MUCH TIME on the computer and that certain aspects of networking I didn't enjoy at all. Through trial and error here are some of my favourites:
*Twitter- share your thoughts in just 140 characters. Quick and to the point I ♥ twittering. You can tweet with me here.
*Blogging- Not for everyone, especially if you don't enjoy writing. I instantly fell in love with blogging and have enjoyed learning about how to build, design and grow your blog. For me personally it is another way to focus creative energy, just in a different format!
Join a team/guild- I have met many great people and learned and shared with them through joining teams/guilds on both Etsy and Artfire. Teams help to promote each others work and share ideas. If you make jewelry and sell on Artfire be sure to check out the AJDJSS guild and if you are a mom then you will definately want to check out the Busy Moms Team on Etsy.
These are just a couple of ways to begin to promote and grow your handmade business. What are some of your fav's? Anything you have tried that you didn't care for?
You're right, there are so many options for promoting it's difficult to choose what is going to work for you and which you want to spend time on. This year I am trying my hand at the blogging route, we'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteI gave up twitter.. Its now on auto-submission mode. I spent way too much time there, and no direct sales results from it was seen..
ReplyDeleteHi! I love your shop, and was hoping to contact you with an email but can't seem to find your email info, so instead I'll post a little comment.
ReplyDeleteI’m contacting you because I am hoping to find people who are interested in either being a sponsor/advertiser on my blog, starting in August. I really love your crafty items and think that my readers would be very receptive to your shop, which is why I'm getting in touch.
If you might be interested and want more info, please stop by my blog (http://o-my-darling.blogspot.com) to check it out, and/or email me at omydarlingblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for your time!