The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line
Turn your craft into a successful business! Even the most expert crafters may find it challenging to market and sell their wares, but with Kari Chapin you have an experienced guide at your side. Learn to determine your cost of goods, set prices, identify the competition, and understand the ins and outs of wholesale and retail sales. Explore the various sales venues available, including independent craft fairs, Web sites such as Etsy, and traditional stores, and learn to maximize your...
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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. founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidere Jenny Hart It's remarkable to read so much of the information I spent years divining from trial and error between two covers! The Handmade Marketplace isn't just a guide for navigating a very unique and burgeoning market, it's a fascinating record of how so many people in the DIY movement have collectively contributed ideas about running independent businesses with cornerstones of honesty, ethics and above all: personal creativity.
IntroductionMy Creative CollectivePart 1 Getting to Know Yourself and Your BusinessChapter 1: Setting the Scene for Success Setting Goals, Build a Nurturing Space, Getting Unstuck, Translating an Idea into a RealityChapter 2: Branding Your Business Who Are Your Customers?, What's Your Message and Look?, What's in a Name?, Develop a LogoChapter 3: Establishing Basic Business Practices What Kind of Business Are You?, The Next Steps, Collecting Money, Pricing Your Work, Hiring HelpPart 2 Spreading the Word -- and ImagesChapter 4: Marketing Basics Marketing Defined, Essential Marketing Materials, Photographs are KeyChapter 5: Your Craft Community Making Connections, Online Communities, Community SwapsChapter 6: Blogging Blogs and Websites Defined, Basic Setup, Writing a Successful Blog, Give and Take, What Makes a Blog Successful, Create an Online NewsletterChapter 7: Advertising and Publicity Advertising Online, Be Your Own Best Ad Agency, Attracting Media Attention, Approaching Print Media, Putting Together a Press Kit, Writing Press ReleasesChapter 8: More Online Marketing Networks Podcasting, Social Media Part 3 Getting Down to SellingChapter 9: The Craft Fair Scene 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 FairChapter 10: Selling in Online Stores Evaluating Marketplaces, Setting Up Your Online Shop, Customer Service, Answering Customer Questions and CommentsChapter 11: Selling In Brick-and-Mortor Stores Getting Your Foot in the Door, Persuasive Leave-Behind Materials, Meeting with the Store/Owner Manager, Selling on ConsignmentChapter 12: Get Creative: Other Selling Options and Opportunities Join a Co-Op, Teach a Course, Hold Trunk Shows, Host House Parties, Offer Kits and PatternsParting Advice Resources Craft Show Supplies Checklist Index
\ designer and author of Sewing Green Betz White“D.I.Y? Why not?! The Handmade Marketplace gives you all the answers to the D-I-Whys, Whats and Hows of being a crafty-preneur in one handy, great and very informative guide!”\ \ \ \ \ Amy Butler Design Amy ButlerKari has thoughtfully created the very best guide book for navigating the craft marketplace. Her personal voice, guided by personal experience is evident throughout the book. You'll feel encouraged, inspired and informed..... totally confident to jump start your own craft business!\ \ \ BookPage"For folks who create unique things with a view to getting paid, this book should prove quite useful...for makers at any stage, from just-thinking-about-it to ready-to-quit-my-day-job."\ \ \ \ \ \ founder of Sublime Stitching and author Embroidere Jenny HartIt's remarkable to read so much of the information I spent years divining from trial and error between two covers! The Handmade Marketplace isn't just a guide for navigating a very unique and burgeoning market, it's a fascinating record of how so many people in the DIY movement have collectively contributed ideas about running independent businesses with cornerstones of honesty, ethics and above all: personal creativity.\ \ \ \ \ Director and author of Handmade Nation Faythe LevinThe Handmade Market Place is a fantastic resource full of useful tips and guidelines from top D.I.Y. insiders. Their testimonials along with Kari Chapin's easy to follow outline and the fabulous design work of Emily Martin (aka the black apple) makes this book a must have for any makers library.\ \
