…but I’m going to say it anyway.
Chances are, you became a crafter because you love making stuff. (I know I did.) By now, you’ve probably worked out what you like making the most. And if you’re here, reading this, I’m going to assume that you like making that stuff so much that you’re trying to make (at least part of) a living by selling the stuff you like to make.
Let me make it really clear - Making stuff you like is awesome. That’s why we craft – because we have a passion for it.
But here’s the bit you may not like – just because you love making it does not mean there are people who want to buy it.
There, I said it. *ducks*
The craft community is a warm and fuzzy place – that is part of what makes it so freaking awesome. We love to support each other, help each other, and share with each other.
We’re not so good at telling people the truth when we think it might hurt their feelings. I have been in the uncomfortable position of having to say no to featuring certain products – it’s a place you find yourself in when you run something like my craft blog, or a magazine. It sucks. It’s really, really hard. I hate doing it. But it’s part of the job I’ve made for myself. (And why is it so hard? Because I know there is a person there, on the other end of the e-mail, who is just like me. Who wants to make their dream happen – and I really, really dig helping people make their dreams happen.)
But back to my point. When you start making for profit rather than for pleasure, your perspective needs to shift. You need to stop thinking about you, and what you enjoy – and you need to start thinking about your customers.
You need to find that sweet spot that melds what you love to do with what people want to buy.
If you’re doing all the right promotional ‘stuff’ but your work is not selling, I want to encourage you to really have a long, hard, cold look at your products from an outsider’s perspective. I would advise you not to ask the opinions of friends or family, because – let’s be honest – they love you, and they will find it mucho hard to tell you the truth if they think there’s any sort of negative there.
Or, on the other hand, they may not understand what you do at all, nor that there is a possible market out there for your work in this burgeoning handmade movement. In short, they’re not objective – they have a vested interest in you one way or the other.
This whole crafting-as-a-business caper is hard – and it’s a never-ending process of growth and discovery. I’d like to encourage you to have a peek at one of the very first things I sold in my Etsy shop. Yep, pretty ordinary, hey? (And check out the totally heinous flash photos!!! Eww… talk about what NOT to do!)
I believe my product has come a heck of a long way since then. I’ve worked on my designs, my brand, my focus, my photos, my descriptions, my packaging… and I have no doubt that I will continue to work on all of those things in an effort to become more successful in my business.
Is my work/product perfect? No. Is my business model perfect? Hell no. But I believe I’m going in the right direction.
(And, just so you know, I don’t believe there’s any such thing as ‘perfect’. There’s ‘good enough’ and ‘awesome’ and ‘unique’ and ‘beautiful’ and ‘squeee’ – but no ‘perfect’.)
Is there some aspect of your product that you need to change? Are you doing/making the same thing as a million other people? Is there a market you could be tapping into, but aren’t? Heck – maybe the problem isn’t your product, but your photos of it – when you’re selling online, that’s the magic key to the door.
Go to it, people – examine, grow, adapt, take risks, and be awesome.
I would also add that not every product does great online – some will sell better in person at markets, in shops or at festivals. It’s something to consider. After all, you need to put your product where your target market is going to see it (and want it, and buy it), so if your customers aren’t big internet users, how else can you reach them?
Great point Jess! I’m a bit blinkered by my own experience on this one (I’m focussed online, and I believe my target market shops online) so great to hear your perspective on this, thanks 🙂
Good thoughts. I get lots of people telling me in-person that they love my stuff, but minimal online sales. I probably need to reconsider how I’m doing business and what I put up for sale.
I thought this was going to be controversial??
I personally think there are a lot of sellers/crafters and artists that are trying to market their work to EVERYONE, it is not going to get anyone anywhere doing that, you need to find your niche, do that before you go looking at your work and attempting to change it in an attempt to sell more.
Actually I personally think that wanting to change your work to suit current buyers is a huge mistake, you should do what you do for the pleasure of it, not be motivated by money.
But that is really just my thoughts, if i were in it for money i would be throwing paint against a canvas and calling it abstract. Not painting faeries.
I am not about to change.
I would like to think people like my art for what it is and not for what i am trying to make it.
Melody, if it’s selling irl, but not online, perhaps it is just photos or presentation that could be worked on?
Linz, I totally agree that finding a niche is imperative. And I also agree that we’re in this business because it’s something we enjoy. But for me, it is my business, and I always need to keep my customer’s desires in mind, because I am doing it for the money as much as the love of it 🙂
I have found that unless I literly get my bar soap products in someone’s face where they can smell them, I will not make many sales to new customers. I am lucky that I get repeat sales and referals but few new cold customers unless I am pushing (make that marketing) the soaps. Concerning the original blog, I always keep tabs on which scents sell well and which ones don’t. The ones that don’t sell are history and I try new fragrances. As you pointed out it is a never ending process.
Fred, I agree, there are definitely things that sell better in person. Nothing about a photo can capture the delicious scent of handmade soap – though you can try hard to describe it. Personally, I love the stuff, I’m a total handmade soap convert 😀
I find often my work needs to be examined close up and handled – even though they are canvasses – the nature of the work that I do – the tiny surprises I stick into my work begs to get close and discover for yourself. Because of this even if the pictures I take are ok – irl my art sells better – how would you combat this??
Debbie, can you take photos of those ‘little details’? For example, don’t just take a picture of the whole piece, but do a few real close-ups to intrigue people, and give them more of a taste of what the actual piece is like.
I know this is not a super new post of yours, but i am going through an identity crisis with my jewellery and feel that my things are not individual enough. i am still a beginner and have managed to sell quite a few pairs of xmas themed earrings on ebay before xmas. this is where your inspiring words come in. you have really got me reasessing my work. i am now seriously interested in learning and practicing wire work and really only want to work in sterling coz there are so many base metal pieces out there.i need for others to tell me honestly how good/bad my jewellery is.i am still a little embarassed for others to see my stuff and my first and only craft market was rained out so that was of little help.so i am now determined to experiment with some cheap wire. can you recommend the essential tool kit for s/s wire and bead working? my tools are all cheap and very nasty. thank you for your many inspiring words.
Someone bumped this post on the Etsy forums this morning and I had to commend you for having the guts to say this out loud! 🙂
I’m not sure why some of the readers (on Etsy) took your thoughts to mean that we should go out and randomly tell people their stuff ‘sucks’ – not what you said at all. But it sure seems that even when someone asks “why am I not selling??” we’re not supposed to even bring up the possibility of reevaluating their products.
Ah well, all one can do is toss out ideas and it’s up to others to take them to heart (or not). Thanks for the post!!
I read this first in the Etsy forums and your post was a breath of fresh air because it is honest and brave. There are few of us who do not need a wake up call. Thank you for your post!
Leoni – sorry I haven’t responded sooner – you might find this video I did useful – http://epherielldesigns.com/simply-silversmithing-video-tools-equipment-and-chemicals
Pam, Catherine, thank you for the positive feedback. And, indeed, understanding that I did not intend to encourage people ‘putting down’ other people’s work.