Mixing Business & Art

I’d have to say that every single one of my friends is creative. In some way, shape, or form I see their creativity and I love it. I’m not suggesting that everyone should use their creativity for profit but if you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, a way to pay for a family vacation, a way to get rid of the crafts you love making then you should try to sell your creations. I personally think Etsy is an amazing place to sell all things handmade. Or there are local craft shows that are less intensive. At the point that you begin to sell, you have to turn on the business-mindedness. You don’t have to turn off the creativity, in fact use your creativity to think of innovative marketing techniques, but you have to think like a business person to deal with the business end of things.

There are so many parts of a business to consider that it can give some artists a headache, but if you plan it out (business plan) it won’t be overwhelming and can even be fun. I have a lot to learn, and things to try, but here is a general list of things to do to get selling:

1. create a business plan (extensive or simple and decide on a company name)
2. determine your means for selling (online, word of mouth, shows, consignment)
3. create a marketing plan (branding, packaging, advertising budget)
4. set-up various accounts for doing business (PayPal, Etsy account, business band account)
5. gather resources for supplies and tools (packaging, shipping, presentation, suppliers)
6. plan time to create your creations
7. write out your policies and warranties, and determine how to communicate this information

And maybe before you dive into any of these general steps, you should gather feedback from friends, family, and strangers for unbiased opinions. This feedback can help you determine retail price, popular styles, your target audience, and the best place to sell your creations. If people don’t need your craft, determine what the demand is for these “want” items you’re creating. Do you have the type of creation that people only want one of, or like soap they’ll continue to want more of your amazing soap because they need soap anyway? Think about your craft from a customer stand point. Can your craft be converted into seasonal themes, or do you have an interest in crafting items around holidays or the seasons? Ask other craft sellers for advice or look up information in Etsy Forums to gain knowledge from their first-hand experience. And finally, don’t copy another artist’s design. It’s one thing to gain inspiration, and it’s another to be a copy cat. There are probably no original ideas but you can make your interpretation original and distinct. How would you feel if you put a lot of time, energy, and investment into your craft just to have someone copy it (and worse, sell it for less and sell more)? My guess is that you don’t need to copy anyway~ Good luck, and believe in yourself.