Marketing a cottage industry in the electronic age

[afterall.designs]

I noticed there had been no posts in this forum for over 60 days, so I thought I'd try to start a thread.
Last year was my first year in business as a fabric artisan and handcrafter...I did farmer's markets and craft shows. When those finished in the fall I opened an internet shop on etsy, and since then have entered a "Brave New World" trying to promote it.
What kind of businesses do people have, what has worked and not worked for promotion/networking, what other group affiliations do you benefit from?

[WannaBHomemaker]

Well I am not very experienced myself, but I am a photographer and have had a website for the last 5 years with my portfolio and price lists and sold nothing except to family members! I've also had my framed photography in the lobby at my work for about 2 years and had several people talk about "coming back to buy that" but never do, of course. Now my MIL has a gift shop and I have framed and matted photos for sale there and still a lot of compliments, but no buyers. For about 2-3 months I shared a booth in the local craft mall, but only sold a few things (not near enough to pay my half the rent). I've also tried selling on ebay, that didn't bring results either. I'd never heard of etsy until I joined this forum, but now I'm thinking of trying it out for awhile.

So I guess I don't have any tips either. How do the trade shows work out for you? I think if I had the time and $ to do those shows that I'd really have fun with it. My aunt buys old wooden chairs and odds/ends and paints them very detailed and she is so great at it, but she didn't ever have much luck selling at the trade shows.

[greenoak]

i think every venture out...to a show, a mall, trying esty...what ever...each one opens up new ideas and opportunities for you...
starting out you just need to figure out the customers....and if you get something they will pay for go in that direction...... if something doesnt work then you have to rethink your plot.....

im on a business forum with lots of stores and other kinds of sellers... ....and the way is soooooooo varied!!! thats country business retailer forum....
im in brick and mortar....and get to actually meet my customers...
one more thought....imho....the public is ready for made in america but also most of them are on budgets....so if you have something reasonable that they like you should be on your way....

i wish there were a bunch of cottage businesses on here!!!!! the forum im on is mainly primitive....but it has great members and great business discussions ....they just arent into cottage ...


whats brave new world?

good luck..
ann
www.greenoakshoptalk.blogspot.com
www.magpiecottaage.blogspot.com
www.greenoakantiques.com

[afterall.designs]

I swear, etsy is taking years from my life! I'm trying to follow all of the suggestion both inside and outside the site, but I end up spending my days at the computer and not crafting, with sales only to friends and family to show for it. There is so much on etsy right now, I think my two baby blankets are 2 of 5,000. I'm seriously thinking of ebay or building my own site.
But today was bright and warm and clear, and most of the ice melted from our country lane, though not the driveway which remains a cross between a waterslide and a skating pond. Robins have been sited, the light has changed, and the mail is bringing me applications for farmer's markets and craft shows - how wonderful to have warm blooded buyers in front of me again.
I need to reduce some of my existing inventory because I have a lot of ideas and fabric waiting for spring...I have a "secret sale" promotion going on in my etsy shop, but one has to visit my blog first at http://afteralldesigns.blogspot.com to get the details!
Susan

[gigiG]

This is a good post for any business owner.

I am a small biz owner. I feel my website is more like a catalog for people to visit. My sales are up & down---lots of soapmakers out there. I do a little wholesale, but find I don't really make much money from this venture.

I have a website, several blogs & an etsy shop too. Etsy is strange because some shops sell thousands of items, and most don't sell a thing (like me!)... but it's very inexpensive, so I don't mind listing on Estsy.

I do my own website, writing, photos, etc... which take lots and lots of time---but I enjoy this part of the business.

Networking around the web is fun & meeting people with the same interest is a blessing. This board here is really one of a kind.

The people here are warm, fun, funny, friendly & have such wonderful ideas!

[afterall.designs]

Thanks for the post, Gigi.

I've joined a couple of sites recently that are mainly for artisans that I'm finding very helpful. www.indiepublic.com (http://www.indiepublic.com) also has forums for retailers and wholesalers. www.skwigglekreationz.com (http://www.skwigglekreationz.com) is very new and very small but very active...it is geared toward artisans but I'm sure would also welcome retailers.
There was a good post in a forum a few weeks back on etsy about the steps a person who has a blog should take to get it picked up by blog search engines, etc. Some of it would also apply to websites, I'm sure. I've only worked my way through part of the list, but adding a site meter - www.sitemeter.com (http://www.sitemeter.com) was very easy and has been a lot of fun (I've been able to see when my daughter who is at UCSF has logged on!). If anyone is interested in this post I'll go back and get the link and post it in this forum.
Are there other good communities out there for people selling crafts, vintage, etc? It would be good to share...

Susan

[gigiG]

Susan- Just in case you didn't receive my email...I am interested in the French Soap pillow...can you tell I really want it! I plan to put it in my bedroom--it will be a perfect addition! Do I just go to Etsy and make the purchase? Please advise.:D

[dedavis]

Susan, thanks for starting this thread. I too struggle with the marketing. I would much rather be making things. I am not as active on etsy as I "should" be. I "should" spend a lot more time adding new things and rearranging, and figuring out links. I think digital is the way to go for me. My day job is very demanding in the summer, and I am just not going to get to the farmer's markets. My website is ready to go, except for finding a webhost and getting it up. I'll link that to my etsy shop. I'm still thinking about a blog. Found one where the woman posted a new small watercolor every day for 3 months, and sold them matted for $80. Intriguing idea. I should be able to market locally, but I have to find the right place and the right kind of products. Thank goodness for loyal friends and family! I have an open studio most years at Christmas, and always do well.

I am working with a friend who is in training to be a coach. She knows other people who coach artists and solo entrepreneurs, so there are resources to be found. Unfortunately, most of it is not free. But my friend is pushing me and supporting me as I figure out how to make more of my living from creative work.

Seems to me like we all just have to find our niche in the marketplace. Pricing is really difficult for a lot of us, and there are a lot of lookers who don't buy. I think things are uncertain right now for a lot of people, so they aren't buying. But there is an appeal of "handmade", and I think that's going to be around for awhile.

[afterall.designs]

GigiG
Thanks for your order. Your pillow should go out tomorrow.

There are some great French and vintage soap ads out there which might be fun to frame for your bathroom. Also, if you like the fabric of this pillow, I have just a little left, maybe enough for one pillow, but love searching for out of print fabrics and maybe could find it again if there was something else you needed.

OK, time to forget the computer and go to sleep!
Susan

[gigiG]

Oh-la-la- I'm looking forward to my pillow arriving! I sew myself, but it's an extra treat when I purchase something sewn from someone else. It's kinda of like when someone else cooks for you! :)

[afterall.designs]

How true that is!
As I sometimes tell people, I actually don't love sewing. But I LOVE fabric, and given I can't just buy fabric and put it on a shelf and admire it, sewing is the reasonable answer. I also prefer sewing things for other people than for myself for some reason. I thrills me that this pillow will be in your home!
Susan

[CarolinaCottage]

Etsy is getting really BIG. You have to be constantly listing or renewing in order to keep your items at the top of categories. I've been selling since last July and really started selling after learning to list or relist and bought some banner ads on modish and poppytalk.
Be persistent, get out in the forums, make quality items, give great customer service and, hopefully, things will happen. It's picking up for me - been getting a fair amount of custom orders now.

[tori48]

I have a homebased business that I have made a good deal of money with in the past year. I do not have a website since I do trade shows, craft shows and school fundraisers.

Since I will be moving to Georgia I will be starting over but the town we are moving to is a walking community with an actual town square that has vendor days every so often. Also, I think that participating in the shows will give me the opportunity to meet new people. I am a very social person so I do better dealing with others face to face.

Tori

[ChapterTwo]

Hi Tori, and WELCOME!
It sounds like you have a good business, and your move shouldn't have too much impact, once you get re-established. If you don't mind me asking, what type of items do you sell?

While I don't have a website, there are quite a few people here who do and I'm sure they'll give their views.

I'm thinking that even though you prefer face-to-face encounters, it might be a helpful tool to have a website. Sometimes people may not think they want to purchase when they see your booth at a venue, but later on, decide they do want to. If you have cards to give out with your website on them, you can still make a sale after the vendor days are over.
It's just a thought, anyway.

[tori48]

I make soy candles that have a 60 hour burn time, no additives, and I buy back my jars to recycle. All my candles are a cream color and highly scented.

I do fill re-orders and deliver gift wrapped. I have a business card and a brocher with a list of my signature scents ( year round ) and I offer seasonal scents. Also, I give discounts to loyal customers.

My display is traditional and the fabric and colors that I use draw customers in, besides the scents, and I hand sew my own table cloths.

It is a fun business and I love my job.

Tori

[tori48]

Two area stores carry my candles and re-order about twice amonth. Also, I will be in NYC ( my favorite city in the world ) in about 3 weeks. My husband and I love to visit the Big Apple so we thought it was time to introduce our youngest daughter to the city that never sleeps.

Tori

[ChapterTwo]

It sounds like you have a very well planned out business, which is thriving - That's really great! There's no doubt that life is more enjoyable when you're doing work that you love. :)

[afterall.designs]

Have just gone back and re-read this thread and it has been very, for lack of a better word, comforting.
I haven't visited this or any board this week, or written on my blog, or worked on my etsy shop, my time has been focused dealing with Yahoo!, who somehow deleted my business email address last week. After about 3 days I was told the problem had been fixed, but the email address was then different by one character - in other words, it was a different address. Since then it has been one form letter in computer geek talk after another. It still hasn't been resolved, and I'm resigned that every email I've received in the past week is gone forever, a problem when I have work out being juried, etc.
But I think my biggest issue is acute cabin fever, something many others in Vermont are suffering from this year...we haven't had a winter like this in 25 or 30 years...early heavy snowfall, record snowfall in January, now a record for February, lowest temperature in history for this date last night, and another storm moving in tonight. I saw two flocks of robins yesterday, but I think they are being overly optimistic!
Please tell me it is spring somewhere!:( :eek:

[RoseMary]

Oh, Susan, what a nightmare you are dealing with in Yahoo! I had no idea that things like that even happened with them:( . I hope you can get it all resolved soon.

I hope that your spring speeds its way to you. As a southerner, I can't truly identify with your kind of cabin fever, but I've 'been there'. I know how hard it can be to deal with even for the short time the all of us down here deal with it. This year, our winter wasn't as bad and I haven't had so many 'down' days as I usually do in the winter.

Praying you are feeling better soon:) .

R~Mary

[cheapdiva]

Tori - you're a girl after my own heart! NYC is also our favorite city and we get there at least once a year with same couple.

Susan - yes, there is at least one other person here freezing to death and SICK of snow - ME!!!! Wisconsin winters are like Vermont (such a beautiful state - also like Wisconsin, when it isn't buried under snow) winters - TOO LONG;)

[afterall.designs]

Cheapdiva,
I have many fond memories of Wisconsin. I grew up on the North Shore of Chicago - my father's family were early settlers there - and we often vacationed in Wisconsin, particularly I remember the Dells. My brother graduated from UW Madison. I'd love to managed to vacation in some area of the Great Lakes in the next few years.
Yes, this winter is playing tricks with my mind...I was doing pretty well through the beginning of February, but that brought record snowfalls, and now we are in an intermittent icing period. I think on days where there is sun I need to start to force myself to get out for a while and get some exercise, I think that would help a lot.

[white o'morn cottage]

Hi, does adding a site meter help it get picked up by search engines? If so I would like to have the link to the post please. I have a website for eight months now and things are slow. People tell me I'm "Sandboxed" but my web designer says I'm not. I hope things pick up for you!... and all of us...Pam


Thanks for the post, Gigi.

I've joined a couple of sites recently that are mainly for artisans that I'm finding very helpful. www.indiepublic.com (http://www.indiepublic.com) also has forums for retailers and wholesalers. www.skwigglekreationz.com (http://www.skwigglekreationz.com) is very new and very small but very active...it is geared toward artisans but I'm sure would also welcome retailers.
There was a good post in a forum a few weeks back on etsy about the steps a person who has a blog should take to get it picked up by blog search engines, etc. Some of it would also apply to websites, I'm sure. I've only worked my way through part of the list, but adding a site meter - www.sitemeter.com (http://www.sitemeter.com) was very easy and has been a lot of fun (I've been able to see when my daughter who is at UCSF has logged on!). If anyone is interested in this post I'll go back and get the link and post it in this forum.
Are there other good communities out there for people selling crafts, vintage, etc? It would be good to share...

Susan

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Hi, Pam!

No, unfortunately adding a site meter doesn't help with search engines. Have you registered your site with Google and Yahoo? And have you uploaded a site map to Google (if you're on Blogspot it's your RSS feed)-- because that helps them know you're out there and what pages are available to index.

[afterall.designs]

White O'morn

Thrift Shop Romantic gave your the right info, the site meter only shows info on how many visits you are getting and where they are coming from. Registering with Google and Yahoo should help. What kind of business do you have? Some of the other suggestions I may have are pretty much particular to handcrafters, though some are not...also, I'd love to take a look at your site if you want to give the link....
Susan

[glassbeadtreasures]

I'm new on this forum...and am just starting out with my own little site on eCrater--only because they are free. Has anyone here utilized eCrater and/or been successful there? My husband has been very supportive of my glass bead business...but I've been put on a very small budget (which is very wise since I know I could spend just way too much money on glass beads!!) Thus, the need for a free website! They have a forum where sellers can post (to sort of sell themselves a bit) about their business once. Unfortunately I can't offer a whole lot of help regarding successes (haven't had any sales yet...then again I haven't been on there very long either). Anyway, this might be something for someone who is small and on a tight budget to start out in too. Hope this helps someone!
:)
P.S. Thanks to you all on this and other threads for the interesting and helpful info!
**************
http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com (http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com/)

[WannaBHomemaker]

glassbeadtreasures... I just looked at your site and I love your designs! If I had a little extra $, I would love to buy one. I've never seen anything done like that with beads - am I just behind the times or is this something new?

[glassbeadtreasures]

Thanks, WannaB, you are very kind and encouraging! These are original--a little bit like doing needlepoint (or petit point) using glass beads. And the lampshades?...well, after looking at lamps in magazines I thought how pretty it would be if lampshades had subtle sparkle to them. More of those to come in time! Again...thanks for looking!
:)
*******************
http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com (http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com/)

[afterall.designs]

Very, very pretty work! Good luck and keep us posted!

[glassbeadtreasures]

Why, thank you! I will keep you posted. Best of wishes to you in your business as well!

[greenoak]

i like sitemeter a lot too......
.. one thing new web businesses dont seem to talk about is the question,,,,,,,is anyone making any money? the answer to that is pretty important i would think...
..it gives you a bit to go on when deciding what to do with your business...
mostly i see a lot of nice people encouraging each other...
in the face to face world we kind of know a lot more about the money side of market , the good and the bad......like if we went to a big show and nobody came, or if half the stores in the next town closed we would know about it.......or just the talk among us....i rely on that kind of info when trying to figure out what to do.......we are positive too and encouraging...or try to be........

ann
www.magpiecottage.blogspot.com
...

[zuzus_garden]

As usual, I'm late to the party :o, but want to join in.

What kind of businesses do people have
I handcraft nature-inspired products. I plan to offer more drawings/paintings in the future.

what has worked and not worked for promotion/networking
Worked: Exchanging links with businesses you love and that you believe your customers will enjoy as well. Connecting and sharing honestly with other small business owners. Taking the time to write website copy that uses the keywords your customers will be entering in search engines to find your site. Including a site map on your website (for the searchbots). I'm not a blogger, but the 'Ideas' page that I write brings in a lot of website traffic (websites are indexed based on quality text - so blog or include articles on your site.)
Not Worked:
There are plenty of "poopy people" out there that will try to rain on your parade - don't let them! Associate with other positive business owners!


what other group affiliations do you benefit from?
I don't participate as often as I used to, but these sites have been very helpful to me:
Craft Revolution (http://www.craftrevolution.com/)
The Switchboards (http://www.theswitchboards.com/)
The Bliss Guild (http://www.blissguild.com/)
and of course,
Cottage Living (http://community.cottageliving.com/) (this is the first forum I ever joined)
I also really enjoy Elizabeth Maxon's blogs:
The Adventures of Elizabeth (http://www.elizabethhousestlouis.blogspot.c om/)
Elizabeth House Shop Talk (http://formattingtest.blogspot.com/)

I think I take an entirely different approach to my little business. I make what I love, upload it to my website, and then don't spend time worrying about it. Three Woodland Fairy keepsake boxes sold this week. I popped them in the mail, and am now thinking about what to make next. My plan has always been to start out with a hobby-biz and then s l o w l y grow it into a larger business.

My best advice is to do what you love, trust your instincts, research and share!

Zuzu

[glassbeadtreasures]

Thanks for sharing, Zuzu. What a soothing site you have, not to mention lovely things.

~glassbeads

http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com (http://www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com/)