AboutShasta McLaughlin Expertise I can answer many questions about the art and craft show industry. I can help with booth setup, advertising and marketing, increasing sales at shows, where to find shows, how to promote an art or craft show, and much more.
Experience I have always been an artist/craft person since I was a child selling crafts at shows with my mom. I have also promoted several craft shows, and publish a newsletter for artists and crafters.
Publications EzineArticles.com
Education/Credentials Salutatorian of my graduating class. Associates degree of Graphic Design.
Question Hey, I was wondering...
I'm 13 and looking to make some pocket money.
DO you think if I made a free site and made yarn blankets I would make some OK money? I make a small foot by foot one In 5th grade.
I would do some practice and offer them to choose a pattern and color.
So do you think It would work?
What do you suggest?
Thanks Alex
Answer Alex,
First of all I suggest you have your parents look over this answer. Discuss with them the ideas presented here and have them help you with some "market research" which I will define a little better below.
I think that every product has the potential to make money when the correct price is charged and it is marketed and sold correctly. You have a unique angle in that people like to do things to help kids.
There are many things to consider when starting any business.
1. Is there a market for the product I want to sell?
-In other words are there enough people looking to buy the product I want to sell.
2. What price can I charge for this product compared to my costs and time to make it.
-Will people pay enough for this product to make it worth my time to make it and cover my expenses? How much do I want to make per hour?
4. Who buys this product and where do they buy it?
-I want to know who I'm selling to and go where they would buy my product at my price.
5. How do I get people to buy from me?
-Create a whole marketing plan to make sales. Don't just rely on one website or one craft show, farmers' market etc. to make enough sales. I use my web site, blog, Twitter, facebook, MySpace, Linked in, Fast Pitch Networking, mailings, attending craft shows, farmers' markets, festivals, and more to market my product. There are also business cards, fliers, brochures, and other business materials. Be sure and mention other places your customers can find you on each of your marketing channels. For instance your website should mention the craft shows and farmers' markets where customers can find your product. Your business card should mention your website and blog. Your blog should mention Twitter, MySpace, etc.
The idea is to help your customers find your product as many ways as possible and for each marketing vehicle to help build a relationship with your customers.
Then you still have to know the things that get people to buy. Be sure and know the difference between the features of your product and the benefits your customers will receive for instance your product might be 12 inches x 12 inches and made from yarn. The benefits to the customer would be the softness and warmth the blanket will provide. The customer is always interested in the benefits more than the features.
I would suggest making up several and taking them to farmers' markets. The reason I suggest farmers' markets is because they are inexpensive to get a table and the price of the products there is usually not very high. Depending on the size you make up and the quality of your work I would just guess that your price would be somewhere between $15-50 for these (this is just a guess not based on any research which should be done first). The thing is to find a place that is not too expensive to try selling it. This is called market research in the business world. Market research consists of many things depending on the goals of your business but includes finding out the exact price for your product that people will pay, who buys your product, where they shop for products like yours etc.
I hear that artfire has a free version of their shop where you could upload pictures of your product and sell them. They might be another great place to do some market research. Something to consider selling on the Internet is charging and paying state taxes to sell across state lines, as well as charging enough shipping to cover those costs so you don't lose money that way.
Carefully listen to your customers and remember that their criticisms are to help make your business better not to hurt you. Write down the good things people say about your business and ask their permission to use them as testimonials in your marketing. Write down the bad things people say about your product and consider if changing them will make your business more profitable (sometimes they will and sometimes they won't).
Feel free to contact me with any other questions that you have. I will do my best to help you find the answers.
