Expert: Candy Keane - 4/2/2010

Question
I would like to market my scrollsaw fretwork online. I'm really not very friendly with all that compute stuff, I get lost real easy on computer stuff. So where do I go, or what is the best for me to market my work?

Answer
Hi,
I'm not completely sure of the question here- did you want to know where to market online without getting to bogged down by technical computer stuff? If I have misunderstood, please let me know.

For getting your work online, I would suggest a portfolio style website that includes a shopping cart so you can both show off your work and give people the chance to purchase it. There are people that will design and set up the entire thing for you. I've had good luck with www.Prostores.com. Their customer service is pretty good at explaining things.

And to compliment a personal website, selling on eBay is a great tool for marketing. I would suggest starting there even if you don't go with your own site. It will take some learning, but it will pay off. The more you learn about it, the better your results will be. Get one of the many "get started on eBay" books and follow it step by step.

If you were looking to avoid the computer, then your best options in marketing would be craft fairs and events. Also you can visit local shops and resaurants and ask them if they would display your work and they can take a commission when it sells. If you do that, make sure you visit places that would compliment the style of your art and also bring a portfolio so they can look through examples.

Last marketing tip- always carry business cards. You can get 250 free at www.vistaprint.com and they are pretty easy to set up.

Thanks & Good luck,
Candy