Selling Your Work To The Right Person in The Right Place

All of us a crafters would like to know how to sell more of our stuff. We all try hard selling online on etsy, our websites, on facebook and through markets and shops. Recently I've come across a few opportunities that has opened my eyes when it comes to selling my work. I have a wide range of products that I sell at a weekly market, The Milk Market in Limerick City. Even though it has a great footfall and I've tried really hard trying to brand and display my work properly, sometimes I worry that the right type of person isn't seeing my products. For example I might have a cool geeky badge, but because it looks like a girly craft stall a male hipster is not going to stop at my stall. So I lose a sale.

I started thinking more about what type of person would buy each of my items, and then trying to think about where that person shops. I wanted to bring my work directly to the right person, place it under their nose, rather then wait for them to come to me. Here are a few examples of the products that I'm now selling in a different way.

I make an alphabet magnet set for children, they are all my own illustrations, and obviously all handmade. So the kind of person I'm aiming at is probably someone looking to give this as a gift. At a €20 price tag it's not something you pick up on a whim. Also because of the price I'm not aiming towards the Pennys cheap and cheerful buyer. My friend Claire runs Ecobrats an eco friendly business that caters towards a mother and baby's needs. The type of people who buy from her are willing to pay a little bit more for a higher quality product, her customers think about the materials used, and the work that goes into making something. Exactly the type of person who will pay a few quid extra for handmade. On top of the obvious fact that if they are at a baby stall they will be more open to buying baby products. We work together at the market and she kindly suggested to me that she could sell some of my sets, and within an hour she sold a box. Also over the next couple of weeks I will be making christening and new baby cards for her to sell at the stall. She gets a lot of people asking for them. It's better to have them there, rather than if she sent them to my stall they might get distracted by something and forget to come over to me.

About a year ago I invested in a badge maker to make my own pocket mirrors as I was frustrated with ordering them from the US. In the past year it's really helped to expand my business. One thing that I've been really pushing lately is hen party orders. If someone would have said to me this time last year that hen parties would become my bread and butter I never would have believed them. Part of what has helped spread the word was contacting bridal and hen party websites and facebook pages directly. Rather that hoping that prospective brides would find me I went out and hunted them down myself. It was free and very easy, I just sent off a bunch of emails. If websites got back to me and asked me to pay a fee for advertising I politely declined; there are plenty of bridal blogs looking for things to write about that will do it for free instead.

There is a a vinyl stall at the market I sell at. I approached the stallholder a few weeks ago to see if he would mind me putting a board of rock and pop badges at his stall. We go 50/50 on the sales so both of us are happy. Since putting out this board a record shop has approached me about doing a similar deal with them. It was simple idea that grew legs under it-music people go to record stalls, music people love badges-simple! (Note: I know I'm breaking copywrite laws with these, but I figure Bono won't mind about a little stall in Limerick making a few quid, I won't be selling them online, and won't stock anywhere else with them).

 Facebook is an amazing marketing tool. It was Pride week in Limerick last week, I was very disorganised and only made up a batch of Pride designs the day before the parade. But I snapped a few pictures, uploaded them to facebook, and then sent a link of the album directly to the organisers of Limerick Pride, LGBT, and a few others. I had quite a few customer who came to my stall the next day to specifically buy them. After I finished work I pinned all my badges to my canvas bag, walked down to the after party and sold them to people on the street. I figured I'd make a few extra quid on my walk home! Again I went directly to the person who I knew would buy my stuff, rather than wait for them to stumble upon me.

Try to think about what you make, who would buy it, where that person normally shops, and how to get your products into that place. It's all about the right context. Has anyone else had experience with this kind of thing? I love to hear your feedback..

How to Get Featured in Treasuries

Lately, there's been a fantastic buzz about treasuries in the team. They're a great (free) way to promote each other, especially if shared on Twitter, Facebook and blogs. Featuring in a well thought-out collection can get you on the front page of Etsy, which leads to hundreds of views and therefore, potential sales. Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here, pondering what you can do to increase your chances of getting into treasuries more often. I sought some insight from a few experienced curators.

Lampwork Bracelet by FioreJewellery

Creating a treasury is an art form in itself. I asked Fiore of Fiore Jewellery what she looks for when choosing items for her stunning collections. 'When curating a treasury I usually start with a colour, a colour combination or a theme.' she says.

'Lemonade'

' I then look for sharp photos that fit the theme, with plain, uncluttered background - white often works very well. I often look for photos with an interesting angle, or a closeup.'

I agree whole heartedly, sharp, uncluttered photos do have a better chance. Having said that, occasionally I'm surprised (and embarassed) to see my worst, darkest and dullest photos getting into treasuries. I suspect that sometimes a few um, let's say 'atmospheric' rather than 'dull', photos get chosen to contrast with sharper, brighter pics and make them stand out. My photo is in it for the wrong reasons but 'who cares?' I cry 'I'm in it!'

That's all very well, but the offending items remain, unsold, in my shop so it's time to reshoot a few. If you need help with the all-important photos, this post by Ruth of Nicedaydesigns may be of use.

Bridal Hairpins by Lilabelle Design

Margo of Lilabelle Design is another prolific treasury curator. 'I enjoy creating treasuries but also browsing through them. The ones with a theme/story always catch my eye. A theme can be built up with items from one category e.g birds, love, spring weddings or by using color.Check out The Painted Rabbit blog where "Treasuries take individual items and turn them into beautiful, moving, and even emotional collages. " I was delighted to have my "Enchanted Feeling" treasury featured here.'

'Hand in hand with theme comes trends. What is currently in vogue? Ideas can come from anywhere; bus stop posters, magazines, things people say. I recently did one with ballet as theme and the film, Black Swan" was the trend, see "Raising the barre" .'

Ballet Shoes Art Print by Tanya Bond

To keep ahead of trends, Etsy's Merchandising Desk is the place to go. I usually try to list a few seasonal pieces or 'hot trend' items each month. However, tweaking how you present and describe items already sitting in your shop can be just as effective.

Once you have your 'hot' items, tagging well will help you get found, not only by buyers but by treasury curators on the hunt for suitable items. Use all 14 tags and include terms to describe the item, the colours and when appropriate, to tie in with current trends and themes.

Garden Markers / Tags by Karoart

Using your team tag 'craftyirelandteam' on all your items increases the chances of you getting into a team treasury.

I've noticed that since I finally started making treasuries a few months ago, I get featured in them more and more. So it seems a big key to getting into treasuries, is to make treasuries.

Beaded Flower Earrings by Balanced

Rachel of Balanced curates a staggering number of gorgeous treasuries every month. She also gets featured regularly and is no stranger to that holy grail, the front page. 'I believe I've had the best luck with reciprocal treasuries.' she comments. 'Sometimes I like to make one, specifically as a show of gratitude, by including all the shops who have featured me recently.

I've also recently joined a treasury team, so we are always promoting each other as well as other favorites. I highly recommend joining a treasury team (or any team, and do use your team tag!) if you enjoy making them. The more you make, the more shops you feature, the better your chances of you being featured in turn.'

Thank You Card by Lucky Rainbow Designs

This goodwill is probably true of all networking within the site. Etsy is a community. Getting involved by participating on the discussion forums, making or commenting on treasuries, or whichever way you choose, can come back to you threefold. I find there's a lot of kindness on the site and within the Crafty Ireland Team, where crafters are always willing to help each other out and repay the complement.