Comments on: Ways to Market Yourself & Your Craft (on the cheap).

By: CraftBoom’s! Most popular posts of all time (well, the last 8 months anyway) | CraftBoom!

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:48:10 +0000

[...] Ways to market yourself & your craft (on the cheap) [...]

By: 7 (achievable) New Year Resoloutions to make 2008 the start of something Craftacular! | CraftBoom!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:59:52 +0000

[...] If you haven’t already get yourself blog – initially (for most blog providers) this won’t cost you anything but a couple of hours of fiddling about with getting used to the blog editor. Hordes of craft business bloggers will tell you blogging is essential in getting your business out there. How much time you decide to invest in keeping your blog up to date is up to you, the more you put in the more you will get out of it. I have written more about setting up a blog here. [...]

By: Rosana - The Clothing Labels Designer

Rosana - The Clothing Labels Designer — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:36:33 +0000

Excellent advices, Lisa.

“When things look more professional the perceived value (what something appears to be worth) increases, making your product look like it is even better quality”

You are making a good point here, as I am convinced that people will buy more or even pay more if the product does “look expensive”.

And using profesionally made clothing labels will help a lot with this.

A little tip for people ordering custom clothing labels is that they should use Woven Labels and no printed ones for branding, as the woven labels will keep their shape and design for a much much longer period of time than a printed label. (You don’t want your company’s logo to dissapear after a few washes, do you?)

I hope this information will be of help for all crafters.

By: Ways to create buzz about your craft products on Craft Websites | CraftBoom!

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:48:38 +0000

[...] website, it REALLY helps if you have your own website/and or blog (I’ve posted about blogging here). There are lots of benefits to having your own website/blog you can display your craft products [...]

By: Gaida

Gaida — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:17:16 +0000

Just like to add…

The Vistaprint free business cards do have a note on back of card in small print.
Business Cards are FREE at http://www.vistaprint.com.au

Once you’ve purchased you often receive free or reduced offers… eg these just came for me.

Free – 10 x Christmas Cards, 10 x 2008 Calendar Magnets, 100 Standard Postcards (really nice), 140 x Caricature Return Address Labels.

Reduced offer of…
Premium Business Cards SAVE 80% 250 Usually $33.99 NOW $6.74 (these do not have the note on back)

Before you get excited about all the freebies- you do pay for postage which can add up as they are not light items.

When adding your details to the card…you don’t have to put the details just as they state. I managed to get a 2 line header (2 line space) at least 3 web addresses on the one card. (2 line space) & I had my name & phone no on one line and email address under that.

Very pleased with the end result. You get to preview what you’ve set out on it.. so play around with it to get it just the way you want it.

Hope you this info is helpful when and if you place your order.

By: Gaida

Gaida — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:19:38 +0000

Thanks Lisa for the great tips and new resource links, especially MOO. Another great resource is
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/products/newProducts you can add your own design to their products.

I’ve had business cards made by Vistaprint and was very happy with them. I also received some large magnets in a free offer but was disappointed with them, although they looked great, they were buckling… definitely not a good look.

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:38:00 +0000

wonderful post, thanks for all the fulfilled info and tips, your blog is wonderful!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:30:28 +0000

I love the MOO cards! I’ve had several different product shots made into MOOs…I use them as business cards and, by punching a hole in the corner for a ribbon tie, they become product hang tags.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:46:56 +0000

This blog is very interesting, thank you very much!
I’m in the process of making my own handcraft business now, so I’ve found this link on flickr just in time!

By: Kirsty Hall

Kirsty Hall — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:19:57 +0000

Excellent advice, Lisa. I’ve linked to you in my art blog.

By: Lisa Thoms

Lisa Thoms — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:51:38 +0000

This is just a great Blog! I hope you don’t mind if I spread the word to all my crafting friends by mentioning it in my Blog!

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

By: fiona

fiona — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:00:11 +0000

thanks lisa, such great advice from someone who has made it!!one thing you didnt comment on:how to add more hours to the day!!

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:42:39 +0000

I think your advice has been spot-on, but I would also suggest familiar with a digital camera. The best blogs/websites have a good balance between text and pictures. It’s not free, but by learning how to take good photos yourself, you won’t have to hire an expert and the photos will sell the items. I learned that on eBay – I sold items that others were offering for less. I’m convinced it was the pictures (and possibly the friendly seller terms).

And that’s another thing. I think that terms should be upfront and easy to find. People can’t communicate with you face to face so your site is your face. Be upfront and your customers will respect that.

I have a question about sending out samples. I notice that many craftsters’s goods are reviewed at several places, and I suspect that sending out samples is way to get noticed and reviewed. How does one go about this “professionally”? Do you inquire first or just send an item? What do you think about contests, group or individual?

By: jennifer : themakelounge

jennifer : themakelounge — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:35:44 +0000

Great blog! I recently started my own business and it’s great to learn from others and share ideas. I’ll be back.

By: Monica

Monica — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:34:31 +0000

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for this great post. Making crafts is something really fantastic but selling or promoting them is not the easiest part of the process. Thanks for sharing your exeperiences.

By: Janine

Janine — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:26:52 +0000

Thanks Lisa for the advice! I am making a second attempt in 4 years to set up a craft business thanks to your blog. I am determined to be taken seriously and as graphic design is not my strong point I have paid someone on Etsy to design a logo avatar and business cards for me.It makes me feel more serious about my business. I am considering getting a blog in the future but it is very scary I am encouraged though because I cannot believe you only started less than a year ago! By the way thank you for mentioning Moo cards because I have seen them mentioned and had no clue what they were!