Setting Goals for the New Year: A Handmade Seller’s Guide
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Ah, the new year—when everyone’s inbox is flooded with “New Year, New You” emails, your gym’s parking lot looks like a game of Tetris, and everyone’s suddenly really into kale smoothies.
But for handmade sellers like you, this is also the time to dust off your planner, check in on your business, and setting goals — real goals that aren’t just about “posting more on Instagram” or “getting more sleep” (though both are highly recommended).
Let’s talk about how to set goals for your handmade business that won’t make you want to hide under the couch halfway through the year. We’re talking about goals that’ll keep your creativity alive, your sales flowing, and your stress levels at a manageable “I’m proud of my hustle” level.
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Start With the Big Picture: Where Do You Want to Be?
Before you even think about how many candles or custom scarves you want to sell, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “What kind of business do I want to have by the end of the year?” (And yes, “rich and famous” is a valid answer, but let’s break that down into something actionable.)
Here are some questions to guide you:
- Do you want to grow your product line? Maybe you’ve been eyeing new materials or considering branching out into something completely different. If so, what does that look like? And, more importantly, how will you measure success?
- Is it time to focus on sustainability or ethical practices? If sustainability is important to you, setting a goal around sourcing eco-friendly materials or reducing waste could be a perfect fit.
- Do you want to scale up or stay small? Some handmade sellers are totally content being a one-person operation with a handful of local customers, while others might want to turn their hobby into a full-fledged brand. Know what you want—and, more importantly, what your business can handle.
Pro Tip: Try not to set goals that are too vague, like “I want my business to be more successful.” Instead, make them specific—something like “I want to grow my email list by 50%” or “I want to launch 3 new product lines by Q3.” These are goals that are measurable and achievable.
2. Set SMART Goals
Let’s talk about the SMART framework—because we’re all about smart here (we’ll leave the “guessing games” for our Etsy algorithm’s whims). SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It’s basically the best friend of goal-setting.
Specific: Saying “I want to sell more” is nice, but it’s vague. A better goal is “I want to sell 100 products per month on Shopify.”
Measurable: If you can’t measure it, how do you know if you’re doing well? “I want to grow my social media following” becomes much easier to track if it’s “I want to gain 500 new followers on Instagram by March.”
Achievable: Sure, we’d all love to sell out every product every day, but let’s be real. Setting a goal to double your sales overnight is a bit ambitious (unless you’re in a very specific market, like “pets who wear bow ties”). A better goal might be, “Increase my revenue by 20% over the next 6 months.”
Relevant: This is where you ask yourself, “Is this goal aligned with my long-term vision?” For example, if you’re looking to grow your brand but aren’t ready to take on wholesale orders yet, setting a goal to secure 5 wholesale clients might not be your best move.
Time-bound: Deadlines are your friend. No, really. Without a specific timeframe, goals can get lost in the ether. “I want to launch a new website by March 15th” is a tangible, time-sensitive goal that pushes you into action.
3. Focus on One or Two Key Areas at a Time
When you’re running a handmade business, there’s a lot going on. You’re making products, photographing them, answering emails, fulfilling orders, and trying to market your brand—all while keeping your creative spark alive. That’s a lot of hats.
So, rather than spreading yourself thin by setting a million goals, focus on one or two key areas where you can make the most impact. It could be:
- Growing your online presence by revamping your website or posting consistently on social media.
- Improving your customer service by offering faster response times, better packaging, or personalized thank-you notes.
- Streamlining your production process to save time and reduce stress during peak seasons.
Set one focus goal that’ll move the needle forward in your business and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Baby steps are your best friend here—especially in a business where burnout can creep up faster than you can say “handcrafted.”
4. Track Progress
What gets measured, gets managed. Yes, I’m quoting a corporate slogan, but it’s true—tracking progress is key to ensuring your goals aren’t just wishful thinking. Whether you’re using spreadsheets, apps, or a good ol’ bullet journal, make sure you’re checking in regularly on your goals.
For example, if your goal is to increase Etsy sales by 25%, set monthly or weekly targets. If your goal is to grow your email list, check your progress after each campaign and adjust as needed. Tracking helps you stay on course and gives you a reason to celebrate small wins along the way!
5. Be Flexible (Life Happens, You’re Still Doing Great)
Finally, let’s talk about flexibility. Look, life is unpredictable. Your favorite supplier might run out of stock, your dog might eat your samples (it happens), or you might just hit a creative block. That’s okay! Goals are meant to be a roadmap, not a rigid script. Adjust as needed, and remember that progress is still progress, even if it’s not as fast as you planned.
And most importantly, if you don’t hit every goal, don’t beat yourself up. Business growth isn’t linear. Celebrate the wins, learn from the setbacks, and don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for all the amazing things you’ve accomplished—because let’s face it, being a handmade seller is no small feat!
Want more tips on getting ready for the new year? Check out this article:
Setting Goals for the New Year: A Handmade Seller’s Guide
So there you have it: a handful of strategies to kickstart your new year with some serious goal-setting mojo. Keep it focused, realistic, and—most importantly—don’t forget to have fun along the way. After all, you’re in the handmade business because you love what you do, and your goals should fuel that passion, not extinguish it.
Happy goal-setting, and here’s to a successful (and slightly less chaotic) new year!
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