Your go-to guide to mastering your in-person market experience
An exclusive online membership for makers and creative business owners ready ditch the overwhelm and hustle for consistent sales and flexible schedules.
Hi! I’m Lucy.
Chardonnay and vintage finds lover, founder of the handmade jewelry brand bel monili *and* your new guide to making your handmade business WORK online.
Ah, the eternal quest to make more money without working harder—sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?
I know, the idea of cranking out more products or stretching your creative muscles until they’re thin just to see a bit more green can feel… well, daunting.
But, what if I told you there’s a magic potion for your woes? Alright, perhaps not a potion, but there are definitely strategies that feel just as magical.
Let’s see what we can do!
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.
Let’s start with the basics: Pricing.
This isn’t about just slapping a price tag on your creations; it’s about understanding the value they hold.
Many crafters undervalue their work, fearing higher prices will scare customers away. However, the right customers—the ones who appreciate the love and labor that go into each piece—will understand and pay for that value.
Think of your price as a story: it should narrate the quality, the craftsmanship, and the uniqueness of your creations.
Doing a little market research and understanding your costs will give you the confidence to charge what your products are worth. Focus on pricing and you’ll start to see your treasure chest grow without adding extra work hours.
Now, let’s talk about being efficient, or “working smarter, not harder”.
Streamlining operations can transform the way you work. This doesn’t mean turning into a productivity robot; rather, it’s about finding smarter ways to manage your time and resources.
For instance, can you automate some aspects of your business, like inventory management or customer communications?
Can you “batch work” your production process?
Or perhaps there’s a way to simplify your packaging process without losing its charm.
Every minute you save is a minute you can spend weaving more magic into your products—or sipping a well-deserved cup of tea or coffee.
Diversification isn’t just a fancy word for finance wizards; it’s a practical strategy for crafters too.
Think about it: you have a talent that can be channeled into various avenues.
Workshops, for instance, can be a fun way to share your skills and make more money. Online courses, eBooks, or even patterns and kits can attract a different set of customers and provide income even when you’re not actively crafting.
It’s like casting a net wider—you catch more without needing to swim the entire ocean.
Partnering with other small businesses or crafters can open up new markets and opportunities.
Maybe it’s a local cafe that would love to display and sell your work, or a fellow crafter whose products complement yours for a joint online sale.
These alliances not only spread the workload but also introduce your creations to new admirers.
It’s about making more money by joining forces, not by doubling your efforts.
Plus, you’ll meet people in your community (either in real life or online), which can boost your confidence and give you new friendships in the creative space. What a bonus!
Never underestimate the power of a good story. Your brand’s narrative—why you create, the inspiration behind your collections, the journey of each piece from concept to creation—resonates with customers.
In today’s world, where everything is just a click away, people crave connections. They want to support businesses with heart.
Use social media, your website, or even the packaging of your products to tell your story.
This doesn’t require extra work; it’s about weaving your existing passion and process into a narrative that captivates and sells.
Last but certainly not least, investing in your skills and knowledge can dramatically increase your income without increasing your workload.
This might mean taking a course on digital marketing to better promote your crafts, such as The Marketing School for Makers.
Or perhaps it’s learning a new technique that allows you to offer something unique in your shop.
It’s about enhancing your existing magic, not reinventing it.
In the realm of handmade and craft businesses, making more money doesn’t necessarily mean working harder. It’s about working smarter, finding joy in the journey, and sometimes, a bit of playful magic.
Remember, your craft is unique, your story is captivating, and your business has the potential to flourish beyond your wildest dreams.
Oh, and one more thing—never forget the power of rest and self-care. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is recharge your own batteries.
Here’s to your success, filled with joy, creativity, and yes, a little extra jingle in your pocket. Cheers to making magic (and money) happen!
After running bel monili (my handmade jewelry business) for 10 years, I launched Bloom in 2019 to create a community where handmade business owners could learn, grow, and support each other in this wild venture of small business ownership. Welcome to Bloom!
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