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Dreaming of starting a craft business and selling your handmade products? Use these 15 tips as a checklist to get started today!
Starting a craft business can be a great way to make some great side money, be creative and enjoy making crafts, or even turn it into a full time job over time!
I love making crafts and being able to sell them and make a profit is even better!
If you love to make crafts, you should definitely think about starting a craft business to sell your handmade goods for some extra cash!
Thinking about starting a side business? I’ve been making and selling crafts for 3 years now, and I’ve learned a lot along the way!
I’d love to share some tips with you and help you get start a craft business!
Use the tips below to start your very own handmade craft business, so you can make some extra cash!
15 Steps to Start a Craft Business
Whether you want to just make a little side money, or start a craft business to quit your day job one day, the steps are really the same.
If you want more in depth craft business tools, tips, and training, you have to check out my favorite craft business books from Made Urban.
I learned everything from these books and they helped me grow a successful craft business to bring in some side income. Check out my favorite craft business books here and use my code FRUGAL15 to save 15%
Here are the 15 steps to start a craft business, so you can make some extra money selling your handmade products!
1. Decide what product to make
The very first question you need to ask is, “What product should I make?”.You may already have a few ideas, or you may have none at all. Look online, in shops, at local fairs, and see what stands out to you.What are you naturally drawn to? What materials do you feel comfortable working with?
This list of 80 crafts to make and sell will give you some ideas!
2. Make samples and test
Now that you know what product to make, it’s time to actually make it! Grab your supplies and make a few variations of the product.
Ask friends and family members for advice or post for sale on social media and see how people react. Pay attention to what people are saying, what questions they are asking, and take notes. If no one is interested, well at least you didn’t waste much time or materials, and you can move on to your next idea.
If people love it and start requesting orders, then you are on to something! (My crafts definitely did NOT “fly off the shelves” when I started, so don’t feel like a failure if your first product isn’t a winner.)
3. Refine your product
Once you find the perfect product to make, it’s time to refine it.
Tweak things until you feel like you have the best quality product that you are proud to display and sell. (Don’t get too hung up here. You will learn something new each time you make them, and from each time you set up to sell.)
4. Stock up
Time to stock up on product! How much inventory will depend a lot on your actual product and how many shows you to participate in.
For example, if you plan to sell small, lower priced items, you will need a lot more than if you sold larger, higher priced items.
Take your best guess and always aim high! You can always store stuff for the next show and you don’t want to sell out!
Check out: Make More Money at Craft Fairs: Deciding on Stock & How Much To Make
5. Take great pictures
You will need great pictures when you apply for craft shows and when you set up your online shop.
Set up a photo shoot area, and take pictures of your products by themselves, with props, and being used. Aim for natural light.
I use my iPhone and edit my pictures to make them lighter. I’m definitely not a pro, but I’m getting better all the time!
6. Apply to craft shows
Ready to sell your product? Research craft shows in your area and start applying!
Search online for craft show, fairs, and festivals in your area.
I would also suggest joining a local crafter’s Facebook group and asking what shows everyone is excited about?
A few words on applying to craft shows:
Apply for the big shows that come highly recommended, but don’t neglect the small shows.
Starting out, you may not be accepted into the big shows. Your first few craft shows will really be a learning experience and with smaller crowds, you can ask customers more questions and listen to what they think about your products.
You will also have more time to talk with neighbor vendors and get tips on your display, your products, and what their favorite shows are.
Put your best foot forward when you fill out your application.
Use descriptive words when describing your products. Instead of saying you sell candles, say you sell all natural soy candles with wood wicks in summer scents. Be unique.
Also, be sure to include great pictures of your products.
Check out: Make More Money at Craft Fairs: Choosing the Right Events
7. Work on your display
I will be honest and let you know that we work on our display every single show. It’s so important to grab people’s attention before they even get close to your booth.
You can easily look boring, unprofessional, or a mess if you don’t have a good display planned out.
My best tips are to use what you have at home, go for height instead of laying items flat on a table, and be consistent with colors used.
If you can, check out a craft show as a visitor and see how others are displaying their products.
It might be helpful to set up a mock display at home and take pictures so you don’t forget on show day.
Related: DIY Folding Craft Fair Checkout Stand
Check out: Make More Money at Craft Fairs: Creating a Powerful Display
8. Set up your online shop
I would recommend setting up your online shop before you attend your craft show if you can.That way, you can tell visitors where else they can find you.
You can set up your shop on Etsy, or create your own website.
Add great pictures, descriptions with great keywords, and all the information a shopper would need. Make sure your prices account for shipping, as that can eat into your profits big time!
9. Prepare for thecraft show
Preparing for a craft show is both super exciting and a little stressful.
My best advice would be to plan ahead and not rush at the last minute! Have your inventory done and packed up well ahead of time.
You will be so stressed if you stay up every night the week of your show making inventory.
Make an inventory list of all of your products, set a goal on how much you want to sell, draw out your display plan, make a list of things to not forget, and let your friends and family know about the show. I always share my shows on social media!
10. Pack for the show
Time to pack for the show!
Make a list of everything you need to pack and double check you have everything.
11. Set up display and products
When you arrive at the show, check in with the organizer, find your booth, and unload your car.
Set up your display according to your plan and pictures.
Pay attention to the way the show is laid out. Will visitors be coming from a certain way?
You may want to tweak and face your most eye catching items that way.
12. Observe, ask questions, listen, take notes
During the show, try to stay calm. I know you will be excited, nervous, and probably tired!
Say hello and welcome visitors into your booth, make small talk, observe what people are drawn to, andwhat seems to be ignored.
Ask questions and listen to what visitors are saying. Do they wish your product was a different size? Are they walking away after they see the price?
Take notes during the show of what changes you might want to make, what people are saying, and any other thoughts.
13. Record sales
Using your inventory list, mark through or check items as you sell them.
You will want to know how many of what items were sold to help you in the future. Even though this can differ greatly from show to show!
Check out: Improving Sales & Selling Techniques
14. Work on display
After the show is over, first get some sleep.
Then, look back over your notes from the show. Do you have any ideas on how to make your display better?
Tweak things and draw up a new plan before the next show.
15. Rebuild Inventory
Work on new inventory and replacing items that sold to get ready for your next show.
You do want to do another show right? 😉
Ready to get start a craft business? I hope these tips help you stay focused and create a successful craft business without too much stress. 🙂
Make sure to grab the freeCraft Show Packing Checklist Printable.
Want to learn more about starting a craft business?
Make some extra cash and enjoy being creative! Check out these awesome posts:
13 Ways to Improve Your Craft Business
Need some inspiration about what crafts to make and sell?
Check out these craft ideas!
115+ Craft Ideas to Make and Sell
7 Popular Things to Make and Sell
The 70 Best Dollar Tree Craft Supplies
Want to learn more?
My all time favorite resource for building a successful craft business are the ebooks from Made Urban. Check out Make More Money at Craft Fairs and The Successful Introvert.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share this or pin it on Pinterest for later!
