I know their are many crafters out there including handmade jewlery,cards,scrapbooking,knitters,handmade soaps, candles and much more. I am one of those crafters myself. Now if you are looking to make a profit and sell them to the online community where should you start? Well there are many ways like starting up your own website which can cost a good amount of money,blogging which is free but some people may look at it as "unprofessional". Than theirs the perfect Solution: Etsy and Ebay.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is a wonderful site where you can buy and sell home made items. It has a very active forum for discussing all kinds of things. See for yourself http://www.etsy.com/
When crafters first start out turning to ebay is the easiest way. Yet the fees can add up, especially if your items do not sell.
EBay vs Etsy
Etsy Pro's
-You can start by opening your own store for Free!
- When listing an item the listing fee is only $.20 flat rate.
-You receive 5 Free spaces to place pictures of the item you are wanting to sell.
-Item stays on site for 6 months (unless it sells prior too).
Etsy Con's-
- Must self promote
-Does not get as much traffic as EBay does
-Will incur Late fees without notice
Ebay Pro's-
-Have many options to listing your item
-Can add an auction to your item
-First picture is free
Ebay con's
-Any picture you add after your first is $.15
-there are extra fees for items over a certain amount of money
-Item can only be listed for 7 days unless you pay for more time
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Craft/Business Fair Time!
As the holiday season approaches their are many craft/business fairs being held all around you!. Make sure you jump in and become involved. These shows are wonderful and help promote your business.Never been involved with one? I have a guideline to which I follow every time. I hope this helps you.
Learning about the fair:
-Make sure you ask questions including what are the table fees?, do I need to pay a certain percentage of what i make? (Some places ask for 10-20% of what you made that day on top of table fees) Is their a Door prize donation?. Allow your self time to plan for it,and make sure you are available and free the day/s of the fair.
Preparing:
-Check Inventory. Go over all of your inventory. Write down what items you will need to order,what items have gone on sale, what items are no longer available ex. Here's a small checklist to look over :
-Any items you have in stock
-Order forms
-Catalogs
-Business cards
-promotional items
-sale flyer's
-Inserts
- Have items in Stock. I always make sure I have enough items in stock so i can sell them at the fairs. I will usually add an extra quarter or 50 cents on top of the price to cover shipping charges. I order a large supply (depending on how big the fair is) to cover everything.Before I was a WAHM I went to many fairs and It really drove me away when i approached a table and their was nothing to purchase. Just grab a catalog and either order or book a party. They would have some of their items out (demo items) but nothing else.
- Price you items. Always price your items before the fair,not during. You don't want to have "extra" work to do at a fair. If your constantly working on your table it could drive away customers. You want to be prepared and show other your prepared also.
- Organize!. No matter what you sell you need to have your items organized. Place them in Rubbermaid containers,boxes, or rolling totes. Something that is easy for you,and still looks professional.
- Make your signs. If you have any specials,discounts or free gifts, make sure you print up or make a cute sign that says so. You want to draw your customers to you. I love seeing signs that state "75% off!" or "Free Gift!" I have a radar for those he he. Also make sure you have enough door prize slips.
The night before the show:
Make sure you double check everything. Nothing worse than forgetting something important!. Here's a checklist for items other than your inventory
-Pens
-White out
-calculator
-gift certificate's (if you offer them)
-Change
-Business cards
-extra price tags (they can fall off through out the show)
-Door prize box
- Table decor (items like table cloth/s, stands and other decor)
-Lunch including snacks and a drink (Your going to have people continually coming to your table so you may not have a chance to go buy food.) Bring food that's easy to eat and not messy.
- Pack all of your stuff the night before so you can leave fresh and early with your coffee and no worries.
- Go to bed early and get a good nights rest
My experience:
The first business fair I did. I didn't pack my items the night before thinking it wouldn't be a problem. I also didn't double check anything the night before I just assumed it was all their because I checked it a week prior. Well after getting ready the morning (Hair, makeup ex) of I went to pack all of my business materials into the car, it was very windy and my car door was locked. I forgot my keys in the house so i had to run back in to get the keys,in the mean while the wind blew a top of one of my containers off and papers flew everywhere! I struggled to get everything together. Finally after Everything was packed I get into the car and my Hair was one big knot from the wind, my coffee was cold and I was running late. After I got to the fair to set up I realized I had forgot so many things! I had to borrow items left and right from other booths. It was unprofessional but I learned a lot from it. I hope this article helps you not to become a
The day of the show:
- Set your alarm a little earlier than you need just in case you have ideas that come to mind. (I always get new ideas in the morning). Also so you can get up and have your "time" especially if you have kids.
- You have arrived!. Grab your business materials and find your table. When setting up for booth, make it stand out!. Don't make it too cluttered or unorganized looking.
- When making sales (especially if your selling items from your inventory) write down any and every items you sell and for how much. Its nice to have a simple list to see what you sold and how much you made.
Tips to make your table stand out!
- Add different heights to your table like placing boxes under the table cloth and place an item on it. It really stand out.
-Have color!
-Decorate according to the time of year. If its right around the holidays, have a Santa table cloth (or something to do with the holidays).
-Make you sale signs visible.
- Have a door prize box. Place a sign above it "FREE Drawing!". Have customers fill out a door prize slip. Not only are they entering a Free drawing for a free gift you are receiving info about them. Here's what I add to my slips:
Name:
Address
Phone number:
email address:
would you like to join my newsletter?
Would you like to host a party? (catalog or home)
Comments:
Some Do's and Dont's for craft fairs:
Do's:
- Do make yourself approachable and ready to converse
- Be prepared
- Be up to date with specials or sales
- Have catalogs ready with order forms nearby ready for customers to order.
- Be courteous to other booth renters. If someone is looking for candles and you don't sell them direct them to the nearest table that does sell them. Also if you are playing music or have candles lit, make sure the music is suitable for all ages and the candle isn't too strong.
-Be on your feet as much as possible
- Always be positive!
Don'ts:
- Do not chew gum. Nothing worse than conversing with a consultant that representing a business and their smacking away at their gum.
- Do not sit the whole the time. Your making it look as if your not interested or excited to be there.
- Don't be obnoxious to other booth renters. Like commenting on their products "That doesn't work" or " You'll never sell that". (I had a woman do this to me about a year ago. She kept commenting on my items "that's to expensive" " I would never put that in my house" she was just rude to everyone around her. Sure enough she didn't sell one single item due to her attitude)
-Do not be negative about your business or company. No one likes to hear about how bad your products are.
- After the Day is done, pack up your items, clean up your booth area. Pack all of your items nicely so you can go through them when you get home.
After you get home:
Go through and see what items sold, what items were looked at the most. (So you know what items were most popular and make sure to order more next time.)
Follow ups!- Those good Ole' door prize slips now come in handy. I usually wait a day or two before I contact them. Not to long after though or they may forget. Contact them either by email or phone.
Now that you have done your first (or another) booth you always learn something new!.
Please add any experiences you have had or do's and dont's :)
Learning about the fair:
-Make sure you ask questions including what are the table fees?, do I need to pay a certain percentage of what i make? (Some places ask for 10-20% of what you made that day on top of table fees) Is their a Door prize donation?. Allow your self time to plan for it,and make sure you are available and free the day/s of the fair.
Preparing:
-Check Inventory. Go over all of your inventory. Write down what items you will need to order,what items have gone on sale, what items are no longer available ex. Here's a small checklist to look over :
-Any items you have in stock
-Order forms
-Catalogs
-Business cards
-promotional items
-sale flyer's
-Inserts
- Have items in Stock. I always make sure I have enough items in stock so i can sell them at the fairs. I will usually add an extra quarter or 50 cents on top of the price to cover shipping charges. I order a large supply (depending on how big the fair is) to cover everything.Before I was a WAHM I went to many fairs and It really drove me away when i approached a table and their was nothing to purchase. Just grab a catalog and either order or book a party. They would have some of their items out (demo items) but nothing else.
- Price you items. Always price your items before the fair,not during. You don't want to have "extra" work to do at a fair. If your constantly working on your table it could drive away customers. You want to be prepared and show other your prepared also.
- Organize!. No matter what you sell you need to have your items organized. Place them in Rubbermaid containers,boxes, or rolling totes. Something that is easy for you,and still looks professional.
- Make your signs. If you have any specials,discounts or free gifts, make sure you print up or make a cute sign that says so. You want to draw your customers to you. I love seeing signs that state "75% off!" or "Free Gift!" I have a radar for those he he. Also make sure you have enough door prize slips.
The night before the show:
Make sure you double check everything. Nothing worse than forgetting something important!. Here's a checklist for items other than your inventory
-Pens
-White out
-calculator
-gift certificate's (if you offer them)
-Change
-Business cards
-extra price tags (they can fall off through out the show)
-Door prize box
- Table decor (items like table cloth/s, stands and other decor)
-Lunch including snacks and a drink (Your going to have people continually coming to your table so you may not have a chance to go buy food.) Bring food that's easy to eat and not messy.
- Pack all of your stuff the night before so you can leave fresh and early with your coffee and no worries.
- Go to bed early and get a good nights rest
My experience:
The first business fair I did. I didn't pack my items the night before thinking it wouldn't be a problem. I also didn't double check anything the night before I just assumed it was all their because I checked it a week prior. Well after getting ready the morning (Hair, makeup ex) of I went to pack all of my business materials into the car, it was very windy and my car door was locked. I forgot my keys in the house so i had to run back in to get the keys,in the mean while the wind blew a top of one of my containers off and papers flew everywhere! I struggled to get everything together. Finally after Everything was packed I get into the car and my Hair was one big knot from the wind, my coffee was cold and I was running late. After I got to the fair to set up I realized I had forgot so many things! I had to borrow items left and right from other booths. It was unprofessional but I learned a lot from it. I hope this article helps you not to become a
The day of the show:
- Set your alarm a little earlier than you need just in case you have ideas that come to mind. (I always get new ideas in the morning). Also so you can get up and have your "time" especially if you have kids.
- You have arrived!. Grab your business materials and find your table. When setting up for booth, make it stand out!. Don't make it too cluttered or unorganized looking.
- When making sales (especially if your selling items from your inventory) write down any and every items you sell and for how much. Its nice to have a simple list to see what you sold and how much you made.
Tips to make your table stand out!
- Add different heights to your table like placing boxes under the table cloth and place an item on it. It really stand out.
-Have color!
-Decorate according to the time of year. If its right around the holidays, have a Santa table cloth (or something to do with the holidays).
-Make you sale signs visible.
- Have a door prize box. Place a sign above it "FREE Drawing!". Have customers fill out a door prize slip. Not only are they entering a Free drawing for a free gift you are receiving info about them. Here's what I add to my slips:
Name:
Address
Phone number:
email address:
would you like to join my newsletter?
Would you like to host a party? (catalog or home)
Comments:
Some Do's and Dont's for craft fairs:
Do's:
- Do make yourself approachable and ready to converse
- Be prepared
- Be up to date with specials or sales
- Have catalogs ready with order forms nearby ready for customers to order.
- Be courteous to other booth renters. If someone is looking for candles and you don't sell them direct them to the nearest table that does sell them. Also if you are playing music or have candles lit, make sure the music is suitable for all ages and the candle isn't too strong.
-Be on your feet as much as possible
- Always be positive!
Don'ts:
- Do not chew gum. Nothing worse than conversing with a consultant that representing a business and their smacking away at their gum.
- Do not sit the whole the time. Your making it look as if your not interested or excited to be there.
- Don't be obnoxious to other booth renters. Like commenting on their products "That doesn't work" or " You'll never sell that". (I had a woman do this to me about a year ago. She kept commenting on my items "that's to expensive" " I would never put that in my house" she was just rude to everyone around her. Sure enough she didn't sell one single item due to her attitude)
-Do not be negative about your business or company. No one likes to hear about how bad your products are.
- After the Day is done, pack up your items, clean up your booth area. Pack all of your items nicely so you can go through them when you get home.
After you get home:
Go through and see what items sold, what items were looked at the most. (So you know what items were most popular and make sure to order more next time.)
Follow ups!- Those good Ole' door prize slips now come in handy. I usually wait a day or two before I contact them. Not to long after though or they may forget. Contact them either by email or phone.
Now that you have done your first (or another) booth you always learn something new!.
Please add any experiences you have had or do's and dont's :)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Have you joined a Trade group?
Their are many placed to receive advertising through on the Internet. Have you ever joined a trade group or a "swap and shop" group? You can find these through yahoo groups. Their are many groups like this to choose from so make sure you take your time and go through them. Some times you can join one and see how they operate before you join in, if you don't like them you can simply send the moderator a nice email explaining that you are not interested.
How does a swap group work?
When you join a group the moderator will place you in a group of 5-20 people (depending on the size of the whole yahoo group). You will be required to purchase any one item from the company of one of the consultants in your group. Usually they require one purchase once a month, some groups require 2 or 3 purchases a month. Each consultant will have their advertising time once or twice a month and each other member in your group must purchase an item from you.
Some questions to ask your self before you join a particular swap group:
- Is the moderator active? Does she help out, answer questions, and make sure all members obied by the rules?
- Am I going to be available to get to a computer during the times I need to make a purchase or receive sales?(If you are gone a lot, this wouldn't be a good idea unless you have a access to a computer to answer questions and such. Being an active member helps you meet more people and give you a good name.)
- Am I here to help others out? or just to make sales? ( Both! Don't join just to advertise, its a great way to meet other consultants. Other members will catch on quickly if your an advertising "troll". They wont read your post and you will be deleted quickly from the group.)
Cons of joining a group:
- When it comes time for you to purchase any items from a consultant, the company they represent may not be your "cup of tea". Either way you must purchase something. Think if a friend or family member would like or use something from that company.
- Their are a lot of people who join just to make sales and than they leave and just take the sales and never purchase from anyone else.
- If your a little tight with money very often,don't join. Not only will this be a hard time for you but if you cant make a purchase for another member it can lead to lots of bad reports for you.
Do you have anything to add? Please leave a comment :)
How does a swap group work?
When you join a group the moderator will place you in a group of 5-20 people (depending on the size of the whole yahoo group). You will be required to purchase any one item from the company of one of the consultants in your group. Usually they require one purchase once a month, some groups require 2 or 3 purchases a month. Each consultant will have their advertising time once or twice a month and each other member in your group must purchase an item from you.
Some questions to ask your self before you join a particular swap group:
- Is the moderator active? Does she help out, answer questions, and make sure all members obied by the rules?
- Am I going to be available to get to a computer during the times I need to make a purchase or receive sales?(If you are gone a lot, this wouldn't be a good idea unless you have a access to a computer to answer questions and such. Being an active member helps you meet more people and give you a good name.)
- Am I here to help others out? or just to make sales? ( Both! Don't join just to advertise, its a great way to meet other consultants. Other members will catch on quickly if your an advertising "troll". They wont read your post and you will be deleted quickly from the group.)
Cons of joining a group:
- When it comes time for you to purchase any items from a consultant, the company they represent may not be your "cup of tea". Either way you must purchase something. Think if a friend or family member would like or use something from that company.
- Their are a lot of people who join just to make sales and than they leave and just take the sales and never purchase from anyone else.
- If your a little tight with money very often,don't join. Not only will this be a hard time for you but if you cant make a purchase for another member it can lead to lots of bad reports for you.
Do you have anything to add? Please leave a comment :)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Consultants Check!
Their are so many businesses and companies popping up everyday. So have you had a very good transaction or a really bad one with a company or a Consultant? You can share it with other wahms and sahms! Join http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ConsultantCheck/ today!. With over 1300 members your story is sure to be seen by many!. This group is wonderful in many ways including they get stories from both sides (if it is a negative transaction). Its not a "flame" group. Hope to see ya there!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Do you send or receive Fillers?
What are Fillers?
Fillers can be samples, business cards, or flyer's. You send them out to other people who are having an event of some sort whether its a business fair, craft fair, or an expo. Some even hand out small goody bags at their home parties so they will take them at any time. You can also receive them whenever you have an event. This is a inexpensive way to promote and advertise your business to people all around.
I want to start sending and receiving Fillers, Where do I start?
www.mompack.com you can join their yahoo group for mompackfillers. There are thousands of users on this group and theirs always someone looking to receive fillers.
Here's a few examples of what to send for your fillers:
- Send Business cards with a coupon attached. Business cards work, but add that extra something to make it stand out.
- Have a candle company? You can send a small tea light (if your budget allows it) in a cute sample bag and attach your business card, or simply shred part of the candle for a sample.
- In or have a Beauty business? Attach a small sample bag of bath salts or scrub with your business card attached.
Receiving Fillers?
- you will want to have a cute way to hand them out. Try purchasing cute inexpensive bags to hand out, or have a Cute basket set out for everyone to take what they would like.
A few guidelines to Filler success:
- Don't spend a lot on shipping. Unless you are going to send out 20-50 fillers, don't use a large envelope. You can place 5-10 cute small fillers in an envelope and a cute thank you card for only $.39, or you can place 25-50 business cards in a $.39 envelope.
-
Don't expect business, sometimes you will receive a few that are interested and even a few new customers. This works just like any other way of advertising.
- Give them out, don't just take them because they are samples, and Don't throw them away!
-Ask the receiver how many fillers she is wanting to except. You don't want to send too many, they may just go to waste.
-Do not accept fillers from companies that are similar to yours. If you are a rep for Party lite, you don't want to advertise for Mia Bella.
- If you are receiving Fillers make sure you announce if you are accepting adult companies.
I hope this gets you off to a great start! Have any other tips or suggestions? Please leave a comment :)
Fillers can be samples, business cards, or flyer's. You send them out to other people who are having an event of some sort whether its a business fair, craft fair, or an expo. Some even hand out small goody bags at their home parties so they will take them at any time. You can also receive them whenever you have an event. This is a inexpensive way to promote and advertise your business to people all around.
I want to start sending and receiving Fillers, Where do I start?
www.mompack.com you can join their yahoo group for mompackfillers. There are thousands of users on this group and theirs always someone looking to receive fillers.
Here's a few examples of what to send for your fillers:
- Send Business cards with a coupon attached. Business cards work, but add that extra something to make it stand out.
- Have a candle company? You can send a small tea light (if your budget allows it) in a cute sample bag and attach your business card, or simply shred part of the candle for a sample.
- In or have a Beauty business? Attach a small sample bag of bath salts or scrub with your business card attached.
Receiving Fillers?
- you will want to have a cute way to hand them out. Try purchasing cute inexpensive bags to hand out, or have a Cute basket set out for everyone to take what they would like.
A few guidelines to Filler success:
- Don't spend a lot on shipping. Unless you are going to send out 20-50 fillers, don't use a large envelope. You can place 5-10 cute small fillers in an envelope and a cute thank you card for only $.39, or you can place 25-50 business cards in a $.39 envelope.
-
Don't expect business, sometimes you will receive a few that are interested and even a few new customers. This works just like any other way of advertising.
- Give them out, don't just take them because they are samples, and Don't throw them away!
-Ask the receiver how many fillers she is wanting to except. You don't want to send too many, they may just go to waste.
-Do not accept fillers from companies that are similar to yours. If you are a rep for Party lite, you don't want to advertise for Mia Bella.
- If you are receiving Fillers make sure you announce if you are accepting adult companies.
I hope this gets you off to a great start! Have any other tips or suggestions? Please leave a comment :)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Where is your button/banner at?
Have you had a Banner or a Button made for your business/company? This is a great way to get your business out there! What kind of business do you have? You can strategically place you ad on certain websites. For instance if you have a candle company you wouldn't place your ad on a car website, you would place it on a candle website or a site that has something to do with candles or candle making.
Most websites charge a low fee for having your banner or button on their site. Somewhere between $1-$50 for a month. It all depends on how popular the website is and how many views it receives. You can also check out eBay for ad spots on certain sites.
- Have a Banner or a button made. Or both!
- Check out sites that you would like to place your ad on
- make an advertising Budget
-Make sure your ad appears on the site
Happy advertising!
Most websites charge a low fee for having your banner or button on their site. Somewhere between $1-$50 for a month. It all depends on how popular the website is and how many views it receives. You can also check out eBay for ad spots on certain sites.
- Have a Banner or a button made. Or both!
- Check out sites that you would like to place your ad on
- make an advertising Budget
-Make sure your ad appears on the site
Happy advertising!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Mystery Hostess Party!
Looking for a great way to invite everyone you know and those that you want to introduce to your company? Have a Mystery Hostess Party! Dont know where to start? :
-Make a list of friends and family that would be interested in attending, dont forget co-workers and teachers.
- Send out an email or call to everyone with the date and time. Include what specials you will be having, if their will be snacks, drink or games. Also let them know if any prizes are going to be given out.
-Let them know the rules: for example: for every $10 you purchase, you will receive one raffle ticket (or however much you would like to make it). If a person books a party that day they will receive 5 raffle tickets. If they join under you they will receive 10 tickets.
- Try and close the party the day of so you can get the total of the party , draw the mystery hostess and let them pick out the FREE products and or half-off items.
- If the party isnt able to close that day..give them a week at most and than close it.
DO's for a successful Mystery Hostess Party
-DO call and email as many people as you know
-DO advertise
-DO state the "rules" clearly of the party before hand
-DO close within a timely manner
-DO email/call all guest afterwards thanking them for coming
DONT'S
-Do not change the rules in the middle of the show
-Do not cheat on the drawing of names, just because "Maria" is a friend doesnt mean she should receive the products. Everyone came for the chance to win also. Even if the name drawn is that of an enemy, reward them.
-Do not state an exact amount that the mystery hostess will win until all of the orders have been processed.
Have you had a Mystery Hostess Party before? Share your story and receive a FREE link to your site.
-Make a list of friends and family that would be interested in attending, dont forget co-workers and teachers.
- Send out an email or call to everyone with the date and time. Include what specials you will be having, if their will be snacks, drink or games. Also let them know if any prizes are going to be given out.
-Let them know the rules: for example: for every $10 you purchase, you will receive one raffle ticket (or however much you would like to make it). If a person books a party that day they will receive 5 raffle tickets. If they join under you they will receive 10 tickets.
- Try and close the party the day of so you can get the total of the party , draw the mystery hostess and let them pick out the FREE products and or half-off items.
- If the party isnt able to close that day..give them a week at most and than close it.
DO's for a successful Mystery Hostess Party
-DO call and email as many people as you know
-DO advertise
-DO state the "rules" clearly of the party before hand
-DO close within a timely manner
-DO email/call all guest afterwards thanking them for coming
DONT'S
-Do not change the rules in the middle of the show
-Do not cheat on the drawing of names, just because "Maria" is a friend doesnt mean she should receive the products. Everyone came for the chance to win also. Even if the name drawn is that of an enemy, reward them.
-Do not state an exact amount that the mystery hostess will win until all of the orders have been processed.
Have you had a Mystery Hostess Party before? Share your story and receive a FREE link to your site.
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