Want more online buyers for your handmade products? This book gives you marketing ideas for each of the major platforms so you can decide which is right for you now.
It also shows you how to scale up your sales by selling on multiple platforms when you are ready. As a seller of handmade items, you aren't limited to Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or having your own website, though each of these could provide a substantial business by themselves. If you can manage a larger business, you can simultaneously run shops on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social platforms where shoppers can see your product posts and order directly without leaving the site they are on.
Having multiple stores can feel overwhelming. Here you will discover tools and apps that help you grow and manage your presence on many sites through a single interface. There are many ideas outlined in these pages. But they aren't here to encourage you to jump on all of them right away. In fact, unless you have already mastered an online marketplace like selling on Etsy first, then aiming for more markets is asking for overwhelm, confusion, and stress. Read the book through in the order it's written.
Make notes of which markets and tools appeal to you. Modify Chapter 5's suggested marketing plan to fit your situation and needs.Taking random marketing actions here and there will eventually bring in occasional income. But working from a plan brings measurable and sustainable profits in the shortest time. If you want a business that generates money predictably over time, organize your actions around a master plan.
Your plan is your guide, but it's not set in stone, especially with ecommerce, which transforms rapidly. To grow a successful business, adopt an adaptive mindset. Regularly review your progress and edit your plan according to the results of actions you have taken and current circumstances.
