Sell Your Crafts! Turn Your Hobby into Spending Money

If you enjoy creating and you constantly hear people telling you that you should sell your creations, consider voyaging into the world of selling your crafts for money. You should carefully plan out your entrance into the world of selling crafts. There are many websites and venues where you can sell your crafts both online and off.

Online venues are a great way to reach customers all over the world. Popular websites like Etsy, Artfire and eBay are great tools that help to reach your targeted customers. Before making the plunge into selling your crafts, be sure to take the time and do some research beforehand. Keep the following questions in mind as you consider the prospect of selling your creations:

* Do I have a product that people would want to buy? This is the most important question you have to ask yourself. If there is no target market for your products, you will have a hard time selling your creations and not because your items are not nice. Perhaps they are not in demand.

* Who is my potential target market? You need to know who to advertise to and how to successfully draw your target market to your items. For example, it would be a waste of time trying to sell baby clothes to those who do not have children

* What will I charge for my creations? Pricing is an important strategy. All too often, people under charge for their creations because they forget to add in the time and materials that go into a product. Make sure to account for both the cost of the materials as well as the time and effort you put forth to create your goods. Also be sure not to overcharge. You may find that your items do not sell because they are too expensive for the average person to buy,

* Where will I sell my items? Online websites are plentiful when it comes to selling handmade goods. There are websites such as Etsy and Artfire who only allow the sales of handmade goods, along with supplies. EBay is also another popular venue to sell handmade goods. Be aware though, that you will be competing with the other goods that are not handmade and therefore cheaper to buy. A good description of the item and its benefits is always a good idea.

If you choose to sell locally, try finding a store that will sell your items on consignment or sign up to show at a local craft show. Both will be good for exposure. If you choose to go the consignment route, be sure to get all terms in writing. Otherwise you run the risk of having your items kept and not paid for.

It is very possible in today’s day and age to make some spending money selling your crafts. Be sure to do your research and follow through your plan by keeping the above questions in mind. Once you have your plan in mind, go ahead and sell your crafts. But remember, like anything else, you will get in return what you put forth so make it worth your while.