Maybe not crafts, because people dont generally value crafts. Free Shipping On Orders of 100 dollars or more. I understand that a $40 bottle opener is expensive when compared to what you can buy at the dollar store, but as the article notes, its absolutely unique in the world and wasnt made by the thousands on a gigantic machine that runs day and night. Thats the way the product descriptions should be added in a website. Other more established businesses may retain brick-and-mortar locations for craft sales, while some choose to base their operations on the web. Setting up product collections in your handmade shop takes intentional thought and planning. because a lot of the stuff being sold as handcraft in places like (omitted to avoid a lawsuit) are made by hand in sweatshops overseas. A perfect product description is simply one that provides everything that a potential buyer will need to know about your product so that they can decide whether to make a purchase or not. yes, it matters,because most of the products we consume every day come from mass manufacturing, the thing that removes the value of things in our lives, everything you own there are thousands made just like it, there is nothing special & unique. Youre going to have make it profitable to be a middle class person again so that the middle class can buy businesses and employ people. because no one wants to pay, no one really values the craftsmanship. mould Thank you for your lovely comment, Takshni! It is call control the people so the dont protest. We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I especially resonate with many of the comments above. molding kidtoysus I am constantly faced with people who want thinks at garage sale prices. Im sorry you continuously encounter people who do not value your work. Or maybe youve heard of, When you first start to think about designing your brand, you immediately begin thinking about the logo you want to create, the colors you want. Then to get to hear that it is a persons go to piece once purchased is amazing! lables 500pcs seals scrapbook stickers roll craft handmade decor diy As a small business I can afford to experiment and make one off item to see whether it will gain interest, to spot a trend and design a collection quickly that fits the trend perfectly. Thanks so much for this helpful article. One factor for consideration is how good your product looks in the photo and another is how much your product will cost (with postage). This is beautifully stated and I wish you great success with your business! pinecones Yes. Just think of the multiple positive experiences that result from that one activity. paracord There are of course the benefits for you as the purchaser, and to the maker as the business owner. Instead, nearly all are made in small craft studios and workshops, the transformed shed at the bottom of the garden, or peoples own homes. With rugs, that is a skill in itself, to be able to match the patterns and make sure you allow enough fabric for two. I make handmade fabric and leather bags.. it is a long process, the hours put in each creation is endless and tiring. Now that your visitors are hooked, its time to get to the nitty gritty those features and details we put aside at first. ruler sewing tailor patchwork cutting tools diy uu accessories quilting transparent craft Leaving them to guess about size variations or how long it will take for them to receive the product could provide them with a shove in the wrong direction. Think about what information you would like to see. Who wouldnt take extra special care of such an item. Much of my work IS a labor of love. The truth is, it will just make it harder to connect with your potential customers who are just like you and me regular people using regular words. By taking proactive steps to secure reviews, your business will see both an increase in traffic to your website and your physical location. To have someone compliment or buy my goods is reinforcement that I create for a reason. This was very good that covered everything. We have been making mouthblown, handmade art glass for thirty plus years. If its summer, I want to know that its: Perfect after a day in the sun, this aloe vera lotion will help your skin stay soft and smooth all summer long. I enjoy creating baskets and rugs with my hands and producing a beautiful, useable product with my own hands! You might not have much, but what you do have is the best quality you can get. Furthermore, many small hand makers/craftspeople who made a living in the 80s and 90s had to close up shop or shrink down to a one (and maybe 2) person operation due to imports, rising costs, taxes, and so forth. Handmade Photography Tips: What Apps Should You Use To Edit Your Product Photos? Thanks for such a good article. But you get the idea; let visitors know the little things that make your product one of a kind. All of this helps to separate handmade crafts and designs from high street mass produced products. At the end of the day, what can this product do for them?The fact that its pure aloe vera lotion is great, but its not telling me what it does for me. Using marketing terms, product description is the text copy that describes and explains the product. Grab a notebook and start writing down all the reasons someone will enjoy or find your product useful. I recycle every bit of the cashmere sweater and make them into cashmere scarves that are crocheted together with LOVE! You make money selling craft supplies! Most handmade items are made to last. on 5 Tips To Write Handmade Product Descriptions That Actually Help You Make Sales. When you are finished creating, you take pride in the work partly because you see yourself in it. 4-step Makers Roadmap SystemLibrary of In-Depth Courses and TrainingLive Monthly Coaching SessionsA Supportive Online Community. Yes, Karl. For example, many buyers want to know how long theyll have to wait for their product if its made to order, so be sure to explain clearly in your product description the expected delivery time of your product including the time needed to make it. Great post!Every handcrafted product always unique, it can be the perfect thing about handmade items. If you buy your friend a commercially produced necklace, the chances are that somebody else will have it too. They dont want a single tiny flaw and when they buy two of the same they want them perfectly the same. I have a shop in Shepherdstown, WV (USA) and we sell LOCAL products, all hand made/crafted. Google has lots of useful advice on using keywords if you have time read this useful document about SEO. Sorry everybody. Thank you for sharing. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and elders past, present and emerging. Go out and buy it. If it cant, again, we craftsmen are all going starve. We live in a world where many things are mass produced. They put so much love into the gift! At least we can make prints and keep the originals. descriptions paracord We are truly pleased to hear you find the article easy to read and learn. If you can make them in a range of sizes or colors, say so. But, by all means, don't try to please everyone. Read our guide onhow to find your target customer here. Although it may not be directly local to you, the money stays in the UK, and thats a pretty big deal. Craft businesses are the opposite of mass production, employing a hands-on approach to produce unique items for customers. If I added up my time, I would be paid what a worker in Sri Lanka makes. The more functional the less valued. If its great quality, why dont just show them it is instead of telling them? KarlAs an artist/craftsman, so much of what you wrote was going through my head when I read the article. It is how we make our living.not a hobby. Remember, you can write a marvelous description, but merely having text might not be enough to satisfy the visitors. Talk about the benefits of your product and not just about the features. But its also wonderful that more people everywhere are beginning to embrace things that are made by hand in small quantities. the number of times I hear that they can get it at Walmart. We also take the time to get to know each other and to appreciate the value in each piece. Great. I am transported to a happy place and all my worries, problems, fears and emotions are gone while I am working! In the first few sentences of every description you need to both grab peoples attention and clearly describe the product usingkeywords you have identified in your research. This means that every handmade item you purchase is also one-of-a-kind. Just as with great quality, it has a little bit of the opposite effect of what you want, and its making people think: is it? Often crafters produce products with ties to historical or ethnic tradition. Benefits work because they take your potential customer from interested to involved as they start picturing themselves using the product and thats a great transition to Tip #3. It might just be what they need to read to go ahead and buy. Only this way can you motivate your visitors to find something for themselves and make the purchase. I adore handmade soap, and I love giving handcrafted gifts. Very timely advice for what I make, I put quite a bit into getting informed myself. There is no way I can duplicate hand thrown plates close but not exactly like each other. Folks in higher income brackets and well off retirees seem to be the ones able to afford such luxuries. handmade philippines bag crafts It might cost more, but the investment in your brand is worth it. There was nothing else like it in the neighborhood or even the surrounding region. I love it! I have a large collection of handmade unique gifts for all occasions. You buy directly from the person who makes your handmade gift. We are happy to be able to help you write better product descriptions, Hazel! You should not sell your valuable handmade products at garage sale prices, even if people ask you to do so. A lot of people will do what you say and want to buy mass produced, but there are others out there who appreciate and will pay for handmade for something that pleases them and strikes a chord. It wont take long, I promise. Most people have no clue how much time and heart goes into a project. And if both factors suit them, they will read your product description. When you make something, you leave a part of yourself in it. but when people buy things from me they dont look at /cant see the love. FREE WORKBOOKS, CHEAT SHEETS, AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU START, GROW AND PROFIT FROM YOUR HANDMADE SHOP. You can be sure that whatever you choose is as unique as you. I had one employer and the corporation owned my future. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. Some of my *most* treasured items are the ones my children have made for me. Your email address will not be published. saying something is luxurious. Get Instant Access toThe FULL Resource library, Creating and launching a new handmade product implies a lot of different steps.. All Rights Reserved. Thanks for sharing this guide. For lets say a blanket, tell me a story that this soft, warm and stain resistant blanket is perfect for those evenings in, watching Netflix with chocolate and a glass of red wine. My other childrens books are still in print after years at a small publisher. These are our true spirits. The trick is to make it easy to read or skim through if theyre not interested. I work in fibers and Ive come to the conclusion that you dont make any money selling crafts. Great feedback, thanks! Obviously, people can make conclusions solely from the picture. Off to start again .., thank you x. Types of Businesses that Could Benefit from Trading on the Internet, United States Department of Agriculture; "The Cooperative Approach to Crafts"; R. Wade Binion and Gerald Ely; February 2000, "Entrepreneur": Business Idea Center, Crafts Business, Simple Marketing Ideas for Primitive Crafts. When they are not profitable, so many artisans blame consumers lack of appreciation for their products when the truth is that they have a nice product, but they do not know how to sell and market it. The museums decry a downturn in visitors yet we keep reducing the amount of art that is taught in meaningful ways.And to Anita who defended the article by way of her handcrafted walkway- I noticed you are the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends which published this article. Nobody can do Everything. Handmade is often very local, so it doesnt travel hundreds and thousands of miles to get to you. When you buy something someone else made, you yourself are reflected in that purchase. So if they want to know if this blanket can be done in a different color then they are only going to read the customization paragraph. For example, what inspired you, what techniques were used and what kind of materials were incorporated? It might be pretty and it might even be expensive, but its not necessarily unique. Dont over-complicate the language you use keep things simple. Remember those days, when you bought something and it lasted for a very long time? Then a machine made synthetic product comes and snatches away that twinkle, that exuberance. This is mainly because handmade products are often unique, from the way they are made to the quality and touch of personality they provide. Did you find this post helpful? For example, if you are making needlepoint belts, expand the story with some good examples like "girls favorite", "perfect for your friend," and similar. So thanks for explaining the advantages of purchasing handmade items. ) but she also uses keywords Bunny Rabbit Earrings and lists the way in which you could wear the earrings all within just a few sentences:Wear with a ditsy floral dress and tan brogues for a cute Spring/Summer look.. If you can make a customer feel like theyre using your product and feeling better because of it, youve won half the battle. Its time to think about any question someone interested in buying your product could have and answer it. The women make the products and in turn the coop pays them. No they dont match. Heres an example,youre selling a small zipped coin purse, made with floral, vintage fabric. Here is what a search result looks like on Google, where you see the actually result in blue, its source ingreen, and the snippet underneath(which is the first 150 words or so of your product description). No two items are alike, so that every single one is one-of-a-kind. At the same time, if Im buying placemats for my outdoor dining set, I might go for mass produced because I just happen to need something utilitarian and dont want to spend a lot in that instance. In addition, don't be afraid to make additional changes should you find something that might work better. Writing/creating has an intrinsic value that enriches your life! Finally, try to evoke emotions with your product description. I like handmade products. Lovely to know it was helpful, Mariam! Product description that hooks your ideal customers, answers all of their questions and helps you make sales. 11022743 Registered in England & Wales, Sharpie Watercolour Coasters 5 Minute Crafts, Simple Polymer Clay Earrings 5 Minute Crafts, Simple Applique Flower Craft Idea 5 Minute Crafts. Hi maamwe are a women based enterprise in Portland Oregon started a year back , we have a handcrafted online silver Jewelry website mirrorwhite.com and also participate in fairs and corporate stalls when possible would love to know how to take it forward and increase traction on the website. I appreciate handmade items and support the artisans that make them. If you want to be self-employed you have to be a whiz at accounting otherwise youll screw up and the IRS will get you. I know that sometimes when we go from talking to writing, we want to fancy up a little bit. In addition, a potential buyer will look to the product description for confirmation as to whether the product is right for them or not. If you are selling handmade winter hats, describe the winter poetically. First, keep your sentences short. For more articles like this, please check out our Craft Business Tips section! Indeed handmade products pave a way for vendors to earn a living and support sustainable development, Small Business Trends is an award-winning online publication for small business owners, entrepreneurs and the people who interact with them. Though Handmade may be new to the American System but in India it has been an ages old tradition. One of the places I buy yarn is a company that sells handmade yarn from a cooperative in India and Nepal that employs women. Yes, go ahead and bookmark it for easy reference! Required fields are marked *. I also make cashmere headbands and flower pins with vintage buttons . Independent designer makers and crafters are often on trend much quicker than large businesses and commercially produced gifts. Once the design is suitable, check if you can enhance your product description with social media buttons. Then you find they they bought their furniture at Ikea. If possible, try to assume the demographic groups they belong to. jubilee hats mini diamond paper printable items folksy sorry unavailable found similar pdf This makes it harder for others in the marketplace to sell at a profitable price.Im not trying to be negative here- just realistic from my perspective of crafting a life from making and selling handmade for over 40 years, professionally.If we cant be realistic and honest about what it takes to do this as a lifes work then how are young people today going to be able to continue to have this choice and make it work? Just wondering and noticing. You need a huge and thriving middle class for handcrafters to survive and our middle class is dying. And then thousands of people reading and sharing this post are uplifted and encouraged by the overall experience. I hadnt thought to use the google keyword search before and your tips about making the descriptions personal were good. mould https://pixabay.com/photos/coffee-sugar-cork-stoneware-4014708/, https://pixabay.com/photos/question-mark-board-ask-knowledge-2212771/, https://pixabay.com/photos/young-woman-young-beautiful-white-4589231/, Please note, comments must be approved before they are published, 2022, Good Threads Powered by Shopify, Don't just describe, explain your product, Include additional information in the product description, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh, press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Retailers specializing in supplying artisans with supplies for crafting also fall under the craft industry umbrella. It is nice that there are now websites like Etsy that supports handmade artists. When done throughout a community, multiple times over, an entire city can find new life. business craft promote handmade Great read! Instead, I want to know that its highly moisturizing. Their creations are almost always made in a space of joy, honor, and respect. Or even personalized emblems or other details. depressors timber In other words, offer a solution and a solid reason to choose your products, not just a simple description. Thanks for your comment! If Jaguar didnt tell me that their car was worth more than my Ford, I wouldnt know it. And, incredibly, people look at my chairs, tell me that mine are excellent, then proceed to ask me to build them something else. Both product descriptions and your website should be up to date with trends and information. What products do they prefer? Descriptions and Tags for Handmade Items Being a full time maker of furniture has been a struggle but I cannot see myself doing anything else. Try to paint a picture of how your customer would be using this product. I work for a company that is connected to this and agree that a products description is crucial to helping customers comprehend it and generating internet sales. made with heart makes it more beautiful.. really? Dontt get me started on gallery commissions. ), to name a few reasons. Handmade products offer a fuller experience. Same with the hardware- hand forged iron and each uniquely handcrafted and not mass produced. Im not sure I understand what that means but as the gap has become wider in the last 20 years the middle class has shrunk enormously. There you have it! Meta description: Learn how to write great handmade product descriptions to provide your visitors with more valuable and relevant information. sure there is an American Artists name on it but the volume that those stores demand is appalling and getting handmade copies from overseas is the only way to meet demand. most other people go OOOh I love that, and go buy the mass produced toy imported from China at the next stall. By 2009, I had the ground work in place (though only $7,000 in annual sales) so I gave my 6 weeks noticed and worked to hire 80 bosses to work for. Not because they are my children, but because of the thought, care, creativity, and sheer *love* that went into them.Be it the hand print tree ornament made in kindergarten or the collapsible camping table made in grade 11 shop class, each gift was well thought out to be useful or to suit MY likes and there isnt enough of anything in the world that can commercially replace THAT.