MARKETING TIPS

Give a referral incentive

Sometimes an incentive can go far. Ask friends if they know anyone who would be interested in your craft services and offer a 10% project fee as a thank you.

If they are not comfortable with taking money from you (oh what true friends!), then offer to give their contact (and your future customer!) the discount instead.

It's a win-win situation.

Create an email-able look book

Interested customers may be curious about your services and examples of your work. Keep a handy PDF version of your lookbook of past projects that you can quickly email a potential customer.

Collect and publish client reviews

Review is an important factor in customers choosing one provider over another. Your work is more valuable than you know.

Make sure to collect reviews from every client, even going back to ask if they would be open to sharing their thoughts. You can always choose to share the good ones.

Once you got a review, maybe share them on social to thank the clients for their trust. It's a sure way to build long-term past and future relationships.

Answer forum question

People have questions and you have the answers! You might think you don't but with your expertise, interest, and or years of experience in the craft, you do know a lot more than the commoner. Some of the platforms such as Quora or Reddit are a great place to answer people’s questions and feel your credibility as well as finding new customers that might be interested in your services.

Join and contribute to a Facebook group

Fake Facebook is increasingly becoming a platform for group interactions. A lot of hobby and specific interest groups are sprouting up on Facebook especially for sewing knitting leather making, and any crafts in between. Facebook groups are a great way to learn more about the online practice, connect with other makers, and find potential customers.

Just be aware that a lot of these groups want to encourage participation more than selling.

Upload your work on Pinterest and link to your site

A lot of people come to Pinterest for inspiration. A lot of makers come to Pinterest to share their work and also use Pinterest as a way to create a mood board for their upcoming creations.

Be sure to keep up to date with your latest work on Pinterest and more importantly link each image back into your site or your social channels to make sure that customers can find you while browsing.

Give away a few hours of your service a good and publicized cause

Publicity is good but is even greater when it is for a good community cause. Find community activities and causes near you that would help you to connect with potential customers while advertising your newly formed online business.

Leave a flyer or business card at coffee shops

Coffee shops and community centers are great gathering places for locals who might be looking for services. Create a simple flyer that has a nice picture of your service and a link to your website. Post them on bulletin boards all over town!

Partner with local businesses which offer customizations

Local businesses or local branch of national chain or increasingly interested in offering custom made in personalization services. Contact your local wedding dress shops, clothing shops, gift shops, and offer to add to their package. It's a win-win situation.

Photograph by Jorge Gardner