3 Ways To Increase Sales And Improve Your Handmade Business
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read

Here are three tips that I would recommend focusing on when selling handmade items: story-telling, product pictures and location.
- Get creative with story telling! Why should someone buy from you and how are you communicating this? Selling online can be a tricky business, especially since most e-commerce platforms are so “flat” when limited to just images and text. Therefore, if you’ve cultivated a following on your social media channels, use the story- and LIVE streaming features to invite your audience behind the scenes and share who you are and the product process. If you’re selling handmade items in any of our SULO-cities, you’re more than welcome to apply to open your own store, it gives you a store front with a Live streaming platform built into it -> SULO Live.
- Having great product pictures are so important. In order to turn visitors into customers, they need to be able to get a good idea of what you’re offering, both on your website and social media channels. I personally look for product pictures with good lighting and an overall minimalistic approach where the item is in focus. There are numbers of blogs on this topic, but here is one that might help you out: The Ultimate Guide To DIY Product Photography
- Location — where are your customers? If you’re just starting out I would suggest thinking local. For example, are there any markets or local craft fairs that you can apply to attend? Are there any other makers in the area that you can collaborate with to make a special collection or run a “Give away” promotion in order to increase your reach? And what about workshops — perhaps there’s a space where you can meet potential customers and educate them about your craftsmanship at the same time?
Selling goods of any kind requires a lot of hard work and an efficient curiosity of what works and what doesn’t. Generally, connecting the online (standalone website, Etsy-, SULO store) with the offline (craft fairs, markets pop-up shops) is a good way of getting to know your customers on a more personal level and for building relationships that lasts long term.
