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Here’s another post about successful DIY business tips from Peter Minkoff! This is his second guest post for the blog.
Best Tips for Successful DIY Business
The rising market demand in handmade goods goes hand in hand with the increased number of home-based startups. It’s quite a paradox, though, that in these modern times when we’re striving for all-things-tech, our desire for crafted things grows. Yes, video may have killed the radio star, but it seems that the internet revived the handmade products. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity and start your own business, especially if you’re tired of being bossed around or if you have some free time on your hands. Still, this isn’t just a matter of make and sell. Here are some tips that will help you to be actually successful in a DIY arena.
Have a ‘Killer’ Idea
Idea is everything in the handmade market, especially now when a huge number of handmade businesses arise with each new day, so you have to have something specific to stand out. When we say specific, we truly mean so – not just ‘jewelry’, but ‘steampunk jewelry’ or ‘pearl jewelry’. Or you can come up with a truly new idea. Remember the Rainbow Loom (a plastic device with a bag of rubber bands which are used to make bracelets)? It started as a small idea of one father, and it grew to take over the world.
Test It
You might think you have the best idea ever, but what if no one wants to buy it? If you’re a bit scared of critique, start testing your idea with your friends and family. As soon as you get the necessary encouragement, you can take it to the streets or online to get some useful feedback.
Write a Business Plan
Even though you’re doing what you love and you have no people on higher positions, you should have a business plan which will keep you grounded and real. You will know what to expect, what are your potential gains and how do they stand compared to your costs for materials and the time you have invested in making the products.
Sell Online
We have already mentioned that internet is the best friend of DIY businesses, so try to truly understand how it can work in your favor. Starting your own online store is a logical step, but for the start, you can sell your products on online handmade goods marketplace and similar online platforms. As your business is growing, you will need a good website and a smartphone app.
Be Social
Social platforms are so popular that we have to mention them as a separate category. They’re great marketing assets, where you can truly connect with potential customers and tell them your story. Social media also influence sales. In fact, more than 50 percent of Twitter and Facebook users are most likely to buy the products they’re following online. Improve your chances by playing by the rules of these platforms and actually communicating with your customers.
Be Real
Selling online will make a huge chunk of your profit, but that doesn’t mean you should completely ignore the opportunities you have in the “real world”. Create an offline marketing strategy too, but make it a part of your online actions too (e.g. a guerilla campaign which calls out people to visit your website). Sell your products on a garage sale, local market, ask boutiques and shops in your neighborhood to exhibit some of your work, etc. A great way to gain exposure and meet some people that could help you take your business to a new level, is to exhibit at a craft fair.
Last, but not the least, be passionate about what you do – it’s what separates average businesses from the truly successful ones. Listen to the feedback you are getting and try to constantly improve and give your customers reasons to buy your products over and over again.
This was written by Peter Minkoff.
Peter is a beauty and health writer for HighStyleLife magazine from Australia. After graduating at Australian Institute of Creative Design, he worked as a freelance intern writer in Australia and United Kingdom. Besides writing, he loves to practice yoga, cook exotic meals and travel around exotic destinations. His future plans are in creating his personal blog about everyday life-saving tips. Follow Peter at Facebook and Twitter.
Feel free to contact: minkoffpeter@gmail.com
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This is very helpful! Thank you for this Mariaisquixotic! 🙂
This is great. I started my online business with two other friends in college. That’s why I earned my first 6-digits at age 19. I highly agree with what he says especially on social. It’s a leverage small businesses can use
What a great article. I love the comparison with the “video killed the radio star” and how the internet has made it trendy to sell handmade things. Starting a home business is a great idea, but not an easy undertaking! Testing your product is a really good tip, just so you know if it’s worth it. Lovely guest post, thanks for the tips.
“Killer idea” is something I either don’t have or haven’t discovered yet! lol. Many of us want to have a business of their own, but only few have the courage to realize it. I’m one of those who fear to take risks, I fear that I might just be wasting money. But right now, my husband and I are saving for something we hope to be realized when he gets home. So, hopefully, this will work.
This is informative. I actually started my business online sharing it with friends and family. After some time i was surprised with the demand from consumers nationwide which i do shippinh everyday. Now i market my products into local shops on a consignment basis. That way my products is now within reach from selected areas and that will cut short the additional shipping fee that clients pay for their shopping..
Of all listed above, I so agree with being REAL. We could sell dozens of ideas and even hundreds of products. But time will come we will get tired and find no energy to continue. Why? Because we are not being real. There should be the passion for being real. There should be sincerity in yourself to be real.
These are sound plans when thinking of a business. I would like to add too, prior to thinking about doing a business, one has to put time to read and learn. Knowledge and acquiring the mindset of a businessman is something else. Getting down to doing it, the planning, etc, is what I refer to as skills. The mindset allows you to see and think like a business person and to see opportunities in preparing a market prior to even beginning a business, for example.
Here’s a related post that some may find helpful: http://www.amazinglifedaily.com/employment-solopreneur-no-fear/
Being REAL is really important, I so agree with you on that. DIY Business or being self employed if I may say that, is not that easy.. but, it’s more than worth it.. I like all the things you said in here, except creating my own business plan, I’m such a loser on that part.
This is just right on time because I’m currently scouting on what business to venture on. Just a small sideline business to add up to the income. I’m not a really crafty one but I must say that I have a bit of creativity flowing in my blood which I want to take advantage of. Still thinking though what could be the best one to market. Thank you for such helpful tips. Will keep this in mind. 🙂
Great advice, I completely agree. I’m not yet ready to leave everything and be doing freelance or have my own DIY business for now, but I do sell services out of working hours (exhausting by the way). My dream is some day I’ll be in the position to be my ‘own’ boss 🙂
Thank you for this, a great article. It’s a bit challenging for me to venture into DIY business, especially having a Killer Idea, thinking of those and brain storming takes time and effort. I tried to push my own small online business but stopped it because I was busy on other things. But I might get back to it again after reading this 🙂
Alyssa,
Killer ideas can come from nowhere. But there is one tried and tested way of getting into a business. Invest in creating a market. Keep good relationships even as you make new connections. Sooner or later, with more and more people you know, figuring out a business you could do to cater to the needs of your network may allow you to have your killer idea.
I love going to small craft fairs and discovering cute handmade unique items, for my house or my jewellery box. I think it’s a great advice to go and be a participant in these fairs, when you have your own diy business. This is how more people will discover and recommend you.
This is perfect and good tips.. I believe in garage sales and carboot sales as a start up for any small businesses…and selling online is not too bad also as it definitely cost less then having to rent a shop and worry about utilities, staffing and rental… and having a killer idea??? Oh gosh this is the one thing that I have to go and sit and consider… hahahahah but thanks for the share…