Making and selling things is a great way to make extra income. Whether you’re creating something to sell online or at a flea market, having the right skills to make items that people will buy is key.
Here are some tips on what you can make and how to make it so you can start earning money today.
1. Establish Your Product
It may seem obvious, but the first step is to consider the kind of products you can make. Not all products are going to be easy to make and sell, so you’ll want to make sure you’re selecting a product that can be produced quickly and with supplies that are available and not too expensive.
For example, you might not want to start making intricate quilts if you don’t have steady access to cotton fabric, or you don’t want to try to make wooden trinket boxes without a saw to cut the wood. Consider the basics of what supplies you have access to and what type of product you think you can make quickly. You’ll also want to think about profit margins.
Consider how much the raw materials cost and what kind of profit you’re likely to make on the product. This will help you determine if this type of product is worth making and help you judge if it’s something that people will want to buy. It may be helpful to look at Etsy or other sites where people are selling similar items to get an idea of what price tag you should expect to place on your products.
2. Design an Appropriate Logo
No matter what kind of product you create and sell, you’re going to need to make sure that it looks attractive and that people will be able to identify it. To do this, you should design a logo.
Your logo can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be, but it shouldn’t be too big or too small. Consider making it in a vector format, such as SVG, since this will make it high-resolution and will be able to be used on all kinds of products, like stickers and t-shirts. Additionally, make sure the size you make it is compatible with any listing sites you plan to use, like Etsy, so that it will upload correctly.
When creating your logo, make sure to avoid using any copyrighted materials and stay away from images that aren’t your own. If you’re not sure how to design your logo, there are plenty of online tutorials that can help, or you can use a service like Fiverr to help find a designer for a logo (or anything else you need.
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3. Create a Branding Strategy
Once you’ve got your logo, you’ll need to come up with a branding strategy. This means deciding on colors, fonts, and other elements that will be used in all of your materials.
For example, you could use your logo colors and have them printed on all of your products, as well as have a consistent font size and style on all of your labels. Your branding should also be used on any online storefront and social media platforms, as well as any traditional materials you plan to make. Any time someone sees your brand, they should be able to identify it, and your branding should remain consistent across all platforms and products.
4. Set Up an Online Storefront
Once you’ve settled on a product, logo, and branding, it’s time to set up an online store. You may want to use a service like Etsy or Shopify to set up your storefront, as these will make it easier for customers to find your products and purchase them quickly and easily.
These services also have other services that can help, like built-in payment processing and printing services. Be sure to also set up a website with your store, as this can help you get more customers and help with search engine optimization. The website should include product pictures, descriptions, and information about your business.
5. Create Packaging Material
In order to make sure that your product gets to your customer in one piece, you’ll need to invest in packaging material. This is something that you’ll want to think about early on, as you may need to invest in boxes or other materials depending on the type of product you make. For small items, you may want to invest in stickers to include a branding message and logo.
Additionally, consider making a small “thank you” card that you can include in each package. These small gestures are appreciated by customers and can help to make sure they come back.
6. Take Professional Photos
If you plan on selling your product online, you’ll need to have high-quality product photos. People often use the pictures featured in these listings to make their purchase decisions, so it’s important to have clear and attractive pictures.
Take pictures of the product from several angles and in different lighting circumstances to give customers an idea of what it looks like. Consider investing in a quality camera if you don’t have one already to make sure your pictures are clear and attractive.
7. Market Your Products
Once you have all your materials set up and ready to go, it’s time to start marketing your products. You’ll want to start by setting up social media pages for your business and use those to share your products and promotional messages.
Additionally, create videos and other content to share on these platforms, as well as on your website. Be sure to link your store page to all of your social media accounts so customers can find it easily. Additionally, start using keywords for your brand and products that people may be searching for, so it will be easier for them to find your store.
8. Create Promotional Material
In addition to online content and social media accounts, creating promotional materials can help get your product in front of potential customers. Consider investing in printed materials, such as flyers or business cards, and distribute them in local areas.
You can also send them out with each package you ship to customers. Additionally, creating unique coupon codes or offering discounts is a great way to get people interested in your products and to make them more likely to purchase.
9. Sell at Flea Markets and Craft Fairs
If you’re looking for a way to meet customers in person, consider selling at local flea markets and craft fairs. This is a great way to meet potential customers and show off your products in person. Remember to bring plenty of supplies with you, including extra products and promotional materials.
If you’re selling products that require assembly, you’ll want to show how to put them together. Make sure to bring a card reader with you as well, so customers can pay via debit or credit.
10. Try Local Retail Stores
If you have a great product, consider selling it to local retail stores. This is another great way to get your products in front of customers. Reach out to stores in your area to see if they’d be interested in stocking your product.
You may have to do some negotiating with them to get the right pricing, but if your products are popular, it may be worth it.
11. Look Into Wholesale Distribution
If you’re looking to increase the reach of your products, consider looking into wholesale distribution. This is another great way to get your products out there, and you may be able to get a deal on pricing and discounts.
Start by doing some research and reaching out to wholesale retailers that may be interested in stocking your products. This can be a great way to maximize your profits and get your product out to more people.
12. Consider Dropshipping
Another option is to look into dropshipping. This is where you sell a product, but it’s actually shipped from another company. This takes all of the hassle out of shipping and allows you to focus on only the marketing aspects of your business.
Research different dropshipping companies and see if they have any products that would be a good fit for your business. You may be able to set up a deal where you can sell the product on your behalf, but they handle the shipping.
13. Network with Others
Finally, networking is an often overlooked aspect of running a business. Consider reaching out to similar businesses in your area or online and attending industry events.
This is a great way to get to know the people in your industry and to learn more about your craft. This could lead to future collaborations or helpful advice that could benefit your business.
Conclusion
Making money by making and selling things requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can be a great way to make extra income or even start a full-fledged business. Be sure to consider the product, logo, and branding you plan to use and then set up the right outlets to market the product and make sure it gets out there. Use online platforms, like Etsy and Shopify, as well as traditional means, like craft fairs and flea markets.
Networking with other makers is also a great way to get your products noticed and learn more about your industry. With the right strategy, you can start making money by making and selling things today.