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I’m sure you’ll agree that 2020 is a year like no other that you’ve had in your craft business. With Back to School time upon us in the next few weeks, I wanted to share some thoughts and tips I’ve come up with.
5 Tips for Your Craft Business During Back to School 2020
- Focus on essential items. It’s no secret: Many people are short on money, some may be out of work, and still others may not have received any assistance throughout this pandemic. So, focus on essential items like backpacks, lunch boxes, and other school supplies that parents will need to purchase. Novelty products may not sell well this year.
- Offer both virtual and traditional school themed products. Throughout the country, some kids will go back virtually, others will return to a traditional setting, and still others will enroll in a mix of both. If you only market traditionally this year, you may miss out on many potential sales.
- Don’t make a large amount of products upfront. Unfortunately, in such a volatile world, I’m wouldn’t want you to get stuck with a large amount of premade products. Either make products when they are ordered, or make them generic enough to pack up for next year.
- Plan to market back to school products for a longer period of time. Some schools are delayed, some are starting virtually and hoping to return to the classroom later. With all the uncertainty, don’t stop marketing your back to school products in September. Instead, keep at it. I feel that back to school season will be longer this year.
- Think outside of clothing. During back to school season, clothing is usually the biggest seller. This year, some kids will be doing virtual school – and likely in their pajamas. Consider products outside of clothing, like 5 day washable mask sets.
As you market in your area, keep an eye on your local schools for information on what their plans are. Even if you don’t have school age children, it will help you with local marketing decisions.
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Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also teaches a course on creating digital SVG designs, available at How to Design SVGs.