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Ok, there have been a number of Cutting for Business readers who have started small businesses making and selling products – and then decided that it really wasn’t ‘their thing’. (And that is totally ok!) One such reader reached out to me on Facebook and asked if I had any ideas of how she could stay involved in the handmade community (and make money) without selling handmade products. Of course I have ideas! I gave her a whole list of things she could do, and today I’m sharing it with you.
8 Ways to Make Money without Selling Handmade Products
- Sell Supplies. Whether you choose to sell blank products to embellish or craft supplies themselves, selling supplies can be profitable.
- Host a YouTube Channel. If you are good at explaining how to create projects, video yourself and put them on YouTube. YouTube can be lucrative once you hit a certain number of views and start getting paid advertising revenue.
- Social Media and Marketing. If you are good at social media, allow other crafters to hire you to manage their social media and marketing efforts in their craft businesses.
- Become an SEO Expert. SEO stands for search engine optimization. If nit picky things like keywords and search functions interest you, become an SEO specialist and help craft businesses get found in search engines.
- Host an Instagram Feature Account. If you love Instagram, you can start a feature account and have crafters pay you to feature their business on your account. First, of course, you’d need to build up a solid following on Instagram. You can learn more about feature accounts in this post.
- Write a Blog. If you are particularly knowledgeable about a particular craft, machine, or aspect of working in the handmade community, put your expertise online and start a blog.
- Teach Classes. Whether you prefer Silhouette or Cricut, consider lending your talents to teach craft classes. There’s always new machine owners looking to learn how to use their machine. You could teach online through webcams or in person.
- Be a Designer. Working as a designer can mean so many things. Some designers design cut files or patterns; while others work directly with clients on websites and logos. If you’ve got a knack for creating digital goods, consider freelancing as a designer.
Do you work in the handmade community but don’t sell handmade products to customers? Tell us what you do in the comments.
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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.
Joanne
Thursday 7th of November 2019
Where would you sell blanks if that’s what you want to pursue? eBay? Etsy? Fbmp?
Christine, Cutting for Business
Monday 11th of November 2019
Any/all of the above, plus your own website.
Nichole
Tuesday 30th of July 2019
Oh my gosh this was so meant for me . First off I live on my phone pinning, YouTubing 24-7 quiet literally. I have an entire craft room upstairs stocked as if it were a gift shop or small business or rather or even a craft teaching studio ready to ready to go but I’ve lived with juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 4 and now that I’m 41 it’s so hard for me to physically do much of anything. But my heart desires to live a life just like everyone else . So I just feel so stuck . I still enjoy being productive but it just unfortunately has to be done from my bed a majority of the time. Those of us whom suffer with chronic pain find so much joy and relief through crafting but often sometimes just the process of getting all of the supplies out and we begin stressing about getting everything together which honestly shouldn’t sound stressful often can be a bit overwhelming at times and a lot of the reason is because we have so many projects that we want to do all at once when we do have the energy that we end up starting several and never completing one. So then we end up depleting ourselves of that good energy we had and we fastly begin to ache and become very fatigued and tired . I’ve Cricuted for about 14 years and have loved it more than anything and it has been my outlet . It saddens me so bad because I could be the biggest advocate for a brand and advertise for someone via telephone if I believe in a product I can promise you I will sell you on a product. That’s only because when I believe in something I’m going to vouch behind it wholeheartedly. Can you think of anything I can do or should I just sale all the blanks I have and just focus on being a mom when I feel good. I have a 12 year old little girl that is truly a miracle and has an amazing testimony like no other and a 16 year old son .
Shane Green
Friday 8th of November 2019
Start a blog devoted to crafting with chronic illness! I gave up weaving years ago because of the arthritis in my hands. It would have been wonderful to have a resource where others offered advice on how to continue creating.
Christine, Cutting for Business
Sunday 25th of August 2019
Hi Nichole! You could always start a website, blog, or YouTube channel. These things wouldn't keep you tied to specific hours. Best of luck!
PaleDaffodil
Monday 21st of May 2018
Hi Christine! I did sell (and will again) craft supplies ...and just a few handmade items (among other things) on eBay... all starting in 1998. I also gave Etsy a short lived whirl. Photographs are KEY and so is a detailed description. Communication is important as well. Shipping costs are high, so it’s necessary to be aware of the package weight. If it is heavy and not highly sought after, you’ll eat the shipping and profit on your item. ...get a scale and choose what you sell carefully. For me, Pinterest and Instagram are my main social media resources. I don’t do Facebook, *gasp*, or Twitter. I follow and comment on YouTube craft/diy videos but, have not made any videos of my own. Blogging is good. ...focus on your craft. The more social media outlets, the better, BUT it is a preference. Choose your own level of success. Do what works for you. Cheers!
Christine
Tuesday 22nd of May 2018
Thanks for sharing!
Adrienne
Monday 21st of May 2018
I would love to sell supplies, especially fabric since I usually have an idea of what I want in my head but then can’t find the actual fabric! Now I’m trying to figure out how to sell supplies.
Christine
Tuesday 22nd of May 2018
I have that problem of not knowing what I want, too!