Growing your business: Sales outlets for creative small businesses

You’ve mastered your craft and now, you need somewhere to sell your work!

It often starts small, with friends asking for a custom piece, or your family sweetly displaying the work you’ve given them over the years.

But at some point, I’m sure you’ve said to yourself, “Can I make money doing this?” And the answer is YES! There are tons of opportunities to sell your art locally, you just have to have the willingness and gumption to put yourself out there.

It can be scary. But it will be worth it! The excitement you’ll feel when you sell that first piece is unlike any other.

I still remember my first day selling my ceramics. I had collected too many pieces from learning and practicing, and a new market at Eastern Market was starting….I knew it was my time.

My first day selling ceramics at market!

That first day, I made $400. And I was ecstatic. I received so much praise from shoppers, and it really had me thinking: Can I do this for real?

And so I did! It was slow but it was steady. I was still working full time at first, but slowly I started cutting back hours until I was ready to fully commit. It was a risk. But ultimately, it led me to a new confidence about my abilities, great small business friends, and the opportunity to live a creative, self-sufficient life.

But enough about me! Let’s dive in :)

How Can I Sell my Work Locally?

Art fairs + markets

This is a great way to get in front of new people. They attract a big crowd, and most importantly, it’s a crowd that is interested in art. 

Summertime is peak season for large art fairs, so see what’s happening in your area. Make sure to do your research early – many summer art fairs close their applications as early as January.

Holiday craft markets are also a great opportunity. People are ready to shop, and you’ll feel a wonderful sense of community among the other vendors.

For both of these outlets, you’ll need to submit an application with photos of your work, and often one of your booth set up. So make sure you have quality pics! It will be worth it to set up a practice booth at home, so you can tweak your display while impressing the jurors who choose the vendors.

My real-life booth setup from an outdoor art fair.

Make sure to follow the application instructions closely! This is the unedited version, but in the application for this fair, I was required to block out the banner with my logo and any other branded materials.

Pop ups at local businesses

Brick and mortar shops are always looking for ways to draw more people into their stores. By featuring a local artist, they are creating a fun event that will attract more shoppers. And you get to take advantage of their customer base. It’s a win-win!

Reach out to local stores

Cold emailing can feel scary, but it’s a great way to create brand awareness. You might not get an answer, but it makes your work that much more recognizable when a shop owner sees it the next time.

Don’t be afraid to send a follow-up email! Shop owners are busy, and sometimes simply forget to respond so don’t mistake that for them being uninterested!

Here I am selling at a pop-up at Madewell in 2019.

Not exactly a local brand, but their Hometown Heroes initiative brought a lot of local makers into their metro-Detroit stores!

How do I Reach More Customers?

Sell online

Taking on eCommerce is a big task, but we all know the convenience of shopping online. Whether it’s on your own website, or on a multi-seller platform like Etsy, make sure you are putting your best foot forward with stunning photos and good product descriptions that provide clear expectations to your customers.

And don’t forget about getting yourself set up to ship! Packing materials, sticker labels, and a printer are essential!

Want help getting set up online? Let’s talk :)

Sell wholesale online

Platforms like Faire are a great way to connect with small shops that aren’t necessarily local. Be sure to set a reasonable order minimum, and adjust your prices to account for the lower wholesale price!

Tag your products, or include business cards when you ship your order so the store’s customers can keep in touch with you!

Collaborate with other small businesses

Work with your friends! Or reach out to a fellow artist that you admire for a collaboration! You both will benefit from sharing your customer base, and you’ll get to make a unique, collaborative product.

As a potter, I made ceramic incense burners for some friends with a fragrance company. A friend of mine who does natural dyeing has custom-dyed products for other brands.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

You’re going to do great. And I’m here for support!

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