I am new to selling my crochet and my patterns. I have been selling casually for a few years but in a more organised way for only one (I know this because I am just renewing my public liability insurance ...)
This means I have a lot to learn. I thought, a year on, I would share some of the observations, experiences, decisions and ideas my first year of selling has given me.
Before I begin, I should say that I am in no way an expert. I am a true beginner. I don't know if what I've learnt is any good to anyone else or is in anyway good business. I hope you read with interest but also read with discernment.
So here goes:
Number 1 - BEING RUTHLESS
Some times you have to be a bit hard on yourself if you are making to sell. When I was making just for me I would indulge in making exactly what I wanted (I still do but in my 'hobby' crochet time) - I can't do this now. If I want to make money from my crochet I have to make what other people like. I read all over that you should be 'true to yourself' and 'maintain your integrity' etc. This is true. I would never make anything I didn't like or appreciate. However... and a big however ... I have learnt there has to be a compromise. My taste is not necessarily a commercial taste. I cannot be self-indulgent and make money.
Case-in-point: When I first started to sell a few years ago I made a gorgeous hood/scarf. I loved it. It was made in Merino. It was soft and chunky and scrumptious. I still have that scarf. No one else wants it. I have reduced and reduced the price. I have experimented with different ways to display it and promote it. No one wants it. I have had to come to terms with that. So I am being ruthless - or should that be realistic? - it is taking up space and it is taking up yarn and it is never going to make any money. Yesterday I started unpicking it. It was a very hard decision. I still love it.
There is a down-side. I feel bad that no-one appreciated my design. I feel demotivated that all that work was for nothing. But now I think with my business-head and my creative-head there are massive upsides. I had a white-elephant but now I have more than 200g of gorgeous merino wool to play with (oops - work with) and, before I had even wound 50g of this I had a million ideas whizzing through my head about what it could become next. I was inspired (and if you don't understand how a nice yarn can do that I'm guessing you don't knit, crochet or spin).
I am now decided to be more ruthless. Over the next few months I will review the things I have for sale with a more critical eye and categorise them into "good sellers", "might sells" (for remarketing and then review) and "never sell" (to be upcycled, recycled ...etc) It feels good!
I hope this is a useful waffling. I have more to come :)
This means I have a lot to learn. I thought, a year on, I would share some of the observations, experiences, decisions and ideas my first year of selling has given me.
Before I begin, I should say that I am in no way an expert. I am a true beginner. I don't know if what I've learnt is any good to anyone else or is in anyway good business. I hope you read with interest but also read with discernment.
So here goes:
Number 1 - BEING RUTHLESS
Some times you have to be a bit hard on yourself if you are making to sell. When I was making just for me I would indulge in making exactly what I wanted (I still do but in my 'hobby' crochet time) - I can't do this now. If I want to make money from my crochet I have to make what other people like. I read all over that you should be 'true to yourself' and 'maintain your integrity' etc. This is true. I would never make anything I didn't like or appreciate. However... and a big however ... I have learnt there has to be a compromise. My taste is not necessarily a commercial taste. I cannot be self-indulgent and make money.
Case-in-point: When I first started to sell a few years ago I made a gorgeous hood/scarf. I loved it. It was made in Merino. It was soft and chunky and scrumptious. I still have that scarf. No one else wants it. I have reduced and reduced the price. I have experimented with different ways to display it and promote it. No one wants it. I have had to come to terms with that. So I am being ruthless - or should that be realistic? - it is taking up space and it is taking up yarn and it is never going to make any money. Yesterday I started unpicking it. It was a very hard decision. I still love it.
There is a down-side. I feel bad that no-one appreciated my design. I feel demotivated that all that work was for nothing. But now I think with my business-head and my creative-head there are massive upsides. I had a white-elephant but now I have more than 200g of gorgeous merino wool to play with (oops - work with) and, before I had even wound 50g of this I had a million ideas whizzing through my head about what it could become next. I was inspired (and if you don't understand how a nice yarn can do that I'm guessing you don't knit, crochet or spin).
I am now decided to be more ruthless. Over the next few months I will review the things I have for sale with a more critical eye and categorise them into "good sellers", "might sells" (for remarketing and then review) and "never sell" (to be upcycled, recycled ...etc) It feels good!
I hope this is a useful waffling. I have more to come :)
