1000 Markets – Potential for Handmade Sales

HandmadeMarketing.org spoke with handmade artisan Karley Ziegler Mott about her feature in Martha Stewart’s October 2008 issue of “Body + Soul”.  Karley mentioned her KZM Facial Care Boutique products can be found on 1000 Markets.  We wanted to learn more about 1000 Markets!  Could this selling platform provide more benefits to online handmade sellers than other websites?

“I cannot say enough about 1000 Markets,” Karley told us.  “It’s funny. I hadn’t heard of the marketplace yet. I have a daily Indie shopping blog, Chic & Green. I was writing up a piece and happened to show an item from a woman on Etsy named Nora. She said briefly to check out her 1000 Markets shop as well. Out of curiosity, I did. I was immediately impressed with how clean and professional the website is.”

Our team checked out the selling platform, and to our surprise, the 1000 Markets website is clean and professional.  If you have not heard of 1000 Markets yet, here’s an overview of the website and it’s goals.

“Our markets are more than just collections of products; they are full of people and stories,” the 1000 Markets website reads.  The makers behind 1000 Markets create a platform for handmade sellers’ voices and personalities.  The site’s merchants are small, independent, artisan businesses.  HandmadeMarketing.org was impressed with the site’s emphasis on the handmade community.  The site’s “About Us” page reads, “They make and sell unique products, based on their own vision, personality and story. Working together, these artisans create marketplace communities – gathering places where merchants can exchange ideas, and customers can browse and talk.”

The website categorizes by “market”.  A market can be centered around a number of ties.  “Our markets are large and small, broad and narrow,” the website reads.  “Some have themes, like food, crafts, or art. Others cultivate a sense of place around a region. And some exist simply because the people in them share friendship or common values.”  In the end, each market on 1000 Markets ends up creating an interesting community unlike any other handmade selling platforms we have seen.

Interestingly, Karley didn’t begin selling immediately once she first stopped by the 1000 Markets site.  “I started looking at individual markets and was just thinking, “Wow!”  I just was drawn to the place. I had no intentions of ever selling there,” she said.

“I had my own dot com site after leaving Etsy. It was going really well and then I had to close for a month due to medical issues. During this month off, I interviewed Matt Trifiro, the CEO of 1000 Markets for my blog. I was so impressed by his vision and began hearing from sellers about the uniqueness of 1000 Markets,” Karley told us.

After the interview with Matt Trifiro, Karley said she started going to 1000 Markets each day.  “I was reading the forums and just checking out the neat markets, from the enticing food vendors in the Foodcrafters Marketplace, to the green shops in the Eco-Friendly Market. I sensed a genuine sense of passion and a true community spirit–a very positive vibe,” she said.  “I was doing some soul-searching during my medical leave. I was trying to strike a balance between motherhood and my work without it straining my health. I spent so much time maintaining my website that it was just a dreadful task.”

Karley said the first natural thought would have been, “Just go back to Etsy.”  However, Karley told us that thought didn’t enter her mind. “I opened an account on 1000 Markets and my shop there opened March 2009. I have never been happier with a business decision in my life. It was just the right thing for me,” she told us.

What makes 1000 Markets different from other selling platforms?  “There are some real differences between Etsy and 1000 Markets. Do not get me wrong. I am a fan of Etsy. It was the pioneer of the Indie shopping experience,” Karley said.  “I was noticed on Etsy, drew a very loyal internet following there, and will always be grateful for that. I will always shop from my favorite businesses there.”

“That being said,” Karley continued, “1000 Markets is a juried marketplace. A handmade seller must apply and be accepted, so that helps to make sure that high quality products are offered. I notice a real sense of professionalism and respect there, especially in the forums. People genuinely love the Indie experience there as buyers and sellers and we support one another. The administration is active, helpful, highly approachable, and they listen to the vendors. It is a team over there. It offers a real community feel, which is felt even more so in the individual markets. Each morning, I begin my day in a place called Josie’s Cafe in The Village market forums. It’s a really positive vibe.”

Karley also likes the prompt and individual service by the makers behind 1000 Markets.  “If I have a question or comment, I can email the “powers that be” and know that they care and will personally get back to me. I like that,” she said.

Upon exploring the 1000 Markets website, our team couldn’t help but notice the diversity of products on the selling platform.  Karley admits this is a big draw to her as well.  “1000 Markets has the wonderful markets that no one else has. If you want gourmet food, you know to look at the Foodcrafters Marketplace. If you want something for your kids, they have a marketplace for that. It is convenient, user-friendly, and just a wonderful site,” she told us.

Moreover, our HandmadeMarketing.org team was impressed with the simple, easy to follow outline of how much it costs a handmade seller to selling on 1000 Markets.  It’s free to set up a 1000 Markets handmade shop no setup, listing, or hosting fees!  When a seller sells a shop item, 1000 Markets deducts 5.5% of the order total plus $0.50.  We were excited to see there was no fine print!

Karley’s experience with the site’s fees, or lack thereof, was positive.  “As a seller, I love how quickly I can put up my listings. It is so user friendly. I love that we use Amazon Payments as opposed to Paypal. I also love how the small fees are taken right out automatically with the sale–no monthly bill to pay! I like how you’d don’t pay listing fees or have to work around the constant listing/relisting cycle on Etsy,” she said.

“As far as what it lacks, 1000 Markets is in preview mode,” Karley said.  “Yes, it’s open and we’re selling, but it hasn’t even had its grand opening. We didn’t have categories like Etsy, but they are up now. I don’t feel there is anything lacking, and that’s my honest opinion as a businessperson. Your readers may be thinking, “No place can be that perfect,” but I am just so content about my decision to make 1000 Markets the home for my business.”

During her interview with Matt Trifiro, Karley asked what lies ahead for 1000 Markets.  “Our goal is to enable thousands of community-driven Markets,” Matt told Karley.  “In aggregate, these marketplaces will represent a significant portion of the retail economy.”  He noted the increase of power among individuals to compete with large corporations.  “Just as the ability for anybody to create a blog has shifted power away from large aggregating media sites to smaller niche media players, we believe the ability for anybody to create a marketplace will do the same for e-commerce,” Matt said in his interview with Karley.  “Bringing this experience to the online world is an immense but rewarding undertaking.”

Karley said she could not say enough about 1000 Markets and says she looks forward to its official opening.

Thank you to Karley for sharing her experience with 1000 Markets with HandmadeMarketing.org!  You can read more about Karley’s successes on 1000 Markets by visiting her blog.

Which online selling platform works best to sell your handmade crafts?  What new platforms do you think have a bright future?  What are the reasons you continue to sell at your current selling platform?

HandmadeMarketing.org wants to hear your ideas about selling platforms for handmade items!  Tell us your thoughts on what works for selling and what doesn’t by submitting your handmade marketing ideas.  If our editors like your ideas, we will feature you and your shop in a future article for the HandmadeMarketing.org community!