Selling Jewelry Online – Guide to Sales

More than half of all beaders are entrepreneurs according to “The State of Beading-2004 Industry Survey” from Interweave Press.  Many of these entrepreneurs turn to the Internet to help grow their business.

However, those who come to Etsy or other online selling platforms may be discouraged by the competition online.  “[In] a saturated jewelry market, you need to promote your butt of,” as one Etsian said on the Etsy forums.

If you are struggling with selling your handmade jewelry online, “Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning Your Passion into Profit” is a great resource to walk you through the process.

The book is written by Viki Lareau, co-owner of The Bead Factory in Tacoma, Washington and co-founder of the Puget Sound Bead Festival.  She also worked for Nordstrom as well as a chain of bead stores across the United States and Canada.  Lareau has mentored hundreds of beaders and jewelry-makers on their way to success.  “Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry” is look into her knowledge and experience with making a small jewelry business work.

Many who take up beading as a hobby end up selling their handmade items in numerous communities.  From at home parties and craft fairs, to Etsy or eBay, a jewelry seller can think their on their way to big profits.  This jewelry-business mentor shows an average jewelry artist how to take their passion to the next level.

“Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry” is a easy read (96 pages) full of practical advice and encouragement to increase your sales.  Lareau outlines case studies as well as personally stories in her book – making this book entertaining and a fun read.

Like many articles on HandmadeMarketing.org, the book begins with matching your style with the best target market.  Finding the best target market for your handmade items is essential for any shop, but is especially important when selling jewelry online.  Etsy, ArtFire, and other selling platforms are full of talented jewelry sellers – each competing for the best price point, market, and effective marketing techniques.  “Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry” tells sellers to take into account their time committment as well as their style to ensure sellers aren’t getting in over their heads.

The book also talks about how to create unique branding for your jewelry.  Jewelry sellers may forget a distinctive look can be the easiest way to set a handmade jewelry shop apart from other stores.  More than looking at online focused marketing ideas, “Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry” looks at the branding of brochures, hang tags for craft shows, and ideas for unique signage.

Confused about how to run a home-based business?  Lareau outlines business licenses and tax ID numbers to help a new business owner sort through how to set up a business.

In the end, the pricing of your handmade jewelry may be what puts you far ahead of your compeitions.  “Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry” shows readers real-life sucess stories of crafters that made a substantial profit.

Want to know more about the topics covered in “Marketing and Selling Handmade Jewelry”?  Check out the outline of the chapters:

Preface: My Story
Introduction: How It All Begins
One: First Steps
Two: Building Your Portfolio
Three: Pricing Your Work
Four: Selling Your Jewelry at Craft Fairs
Five: Selling Wholesale
Six: Marketing
Seven: Managing the Business

The appendix also includes some note-worthy topics for how to sell jewelry online and in your community:

Craft Fairs and Festivals
D isplay and Packaging Resources
Small Business Resources
Promotional Printers and Resources
Publications
Helpful Miscellaneous Websites