Have you ever considered a career in the creative industries? Are you a dab hand with a sewing machine or producer of beautiful watercolours? More and more people across the globe are turning their passions into a workable, sustainable money making business and making their dreams of running their own business come true. That’s not to say it’s not tough or competitive. It is and there will be difficult times to prove it, but like any new business a creative industry needs time, dedication and careful planning to get it off the ground. It also needs skill, your skills to produce enough stock to sell regularly, day to day. Have you got what it takes to be a creative entrepreneur?

 

Setting Up Shop

 

First thing’s first, where are you going to set your stall? There are effectively two options, either you are an online business or a physical business and of course there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Online you will be saving on rent and rates, there’s no doubt about that but you will also be missing out on footfall and have to work hard to market yourself in an often overcrowded online marketplace. You might have to consider joining a creative forum and marketplace to get your wares out there but either way you’ll need to work hard to be seen. With a shop front, it’s the cost that is the major factor at play and it can be quite a cost. However, the benefit of being able to physically display your products is a great bonus. Initial layout will include shop fittings and display models such as the mannequins available from https://my-mannequins.co.uk/. Once up and running you’ll be able to attract new and existing customers with great store and window displays and aim your marketing and advertising at attracting footfall rather having to sell your products online.

 

Launch In Style

 

However you choose to start, go with a bang and not a whimper. Make sure your customers know all about you, your values and ideas and everything you have on offer. Hold a launch party, generate some material around your grand opening and use it to offer opening discounts and customer loyalty schemes.

 

Reward Loyalty

 

Not just with obvious rewards such as money off  but with a free coffee, or sneak peak at your latest work before anyone else gets the chance to. Anything that helps make a loyal customer feel valued and appreciated is a great way of retaining their dedication to your products. It’s far easier to keep a loyal customer happy than attract new ones.

It’s a brave move going into business but more and more people are looking to buy unique, beautifully crafted originals in a market place often crowded with cheap fakes and low quality products. There’s no better time to fulfil your dreams of being your own boss and running your own business. If you’ve got the capacity and skill to produce your arts and crafts for an eager audience, what are you waiting for?

 

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