For handmade products, product appeal comes before 'how to sell'
Can you sell anything depending on how you sell it!?
This article is linked to the Instagram handmade sales roadmap.
“You can sell anything depending on how you sell it.”
This does not apply to handmade products.
The most important thing is to have them fall in love with the product.
Things to consider before learning how to sell
When I talk to handmade artists, they often fall into two categories.
1. People at the stage where they should learn how to sell
2. People who are still before that stage—those who rush into how to sell without having the basics of their product down
People in category 2 should be especially careful.
Even if you think, “If I just learn how to sell, it will sell,” you won't get results if the product itself lacks appeal.
What is required of handmade products
In handmade works, it is not just the intricacy of the technique or the high quality that is valued.
Rather, what customers are looking for is something like this↓
By obtaining it, your heart becomes enriched
your motivation increases
your life becomes more enjoyable
In other words, the most important thing is visuals and a sense of excitement.
Precisely because handmade items are not daily necessities,
you need to trigger an emotional response that makes people think, “I want this even if I have to pay for it!”
Hobby works and products are different
Items made for the joy of crafting are art pieces.
Items sold for money are products.
Being aware of that difference is the fundamental prerequisite for continuing sales activities.
To that end, here is what I want you to think about👇
Is there demand for your field, materials, colors, style, and usage?
What kind of shops and price ranges do the people who buy your products choose from?
Researching and absorbing this information is essential.
A harsh but important perspective
"It's a bit harsh, but... there are things that people wouldn't even take for free, right?"
This is by no means a denial, but a question to raise your awareness.
Similarly, in the handmade world, there are many cases where
"it is an art piece, but not a product."
First, polish your 'product quality'.
Only then will 'learning how to sell' become effective.
Product Quality Checklist
Has your product stopped at being just an 'art piece'?
The more 'YES' answers you have to the following questions, the higher the level of completion as a product.
The design and finish are such that you can genuinely think, 'I want this!' yourself
You can imagine the customer's mood lifting when they hold the product
You are confident that it will be 'photogenic' and catch people's eyes when uploaded to social media
Compared to products in the same genre, it has unique features (differentiation points) that are yours alone
You can imagine 'who' the customers who buy it are and 'what kind of shops' they use
The pricing is not just an extension of a hobby, but properly reflects its value
When you showed the product, friends or third parties have said they 'want it'
◆ 5 or more YES answers → Your product appeal is well-developed. It's time to learn how to sell!
◆ 3-4 YES answers → There is still room for growth. Learn how to sell while refining your product appeal.
◆ 2 or fewer YES answers → Your top priority is to review your product design first.
———
Write this checklist down in a notebook and try to analyze yourself.
Reflecting on whether your current items are just 'crafts' or actual 'products' is the first step in building a brand✨
Stop worrying about 'making good things but not seeing sales growth'.
You don't need to change your products.
Just change your 'entry point' to weddings.
I have compiled the specific hit themes and implementation steps that allowed me to buy an apartment with just one series here.
[Complete Edition] The Roadmap to Entering the Wedding Market that Achieved 3 Million in Monthly Sales in 3 Years