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Feel like you've been trying everything to increase your sales, but nothing's working?
You started your maker business because you love creating, but you also want to make money—but the cash isn't rolling in just yet.
In this article, I'm sharing the 7 pieces of advice I give to makers looking to increase their sales in the shortest time possible.
Keep reading to find the next steps you should take to start getting more sales ASAP.
#1 - Find B2B Clients
B2B means business-to-business. Instead of selling one-off gifts or customized items to individual consumers, you sell to a business or organization.
Businesses need bulk orders, which ends up in more overall sales for your business. Plus, they may have more needs for customized goods, like tumblers and keychains with their logo for employee recognition, personalized employee awards, client gifts, and ready-to-sell items.
At the same time, it's a great way to get your name out there, because businesses often spread the word about good vendors to their network.
How to get started:
- Connect with local businesses or branches, schools, gyms, salons, restaurants, and more.
- Propose opportunities to work together, like client gifts, or employee onboarding gifts, holiday party gifts, or awards.
#2 - Make Sales Samples
Want another B2B strategy? You can make free samples to send over to potential customers. Use their logo to give them a little taste of what you can do. After all, offering a real sample of what you make is better than just a sales pitch.
How to get started:
- Pick a small group of businesses or companies you'd like to work with.
- You can use Fiverr or free tools to convert their logo and make a sample product.
- Ship the sample or bring it with you to visit the business. Don't forget to insert your business card, too.
Photo Engraved 30oz Powder Coated Tumblers
#3 - Go Out and Meet Potential Customers in the Wild
Starting only online can be tough, especially if you don't have a big social media following already.
There's a lot of existing competition on Etsy and Shopify. So starting locally and meeting people face-to-face can really help.
Join community events like craft fairs or trade shows or simply go door-to-door with your samples and meet local businesses.
How to get started:
- Bring samples of your work to show decision makers at local businesses.
- Bring business cards, product sell sheets, or a small portfolio of your work to show.
- Find a craft fair or trade show to join.
#4: Constantly Build Relationships With Other Businesses
You don't always need to go around asking for a sale. Instead, you can focus on simply meeting and networking with other businesses.
Try networking groups like Business Networking International (BNI) or join local business events and meetups in your area to get started.
We do this at MakerFlo! We love joining events, trade shows, and personally connecting with other business owners in our industry. See where we'll pop up this year on our Trade Shows page.
How to get started:
- Join local networking groups—BNI has chapters all over the U.S..
- You can also check out your local town chambers. They might have social events, ribbon cuttings, and other ways to connect with businesses.
- Look for local Facebook groups for small business networking. (Try our MakerFlo Makers Community for starters!)
- Getting involved in your community is a super valuable way to meet other business owners!
#5: Find Little Ways to Delight Your Customers
At the end of the day, you always want your customers to come back for more. This means it's important to give them a great experience from start to finish.
This can include professional, beautiful packaging, providing a care card, and offering top-notch customer service.
At MakerFlo, our customizable blanks come with great-looking packaging so you don't have to work hard to make that great first impression.
How to get started:
- Try MakerFlo products that come with beautiful packaging out of the box.
- Create custom care cards with a thank you message and social media links.
- Be responsive to customer reviews (the good and the bad) and always be ready to help with a smile!
- Drop off holiday gifts for clients or send a personalized thank-you card at the end of the year.
#6: Streamline Production to Increase Profits
Cutting down on waste is an easy way to increase your profits. Streamlining production can look different for everyone.
But you can simplify what you offer and choose reliable suppliers that have the same products all the time (like MakerFlo!). You can also standardize your designs, customization options, and operational flow.
This could mean always using the same settings on your laser engraver or heat press, or sticking to the same ratios of epoxy, dye, and glitter for every product you make.
How to get started:
- Choose a quality blanks supplier like MakerFlo that provides ready-to-use blanks with all the extras included. Check out our build-a-bundle offers to get 10% off your order.
- Experiment with settings on each blank you offer, and write down the timing settings, and procedures so you can follow them every time.
- Choose a set product line and a collection of designs that are easy to customize.
- Add on extra fees for custom work or quick turnaround times.
#7: Tap Into Your Warm Leads
Networking with small businesses, owners, and potential customers is a priceless way to increase your sales. Don't forget about those warm leads you met along the way.
Even if you met before and they didn't buy anything, they might have changed their mind by the time you reach out again.
How to get started:
- As your business grows, regularly go back through your contact list and reconnect with your leads and customers
- Deliver news and ideas to your warm leads: share new products you can customize, new ideas and/or materials
- Talk to supportive family and friends and ask them to spread the word about your business. They can share you with friends or post about you on social media.
Final Thoughts
Owning a business isn't easy, but it feels so rewarding when you finally get in the groove of things! The most important thing is to take action.
Instead of posting on Etsy and hoping to get a bite, we've seen first-hand that Makers who proactively sell in person and in their community are much more effective at quickly increasing their sales and building their business.
By the time that first Etsy order comes in, you may have already closed 5 (or more) big orders. Remember, you can do this!
Here are some other helpful articles to check out:
- The Essential Makers Business Guide
- 10 Things Successful Makers Do
- Sales & Marketing Checklist for Makers
Joining a community of people that are in the same position is another great way to get advice or exchange ideas.
Make sure to join our mailing list below for more content and our MakerFlo Makers Community on Facebook to connect with even more makers!
