10 Things Successful Makers Do

April 29, 2025 | John & Marc, MakerFlo Founders

Tips to Take Your Crafting Hustle to the Next Level

Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for a while, one thing is true—successful makers don’t leave things to chance. They build smart habits, use the right tools, and constantly evolve. At MakerFlo, we’ve worked with thousands of makers, and we’ve seen first-hand what separates those who thrive from those who burn out.

 

Here are 10 things the most successful makers do consistently:

1. They Master Their Craft

Great makers never stop learning. Whether it's trying new techniques, practicing consistently, or watching tutorials, they dedicate time to improving their skills. Mastery doesn’t come overnight, but it does come with daily commitment. Successful makers are constantly advancing their techniques to offer professionally customized goods that set them apart from the competition.  

2. They Invest in Quality & Consistency

Successful makers understand that the right materials make all the difference. They choose high-quality blanks, inks, adhesives, and machines that elevate their customizations and save time in the long run.  (Shameless plug: That’s why they shop at MakerFlo. 😉)

Top makers understand that their customers want a premium product AND their own unique customization.  Working with high quality blanks saves makers time and waste, by providing them with consistency and reliability during the customization process.  They aren’t going to have to reinvent the wheel each time they make, or test new settings or bake times when using reliable and premium products. 

3. They Know Their Brand 

From their logo to their packaging, successful makers have a clear and consistent brand identity. It helps them stand out in a crowded market and builds trust with their customers. They know who they are, what they offer, and why people should choose them.   

💡 Pro-tip:  Get clear on your brand with MakerFlo's Beginner's Sales & Marketing Checklist for Makers, where you can download our free worksheet to start building your brand.

4. They Dedicate Time to Selling

Whether it’s a side hustle or a full-time gig, successful makers approach their craft like a business. They track expenses, set goals, manage inventory, and understand their numbers. And they dedicate time to selling. Creativity, strategy and execution go hand-in-hand.

Most importantly - to generate sales, they go beyond social media and friends and family.  They dedicate time to getting out locally and selling their goods and services to nearby stores and businesses. They always have sales samples ready to go to show potential prospects what they can make.  Successful makers are constantly out there meeting local business owners and are actively thinking of unique ideas that would benefit their customers. 

They get creative when targeting businesses by offering customized gifts, employee appreciation items, branded merchandise, ready to sell items and promotional products. They know that selling locally B2B leads to quicker sales, and more consistent and profitable opportunities.

5. They Build a Community

The best makers don’t just sell—they connect. They share behind-the-scenes content, support other creators, and build relationships with customers through social media, email, and local events. Community drives visibility and loyalty.

Whether it’s through social media or right in your hometown, or both, makers help each other to grow by sharing ideas, content or by participating in shows or events together.

6. They Embrace Time Saving Tips & Free Resources

From their craft rooms to their calendars, successful makers keep things in order. Systems for workflow, shipping, supplies, and deadlines help them stay productive and reduce stress. Top Makers are always seeking ways to optimize their workflow and processes to save time when customizing.  This includes utilizing resources from MakerFlo such as Product Laser Settings, and using product sell sheets to show customers how their customized product will look. 

💡 Pro-tip:  Take advantage of time saving resources like Cuttle, and read our blog post on where to find free laser cut files

 

7. Pricing & Large Orders 

Top earning makers set their prices to reflect their time, effort and reinvestment back to equipment needs and ensure they are profitable.  

A simple pricing formula to follow is cost of goods + your time making + profit. So if a tumbler costs you $10, and you spend an hour making it at a rate of $50 / hour and add $5 for profit, you would sell that tumbler for $65.  For larger orders where you’re able to make 5 tumblers in one hour and keep your hourly rate at $50, your price per tumbler would come down to $25 per tumbler.   

💡 Simple Pricing Formula:  Cost of Goods + (Your Time x Your Hourly Rate) + Profit = Finished Price

Serious makers that want to grow a solid business focus on securing large custom orders, but they don’t undercut themselves on one-off customization requests.  They grow partnerships with businesses like realtors that always have a demand for gift giving and may offer volume discounts  to secure ongoing business and orders. They venture into making Ready-To-Sell items that they can consign at local stores where profit per unit may be lower, but they get the benefit of getting their brand in front of more eyes.  By smart marketing, constant networking and selling to local businesses they create demand and word of mouth for their products and services. 

8. They Shop To Save 

Savvy makers purchase in volume to get the lowest price on their cost of goods to maximize their profit and offer the most competitive price. When shopping at MakerFlo their taking advantage of all the everyday deals we offer. 

• Build-A-Bundle for buying samples or fulfilling smaller orders. Build-A-Bundle offers a 10% discount on 25 mix and match tumblers, blanks or supplies. 
• Bulk Purchasing - 20% Off When Shopping By The Case - this offers the lowest cost per unit saving 20% off the singles price.
• Sales Tax Exemption - They'll file their resale certificate form which allows MakerFlo to offer them a sales tax exemption on tumblers and blanks they purchase to sell.
• They take advantage of Flo Rewards loyalty program, using their loyalty points and cash discount rewards to save on their purchases. 
• And they order a $99 minimum to save with free shipping. 

9. They Prioritize Customer Experience

It’s not just about making a beautiful product—it’s about how you package it, communicate with buyers, and make them feel appreciated. They extend one on one time to their customers to ensure they approve each tweak of a design to deliver what their customers want.  

They are highly responsive to their customers and clients returning phone calls, emails, and dms within 24 hours of receiving them. 

Offering personalized options is what makes the products and service they sell more valuable and meaningful. Successful makers know that today’s customers want something unique—and they use laser engraving, UV printing, sublimation, and more help make that possible. 

After a sale is complete they send a short thank-you note or care card goes a long way in keeping customers coming back. Lastly they stay in touch and ask happy customers for reviews and feedback to share on their socials and website. 

10. They Stay Inspired & Never Give Up

Burnout is real. Successful makers make time to rest, explore, and find inspiration in nature, travel, other creatives, or even just browsing Pinterest. Refilling your creative cup is just as important as pouring it out.

Every successful maker has a story of a customization gone wrong, a lost sale, or a ruined batch. The difference is—they don’t quit. They learn, pivot, and come back stronger. Mistakes are part of the process.

They show up in real life—selling at pop-ups, making sample kits, walking into local businesses, and introducing themselves. Success often starts with being bold and making genuine connections face-to-face. These makers aren’t just selling, they’re helping others and making friends and building partnerships in their community.

Final Thoughts

Success as a maker isn’t about luck—it’s about daily habits, intentional growth, and staying connected to why you started in the first place. Whether you’re working on tumblers, leatherette patches, wood signs, or custom apparel, these principles can take your craft (and your business) to the next level.

At MakerFlo, we’re here to support you every step of the way—with top-quality products, educational resources, and a community of like-minded makers. You’ve got this. 💪