| We all know that the Arts and Crafts Business is | | | | lots of the mid range on hand. |
| not the easiest business to be successful in, even | | | | An old tip but still works, is to take your top end |
| in the best of economic times. This business is | | | | and make that your mid-range price point. |
| fraught with ups and downs that are beyond your | | | | Suddenly you have up scaled your business and |
| control. | | | | your customers will still tend to buy what you |
| Trends that are hot for months or years | | | | normally produce. This is a bit tricky as you don't |
| suddenly die out, and new and unexpected hot | | | | want to invest heavily in your new top end |
| niches develop overnight. There are some things | | | | products. It can make you top heavy and set |
| that you can do to help you Arts & Crafts | | | | you up for a financial crash. |
| business be successful over the next few years. | | | | Give Classes If you are skilled in your medium or |
| The good news is that money is not going to | | | | if you are a store owner and have a good |
| disappear. There will still be people buying gifts and | | | | relationship with your artisans, set up classes in |
| decorating homes and going on holidays. All of | | | | the process. Many people can justify the expense |
| these people will be trying to get the best value | | | | of a course in "Learn How To Make______" (fill |
| for every dollar that they spend in any | | | | in the blank with your idea) before they can |
| circumstance. | | | | justify the purchase. With courses there is |
| Sell The Service Aspect If you are selling arts and | | | | opportunity to sell supplies, tools, books, and |
| crafts your market may change a bit. People will | | | | secondary level courses. Done well this can be |
| be looking for quality, and exact fit to their needs. | | | | very lucrative. People develop an interest in the |
| So in these recession economic times service | | | | arts and crafts, and in their minds they are |
| becomes extremely important. If you are a | | | | getting good value for their money. They are |
| producer of arts or crafts can you do custom | | | | having fun, socializing, making something that gives |
| work. Can you make a painting of the same | | | | them pleasure, and being entertained all at the |
| theme but scaled to fit the customers exact | | | | same time. |
| measurements? Can you install that custom piece | | | | One fee and they receive so much benefit. It just |
| of furniture that you built. Are there colors or | | | | happens that you receive some financial benefit |
| finishes you can offer that your competitors can't | | | | as well. |
| duplicate? | | | | Use The Internet The most powerful marketing |
| Service becomes very important and people will | | | | tool of the modern age is the Internet. If sales of |
| be willing to pay a little more for a product if | | | | your particular arts & crafts endeavor have |
| there is tons of high quality service to back it up. | | | | slipped in your area, it doesn't mean that they |
| To be successful in recessionary times you will | | | | have dropped in another geographic region. You |
| have to work harder, but your business will | | | | need a website and should promote your business |
| benefit in the long run from this. | | | | to the whole world. This broadens your potential |
| Have Multiple Price Points Depending on your art | | | | customer base to massive proportions. It is not |
| or craft, price point may become an issue. Take | | | | as hard to build a website as you might think. |
| painting as an example. You may have been selling | | | | If you are a potter you can promote your |
| large canvasses (4 feet by 6 feet as an example) | | | | pottery to galleries all over the world as well as |
| and start to see a slow down in this niche part of | | | | have "walk in traffic" to your own website. |
| this market. Try making a few canvasses in the 3 | | | | Consider using video of the forming process to |
| feet by 4 feet and 2 feet by 3 feet size. Keep | | | | interest customers in the hands on aspect of |
| some of the larger canvasses to attract your | | | | your art or craft. |
| buyers. You will find many will opt for the smaller | | | | Recessionary times need not cripple your |
| canvasses if they have financial considerations. | | | | business. Always keep you customer in mind and |
| Try to develop several price points, so that you | | | | go that extra step to make them feel valued. |
| are broadening the appeal to your customers. | | | | You may have to work a bit harder for the next |
| There will occasionally be sales of the high ticket | | | | little while but that doesn't mean you can't survive |
| items. You will find most of your sales come from | | | | it. |
| the mid price products so make sure you have | | | | |