Scrapbooking Business: How to Market Your Scrapbooking Crafts
Scrapbooking is one of the most popular crafts among hobbyists, and the scrap booking craze is catching on with more people every day. The New Jersey-based Hobby Industry Association finds that at least 20% of all hobbyists consider themselves to be scrapbooking enthusiasts, and new scrapbooking kits are making the hobby accessible to more people all the time. With the popularity of scrapbooking, marketing your scrap booking crafts is easier than ever before. So where are the best places to market your unique scrapbooking-related craft?
1) Scrapbooking classes are a great way to connect with scrapbook enthusiasts.
As the popularity of scrap booking rises, scrapbooking classes are becoming more popular with hobbyists and craft enthusiasts. In fact, scrapbooking classes are beginning to pop up all over the country in a variety of venues. These classes are commonly taught at local community centers, churches, small businesses, and local community colleges. Locate a local scrap booking class and contact the instructor. Tell the instructor that you are very interested in scrapbooking, and that you have created a scrapbook-related craft that you think scrap booking students would be interested in. If the instructor seems open enough, ask for permission to conduct a short presentation at one of the class meetings, or just to pass out flyers regarding your craft.
2) Craft and hobby stores provide an easy venue to sell your crafts.
Another good place to market your scrapbooking crafts is at a local hobby or crafts store. Craft stores often provide customers with bulletin boards where hobbyists can put up announcements for classes or products that they are selling. Make up eye-catching flyers and post them. Be sure that your flyers provide potential customers with clear descriptions and a good picture of your crafts. Better yet, speak to store personnel and ask for permission to leave a sample of your work on display. This may not always be possible, but the potential rewards are certainly worth a try.
3) Teach, or take, a scrapbooking class!
What better way to make strong contacts with other scrap booking enthusiasts than teaching or taking a scrapbooking class? Visit your local crafts or hobby store, local community college, or community education center, and ask about the possibility of teaching a class. Show them samples of your work and be prepared to provide them with information regarding credentials and work experience. Many of these classes are often taught by volunteers, so there’s a good chance that if a hobby store has an opening slot and they’re interested in your work, they will consider your proposal seriously.
If the idea of teaching a class is not appealing or just doesn’t fit into your schedule, consider taking a scrap booking class. These classes are generally taught on a short-term basis, with class meetings rarely going beyond one or two meetings. By taking a scrapbooking class, not only will you be able to indulge in your passion for scrapbooking, you’ll also have the opportunity to make valuable contacts. Talk to the instructor about your product, and ask to present it to the class. If you’re part of the class, chances are your instructor will be very open to the idea.
4) Contact a well-established company that specializes in scrapbooking.
The popularity of scrapbooking has resulted in the growth of several large, direct sales scrap booking companies to emerge. Companies like Scrap in a Snap and Creative Memories specialize in the direct sales of scrapbooks and scrap booking accessories, meaning that they don’t operate out of a fixed location. These companies hire sales consultant to throw scrap booking parties, teach home classes, and conduct scrap booking workshops.
Try conducting research to find a company that you think can help you market your product. You might even consider becoming a sales consultant for one of these companies. This will allow you to make valuable contacts with potential clients.
5) Become web savvy.
One of the easiest and best ways to market your scrapbooking crafts is online. Many dedicated scrap booking enthusiasts are very active in online communities. Get involved in these communities—not only will you probably enjoy meeting and learning from other scrap booking enthusiasts, you will also meet people who might be interested in your scrap booking crafts. If you haven’t already, put together a good website where you can sell your scrapbooking crafts. Make sure to advertise on web boards, scrapbooking e-mail newsletters, and anywhere else you know scrapbooking enthusiasts gather.
