Sometimes you feel you have reached a dead end with your online shop, or your creative impetus has wound down.  Here are some brief tips that, if you think them through and invest some time in improving certain skills - might turn things around for you.


Enjoy what you do!  Yeah it can be that easy.  If what you are doingis a chore and not the fun it once was - see what you can do that you enjoy.  It is time for a complete change or can you incorporate your newideas into your current stock?  It will take thought and a bit of time - maybe sat down with a notepad and pencil.


Read through your shop announcement as if you are a new visitor.  Does it give an impression of you, or your work? Or some special part of your handmade focus you are proud of?  If not - RE-WRITE your Shop Announcement to reflect the pride and joy you have in the things you make.


Review your Presentation.  What does your handmade stuff look like.  Can you imagine buying your stuff?  Would it look better in, say, recycled boxes, little handmade bags, in packs with a label printed with your logo - just for that little bit of personal ‘you’ branding?  Is your craft fair layout stale - take a couple of pictures and when you get home take a good hard look at how you and your stall looked - attractive? interesting? boring? dull?


Learn to use Google Analytics.  Fantasy Clay is doing a great series of articles on setting it up for yourself the non-scary way HERE is the first one.  Search HMN for more Google Analytics advice too.  With GA will learn to spot which words you use appears most often in searches.  This takes an investment of TIME - it’s a skill to learn but it’s so inspiring to see your selected words appearing as confirmation in your feedback from Google Analytics.


In spite of what you read, circulating endlessly in forums, using social media and basing yourself at an online store isn't always your best way forward.  Remember, it is real live people who buy your things, and the best way to find them is by attending craft fairs as a seller.  Buyers give valuable feedback,  endless ideas and just love to meet the maker.  So get out there - meet the real world head on!

Marjorie (Whskr) is well known as a maker of Art Dolls & Copper Curiosities - unique copper pins. If you enjoy the article, please give it the Green Thumb of Praise!

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