by Crystal Raen

Created on: December 11, 2008

Craft businesses are hard to get off the ground initially. Traditional advertising can be expensive, tedious, and not as productive as you had hoped for. At this point you should have a rather permanent spot set up for your business, whether you are working out of home, or running a store, either way, these tips can be applied to either location. Although, you may want to alter the advice to fit your needs exactly.

Marketing online can be easy, and other than your monthly internet bill, it can also be free or at least very inexpensive.

Blogs: Write a blog about your handmade items. Include your inspirations, ideas, and sales in the blog (along with any other topics you like). Also some blog sites will allow you to include a program where you run online advertisements that you are paid for. So not only can you market your product, you can make money just from people reading about it.

Email: Gather your customer's email addresses. Send newsletters that include coupons, notify them of sales and new items that you are in the process of making, also include tidbits of information, perhaps there are some local events that you could add to a calendar segment of the newsletter, etc. Of course always include a way for them to opt-out of receiving the email. In your email you could ask them to forward your email along to anyone that they think would enjoy it.

Auctions: Do you have items that aren't selling on your website or in your store? Join some of the online auctions or sites that are dedicated to selling solely handmade goods as a way to list some of those items and to also use their forums to help promote your blog; which will lead people to your store or website. It could also help to sell off those stubborn items.

Classified ads. There are some classified ad sites that are free to use. You can advertise your store or website on them, as well as just advertising individual items.

Real world marketing still hasn't changed much since. There are always the tried and true methods.

Business cards: either print up your own, or go to a printer and have some made. Be sure to include enough information that it is possible for people to get in contact with you. Now, give these to everyone! The person standing behind you at the grocery store, your server at a restaurant, everyone in your spinning class.

Flyers: These are easy to print out yourself if you want and are great to include with purchases. If someone has ordered something from you online include 2 or more so

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