Digital Marketing Strategy Plan for Handmade business
Handmade objects are often one-of-a-kind items whose producers pay close attention to detail that is difficult to obtain in mass-produced goods. However, because the maker often does not have access to the same high-cost marketing tactics that larger corporations have, selling handcrafted things can be difficult. Nowadays it is easier to sell handmade products online. So that is why it is important to have a SMART plan for these businesses.
Here are some Digital Marketing Strategies for the Handmade businesses.
Establish your brand
Creating your brand identity is distinct from marketing, although it is necessary for it. Telling the world who you are and what your company is all about is what branding is all about. Your brand is ultimately about personality and communicating your brand to the rest of the world. It may be represented via logos, fonts, and colors.
It’s also about communicating the proper message to the right customer, which begins with self-identification.
Website
Having a website for your handmade goods business is essential for effective marketing. Customers will almost certainly look for your website as a matter of course. Your website should include information about your store, if you have one, as well as the types of products you make and sell, as well as their prices.
Social Media
Once you have a website, you should promote your company and products on a variety of social networking sites. Sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram allow you to create business-specific pages. Update these sites on a regular basis with photos of your products, and if you can afford it, pay for ads to run on the sites. Writing engaging status updates on these sites that encourage your readers to leave comments and start conversations is another effective way to spread the word.
Handmade businesses have a one-of-a-kind social media opportunity known as “process.” Consumers who desire handmade goods (i.e., your target market) enjoy watching the process. Respond to followers’ questions about the process and materials, as each interaction elevates you to the status of expert.
There’s an endless number of channels to market your handmade goods and these just scratch the surface:
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat
- Blogs: educational articles, contests and giveaways
- PR: guest blogging, pitching to influencers and bloggers
- Podcasts
- Email: digital freebies, newsletters and offers
- Videos: YouTube and webinars
- Paid advertising: Google Addwords, Facebook Ads and promoted listings
- Affiliates: customer referrals and paid promoters
- Traditional: flyers, brochures, business cards and events
Advertising
Advertising, whether in print or online, is another tried-and-true method of marketing your handcrafted goods. One method is to purchase advertisements that will appear on Google and other Internet search websites and Social media platforms. This type of direct advertising should specifically target the type of audience that will be interested in the products you create. Even if you advertise online, don’t overlook traditional print advertising. Look for publications in the same niche as the type of handmade items you make and purchase advertisements in these publications.
In addition to that, you can advertise your products with the help of social media influencers. They have a great audience for new engagements.
Online Stores
Having a website alone is not enough to advertise your handmade products; you should sell them on a variety of websites too
Craigslist, E-bay, and Amazon are convenient ways to sell your handmade products. You will likely get more attention if you create a storefront on Etsy. Etsy is a website that specializes in handmade items, media, design, fine art, craft supplies, and vintage. Big Cartel allows you to personalize your storefront.
SEO
Optimize your product descriptions for SEO.
SEO refers to any set of actions and techniques that make it easier for robots (or search engines) to read and analyze your website.
These activities look like this:
- Making changes to the titles of your products and website pages.
- Product tags should be added to your product listings.
- Creating distinctive product descriptions.
- Sorting items into categories based on their similarity.
- Formatting your text by adding headings, links to useful information, and descriptive names to your images and photos.
- Approaching bloggers to discuss your product and include a link back to your store
- Increasing the speed with which your shop loads
- Creating a mobile-friendly website…and much more