Start a 'cottage industry'... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

Frugaldom

RosaThorne wrote: »

That's so sweet of you... I'm already getting close - Found 4 1P coins in town today! How much is the cow then?

Been making fabric hearts today from off-cuts... Taking them to the boot-sale on Sunday - 50p each? Quick cash for last miniute Christmas shopping

Excellent! 50p items are always great. I don't even mind paying £1, as there isn't a lot you can get for that now.
I'm going to love my 2008 challenge and I love these forums, so I can't risk getting bombed off for promoting anything I may have for sale. Anyway, I'm now working on a very basic website to see if I can raise some interest in the WillItFit. It's just basic info and I'm going to add the details of any other off-cut or recycled products that I manage to 'create'.

RosaThorne

nykmedia wrote: »

Excellent! 50p items are always great. I don't even mind paying £1, as there isn't a lot you can get for that now.
I'm going to love my 2008 challenge and I love these forums, so I can't risk getting bombed off for promoting anything I may have for sale. Anyway, I'm now working on a very basic website

:doh: Sorry, didn't even think of that! At leat you can link the website in your profile, right?!

Considering I was given a lot of the fabric, it's mostly profit... Just hope I make enough to cover my half of the pitch, my Mum's paying for the other half so she can take her hand-knitted fair-isle baby bootees (which can double as Tree decorations!)

Frugaldom

RosaThorne wrote: »

:doh: Sorry, didn't even think of that! At leat you can link the website in your profile, right?!

LOL Wrong, no links allowed at all unless it's to a registered charity. I checked the forum rules on this just to be on the safe side.

Hi Geordie Joe - I like your keyrings idea and may have a go at this. right now, I'm making a pom-pom 'machine' from off-cuts of frame mounts ROFL

Hi Full-Time-Mum - I've now personalised a WillItFit and will await any response

RosaThorne

:rotfl:
No fair!!

Frugaldom

RosaThorne wrote: »

:rotfl:
No fair!!

I found a bit in the public profile that lets you add your homepage. Is it ok to add it there, do you think? :T

RosaThorne

Can't see why not... Is there anywhere you can email a site moderator to check? I wanna see more wooden farm animals!

Frugaldom

RosaThorne wrote: »

Can't see why not... Is there anywhere you can email a site moderator to check? I wanna see more wooden farm animals!

Since finding out that I won't be able to involve the sales of wooden animals etc in my new business, I have been very disappointed. However, thanks to a couple of posts on this thread, including the above (thank yooooooooooou), I have come up with another idea for the off-cuts. I'm off to phone the wood guy to ask a question, but I think there could be the prospect of a cross between the wooden animals and the keyrings idea. My original concept was to make money from nothing, but it's surely permissible to give someone else a cut (pardon the pun) of any sales in exchange for their help. :T That way, there's still no initial outlay

mkt

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

You say about the million ways to get your name about. Can you help us out and name a few??

Like I said, my experience is with online retailing so my first set of tips is strongly geared in that direction.


Search engine optimisation - this is the single most important thing for online businesses, and it's completely free! Google for tips on it - there are plenty out there - and start implementing them one by one. As you improve the searchability of your site and focus on your keywords, you'll find that the "organic" hits that you receive from search engines (i.e, people who find your jewellery site by searching for, say, "silver charm bracelets") goes up and up.

Write a blog - blogging is great for business. Setting up your own blog, either on your site or on a free blogging site, is a fantastic idea and will draw people in and put your name about. Pick subjects that you know about and are related to what you do, and write about them - for example, I write crafty how-tos, tips about cleaining jewellery, reports of my vintage finds that I plan to make into new designs, etc. I also mix in some friendly anecdotes about my life to make it fun to read, and make sure I always write about my latest pieces, my favourite custom orders, etc. Use the same search engine optimisation techniques as for your main site, and watch the visitors roll in! From checking my stats, I can see that a number of people have found me through articles on my blog and gone on to explore the rest of the site, sign up for my newsletter, etc.

Get featured in someone else's blog - other bloggers are always looking for content. Do a search to find who writes blogs on related subjects, and send them a friendly email about what you do, explaining why you think their readers would be interested and maybe even offering a discount code. Not everyone will say yes, but some of them will!

Link directories - there are lots of directories out there that you can submit your site to for free (don't EVER bother with paid ones - they're not worth it). There are general website directories such a DMOZ, blog directories, industry-specific directories and even more specific ones (for example, local directories, ethical shopping directories, etc.). Very few of these will bring you direct visitors, but they're all great for boosting your search engine ranking and your presence on the web.


This is by no means an exhaustive list, but in my opinion they're the easiest, cheapest and least time-consuming (except for blogging, I suppose, but then I do like the sound of my own voice!). I think that's quite enough procrastination for now, but I'll happily pop back and share some more general, not quite so internet-based tips later on.

Frugaldom

I just got handed in my next lot of off-cuts from the framer and have invested in a batch of split rings, so my little 'recycling operation' should be in full swing soon, with the aid of my new helper, 'Phil' the pig LOL (As produced for the 'sealed pot challenge')

pixiedust_2

Hey!

Its great to see so many people running their own businesses, regardless of what scale... I'm currently a full time student, working on a degree in Designed Metalwork & Jewellery. The aim, when I'm finished, is to be able to set up my own studio - I already work in "home" type jewellery (I lampwork - handmade glass beads; Use PMC - make my own silver charms & pendants; Stringing/Bead-weaving; And occasionally even work in Polymer clays, like fimo), and the plan is to incorporate my metalwork with all of the other bits I already do, and be able to make and sell (to a profit!) my own jewellery and other pieces...

In the mean time... I'm hoping to have enough bits made up and ready to start working craft fairs around Easter... And hopefully finish working on my website over the Christmas break! I'm using a "MrSite" kit for my website, I love it, just finding it a little restrictive at the moment... Might have to give in and actually learn some HTML at this rate!