Selling greeting cards

Cacran

I have made hundreds of greetings cards. 

How do people sell them? Is it better to make toppers and sell those? Is Ebay any good?

Brie

I see a lot of these for sale at local craft markets.  

Emmia

Etsy would be more appropriate than eBay I'd expect.

CapricornLass

Local craft fairs, school fairs, local events and things like church fetes - book a table.  Charges will be variable depending on the event, and make sure you understand the basis of which you are taking the stand - some will expect a percentage of your takings as well as the table fee and possibly a raffle prize on top as well.  (This may be sprung on you while you are setting up  your stand.  I refuse.  They should have said in advance.  In our experience, both charities and school PTAs are bad for doing this.)  As this eats into your profits, you will need to consider whether these sorts of events are worth your while doing as you will need to at least break even.  If they aren't, tell them no and walk away, and ignore their bleatings that its for a Very Good Cause.  As I said, you need to break even. 

We now routinely avoid events organised by charities as they charge at least double the rate that other organisations do for a table.

Make sure you describe your goods properly, i.e. handcrafted cards NEVER home-made, otherwise people will expect to pay pennies for it.  You will need to be kitted up for a sale - table cloth, maybe your own table too, and think about how you are going to display the cards.   You will also need a cash box, plenty of change and a notebook to record sales. You might have to have third party liability insurance too, and we were asked at one event to provide a risk assessment too.  If you can't drive, or don't have access to a car, you will need to consider how you will get you, your goods, display stands and possibly a table to the event. 

There may be some local independent shops craft shops who would be willing to display and sell your cards - it depends on the area you live in.  Again, make sure you understand the basis on which they are taking commission.  It could be as high as 100% added to the cost of your card.  

We have been selling now for over 15 years.  My mother was an artisan cardmaker and she sold cards for many years before she died. Neither she nor we make enough to earn a living at this, and the best way of viewing it is that its a paying hobby.

I can't comment on Etsy, as we've never sold over the internet.  However, hopefully someone who knows about this will be along to advise you.