Starting your own brand may seem scary at first, but if done right, the payoff is worth every bit of effort. The jewelry industry being as cutthroat as it is, can be especially rough for a newcomer. There are millions of people already selling homemade jewelry all across the world, but with the right strategy, you can see some serious success. As is the case with any new venture, the early days can be hard, but if you have the right mindset selling jewelry online can be very rewarding.
Here’s how you should go about it:
Advertise and Build your Brand
Advertising is one of the most important factors in determining your success online.
Even with a modest budget, advertising can significantly increase sales by making more people aware of your products.
You must keep looking for opportunities to maximize the impact of the advertisement. For example, some hosting companies give you free credits for Google ads when you sign up for specific hosting packages. Facebook and Google also offer free advertising credits now and then. Creating a social media presence via social media accounts can also go a long way in building your brand and reaching your target customers.
Although reaching your audience has become more plausible with online mediums, the various mediums also make it harder to come to a decision. The best thing you can do is try to figure out what works best for you and your brand through trial and error. To succeed in online mediums, knowing your audience and understanding both your brand and different mediums is an absolute must.
Once you get a formula that works, set up a few ads and see what happens.
Product Descriptions are Key
Product descriptions are a great way to express your brand and tell the story of your homemade jewelry. Knowing the reason behind the creation of each piece, its make, and why they should buy from you adds a personal touch to it.
Clear, concise, and well-structured, including everything that customers need to know before they purchase (shipping, packaging, exchanges & returns) shows professionalism. Specifying details, the jewelry’s purpose, its materials, and variants of certain pieces creates a good impression. Online Marketing tools like Search Engine Optimization will also come handy here.
Make Unique Products
The best way to succeed in a platform with millions of competitors is to find your niche.
Finding your niche will not only help you grow in a specific direction which will ultimately translate to superior quality, but it also helps with branding.
A niche will enable your product to stand out and make your brand more recognizable. This is what will ensure a steady inflow of your ideal customer.
For Example, there is a big market for customizable jewelry, but finding a niche within that sphere is what will really help drive sales.
The key is to be unique.
Whether you’re selling on Etsy or any other site, you don’t want to do what everyone else is doing.
Consider Selling Jewelry on your own Website
Even if you plan to sell mostly on Etsy, or another website, you should still consider getting a domain and investing in your own website. The key is to not put all your eggs in one basket and branch out.
God forbid if tomorrow the intermediary website you sell your homemade jewelry on were to shut down, what then? If that was the only place you were selling, all your information, listings, and ability to sell would be gone just like that.
Another benefit of having your own website is the creative freedom and customizability you get to enjoy. Selling websites do give you some freedom, but you cannot market yourself and express your brand and what it stands for the way you can on your own website.
Your website will be a hub for your business where people can go to learn more about you and your products.
It’s a great way to showcase your products online. Search Engine Optimization, web content, blogs, and landing pages will also let you attract more customers.
Invest in High-quality Photos
Photography is everything when it comes to selling – even more so when you’re selling homemade jewelry. Since you cannot see the jewelry in person, photos are the most convincing way to win over a potential customer. A photo that captures the feel and the minute details of the homemade pieces will really make the jewelry stand out.
Using minimalistic backgrounds will also allow the jewelry to pop on its own.
Customers should be able to see the jewelry both being worn and on display without other colors or patterns distracting from the pieces.
Hiring a professional to take high-quality photos will ensure the best possible outcome for you. However, you can also choose to acquire the resources and master the skill yourself if that interests you. Either way, this is one area where you don’t want to go wrong. – especially if you want to advertise them on Instagram!
Keep up with the trends
Complacency is the biggest enemy of success. The downfall of many ventures is after they find something that works, they become a one-trick pony. Their success becomes completely dependent on the sale of that one product. Success can make you stubborn to change, so much so that you turn a blind eye towards even the biggest of trends. In today’s day and age, staying relevant is more integral to long-term success than it ever has been. Recognising trends early-on and capitalizing on the right trends can drive sales, especially for newcomers. This is why trying new things is an absolute necessity if you want to succeed online.
Some additional tips for selling homemade jewelry online are:
- Price things appropriately.
- Determine your market.
- Always present your jewelry in the best way you can.
- Actively look for opportunities to collaborate.
At the end of the day, there are many ways in which you can sell your homemade jewelry online. But, it is up to you to figure out the formula that works best for you & your brand. To make the right decisions, you must understand what different mediums can offer to you, what your customers want, and what your brand stands for.