I keep hearing people tell me I should sell my items that I make. And I say no, then it becomes a real job ...lol This is my hobby & I love it! I sew for me, my family and a few friends.
I let myself be talked into turning my baking and cake decorating hobby into a business. I tried it for a few years and I hated it. I haven't made a fancy cake in the 3 years since I closed my business. It totally killed my enjoyment of the process.
@@nataliestanchevski4628 This is sad. I was afraid that might happen to me, if I went professional with my first love of doing hair. But eventually I decided to go for it, and I've loved every minute of my salon career.
@@andanotherthing... honestly I think I don't have the temperament or skills to be a small business owner. The cake making was fine, it was the business aspect that really burnt me out. I'm glad it's working out so well for you! It's fabulous to love your work.💛
I have my sewing channel now for three years and I make no money from it. Because I am severely chronically ill so I can only make 1 video every other week because it for sure takes way more time than the length of your video! Also the editing takes a lot of time. But I only started it for fun and not for making money. I already thought I woukd not be able to make it a real job. Great video and tips btw!
Such an interesting topic. Thank you. I explored Etsy for selling my watercolor cards. I quickly realized that most of my time would need to be spent on everything BUT doing my art. I do in person sewing classes for young people, usually in the summer (pre-COVID). I’m a teacher so that one on one really resonates with me. I love your channel.
Thank you! ❤️ This is a very useful video. I have always been the type that I could not sell something if I did not truly believe in it, probably because I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end. That’s also why you are great…your enthusiasm about sewing is real.
Oh yes, I just can't do it... As a creator on this platform, I know that sponsorships are a way of making income and actually sustaining yourself, but if only I could show you dozens of sponsorship emails I turn down, just because I don't believe in the product or I know it is a not a good fit for my viewers. It just does not sit well with me... as you said, it takes to be on the receiving end of it to know that it is not fun to be suggested something that is a not a great product!
Really good points, especially about It taking a while to get monetized on YT. I’ve tested for several indie pattern companies and the experience has been varied from great, well drafted garments that just need a couple minor adjustments to making several versions of garments that you can’t even get your arm through. Although you may get a free pattern, they oftentimes expect you to use your fabric stash for tester garments which can get really expensive.
You really are so inspirational, I've sewn since I was very young but watching your channel makes me want to just make everything 😊..your just the very best at all you do,I really enjoy watching all your channel's, have a lovely weekend.
Hi Alisa.. I opened an Etsy store few days ago .. planing to sell Scrunchies, but I had more sucess selling them in person .. online marketplace need tons of marketing which could be time consuming or expensive….
I have more success selling in person as well, but I also had the same experience when I had my sewing blog for a few years. I just know that in order to make a difference I have to be able to interact with people, otherwise it is a no-go for me. My Etsy store had a okay amount of sales (I don't remember how many), but not nearly enough to make a decent amount. It was fun though, but it was a looooong time ago :)
Oh, wanted to add - I know a young lady that has a great etsy store and she says she spends $1/per day on ads and that brings a ton of traffic. Maybe I can do an interview with her to share her experience - this is just an idea, so don't hold me to it :)
I reopened my Etsy shop last year after attempting one over a decade ago. At first it was super slow, maybe a sale a week, or a few a month but once I learned Etsy's SEO and how to work with it by optimising my titles, tags & descriptions, my sales are more like 2-5 orders a day and am just on the verge of reaching 2000 sales. I don't pay for ads and I barely market myself on social media, and the sales keep coming in. I'd definitely research how to correctly title your listings and do research on the words that you use and ensure they come up in the Etsy search options.
I really appreciate your videos, they are inspiring and thoughtfully done. Thanks for the great advice, I’ve been told many times to sew for a living and this really gives food for thought. Do you have a blog? I’m thinking this is where I may start
I have an ETSY shop for the past 5 to 6 years. It was super slow at the beginning because I did not know how to work it right. I learned a lot by following some stores and doing some free classes ETSY offered sellers. I now have a good amount of traffic and I do not do the pay option to help with traffic. I do a bit of advertising/marketing through my fb and Instagram. I looked into selling in amazon and it was a total waste! High fees not worth the time and not a lot of traffic for handmade/crafters. I do love doing craft shows and farmers market because that helps so much putting your brand out there! I have so many recurrent clients year after year and that is amazing. Etsy and selling online is definetely hard and you need lots of patience but to my opinion it is worth it. I will continue working on my store and keep working on making lots more so I can keep it full of goodies for anyone and everyone. Thanks Alisa for the video and the info.
Would you be willing to share some tips and tricks with me. I do not have an etsy store and just starting out with products. I do have some experience selling on ebay but not handmade items.
Have you thought about the Great Smokies Flea Market right off of exit 407? I haven't been in awhile but every time I have been it's always full of people. It's always been my favorite flea market!!!
Hello ... am Anitha Jasmine...I just started selling scrunchies and bow clips and headband.... but its isn't going well ... I am not getting orders ...often.... U r video is useful n wonderful... So can suggested something....tat I can grow ..
Anitha, please do your own research, nowadays everything is at your fingertips. Look up best practices for selling online or in-person, look up strategies for pricing and packaging. Is your product good? Does it look presentable? Is it unique? Analyze and adjust and go from there.
Shirley, hello there! I am not sure what PM stands for (personal measurements?), but I would look at each individual pattern company and if they have a call for testers and what testers they need. You can often see pattern tester calls on FB, IG and you can of course just simply google it as well. You can also email pattern companies saying that you would like to be added to pattern tester group. Hope this helps!
Yep, yet everyone thinks that this is a gold mine and easy work. It is not :) unless a person starts doing it and filming/editing/uploading videos - most likely they don't understand how much work goes into. Sadly.
@@cynthiamensah7921 that's not how that works there are like thousands of different factors that go in to this look up how to start a bueinees I'm not a professional and this isn't really the place for this
@@cynthiamensah7921 I hope I'm writing this in the right place, if you have extra fabric, I seen smaller pieces being sold (just make sure you measure & take a picture) there's one idea that's definitely selling
