Advertising your work

Selling your glass creations

Many people don't make their beads or sculptural pieces to sell but many do. In an area of art and craft that is rapidly expanding how do you go about advertising and getting yourself known? Remember you are not only competing with mass imported glass from China and India but also with other lampworkers from here in the UK and internationally. Competition should not be about undercutting others prices in order to gain a sale but it should reflect the value that you place on your work. Competitive pricing is a key component though!

How can I advertise my business?

There are many things that you can do to raise your profile and begin selling.

Join a forum such as Frit Happens

This means you are getting the support and constructive feedback from others who are in the glass industry as well. This networking is invaluable.

Pay for advertising

This can range from being fairly inexpensive to costing a small fortune! For example a very reasonable small yearly fee means you can have an advert on Frit Happens. You can pay to advertise in national magazines that specialise in beading and glass. Advertising locally in your newspaper can also raise your profile at a local level. If you are canny enough this could be free! Tell your local paper that you have an unusual craft and they may run an article on you!!!

Start and maintain a blog

Blogs are very current and a good way of networking and getting yourself known. There are many places on the Internet where you can start a blog free and gain a following. There is a thread in Frit Happens where members with blogs have posted their blog addresses.

Start a Flickr account

Upload your photos of your work to an online photo album such as Flickr. If you spend some time tagging your photos then people who do not know you could find your work if you have tagged it. Commissions have been got this way.

Read up on the topic extensively!

Perhaps this should be the first point but before entering any business you should read up on it first. Not least so you have some understanding of what you are getting yourself into! Highly recommended is the following book!

Viki Lareau (2006) Marketing and selling your handmade jewellery: The complete guide to turning your passion into profit. Interweave Press.