Write a concise headline. Online classifieds tend to do better when they’re short, so grab the reader’s attention right away. Try a headline like “Handmade Oak Headboard for Sale” or something similar.
Try taking a few photos from straight on, as well as some from side angles and a few close-ups of details.
Try using sites like Craigslist. You can also post your classified ad in local newspapers by calling the number listed in the classified section.
Many of these sites charge a commission, although the buyer is usually responsible for shipping. Popular sites for selling online include eBay and Etsy.
Even if you don’t know much about technology, there are companies that provide easy-to-use templates to build a website with plugins that allow customers to shop right from your site. Check your site regularly on both a computer and a mobile device, like your phone, to make sure the site is optimized for different sized screens.
Some sites allow you to pay to sponsor your ads so more people will see them. You can use sites like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
On the flyer, list any websites, social media, or other online listings where you promote your work, as well as a phone number where potential customers can contact you. Photocopied pictures don’t often translate well, so focus on crafting strong copy emphasizing the quality of your work, the types of pieces you create, and any other information which distinguishes you from your competition.
By showing your furniture at a co-op, you will have the benefit of shared marketing, business assistance, and pooled customers. You may also have a catalog where you can list your work. [7] X Research source Some cooperative galleries require their members to invest in the gallery, to pay fees or annual dues, or to help staff the gallery. If there’s not an artists’ co-op near you, check nearby big cities. It may be worth a commute in order to access a larger customer base.
Other pieces you might want to bring could include barstools, small bookshelves, toy boxes, and cabinets. You can find upcoming craft fairs in your area by looking online, talking to other vendors in your area, or looking for flyers around town.
Bring pictures of your larger furniture to decorate your booth to give customers a sense of the work that you do.
Customers who aren’t familiar with buying handmade goods may be surprised at the cost of quality woodwork. Be willing to educate them on what goes into a piece so they can appreciate the value of it. Try to have a variety of styles of furniture in different price ranges available for customers.
Other supplies you might include in your costs include wood stripper, putty, sandpaper, and nails. Factor in the cost and depreciation of your tools as well. While you don’t want to charge a customer because you bought a new saw, you should into account that your tools are a part of your business and will have to eventually be replaced. The cost of materials to make a dining table may be around $200, for instance.
If you’re not sure where to start, try basing your hourly fee on your area’s minimum wage. This is $7. 25 in most areas of the United States. Woodworkers often charge much higher than minimum wage for their time, with rates averaging about $15 an hour. [12] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source If it took you 4 hours to make the table, and you’ve decided to charge $10 an hour, you would add $40 to the cost of the materials and supplies used to build the table, bringing the cost to $240.
Keep in mind that raising your price too high can sometimes mean you will have to wait longer to find the perfect buyer. If you need to move your furniture more quickly, you may want to pay the commission yourself. If your site charges a 5% commission, for instance, and you want to pass that commission on to the consumer, you would add $12 to the materials, supplies, and hourly rate already figured into the cost of your table, making the total $252. You could round this to $250 to make it an even number.
For instance, if dining tables in your area average around $150, you might have trouble selling your piece for $250, but if they average around $400, you should sell your table easily. You might even consider raising your price or recalculating your hourly rate if you consistently find that you are under-pricing your furniture.
