Once you have created a great product you need to get the word out about it! Unfortunately it is not just about creating product that is better than everything else out there. People need to be able to find out about it in order for you to achieve Maker Business Success!
For full disclosure and transparency, being a maker is a hobby for me at this point. My primary business is web design and marketing through eRose Web & Business Services, LLC. Hopefully this blog will add valuable resources, education, and encouragement to what I hope will sometime be a full-time business for you if it is not already.
With that said I plan on adding more info and resources about marketing to this site to help you at least get started or improve upon your existing website and social media marketing.
Maker Website Marketing
Setting up your own website for a business is easy for the do-it-yourself maker, especially if you just want something basic. The downside is that there are so many options out there it is easy to get overwhelmed.
Personally I recommend using WordPress to keep it both easy and flexible. For my website business I am a reseller of GoDaddy at www.SelfServeWebs.com where you can easily get domains, emails, and hosting with WordPress at a relatively low cost. (Not to mention assistance from either GoDaddy support and or eRose Web in getting you set up.) Do your own research, there may be cheaper options out there you like better but I suggest using something that gives you many options all together so you can grow over time.
For certain Makers setting up an eCommerce account on Etsy.com or something similar may make sense. I would still suggest you create your own website that you can fully own and control, you can still link it to your Etsy products but in the long run ensure you control your own marketing.
Once you have your website setup so that people wanting your product can either buy it or at least contact you through your website it is time to share your passion and the benefits that your products bring to others!
Maker Social Media Marketing
The key to #MakerBizSuccess in Social Media is in first finding the right platform(s), and then adding value to build relationships online. Find out where your target audience is…if you can’t ask them directly then determine what are the demographics of your potential prospects or if the industry they are in determines the social media platforms they are most likely use?
If you have the time, develop profiles on any platforms you think might be relevant and start adding valuable insight and information to the conversations online. Only do a promotion occasionally, on social media you need to establish trust and rapport first.
#MakerBizSuccess relies on Marketing Your Small Business
I can’t stress enough how important marketing is for your invention or creation. Let the world know what you have made! Whether you contact us or not for assistance on your marketing, get it started and keep it up on as regular a basis as you can and over time success will come!