Is There Sufficient Demand for your Craft?

Many crafters dream up a unique craft, then jump in with both feet without stopping to consider the (very real) reasons why their business will fail.

Particularly if you are making an item with a price tag above $20, you need to seriously consider the potential demand for your product, and consider where you plan to market it. You should do this before you leap to evcaluate the real marketability of your end product.

You also need to consider when you plan on selling it. Is this just a Christmas craft fair exclusive? Or are you looking to sell this item year round? Are you selling locally, or are you planning on expanding to online sales?

There is a demand for handmade products. Many people are sick of over-commercialization in the big box stores of today, and prefer to purchase unique and handmade items to similar mass-produced items.

You also need to consider your market. For instance, you might have a brilliant idea to make and market doggie snowboots ~ but if you live in Southern California, you will have a non-existant market (except for gifts being mailed away) but if you live in Alaska, it could be a thriving pet-related business.

You also need to think in terms of needs versus wants. Items that are needed (or people believe they need) will always sell better than the items that are simply wanted or desired. People need clothing, but people want fancy decorative ceramic items.

That said, there are always those crafts that seem to defy all marketability rules, and sell like hotcakes despite most people thinking "Who ever buys those?" While those are rare, it could happen to you.

But on a craft you are just not sure will market well, always start small with a trial, which will enable you to evaluate the sales of the craft product without investing too much time, energy and expense before you know for sure.

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