Local artists and artisans are the gateways to local history and culture. Every trinket, creation, or product is an expression of their efforts and creativity. Artists want to share their art with the world. They muster the courage to start a business. Many small businesses have a similar story.
If you are a creative yourself who plans to open your own novelty shop and share your creations with the world, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Just Start
The best time to start is always now. The Small Business Administration shares 10 essential steps to take when you start a business. It goes as follows: conduct market research, prepare your business plan, secure funding, choose a business location, choose a business structure, choose a business name, register your business, prepare tax IDs, licenses, permits, and open a business bank account. These steps may be tedious and technical, but they’re essential if you want to start your own business and protect your merchandise.
Operating your small business won’t just play a vital role in your local economy but also the national economy. In fact, small businesses make up 99.9% of America’s total business sector. Meanwhile, at the local level, you’re providing jobs to your community. A 2020 report by the US Small Business Administration stated that nearly half of the employed population at 47.1% are employed by small businesses.
Set Up an Online Store
Because of travel restrictions and safety measures, online stores have been booming since the pandemic. Online stores provided customers access to products and services. On the other hand, this format or means of adapting to the times has allowed businesses to continue their operations. Although we are slowly approaching normal operations, the effects of this period on e-commerce are bound to have long-lasting effects. For instance, during the break of SARS in 2002 and 2003. The epidemic was credited as the catalyst for Chinese retail’s shift to the digital space.
Setting up an online store can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Free yourself from the pressure of using technical and sophisticated tools this early one. Since you’re still starting, consider setting up an online store using social media channels. Through this, you can tap potential target markets and generate organic traffic. A good one is Instagram.
The platform is not just small business-friendly, it’s accessible to a wide audience too. Research shows that smartphones accounted for over 70% of all retail website visits worldwide in 2021. Similarly, a study was conducted to examine the consumers’ attitudes towards e-commerce and digital solutions. It was found that more than half of the respondents shop online more often than before.
Promote Brand Awareness
As an artisan, your unique style sets you apart from competitors. It establishes an image for your brand. . You have something to offer your customers and the edge to compete in your industry. All that’s needed is to find your market.
After you’ve utilized your resources and perfect your craft to create unique products, the next challenge is getting noticed. Your community is a great potential market base and surely a good place to start. Invest in marketing to boost brand awareness and help people realize your business exists.
However, you have to be forward-thinking and consider diversifying your market. This seems more like a long-term goal, but paving the way for it as early as now will be easier for you in the future. That’s one advantage of going online. Your target market will not be limited to the local population, as the internet is a tool for marketing. It can aid you in diversifying your target market too.
Initiating public relations equals reputation. Your brand reputation is important because it’s what people think about your brand. It says something about your products. If reviews are good or if past buyers have good things to say, it promotes a positive image of your brand, prompting it to be attractive to others. This is vital in generating sales and, eventually, having a stable cash flow.
Starting a business is an intimidating endeavor, but it’s a fulfilling one. You will never know until you try, so give it a shot! You already have something to offer to the world. All you have to do is nail is the technical parts of starting your business. Sharing your craft with others is a great way to thrive in the world.
