Over the past few years, I’ve been able to turn my crafting hobby into a side hustle. Not only does it give me the opportunity to do something I’m passionate about every day, but it also allows me to make some extra cash doing it. This post will break down the steps to turn your hobby into a small business and how you can make it work.
Setting up social media accounts
In today’s digital age, social media is a powerful tool to reach potential customers. Instagram, Twitter and TikTok are all great platforms to showcase your business, as well as connect with your audience. By posting photos or videos of your products or services, you can attract attention and build a following. Make sure to interact with your followers by responding to their comments and messages.
Share the story of your business, who you are, what you make and customer reviews.
Deciding where to sell
Business owners have many selling platform options to consider. Websites like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade are popular marketplaces for handmade and vintage items. They have a large customer base and are relatively easy to set up.
Another option is to create your own website using platforms like Shopify or WordPress. You also need to consider setting up payment processing; set up ecommerce payment processing here. This is a crucial step as it enables you to accept payments from customers in a secure and convenient manner. Several options are available, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square, each with its own pros and cons. Don’t forget to test your payment system thoroughly to ensure everything is working smoothly before you start selling, whether in person or online. After all, you don’t want to lose out on potential sales because of payment processing issues.
Paying the right taxes
Running a small business means you have to pay taxes. The rules and regulations vary depending on the country you live in and how you structure your business. Research and understand your local tax laws to avoid any legal issues. You may want to consider hiring an accountant to help you with your finances and taxes. It’s better to get it right from the start than to face penalties and fines later.
Outsourcing tasks
Running a small business can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing everything yourself. You may want to consider outsourcing certain areas of your business to different companies. For example, you can hire a graphic designer to create your logo or website. You can also hire a shipping and fulfilment company to handle your orders and deliveries. This allows you to focus on your strengths and frees up your time to create more products.
Enroll in courses to improve your skills
Once you have your idea for your small business it’s important to continuously improve your skills and knowledge. You can take courses or attend workshops to learn new techniques, marketing strategies, or business skills. This not only helps you improve your products or services but also keeps you up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Have you ever turned your hobby into a small business? If so, what steps did you take to get started and what advice would you give to others who are considering doing the same?
First Day of School Photo Prop
This first day of school photo prop lets you take some adorable photos of your children as they start a new grade. The text can be customized to have a child’s name and the school year can be changed as well.
This sign is the perfect back-to-school photo prop for kids.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.