Posts Tagged ‘knitting for profit’

The Knitters Guide To Business Cards

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Business cards are absolutely essential for knitting for profit, so how do you make sure they help you sell more of your knitting, and where's the best place to get them?

When you are knitting for profit, one of the most important things you'll need to do is get your name and knitting product range known to your customers. If you have been smart and chosen a niche market, you will have a very clear idea of who your customers are, where they are shopping, and what they are looking to buy.

Now you just need to find them and let them know that you have the solution to their needs and desires! One of the ways to do this is to make sure you have professional looking business cards that immediately tell people who you are, what you sell and who the knitted products are meant for.

Many knitters make the mistake of only putting their name and address on their knitting business cards – but that tells your customers nothing about how you can help them! When you design your card, you must make sure you include a clear description of your knitting product range or service, and how it will benefit your customer. For example:

If someone with sensitive skin sees Jane's card, they are much more likely to (a) keep the card, (b) call Jane for more information about her knitting range or (c) pass the card on to someone else they know who has sensitive skin or allergy problems.

Now this is just a quick mock-up I did on my computer…and realised afterwards that I left out Jane's last-name…we all make mistakes , but the point is, even with seemingly important details like that missing, people would still be more likely to call Jane's knitting business from this card, than if she just had a plain old boring card with only her name and contact details on it.

Business cards are so important for getting free publicity for your knitting business. If you display at craft shows or markets they give customers (and potential customers) a way to contact you later. Every knitted item you sell should have a swing tag or business card attached, because people who have already bought from you are the people most likely to buy again, and they need to be able to find you.

So where do you get knitting business cards?

There are lots of online business card providers, but always remember – you get what you pay for! If the deal seems cheap, its probably because they are using cheap or thin card and low quality printing inks and processes. I have been burned by this – ordering what was described as “premium” business cards and getting undersized cards on thin paper that looked like I'd printed them myself on a home inkjet printer!

So if you use an online provider, check the SIZE of the cards (standard business cards are 89 x 51mm or 3.5 x 2 inches), the WEIGHT of the card they are printed on (should be at least 80lb stock, 350g/m2 or 12pt thickness or they will look and feel cheap) and the FINISH of the surface (the best, most popular finishes now are low-sheen or semi-gloss.

Some people still like high-gloss and matte finishes, but be aware that many people think these finishes make their cards look cheap). Also check postage costs as they can make seemingly cheap cards very expensive!

I have used ClickBusinessCards.com and been happy with the results. I live in Australia, so use the Australian branch, but they also have sites for the USA, UK and New Zealand. Like most card companies online, they have standard templates that you can modify yourself.

Try typing 'business cards' into your local google search and you'll find plenty of different sites. The other site I like is zazzle.com, which has some beautiful templates you can use for swing-tags.

The other option is to go to your local printer or graphic designer. This means you'll get much more personalised service, and is a good way to go if you are not confident designing yourself, or would like some advice about layouts and colours for a knitting business card. Just remember, on your knitting business cards you should include:

►Your Business name (if you have one)

►Your name (and title if you want, eg director, creator or owner)

►Your postal address

►Your phone number(s)

►Your email address

►Your web site or craft-mall address

►A description of your knitting products or services

►Their unique features

►How they will benefit your customer

This will help you get more customers, and make sure that your existing customers can buy from you again and again, helping you to make more money from your knitting!

Tags: business cards, craft shows, knitting business cards, knitting for profit, swing tag
Posted in Knitting Resources | 6 Comments »

What is Knitting For Profit? And What Is A Knitterpreneur?

Friday, March 6th, 2009

“Knitting for Profit” means you are making money from your knitting skills (yay!!). This can be achieved in a variety of ways, but how do you become a true "Knitterpreneur"??

Knitting For Profit could mean you are selling the pieces you knit, or it could mean you are getting paid to teach other people how to knit, or you could be earning money from your knitting designs or knitting patterns. Whichever way you earn, you are being paid for your knitting skills and talents, and you have become a ‘business owner’, no matter how much or little money you are making, or whether you officially call yourself a business or not!

You see, there are many different levels of ‘business’. You may think of a knitting empire. A large fashion-knit design company, or popular knitting or crochet magazine, or perhaps a large established knitting pattern design company or yarn manufacturer. Million dollar turnovers, worldwide distribution and teams of staff. This is a big vision, but entirely possible as shown by the large knitting companies that already exist.

Or you might be thinking of a smaller knitting business. Based at home or in a retail shop, one or two employees and creating enough income for you to live your knitting passion and be surrounded by the things and people you love. Lots of knitters live this vision by owning yarn-stores.

Or what about just a bit of extra income for the family? Not getting rich, but having enough to be able to stay at home and care for your children. Enough to keep your family comfortable, and let you keep on expressing your creative spirit.

Or perhaps you just think of knitting. A micro-business that lets you buy all the yarn you desire, and makes enough so you can knit for free!

No matter what your goal or vision, if you make money from your knitting, you are knitting for profit, and you are what we call a ‘Knitterpreneur’.

We believe anyone who starts a business, no matter how big or small, must have some entrepreneurial spirit in them! So we created the word ‘Knitterpreneur’ to describe all of the amazing people who go on that journey using knitting or crochet.

Get some inspiration and ideas from the real live stories of Knitterpreneurs on this blog – have a look in the ‘Success Stories’ category for them. They are well worth the few minutes it takes to read! There are also more in depth interviews in my book "Knitting For Profit".

I hope you’ll join us in the Knitterpreneur community, by learning all the tips and tricks to Knitting for Profit found here and in my book. My book is designed to be a step by step guide to helping you become a successful knitterpreneur. And if you would like to share your own story with us all, please contact me at liz@knittingforprofit.com, I’d love to hear from you!

Tags: extra income, home business, knitterpreneur, knitting business, knitting for profit, Make Money Knitting
Posted in Make Money Knitting | 1 Comment »

Welcome to the Knitting For Profit Blog!

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Welcome to the Knitting For Profit Blog. Here you will find lots of great information and ideas about how you can make money from knitting. You will find stories of real women who successfully knit for profit, and lots of great information about setting up and running a home based business. I hope you enjoy the Knitting For Profit Blog, if you have any questions about making money from knitting, please contact me at liz@knittingforprofit.com. Enjoy!

Tags: knitting, knitting for profit, Make Money Knitting
Posted in Make Money Knitting | No Comments »

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