I get a lot of folks asking how to get started selling printables and kits, or how to sell items produced from them. Rather than typing that info up again and again or having the same conversion multiple times, I decided to start a blog series about it 😊 Think of this as your synopsis.
About the How to Make Money with Printables Series
I will be covering different aspects of this series each post, so start where you are! In some cases, things need to be taken care of simultaneously. You can’t sell printables if you don’t have anything made up, so we’ll talk about design (and you do NOT need to be an artist to do this). You can't make money if your designs are not accessible and available -- or if you can't get them in front of buyers. I'm sharing some of my best marketing tricks here to make sure you get the attention you deserve.
Here are a few topics that are coming up:
· How to Design Printables (When you are not an artist)
· My favorite design sources (shhhh, don’t share them!)
· What you need to know about licensing, both as a designer and as a seller
· Where to sell the printables you make
· What to sell – are you a planner girl, a junk journaler or an SVG specialist?
· My favorite sources for free images (that you can use in your designs)
· How to package your designs in an appealing way
· How to make irresistible listings
· Marketing your designs
· Setting up your own shop and site
· Designer Spotlights – this is a wonderful, giving community and there are so many people with stories and tips to share, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorites along the way.
I’ve also started a group on Facebook for emerging designers – which you are if you are following along here! Come join us wherever you are in your journey.
Why Me?
I always wonder what makes someone qualified to give advice, so this is one of the rare times I’ll actually go into detail, I’ve been self employed since 1999 – though the business and services I’ve offered has changed over the years along with my interests. I ran a successful mural business (mostly for commercial clients) before my kids were born, then switched to designing for craft magazines and writing craft books. (See one of my books from Penguin Random House here).
My last actual in-person job was for Springs Industries, designing sheets and comforters – those skills come in handy today when I design papers! For the last decade, I have written about travel and helped mid-sized businesses with written and marketing content. I still cover travel (you can find me in USA Today and other popular magazines) but creating is still my first love.
I launched a printables design shop in 2020 and it took off – so well that I focus almost exclusively on it. I still do travel assignments and features but have become very picky about it and in this Covid-19 era, like to stay home. I’ve outgrown Etsy and am focusing on my own shop and endeavors.
I’ll be sharing what I learned in 20 years of successful creative business entrepreneurship and marketing to help you launch your work at home or full time business.
Let's get started!