is it really possible to make money selling handmade cards?

[MakemineaGandT]

I'm thinking of doing this - what should I know first?!

Blimey Dingle, I'm going to set some time aside to look at your blog properly, dd (aged 7) will love it too (card making is her hobby).

Btw, dh adn I both try to buy handmade cards, usually for family or special occasions, and we would happily spend £2.50 on one.

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MMAG&T - I don't think you'll make any money selling handmade cards. I make cards which I sell at the local school fair - just about cover my costs. My feeling is that people like to receive handmade cards, but don't like to pay for it!!

However, if you find a niche then you could make lots!! Good luck.

Dingle & Dior - like your cards.

dd and I just had a quick scroll through your site Dior - another one we'll have to come back to I think!!

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Another consideration, if you are thinking of making a 'business' out of handmade cards is to register as a sole trader with the inland revenue (altho you can opt out of paying NI contributions if you're not making much income!) and to think of some form of insurance to cover stock, fairs, public liability, etc.

Some companies do small (craft) business insurance for about £50, but the price may increase if you're thinking of selling wholesale.

I used to make greeting cards, I found making wedding and christening invitations and related products was the best way to make money. Get a good reputation for yourself, go to wedding fairs etc. Research your market, and know your competitors. I started to do really well, but had to give it up as we were both self employed and needed a mortgage to get our first house.

Hi there, the market for "handmade cards are relatively competitive to a point however, you can bring something new and unique to the market like I did? then you can make money from it like I do. My cards aren't cheap however; the latter being, do your research into your niche market and most importantly watch your potential competition carefully and plan your business structure from there on.

Firstly, find out if there's a reasonable amount of searches per month for your intended niche via Google Keyword Tool (they will be taking that down later this year by the way)

Spy on your competition website style, pricing, offer structure and are they social and how they branding themselves?

Look at their products and bring something similar but not the same. Better the design or add something to make it your own style

Get a website... outsource this part cheap and if you nothing about how to do it ask a friend or family member to help you

Market it on the internet?this one can be tricky but very essential for getting customers that are willing to pay you for your services. Be careful to pay more than you are profiting when it comes to marketing your website.

Get Traffic to your site?By way of marketing your site?s offer, people will find you and trust you enough to hand you their money in exchange for your product

Have engaging contents and product images?This explains itself just by you and write like you are passionate about your product and take decent images, they don?t have to be professional.

Convert leads to sale?Turn your sites visitors into sales simply by offering them something attractive.

So yes you can make good income if you structure your plans properly and have the right people to support you like my husband does me :-)

You can see this example of my site www.creatingspecialmomnets.co.uk
I wish you every success and you can do it if you have a structured plan in place. GO FOR IT!