Small businesses & makers know that weeks after Thanksgiving mark the busiest sales season of the year. We’ve got to make it count, right? Here’s a Holiday Prep Guide for Artists.
I’ve been selling my art during the holiday season for the last 12 years, so I’ve learned a thing or two about how to make this short window of time count.
I illustrated the info graphic at the top of this post for you where I’m sharing 6 tips for getting the most out of your holiday sales season. Save it to your phone as a little reminder.
Here are 6 tips for making the most out this online sales season.
– Set your holiday shipping deadlines EARLY.
Because of supply chain issues & the slowing of postal deliveries, make sure you are letting customers know well in advance how early they should order so that they get their gifts in time for giving. Visit USPS.com to see the year’s shipping deadlines.
– Offer Gift Wrap As An Upsell.
Make it super easy for your customers to not only purchase from you, but have their orders gift giving ready by offering gift wrapping services for a small fee. BONUS POINTS if you design your own custom gift wrap for wrapping your products in. You can design your own giftwrap and order it from places like StationeryHQ!
– Take Product Photos in Natural Light.
If I could give one tip to aspiring small businesses & makers, it would be this: Take your products & snap a photo of them in natural light. You can use your iPhone. You don’t need all the bells & whistles to make a compelling product photo. Let the sunshine be your friend.
– Create Limited Edition Items.
Nothing creates urgency like a limited edition item. Can you create a limited edition run of cards, or hand-painted ornaments, or a seasonal tea towel? Creating limited edition items is not only fun, but it can lead to yearly collectors of your products. Here is a look at our limited edition ornaments for some Gingiber inspiration.
– Offer Custom Gifts.
Can you take on a small number of custom pet portraits, or house portraits this holiday season? Customizable gifts are hugely popular & extra special because of the personalization. JUST MAKE SURE you charge accordingly for your custom work. Your time matters!
– Bundle Items as Stocking Stuffer.
If you have lots of items in your store, consider bundling them together & marketing them as “Stocking Stuffers”. Make it super easy for your customers to find everything that they need for gift giving, & that includes little gifts for putting into family stockings.
These are just a few tips for making the most of your holiday sales season. This is my 12th year of selling products online, and the exhilaration of the season never ceases to amaze me!
What are your tips for holiday prep? I hope that this Holiday Prep Guide for Artists helps you to brainstorm some best practices for you creative business.
P.S. If you are more interested in art licensing than creating product, next week I’m sharing tips for licensed artists to make the most out of this holiday season, so stay tuned!
P.P.S.: Interested in learning more about how you can take your beautiful portfolio of artwork and leverage it into other income streams? JOIN THE WAITLIST for my monthly membership, The Creative Powerhouse Society. Enrollment only opens twice a year.
