5 Tips for Getting Connected in The Craft Industry

Ever hear that phrase by Thomas Alva Edison, “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”? If you own a craft or jewelry-making business, I’m sure you can relate. For most of us, producing a beautiful product comes naturally, but getting that product out into the world is often the biggest challenge.  

A good place to start is networking. Networking, or relying on your social and business contacts to stay connected, visible, and informed, has always been an important part of business. I might argue that counting on your connections within the craft industry is the #1 way to grow and foster your small jewelry-making business. Not only is networking a nearly free way to promote yourself, but it’s often through your connections that you’ll learn about trends, new products, and sales standards, and those things are simply invaluable!

May I suggest 5 easy ways to get connected in the craft industry?

1) Contacts. Sit down and make a list of all the people you know by first name in the industry. Maybe they’re fellow artists, gallery owners, editors, or vendors. Confidently approach each via email or phone with your ideas and ask if they have any advice for your next steps. You might not get results right away, but you may be surprised at how this simple act helps jump-start your craft-industry networking.

2) Social media. I thought this phenomenon was silly when it arrived on the scene a few years ago. But once I jumped in, I found that social networking sites like Facebook, Linked In, and craft forums like the Sparkling Community have become sophisticated ways of sharing useful technique and business information. Use these sites to promote your products in a non-competitive way and stay in touch with craft industry types in an informal setting.

3) Blogging. Tied into social media is blogging, or online journaling. Consider starting a business blog on a site like Blogger or Word Press that tells what you’re up to. Share photos of your work, announce sales, and generally promote what you’re doing. Be sure to update regularly and link your blog entries to your social media sites in order to quickly gain regular visitors.

4) Society and guild meetings. Just about every niche in the craft industry has a local club, society, or guild. Annual dues are usually under $50 and for most groups, the monthly meetings are just plain fun. It’s here that you’ll not only get your face out among other people who are interested in the same things you, but you’ll gain loads of new contacts that will widen your network within your community.

5) Publishing. Like societies and guilds, there’s a magazine for every type of craft. Find out what your specialty’s periodical is and submit articles. Being involved with leading craft magazines gets your name out there in a very substantial way and also puts you in touch with some of the most influential and knowledgeable people in the craft industry—magazine editors. And p.s.: Don’t forget to add your contact information at the end of the article. It’s great free advertising and will again widen your network.

How else do you stay personally connected to your area of the craft industry? Do you have tips to share with the rest of the Sparkling Community? Please comment below. Happy networking!