Will You Be There For The Future Of Handmade?

A new trends report* from G-group Market Research predicts just how much more influential the handmade market is becoming. This is such exciting news, and I had to share it with you! You can read the whole report (see link below) but if you don't have time right now, and you want my added commentary, just read this.

1. Slower economic growth means choosier buyers. As acquisitions increase and industry "big boys" scramble to keep up with changing market conditions (including having to accommodate the growing handmade market), the disruption in the traditional marketing place means it will be even more important for you to carve out a specific niche. This has always been important, but even more so as consumers buy only what they know is designed specifically for them. Selling to the masses is becoming a thing of the past.

2. Make your customers happy. New flash -- it's now about how great your products or services are. It's about the emotional experience you provide for your customers. This is one of the reasons why FaceBook is such a great marketing tool -- your customers can get to know you and you can extend the happy buying experience into other areas of their lives. Making customers happy also requires a healthy dose of consistent email marketing to your niche audience. The personal touch makes all the difference.

3. Small is big. Yes, and getting bigger. Bite-sized, customized, limited edition, one-of-a-kind, and, yes, handmade, are the wave of the future. People want it to be tailored to them, not to some nameless, faceless group of marketing research statistics. We can see this clearly as we watch so many big companies suddenly stretching to tell consumers that their products are hand-blended, handcrafted, handmade, artisan, etc. They are trying to copy you -- but they can't can they? Because handmade is handmade, and you can't fake that!

4. Content. Content. And did I say "Content?"

If you don't have a targeted and systematized content marketing approach, well, get one. There are tips on this topic all over the Internet, but if you want some serious "roll up your sleeves and make it happen coaching, you'll want to check out my Branded Content Strategy Coaching program. You (and your customers) are so worth it!

5. Be an expert, and tell me so. That's right, you can't just make super stuff anymore and expect people to buy it in enough quantity for you to even keep up with inflation, much less make a profit. Everyone make super whatever-you-make, so you have to step up your game.

I don't want to buy handmade XYZ from just anyone. I want to buy it from a person who is an expert at making handmade XYZ.

How will I know you are an expert?

Because you will tell me so.

How will you tell me so?

Because, among other things, you have my email address and every time I get your fabulous newsletter, I'll be reminded of what an expert you are! (See points #2 and #4)

6. Solve problems. So, if I can get Lavender Sugar Scrub at the local Target (ugh, but just sayin'), what can you do for me? What problem do I have that Target cannot solve?

The answer to this question depends on your niche and what your customers tell you. And that's where FaceBook and, more importantly, email addresses come in. (Yes, content ... Again!) If I don't know you, I don't know you can help me. If I don't know you can help me, well, I'm at Target ...

It's not rocket science but it does require thought and coordination. That's why IBN is here -- well, not to help you think, but to help you think in a certain way, and then to coordinate those thoughts so you can sell more of your wonderful handmade products.

(Speaking of thinking in a certain way, you might like to know about next week's IBN member and Indie Protege call Are You A Soapmaker? A Businesswoman? Both?

So, there you have it, Indies. What an exciting, remarkable, over-the-top, fun, swing-from-the-chandeliers time we are in!!

What do you think? What trends have you noticed? Do these ring true for you?

Bring it! Let's Go Baby!

*Read the entire report G-Ometer Rerpot, by Judy Galloway, here.