You’ve put a lot of care and love into creating your own handmade candles and soaps and now you are ready to share them with the world! If you find yourself at a bit of a loss as to where and how to begin selling your handmade candles and soaps, here are some suggestions.
Start by researching local or nearby craft show and fair schedules. There are usually a few opportunities every year for a local home business to rent a table and get the word out about their wares. While you are in research mode, take a look at local gift shops and flower shops that may be interested in carrying your candles or soaps. You can set up an appointment to speak with the owner and see if they are interested in possibly selling your items on consignment or purchasing some at the wholesale price.
You can also host home candle parties or candle parties in retirement homes, trailer parks, community centers or recreation halls. Take a look in your area or look up different spots like this around the city. Usually there are one or two communities that are very active and would welcome a presentation or would readily agree to help you set something up with them. Once the date is set, the trick is to secure attendance by putting up fliers, asking friends and family to attend with a friend, and utilizing any resources that may be offered via a community posting board or email list.
Local schools and churches also often have fundraisers and other events to raise money. Talk with them so see if your handmade candles and soaps would be a good fit. Of course, you can also rent a booth or table at weekly or monthly flea market as well.
If you have generated some interest in your candles or soaps, then it may be time to also offer your products by mail order or through a website. This would be very convenient for those that would like to reorder, as well as for contacts that you are having a hard time getting in touch with. It is a great selling point to be able to leave a card or brochure that points to your professional website or catalog for easy ordering.
When your handmade candles or soaps are selling well, and if you have the means, then you may also want to consider opening your own retail shop. While there is a lot involved with this, it may be the next logical step to help you get to the next level and provide a space for your business to grow. After that, the next step would be to set up a contract with a larger company for private label candles and go national or worldwide!
No matter your level of selling, you need to always be aware of how you are selling your products to make sure that your handmade candles or soaps appear professional. Always display the products so that they are neat and organized. If you have eye catching stands, table cloths, or packaging, that will always help.
If the smells of the candles and soaps capture a certain theme, then be sure to match that with your decorations. For example, if they are mainly flower scents, then perhaps go with a garden display.
Be sure your presentations are not too crowded and make it easy for customers to reach and pick up the products. Allow your packaging of the handmade candles or soaps to breathe so that customers can smell them or you can place samples in clear and easy view. A jar of coffee beans or grounds to clean the palate is always a good idea, too.
Always have plenty of business cards, flyers, brochures or catalogs on hand so that browsers can take one and buyers know how to find you again. You can always tuck a coupon or discount card into these for added incentive to try even more of your handmade candles or soaps.
Many Blessings,
Other Great Reads:
- Lessons Learned From A Door To Door Water Salesman
- How Much Do You “Love” Your Candle Or Soap Business
- How To Start A Home Based Candle Making Business
- 4 Easy Ways To Price Soaps And Candles
- How To Host An Open House Craft Show Party Pt.#1