Card Business?

Question

On average, how successful are small, independent, home-run card businesses?

I'm thinking about making cards at home and selling them on a website. :) I have some unique ideas, so these won't be your average cards. Thanks!

Answer 1

You might do better to sell your cards at local craft fairs or farmers markets, at least to start. Have your website set up before you go and make sure to give each customer a card with your web address on it. Also, include your web address on the back of each card so everyone who gets one can know where to buy! If your ideas are unique and the cards are well made, business should spread through word of mouth.

Good luck!

Answer 2

In any business, you need to protect your ideas. Selling on a website may be a good way to reach out to the masses, but you are displaying free ideas to the guy at the other end of the world also. The card business is very competitive. Why not do up some samples, do up a business plan and talk to an investor. Get all the necessary protection done and approach the big boys and sell them your idea. Let them do the selling while you seat back, collect the royality and think of some more new designs...

Answer 3

I have a cousin who does this... strictly a part-time venture which adds income to her regular day job. She has also worked as an independent contractor for some card businesses... you might try that route. There's plenty of competition out there... but judging by some of the cards I've read at stores, you can certainly improve on it! Good luck!

Answer 4

Since you will be doing them at home, limited advertisement from web only, word of mouth. It all depends on how much effort, energy, time you put in getting yourself noticed.

Good way to get word of mouth advertising is put in a coupon for a discount price to a friend and a discount on the card holders next purchase.

Don't expect to make thousands over night.