I'm thinking of starting my own home business soon using my own cross stitch designs, which I can produce quicker than I can cross stitch them. Does anybody have any tips I could use to start it? Or do any of you do this kind of work from home or know someone who has that might be able to give me some good tips?? And what about having/using a website to sell my work on? Any tips on starting it too since I don't have a website yet but I would like to use one for this. And what about copyrighting my designs for both the website and the booklets that I would be selling my designs in?? Can anybody provide info on that or where I can learn more on it? I'm half deaf so phone use will be a major problem (which is where the website helps) and I can not work full time due to a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) I suffered when I was a child, which caused my deafness and hearing loss. Any tips and info would be helpful and muchly appreciated on these. Thanks.
No spam please just honest answers.
2007-05-30 18:26:47 · 6 answers · asked by chibear75 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
I'm American.
2007-05-31 00:50:32 · update #1
It may be less time consuming and more cost effective for you to sell items (or even set up a store) on Ebay than it is to design your own website. Most of your correspondence will be over the internet, which is a plus. BUT, you may want to consider getting a videophone for those times when you do want people to be able to call you. Go to www.sorenson.com. The videophone and the service are FREE. : )
2007-06-06 23:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a tax number from your state IRS. You only collect sales tax on in-state customers. Let the rest worry about it for themselves. Have a way to accept credit cards, check and money orders. I recommend Paypal. Don't make people e-mail you first to place an order. Have online forms so they can order on-the-spot. I have one that they can print and send with checks, and then another at Paypal for the credit card orders.
I started with a freebie website and upgraded when the money started coming in. When you design your website, use a template or learn how to make tables so that your site looks good no matter what size screen they are viewing it on.
Just declare your copyright at the bottom of every page. Expect people to copy your designs. the only way to stop it from happening is not to sell. Just keep designing and staying ahead of the curve!
Use clear, bright photos that they can click to get good close-ups. Have a professional-looking layouot on the page. Don't have heavy photos that take a long time to load on some computers.
Spelling and grammar counts. Have lots of well-written content with plenty of the keywords people will be using when they type into search engines.
Even though it's extra work, stitch up one of every design because it's the picture of the finished design that will sell it. Maybe you can get "volunteers" to do it in exchange for a free pattern.
Offer kits with all the floss in it.
Good luck and have fun!
.
2007-05-31 04:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing I would suggest is get a good charting program - we use Pattern Maker Pro. This will help you develop good charts. You'll have to register your 'name', i.e. the name in which you'd like to publish under...i.e. we publish under 'Textured Treasures'. Then look into the appropriate tax and resale licences...in Canada you need a Resale Permit, and a GST number. If you go to your local needlework shop, the owners are often a great source of help and inspiration to get you going. They'll let you know what is currently doing well in the market.
With respect to selling, it is good to develop your own site so that shops can always see the newest images...though you'll need to keep on top of updating it as new designs come out. If you are creating faster than you can stitch, there are lots of model stitchers out there that you can pay to stitch up finished pieces for you (best to have a real image on the front of your design chart or booklet). You could sell on ebay, or start going to the wholesale shows....TNNA has a great trade show, it's actually this weekend in Columbus, OH. There are several other shows that I can't recall off of the top of my head.
Hope this helps you get started...we've been designing for 10 years and still love it!!
2007-05-31 03:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by ttreasures2000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before you start your home business I advise you to visit your local town (or City) Chamber of Commerce. Make an appointment with the Manager and ask your questions. Chambers of Commerce members are made up of mostly Small Business Owners like you want to be. The Chamber is not a Bank nor a City department; it is an independant small business. If the Manager (or staff person) can't find good info he can probably put you in contact with somebody who can. There is no charge for advise and it sounds like you need lots of that. Good Luck in your new venture.
2016-04-01 06:17:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say which country you're in, but in the UK one can get information from the Local Authority or the Careers Advice Office. If you have a disability you might be able to get advice and practical help for free from the relevant body.
2007-05-31 00:01:05 · answer #5 · answered by derfini 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello
This site http://buildit.sitesell.com/pgv.html will be good for you to start your first home business. You just need to provide them with brain & motivation and let them do the rest.
I started my first home based business with them (from scratch) and are quite happy with the results so far.
"Why build JUST a Web site...
when you COULD build a Web BUSINESS?"
http://www.penang-vacations.com
2007-06-06 18:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by LittleBoy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋