Do you have a hobby you absolutely love? Maybe you’re at the point where you don’t know what to do with all of the items you’ve made. Many of us have had more spare time in 2020 than ever before, which means more time to create.

When you get to this point, it may be time to turn to sell what you’ve created. Small, handmade businesses often start this way, and many of them can thrive into successful companies.

If you’re ready to take your hobby into the business world, GR-US.com has seven tips to get you going.

Write Out a Business Plan

Even hobbies-turned handmade businesses should have a business plan. That’s because a business plan is your roadmap to success. It’s where you lay out your goals, why you’re doing this, what void you’re trying to fill for customers, and how you plan to be successful. Write a physical copy (by hand or on a computer) of your business plan so you can refer back to it frequently.

Have a Daily Checklist of Tasks

Whether you’re diving in headfirst and this will be your main focus, or you’re starting your handmade business as a side gig with hopes to grow, you’ll want to have a daily task list. Doing this will help you clearly lay out what you need to accomplish that day to be a successful business. Even if this is a side gig, you’ll still need to put in work each day.

Define Your Target Audience

Who is your ideal customer? You should be able to clearly define your ideal customer and shape your business around that. The big mistake entrepreneurs make is thinking their business appeals to everyone. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Once you define your target audience, you’ll be able to market your products more precisely and gain the biggest return.

Set Up Social Media Accounts

Handmade businesses can thrive on social media if done correctly. First, you need to set up your accounts. Facebook and Instagram are two of the best accounts to have.

Learn to Take High-Quality Photos

You’ll want to share photos of your products to appeal to your customer base. The quality of the image plays a significant role in your success. Poorly lit and blurred photos don’t do your products any justice. Spend time learning tips and tricks to take amazing photos to help promote your products.

Sell At Local Markets

Does your community have annual markets? If so, those are some of the best places for handmade businesses to sell products and gain needed attention. Invest in creating an eye-catching booth that allows you to showcase what you have to offer in an aesthetically appealing way.

Keep Promoting Your Company

Marketing never stops with handmade businesses. You’ll need to continually promote your brand and what you have to offer. When creating a marketing plan, think of the time of year that would be most popular for you. Christmas is an excellent opportunity for handmade businesses to promote easy presents for loved ones. Use the seasons and holidays to your advantage when promoting your company.

Ready to take your hobby to the next level? Use the above tips to help you create a thriving handmade business.