Preparing Your Crochet Business for Holiday Sales

It’s that time of year again to start planning your handmade business strategy for the holidays. At Christmastime and throughout the winter holidays, your sales can skyrocket. That’s exciting! But it can also be overwhelming. You need a plan for your product line, listings, holiday promotions, shipping concerns, and even self-care. Keep reading to learn how to approach each of these. And I’ll also share a great new course that can set you on the right track with holiday prep.

Is Your Handmade Business Ready for the Holidays?

Let’s talk about Christmas. So have any of you walked into a Hobby Lobby, or a Target, or even a Walmart recently and noticed that some red, and green, and gold beauties are starting to pop up everywhere?

It’s time for retailers, and that means you, to get ready for the holiday season–to start thinking about your messaging, your marketing, your graphics, your product line, all of the things. And today, what I wanted to do is just talk through broad categories of things that we need to think about as we’re talking about the holiday season and then invite you to a fun event.

Six Things to Consider About Holiday Prep in Your Handmade Business

As we gear up for the holiday season, it’s crucial to think about the key areas that will help you maximize your sales and keep stress at bay. Here are the six main areas you should focus on:

1. Plan Your Holiday Product Line

• Product Line Launch: Decide if you’ll have a specific holiday product line. A well-thought-out holiday line can attract more customers looking for seasonal items. Consider creating a cohesive collection that tells a story or centers around a common theme.
• Update Listings: Tweak and photograph holiday-specific products. High-quality photos can make a huge difference in attracting buyers. Ensure that your images capture the festive spirit and highlight any unique features of your products.
• New Designs: Launch new holiday designs now. Introducing fresh, seasonal items can reignite interest in your shop. Use this opportunity to experiment with new ideas and gauge customer reactions.
• Event Preparation: Plan for events you’ll participate in. Whether it’s online sales events or local craft fairs, having a clear plan will help you stay organized and meet demand effectively. Make sure to stock up on inventory and promotional materials for these events.

If you joined us for the Product Line University, you’re ahead of the game. If not, you can still get access to this course for detailed guidance on perfecting your product line.

2. Refresh Your Holiday Product Listings

• Listing Cleanup: Ensure links to coordinating products and bundles are set up. Bundling products can increase your average order value and make gift-giving easier for your customers. Ensure your listings are well-organized and easy to navigate.
• SEO Optimization: Update titles, tags, keywords, and descriptions. Optimized listings are crucial for being found in search results. Use relevant keywords that shoppers are likely to use when searching for holiday gifts.
• Add Video: Consider adding videos and updating alt text on Etsy. Videos can give potential buyers a better understanding of your product’s size, texture, and functionality. Alt text helps improve accessibility and can enhance your SEO.
• Holiday Tags: Include relevant holiday tags like “gifts for her,” “gifts under $25,” etc. These tags can help your products appear in curated holiday gift guides and improve visibility during peak shopping times.

3. Offer Special Holiday Promotions

• Promotion Planning: Decide on Black Friday and Cyber Week promotions. Planning ahead allows you to create enticing offers that stand out in a crowded market. Consider offering limited-time discounts or exclusive bundles.
• Graphic Design: Prepare your marketing graphics. Eye-catching graphics can grab attention and drive traffic to your shop. Use holiday-themed colors and imagery to create a festive atmosphere.
• Marketing Strategy: Plan your online and in-person marketing strategies. Use social media, email newsletters, and in-person events to spread the word about your promotions. Consistent messaging across all platforms can reinforce your brand and attract more customers.

4. Consider Holiday Shipping Deadlines

• Early Shipping: Ship a few days earlier than the official deadlines. With the increased volume of holiday mail, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Shipping early ensures that your customers receive their orders in time for the holidays.
• Shipping Deadlines: Look up and adhere to the recommended shipping deadlines. Knowing these dates helps you manage customer expectations and plan your production schedule. Communicate these deadlines clearly on your website and in your listings.

5. Set Your Holiday Shipping Strategy

• Pricing and Quality: Decide if you’ll increase shipping prices or offer free gift wrapping. Offering free gift wrapping or handwritten cards can enhance the customer experience and justify higher shipping costs. Ensure your packaging reflects the quality of your brand.
• Shipping Schedule: Determine how often you’ll ship orders to avoid last-minute rushes. A consistent shipping schedule helps you manage your workload and ensures timely delivery. Inform your customers about your shipping days to set clear expectations.
• Custom Orders: Prepare a back stock of items that can be personalized quickly. This approach allows you to fulfill orders faster and reduce stress. Keeping a stock of basic items that can be easily customized helps you cater to last-minute shoppers.

6. Tend to Your Self-Care During the Holidays

• Self-Care Strategies: Arrange for childcare, hire a house cleaner, and prepare quick meals. Delegating tasks can free up your time and energy, allowing you to focus on your business. Prioritizing self-care helps you maintain a positive mindset and stay productive.
• Christmas Shopping: Start early and finish your shopping and wrapping well before the holiday rush. This reduces stress and gives you more time to enjoy the season. Planning ahead also helps you avoid the last-minute scramble.
• Stress Management: Plan for both slow and busy sales periods to manage stress effectively. Have strategies in place for dealing with disappointment or overwhelming demand. Taking care of your mental and physical health is crucial for sustained success.

Register Today for the Holiday Prep Challenge!

And then finally, join us for the Holiday Prep Challenge. Holiday Prep Challenge is a free five-day event. We’re going to start Monday, August 5th, 2024. It is going to be held on Facebook and Zoom.

Register for FREE Here

This challenge has been a big benefit to our audience for the past 4 years so we thought, of course, we’ll bring it to you again!

Once you register, you’ll get an email from me with all the details and log in information for your own challenge portal.

What will the challenge look like? Well, we will have lessons every day that will walk you through specific tasks that need to get completed in order to create the most profitable holiday season yet! There will be homework, prizes, and an amazing community of fellow business owners.

And, on Friday, I’ll bring you a new masterclass, “The Crochet Business Secrets Profit Makers Know”, where we’ll break down mindsets and myths that I’ll share my 3-step framework for success.

It’s going to be a blast!

Register Today!

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