Keeping Your Handmade Art Business Going During COVID-19
With everyone stuck indoors for the next while, you might be wondering what you should be doing to fill up all your spare time.
What can you be doing to not only survive these odd times but thrive through them?
ACT Insurance is here with a short list of tasks you can be working on to still be productive and hopefully continue your business during COVID-19. You’ll find tips on where you can be selling items when markets aren’t available, effective uses of down time, and we’ll explain some possible risks you might face when selling handmade art products online and how an annual artists insurance policy from ACT could protect your business.
By the end of this you’ll know how best to keep productive during these trying times.
Let’s get started.
1. Work On Your Online Presence
Your business, no matter how small, should have a quality social media presence. If you don’t have the basics down, then now is the best time to spruce those up.
Is Your Facebook Page Updated?
Business Facebook pages can give your business more exposure to a larger audience across the web. It makes it easier for people to search and find information about yourself, company, and your products. The first step is to create a Facebook business page and the second step is to optimize it. Check out these tips on how to optimize your page.
You should be focusing on these three things the most:
- Having adequate business tabs that are relevant to what you do
- Using consistent logos across the platform
- Automating Facebook message responses
By doing these things your page will be visible to many people and you’ll be able to communicate with those who are interested in your business. You’ll grab customers’ attention and provide them with the information they’re looking for when they need it. Plus, by having solid social media pages you’ll look professional and increase your credibility.
Do You Have a Website?
Is your website up to date with your business's most recent details? If you don’t actually have a website then make one! We find that Wix and Squarespace sites are the most common, but you can use any website builder you find. If you want to be extra fancy, you could hire someone else to build a custom website for you.
In order to succeed in having a website for your handmade art goods, be sure you have a shopping platform synced. You can look into platforms like Shopify to make sales even easier. You’ll have to be sure things are properly listed and that your inventory information is correct.
How’s Your IG?
Aside from your own website and a solid Facebook presence, you should definitely be on Instagram. A business Instagram account will allow you to link your store, connect with your customers and fellow small businesses, and can be another way to list the items you’re looking to sell.
If you’re trying to be active on the platform try posting at least 2-3 times a week with some daily stories or daily follower interaction. By commenting on your posts to talk with your customers, you’ll show you’re really there to talk about your art. Instagram is really image-driven, so don’t be shy about showing your process and everything you do for work.
2. List Things Online
Not sure where you can be selling your handmade art online? Well no need to panic. We did the research so you wouldn’t have to! Check out this blog on 7 online websites you should definitely be listing your handmade art or craft on. We even give you some information on how to get started on selling your products.
Check out these sites to get started:
3. Organize!
Do you have bins filled to the brim with art supplies? Is your craft table barely visible under the thick layer of materials? How’s your tool box doing? Can you easily find things in it?
If these questions made you ponder the state of your work station, then you know what that means--it’s time for some spring cleaning.
Go out and curbside pick-up some new organizing bins and trash bags and get to work. You’ll want to clear your station, disinfect things, organize materials, throw away ruined projects (or repurpose them), recycle what you can, and make things look better.
While you’re at it you could even come up with a new process for how to keep your workspace organized even while you continue to work. Finding a process that works means less frustration when reaching the same point again in the future.
4. Protect Your Business From Risks
When you’re selling goods online you expose yourself to many risks. Someone buying your handmade jewelry could have an allergic reaction to it. The puppy who wears your bandana could end up choking on it and you could end up being liable for any associated legal costs.
Did you know that if your product is at least 80% handmade then you’ll most likely be advised to have handmade crafters’ insurance in place when selling your product online and at markets and festivals? Just like when you sell art at your local farmer’s market and are required to show proof of insurance, online vending platforms will sometimes do the same.
ACT Insurance offers an annual crafters’ and artists’ insurance policy that provides you with 24/7 access to proof of insurance documents and a no-quote process allowing you to buy insurance in minutes.
An annual policy starts at $265 and offers you:
- General Liability $2M Aggregate
- Product Liability $2m Aggregate
- Business Personal Property $10K Aggregate
- Optional Professional Liability
- Personal & Advertising Injury
When selling handmade art online, product liability insurance is absolutely essential. Without it, you could be held liable for third-party claims resulting in your products’ exposure to the market. Whether your product causes someone bodily injury or causes property damage due to being flammable, you need the proper insurance in place.
If you have questions or want to purchase annual insurance check our site today.
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