How to know what product to start with?

I love this question.

Here is what I ask myself every time I add a new product to my catalog.

The first thing to consider is budget. How much money are you prepared to invest in your new offering and what will the profit be when you are selling wholesale or direct to customer. I started with washi tape because it was a very low investment for me to test my artwork and see how it would sell. At the time, I had to order 100 rolls of each design. I started with three designs and went into wholesale and sold them on my website. As they sold, I ordered more designs and added coordinating greeting cards. Other parts of your budget to consider are packaging and shipping materials if applicable.

The second thing to consider is audience. Who are you selling to? If you have a newsletter, sending a survey and asking your subscribers what they want to see your artwork on is a great way to know your customer. You can also set up a survey in your stories on Instagram. The only way we will learn what our audience wants tos see our artwork on is to ask.

The third thing to consider is location. Where are you going to sell your products? Some options are local markets, Etsy, Faire, your website, and other local shops. Does your product stand out in those spaces?

The fourth thing to consider is passion. I feel like this part is often overlooked, so hear me out. It is so much easier to talk about a product that you LOVE or are super excited about instead of one you think is okay. Create the products that light you up and you want to talk about. Your customers will listen and feel your enthusiasm.