When joining any of these sites, you get the benefit of the fact that they already get visitors, whereas if you start your own website you have to do the work to get people to visit your site. So, when choosing, ask the site owner for visitor statistics, and if you can, ask other sellers on the site how their sales are doing. The sites listed may ask you to pay listing fees, sales commission and/or monthly fees or annual fees. Your fees will go towards the upkeep and promotion of the site. Find out what they are doing to keep the site profile high and attract in new visitors. Also, find out how easy it is to direct people to your items or page or shop as you should do your own promotion and marketing too.

If you want more ideas to help you promote your crafts, download the free PR mini guide, Selling Your Cards and Crafts which I have written. If you want more in depth help, look at A Guide to Promoting Your Business.

You also have until 31 March to buy ‘A Guide to Promoting Your Business’ for £9.99 instead of the usual price of £15.

Since the last newsletter, we have also added a brand new database of contacts at crafts magazines. If you want to get in touch with women who love crafting, this database contains 29 of the UK’s most popular crafting magazines. Use the database to get in touch with craft magazine editors at the click of a mouse, and send press releases to the right people to get them in to print. Just £90 until April 30th – usually £100.

And don’t forget the brand new E-Book, The Beginners Guide to TV Interviews. Not just a guide, this great book by Joanne Mallon will help you get in TV in the first place.

Finally, I’m in need of a Scottish case study, someone who offers a service like freelance gardening, or dog walking, or laundry or ironing. This is for a feature in the Sunday Post. Please email antonia@acpr.co.uk if you can help.

What do you know already about your male customers? Take some  time to look at what they are buying. Ask them what attracts them, which products, which crafts. You could do a survey, asking customers to fill in answers to a few short questions after they have bought, or hold a focus group. Ask a few male regulars to join you for a drink and a snack, and listen to their views on crafting. You’ll find out what they would like to see more of, and what deters them.

2. Make a list of crafts that appeal to men, and see if you can highlight them in your window display or newsletter. Tie the crafts in with activities that are stereotypically male. A football or fishing theme can make a man think he will be welcomed into your store and in the same way a pink and fluffy window might deter him. Think gadgets too – most men enjoy checking out new gadgets and equipment, so have a monthly focus on all things technical in your newsletter, or a ‘Gadget of the Month’ in your shop. 

3. Grow your market. Think about the men who might be interested in some of your craft products. Think about their age, where they meet and what they read or watch. * Can you meet them where they are at? If you think retired men are likely to enjoy some new activities, is there a social club where you could do a talk or demo? If you can get one of your male craft enthusiasts along too, so much the better. This could lead to a regular craft club for men. * Can you get coverage in a male magazine? Think laterally – and focus on solving a problem. How about a press release suggesting how men can gain points and save pounds with handmade gifts for their wives and mothers on Mother’s day? What deters men from crafting? Have a press release which starts, “If you thought crafts were for girls….” and outline some of your top ranges for men.