Selling Question...

[snyder]

hey guys
So i have been thinking about how to sell my carvings when i get a few more together... im not too computer savy so i believe a website of my own to be a later idea, but what do you guys think about Craigslist as a way of selling your items... im not sure if it is a good market... as in how many people go onto it to looking for chainsaw carvings? Is there a better website or should i just make my own?

[telecarver]

It could work. Craig'slist is indexed by Google. What you would need to do would be to include good keywords and your location in your description as well as your heading. You would also need to post good photos. It would only come up in local search but that may be all you need. You would also need to repost an a regular basis to keep at the top of the list A website is always the best approach but it takes a great deal of knowledge about search engine optimization to get seen among the hundreds of similar sites already in existence.

[SLJ]

Since I mostly do Christmas theme, I have to find ladies with money. Easier said than done. But Ive made decent spending money. I bet etsy would work for you. I havent tried it
Steve

[snyder]

thanks guys.. yeah i just signed up for Etsy, but thats it .. i haven't loaded anything up yet

[Donsexton]

What did the boys over at 54 tell you? I hope you make plenty and much success. They will put you on the right path.

[snyder]

Originally Posted by Donsexton

What did the boys over at 54 tell you? I hope you make plenty and much success. They will put you on the right path.

Don im not sure what you mean by 54

[Donsexton]

Oh yes I just assumed you came over from 54. It is the chainsaw carving forum they are much more ruckus than we are here. I think most of the guys at 54 do earn a living at carving or try to. They can be helpful to a carver that wants to break into that style. I will give you this keep your carvings local and simple. What I mean is if you live in the deep south gators and armadillos or manatees will sell faster than eagles and bears. Make your design cool and different but something you can do fast. What I mean is don’t spend 100 hours perfecting detail you wont get paid for it. As far as your time here it is first you got to get wood/logs = time. Now the fun part carving the wood = gas and oil, chain, bars sharpening chains. Now finish = oil, stain, torch burning and paint. Now the schlepping of the carving to the place you will sell it all your time = $$.

[twoclones]

Originally Posted by snyder

...what do you guys think about Craigslist as a way of selling your items... im not sure if it is a good market... as in how many people go onto it to looking for chainsaw carvings? Is there a better website or should i just make my own?

I have at least one carving listed on Craigslist all the time. Usually more than one. Does anyone go there looking for carvings? Probably not but they do see my photos and every photo has my website address on it. It's FREE advertising. Why would anyone not use free advertising?

What works best for me is putting my carvings in front of people. It's in my front yard, I keep a tall piece in the back of my truck, and I have a 'corner' where I often park a trailer full of carvings for the day on weekends.

I would venture that 90% of my sales are to people who weren't looking for a carving until after they saw my work a few times...

[snyder]

@ Don thanks... what is the name of that 54 website forum? I would like to check it out aswell..
@ twoclones thats a great idea with your carvings... im more of a people person anyways.. but i also don't have a bunch of time every weekend so i would like to take a little of both approaches... also what does a website cost to run?

[twoclones]

Carving Forum

A website can cost under $100 per year {registration and hosting} IF you do all the work yourself.