From Markets to Online Sales - How to Start from Nothing
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- This is a new format of video where I just talk off-the-cuff about a question we got on RUclips. Today's question is how to get online sales when all you do is markets. How do you convert your market customers to your website and how to get started on Etsy! Let us know what you think of this shorter, more casual format!
RECIPES
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Find all our soap recipes here: muddymint.com/...
MY BOOK
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My book on Amazon: amzn.to/3uIOFN0
PRODUCT LINKS
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My Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com...
Thanks for watching!
Simi & Troy
A video on product photos? YES PLEASE!
Okay! I will have to work on that, as it won't be a simple video! :)
@ thank you ;)
I second that request!!!😊
Yes! A video on product photos! That would be awesome!
I would love to know more about Etsy SEO. I have a great market in a brick and mortar store but would like to expand to online sales. This was really helpful. Thank you!
I'm glad you found our video helpful! I need to get back to my SEO document, as this is something a lot of folks ask for. Thanks for the push! I might do a video on this as well.
Great video! I listened to while I made dinner. 😂 Can you please add to your list of videos to make 😂, one on getting new wholesale clients and maintaining this relationships. Thank you!
Will do! Thank you for the suggestion and have a nice dinner! :)
Enjoy and appreciate this short form off the cuff format, looking forward to more videos like this.
Awesome - thanks! We just recorded one more that should come out on Tuesday, so I'm glad you enjoyed this format. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the help with your offerings on the business side of soap making. I love your book and have been combing through the recipes and have made 10 of them thus far and bought 4 of your Etsy recipes as well. We are a homestead farm and sell soaps from our retail barn. Running a farm full time doesn’t warrant time for markets, but does allow us to sell our goat milk soap on premises where folks have finally found us and are spreading the word about our soaps. While our herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats is dried up for breeding season 5 months of the year, your all natural alternatives in your book has given us a way to transition to more recipes that offer “other natural soaps” other than the goat milk soaps.
We also offer hands on workshops, taking 6-12 students at a time…..this fits with our mission to teach folks homesteading skills like soap making either as a business or as a way to supply more healthy things for their skincare or making it from home more affordable.
Thank you for contributing to our Central Florida business in such a beautiful way to teach other soap makers. May God richly bless you and your family. ❤
That sounds like such a lovely way to connect with people and make some extra money. Love it! I'm so happy you love my book and our recipes too and that they are helping a little with your business. I honestly think that small homestead businesses are some of the most rewarding work out there!
Very helpful video, thank you!
I’d like to understand more about “seo’s” and why it’s important for them to be the same.
Hi there! Yep, that's a great topic. Etsy does have some information on their website that you can access, but I'm coming out with a whole SEO document soon! It's basically just a way for the algorithm to find you, so you need to know how it works in order to actually be found.
I am a small business soap maker and I really enjoyed your video about online sales. I currently just do in person sales at markets and it is so much extra work as you know. I am ready to take the next step like you discussed and start an Etsy shop soon. More advice on marketing online would be appreciated. Thank you so much for your great advice. Please keep these videos coming !
Thank you!! We just released one on free shipping, if you're interested. I'm so glad you find these helpful and good luck with your Etsy shop!
Love this type of format ❤ amazing advice too, thank you Simi 😊
I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for watching! :)
I love how genuine your energy is....thank you for this new found knowledge!
Aw, thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!
I love hearing any advice you offer in any format.
Thank you so much! ❤️ I appreciate you watching our channel!
Thank you for all the pointers. I am an artisan knitter (Mostly socks for the whole family :) ) . Most of the info you gave can apply to my niche . Again, thank you !
I love it!! I am currently obsessed with knitting socks and am trying to up my colorwork game so I can knit some lavender socks from Charlotte Stone! I'll have to look you up! Thanks for watching!
This is good, solid advice. 90% of my sales are on Etsy, and the fees they take are worth every single penny. I have an email list but need to be better about actually sending emails 🙈
Absolutely! Even when we had our own website and a pretty big Instagram following, we still did better on Etsy with holiday sales! We've always had both and Etsy is definitely worth it, in my opinion. :) P.S. I'm not good at sending emails either. Ha!
I’m a candle maker so sister business and I thank you for your advice. I love your format.
Thank you!! Candle-making is so similar. That's actually how I got started, back in the day! :) Thanks for watching.
Such great info! Thanks sooo much! ✨️
You're welcome! I'm so glad you found it helpful! :)
That was very helpful, thanks. I'd love to see a video on product photos too, please.
Lots of votes for this, so we'll try to make it happen! I'm glad you found the video helpful. :)
@@muddymintsoap I did, thank you
Yes! This was a great format. I'd love to see more just like this about business building. Thank you so much!
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. Now that I'm rewatching it, I can think of a ton more to say, but I'll save it for another day. Ha!
@@muddymintsoap I eagerly await that next video too!! My business is really starting to grow, and I am soaking up all the great information I can. I have taken many tips from you already and so far, so good! Thank you for all your work and sharing it with us.
Thank you, Simi!! I love your videos and they are so informative!! I have had great results from your video about scaling production. Amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing! 🥰
Thank you! I'm happy to hear you were able to get some scaling tips! :)
@@muddymintsoap 🥰
Well bummer.... I thought I commented on this last night when I watched it but I must have forgotten to hit send. I love this video Simi. This is an entirely a new concept to me. Having owned a "destination" business for 30 years we never had to market ourselves really and absolutely never had to market ourselves online. I think I heard you say that you could talk for hours about online sales. I hope this means that you will do a part 2 to this video. I also like the "off the cuff" format. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us all! 😁
Thank you! I'm happy you enjoy this format! It feels pretty disorganized while I'm doing it, but it is definitely easier. It mainly feels like I'm missing some important points, but the comments help fill in the gaps. I just recorded another video about free shipping, so I hope this helps too!
I LOVED this video! As a new business owner trying to figure it all out without any help can be a bit overwhelming.......... any and all info / knowledge is much appreciated! Thank you!!!!
Yay! I'm happy you enjoyed it. I hope to do more videos like this that are on the shorter side. :)
Love this video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
Aw, thanks!! :)
This is the video I’ve been waiting for… Thank you so much 🙏🏾
I hope you find it helpful!
This is super helpful information- thank you. It will be fantastic if you could make it a series. I appreciate you and your work and how willingly you share your knowledge.
Absolutely! I’m already thinking of recording the next one! 😂
Thanks so much Simi! This is very helpful and not just for soapmaking. I'm sending this to my husband as well 😅
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching. :)
I love your videos ❤ And Scout is awesome, he needs to be in all of them! Can you do a video about production planning and inventory management for a new soap business?
Aww, thanks! Scout IS awesome! She's actually a female dog and was named by Troy and his late wife after the character in "To Kill a Mockingbird"! That's a great idea for a video as well! Lots to talk about here!
You are such a great teacher. I live in Broomfield and I would love to run into you one day or attend to WORKSHOP.!
When you find time, I would love to see how you do your videos and photos . Thank you so much for being a mentor.
Thank you so much!! And, hi from Longmont! There's been a lot of requests for a photo tutorial, so I'll try to do one soon(ish)! :)
Great video, markets are so hard although people do get to know you if you're consistent.. online takes so much work with marketing but definitely worth it🎉
Absolutely worth it! We make far more money on a good online sales day than I ever have at a market.
@@muddymintsoap absolutely simi it's all about marketing 🙏🎉 workshops have been my transition from markets.. it's saved my business 🙏
Workshops are a great idea!
I love your book! Thank you! I am starting this month to see online been selling in a salon for about a year now. Online scares me to be honest but I’ll definitely start with Etsy thank you
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed my book! Definitely give Etsy a go. It doesn’t hurt and if you keep working at it, the sales will come. ❤️
Thank you so much! Very informative for a beginner like me!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
I LOVE your book! 📕 Would you please do a video on how to make essential oils “stick” in CP soap and how to calculate essential oil percentage rate from your blend into your soap? I hope that makes sense.
We are going to do a video on essential oil usage rates next! I actually don't do anything to make essential oils stick, other than making sure I buy high quality essential oils and use the maximum usage rates. I will reformulate a recipe if I find the scent isn't coming through to use stronger essential oils, if necessary. Some people use kaolin clay to make their scents "stick" and some people actually use a little bit of cedarwood atlas in every soap they make. I personally have never found these strategies to be necessary.
@@muddymintsoapThank you for responding it is very much appreciated along with the wealth of knowledge on soap making.
I love, love your book! Great video! Ty!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
Yea good format
Definitely product photos
Thanks! ❤️
Good video! Thank you for sharing your experience!!
Thanks for watching! :)
Absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for those awesome tips.
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it valuable! :)
Great advise, Simi, as always. Me too, I would love a video on product photos!
Alright! Lots of votes for that one! :)
Awesome video!!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!
Thank you for this great video 🎉
Thank you for watching! I hope it helped. :)
Please do a product photography video!!! ❤
Sounds like this is a common request, so I’ll work on it! Thanks! :)
Thank you for this ! 🥰
You're welcome! :)
Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank YOU! :)
Thank you, very helpful ! I would love to hear your rundown on the digital world in general.. How do you manage your email list, how do you produce professional looking emails? Is the customer discount code incorporated thru Etsy? Omgosh, so many questions.... Can you guess my age bracket 😂 ?
Haha! A lot of folks struggle with the technical aspects of running a business, but the good news is that things are very easy these days! There is email list software that already creates great looking emails for you! And, I'd say that a short concise email that isn't flashy maybe even works better these days anyway. Discount codes are built into platforms like Etsy and Shopify. It's all way easier than it was "back in the day"! :)
Thank you, that was really very helpfull information.
You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful! :)
A video on year end tasks! like year end inventory, year end balances for ingredients, spoilage etc. Its such a bear.
Ugh - do I have to? Ha! Just kidding. This is a great idea as well. :)
This was great... I havent done any markets, but my question on that note is how much stock should I bring to a market?
Great question! I'd start with "how much do you want to make at the market"? Some people say that you should shoot for 10x your booth fee, so if you pay $50 for a booth, bring $500 worth of products. There's a lot of info online on this, but once you do a market, you'll have a good idea of what to bring for next time. I hope this helps!
I've been thinking about taking a photo of all the ingredients weighed out in containers then at the side a few bars of the soap with a logo about the transformation but keeping it short.
I'm sorry - I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying that you'd like to include some process photos at your market booth? If so, I think that's a great idea! I've used the idea of "Come see how it's made!" to get people to come follow on instagram, when I am somewhere in person. People love to see a glimpse of the process!
I do really well on Etsy and have a lot of repeat customers.
Awesome to hear!
I follow you since a while and I really learn a lot from you, thanks for charing your knowledge. When you sell in Etsy, how do you know how many soaps do you need to produce? Your unit sell is 1 bar of soap or boxes of 2,3,4 etc. Would’nt be to expensive for you to sell only 1 bar?
Hi there! On Etsy, you can do whatever you want, but I allow the sale of just one bar. However, the customer will have to pay higher shipping for just that bar. Many people buy one bar to start just to see if they like the product. I found this to be very common on Etsy. As far as knowing how much soap to make, that is a great question! I'll have to see if I can cover this in a future video.
More of Scout please
Agreed! She is just the sweetest dog. She’s a terrier mix and she doesn’t leave my side, but I guess she was feeling a little camera shy (and she doesn’t love being picked up!) 😂
I'm enjoying these Q & A videos. I'm looking for information on adding cbd oil to cold process soap. Are there any benefits to that? How would you calculate that on a lye calculator? I would like to add a very small amount. I have used Hemp seed oil, but I have a customer asking for cbd oil in the soap.
Thank you for all you do!
Hi there and thanks for watching! I've never put cbd oil in soap, but if you're just adding a very small amount, you could just add it to your oils. It may add a tiny bit of additional superfat to your soap, but nothing noticeable. As far as benefits go, my guess is that there would be little to none. The cbd oil would be going through saponification first, which is a harsh time for ingredients! :) In addition, since soap is a wash-off product, it probably wouldn't be on your skin long enough to make any impact. A leave-on product like body butter might be better suited for this type of application. But, if your customer would like a few drops in their soap, it should be fine! :)
❤❤ eres genial. 🇵🇷
Hi Simi! You always seem to know what I need to talk about! I sell at my local farmers market through the summer and do a couple of craft show Spring and fall/winter. I was asked the same question about where do I find you if I need something when you’re not here? I don’t have a website just a facebook business page. They message me and I end up meeting them in town, I do consolidate my trips. Since it’s not very far away they don’t want me to ship it. I would love to have a page on my FB that people can see what I have available, do you have any suggestions for making a line sheet? I also need to mention in my town I do one wholesale account to a brick and mortar store that carries my soaps, I do send people there. I would like to make a wholesale line sheet just for the shop that I sell wholesale to. When she is ready to order I have to tell her what soaps I have available and then she says just bring me what you got. I end up lugging soap there and she picks the minimal amount needed and then I lug it back home. I’m sure I’m working harder not smarter. I’m not tech savvy as I am an older lady! lol sorry for the novel here, any suggestions would be always appreciated.
This is a great "problem" to have! I'd suggest you have a website through a basic Shopify store so that people can shop online and then you can offer free local pickup only. I did porch pickups for a long time for local folks. That will save you a ton of time! If you offer delivery, you should charge for that. :)
The website can serve as a linesheet too (so your wholesale customer can see what you have in stock and order that way). I would have her pick her soaps from your website and then you can bring them to her (or have her pick up from your porch!). Your time is valuable, so make sure you're not wasting it!
If you're already using a credit card processing site for your markets (like squarespace), you can set up a website through them too. If you're not using one, then having a shopify or squarespace website will allow you to accept credit cards, which will lead to more sales! This might cost a little bit per month, but it's worth it to save you on all this extra time you're spending! :)
P.S. Make sure your wholesale minimum is worthwhile to you... it's okay to raise the minimum!
I was just looking into plans for Shopify and they have a $5 per month plan for selling on social media, so maybe that would work well for you!
@@muddymintsoap thanks for all your suggestions, Simi I appreciate all of them. I didn’t know about the $5 thing on Shopify will definitely look at this! You’re the best! 🤗
I have a unique problem. My brick and mortar is in a tourist town. We see people from all over the world every day. So, although I agree I need to build a website and an email list, I'm not sure I want to ship all over the world 🤔 I'm just so torn on gow to mive forward
That's very interesting! I would say that you should ship from the country you live in first. Shipping worldwide can certainly be done, but there are a lot of restrictions and duties, etc, especially when shipping to the EU. It's okay to start with just your own country and you will end up finding NEW customers! Having limitations isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some people won't be able to purchase from you, but then they can just buy more in person - ha! The remaining people will be very happy to purchase online, I'm sure. I'd say go for it!
I’ve been a goat milk(99% of my soaps are goats milk, coconut milk and aloe vera soap for my vegan friends)maker for 12 years. I do some shows, sell out of my little “barn” (not really a barn lol) My name is out there. People love my products. I have an LLC, I have insurance, I built a website on Big Cartel but I am terrified to launch it. I spent the entire summer making soap and lotions and taking pics.
How the heck do I get past this fear of launching!?!?😢
Sounds like you're all set! Here's the real question: what are you afraid of? If you're taking a pause, it's definitely worth considering why because your gut instincts on things are important! My first thought is the extra sales and work that online will bring. You want to ask yourself: is that what I really want or is it just the "next step" and something that I feel like I have to do to grow my business? It's okay to keep a business small if you're enjoying what you're doing. One way to start smaller is to start an instagram page (maybe you already have one) and see what the interest is. Start connecting with the audience you will be selling to and see how it feels. If you feel unsure about shipping, I will be doing a video on that which will hopefully make people feel more confident about it. If it's a very specific thing, post it here and I'll see if I can help! The other thing to realize is that once you open, sales probably won't come flooding in. You'll get one here and there and the slower start will help you get your feet wet! I hope this helps!
@
Absolutely helps:) I was going to use Pirate Shipping. But I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with shipping.
I have all my boxes, paper and stuffing. I guess one of my biggest fears is failing. I won’t know that if I don’t try right!
Pirate Ship is great and I do recommend it! It can also integrate with Etsy to pull all your orders, which is nice. Failure is a big fear, but you're right that you won't know until you try! :)
Do. You mean email in a physical paper ?
Hi there! Yes, if you have a physical piece of paper where people can write down their email address at a market, then you can add them to your email list when you get home. :)
Did you have your photos professionally taken?
No - I've taken all my own photos since the beginning. :)
And please talk about seo. I try eaty and it wasn’t good for me
What was your issue with Etsy? No sales? If you don't work on SEO, it will be hard to get seen. I'll try to do a video on Etsy SEO at some point. As I mentioned in this video, I do have a document I'm working on that will hopefully help!
How do people offer free shipping, it’s often more expensive than my products. I would make no money if I offered free shipping.
Yep. It's a tricky thing and I might do a video just on this. Free shipping only makes sense as an incentive to purchase more, so then it is spread across multiple bars of soap. This also helps get your average order value up! I would not offer free shipping on a single bar of soap. Shipping in the US for me, usually ranged from $8 to $12, depending on the size of the package. I actually calculated how much I paid for free shipping for an entire year once. I forget the exact numbers now, but I figured out that I spent 13% on shipping for retail orders and I use this number to figure out my costs. Once you know your costs and how much you're spending, it's far easier to determine what you can do for shipping. Free shipping (or cheap shipping - I'd say $6 or less) is a great incentive to buy and to buy more. I did flat rate shipping for a long time as well. If you're a customer looking to buy soap and the calculated shipping comes up with $15 to ship your $40 bars of soap, that gives the buyer a good reason to drop the sale. You should also look into cubic rate commercial shipping for lower shipping rates!