Getting from There…
I have been running my little business for just over 2 years now. And, as you can imagine, there was a learning curve. There is a lot that goes into starting up and running an at home business. Some things I expected, some were a complete surprise.
Let me share with you a few things that I learned.
Lesson 1: Invest in Quality
That rotten word. Money. We all need it, especially in this day and age of the cost of living crisis. The thought of spending money on equipment and software as well as a place to host your products is very off putting.
It was for me when I first started. I tried before in the past and didn’t do well, so I was very reluctant to do it only to find I would never make a sale.
But it is worth it! It is such an ego boost to know your effort has been worth it in that first sale. Just do your research and don’t just go for the cheapest option. Invest in decent quality equipment and products. Shop around, read reviews and make that investment.
It is also worth it to invest in advertising. Check to see how much it costs to advertise on your preferred platform. I will be honest, I did not want to invest in this area. But my husband went over my head and my fears and he paid for advertising on Facebook and Instagram. It brought in more views and more people to my Etsy shop at the start. So it is definitely something I would recommend you do when you start your small business and get that exposure at the start.
Lesson 2: Fees – The Hidden Charges
This did bite me in the rear end. I did not look into hidden costs on my selling platform, so therefore did not take this into account for my pricing.
I use Etsy. Simply for the ease of TAX purposes as they will add VAT to products if needed to. However, there are a tonne of hidden charges; Listing charges, operating fee, processing fees, transaction fees. I didn’t do my research, and got burned on these fees. They may seem small charges but they build up.
I strongly recommend checking for hidden fees before committing to a selling platform.
Lesson 3: Proof of Postage
Gah! Lost items in post!
It’s going to happen, sadly. Especially when you are sending a lot out and to somewhere outside the UK. Make sure you have proof of postage. No matter who your courier is, keep that proof of postage in order to claim for lost or damaged items.
I use Royal Mail 99% of the time. They are cheaper, more convenient, and more eco-efficient. And I either go to my local post office or use their collection service so I can get a receipt or email as proof of postage. I have managed to get most of the money back for lost or damaged items because I had these.
If you don’t, then the courier can either refuse you a refund or you get a partial payment to cover the lost item. That can be a lot of money lost.
So get that proof of postage!
Lesson 4: Some are Never Happy
Sorry folks. I am not Amazon.
My first negative review was like a slap in the face. And it was something beyond my control (Lost item in post due to Royal Mail strikes) and they gave me a negative review before contacting me and it really did upset me.
It can be a big setback for many, and I took a mental health hit. It took me a couple of days but I eventually realised that you just can’t please everyone. And some lonely folks on the internet just have nothing better to do than leave bad reviews for the simplest things.
So, I guess what I am saying is, ride it out. Don’t give up and learn from it. You will get even more lovely reviews and it will swamp that bad review. You got this.
Lesson 5: Social Media Takes Time
The creative outlet that will bring more customers to your door (both digital and physical)
That’s the point of social media right? But it takes so much time. I was constantly doing social media planning and creation and spending less time with my family. While yes, it is important to post regularly it is also important not to lose sight of the important things.
It will take time to build up that following, the likes and then you have the research into how the algorithms work (especially when they change frequently. I am looking at you Instagram) So, please don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the likes you want, trust me you are being seen.
I now plan my social media posts a week in advance, that includes the image and caption as well as the tags. It has made things so much easier and getting a lot more likes since I am planning better.
…To Here
Every small business or independent contractor is going to have teething problems no matter what. These are just the main ones that really stood out for me.
It is easy to get frustrated and upset. But stick with it. Ride it out. It will work out in the end, you may not see much of a profit for the first year. Use that first 12 months to learn, adapt and improve. And you will start to see changes and all that hard work will be worth it.
Well, I hope that was helpful. Please let me know what you thought about this post in the comments below.
I am also on social media so please feel free to follow me using the links below.
Until next time, stay cool.
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