How I Sell My Woodworking Projects // Business Tips // Side hustle

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Are you struggling to sell the things you make? Whether it's your side hustle or full-time career, you're not going to want to miss these woodworking business tips. There are two main categories in which you can sell things, wholesale and retail. The road to selling your items is packed with competition. Maybe it's time to think differently.
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[@Samcraftcom]

I really hope others watching realize the GOLD you’re giving them!!! Wife and I run a small business. We started small with local wholesale clients at stores until we got our brand built as well. We no longer do wholesale and are strictly running on our own brand and website sales. It was a long three year road but is wonderful to be at now! Love your channel and topics you’re sharing with us all!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

That is awesome! I'm going to pin your comment so others can see this too. Thank you for sharing!

[@ethanmurdoch7479]

Hey, could you explain how you got those wholesale clients to partner with you? How well did that work out for you? How did it affect the growth of your business?

[@ILC-eo6vk]

It doesn't matter to me how many sales someone has on their Etsy shop. When we shop on Etsy, we find the sellers with the fewest sales. If they only have 3 reviews vs. someone who has hundreds or thousands of reviews, as long as they're positive reviews, we give the new guy a chance.

[@rickw6521]

Your like me always wanting the underdog get ahead.

[@fishhuntadventure]

This guy is running a business and planning how to make it work which includes making money. There’s an old (and excellent) book titled “nothing happens until somebody sells something” and he clearly gets the idea. So many of these ‘make money woodworking’ youtube videos have no vision and are merely people projecting an image to satisfy their own self-affirming ideological mindsets and so they offer thin advice that keeps you busy yet making a poor wage. Was refreshing to hear a more hopeful, profitable perspective without the weird incongruous and neo-philosophical gibberish and lots of empty words.

[@Ritalie]

Thank you for your humble approach and honesty. I got a spiritual download in June 2021, that I would turn my 25 year hobby of birdhouse building into a full time self employment job. Finally, for the first time in my life, I had a concrete, crystal clear plan. A few days after making the decision to do wood working as a career, I went into a "trance" state while cutting a very unsafe piece of wood, and I "froze" half way through the cut, and didn't know what to do. My mind went blank. The wood then kicked back violently, and I sliced half way into 4 fingers as my hand was sucked into the blade like a slingshot at 100mph. After it happened, I realized that something very unusual had happened, and it wasn't really an accident. I didn't trip and fall. I didn't slip, or drop something, or make a wrong move. I literally went into a "trance" and froze up. And recently, I was told by a Medium that I was actually attacked, and that my accident was an "attack." I am 100% certain that some accidents are actually attacks. In my case, I wish it had been a normal accident, because then I'd feel better about it. But knowing that I went into a trance state, makes it a very difficult pill to swallow. Who, or what caused the lapse of focus? I watched your video about your accident, and it was similar in many ways. You were not doing anything unsafe, but you suddenly disassociated, and your body went into auto pilot. I was also listening to a podcast with Bluetooth headphones, which may be a factor. Human consciousness and our brain states, are not fully understood. Just because we think that everything is a "random accident" does not make it so. We are a naive species, and we are easily controlled and influenced. Proof of this is seeing how many people simply believe what they are told without doing any research. And often times, if you are angry, people will "sense" it, without any words being said. Humans do pick up external thoughts and frequencies. Your channel is helping me to heal from the PTSD and trauma. My hand is most of the way healed back to normal. But I do have scars on 2 fingers. I am lucky that I didn't cut any tendons or cut all the way through any bones. But the trauma and PTSD has been incredibly difficult to overcome. In my case, I do not have a wife or partner, and so I had to drive myself alone to the E.R. that is 20 miles away, with bones exposed in 2 fingers. The shock and trauma has made me completely abandon my dreams. But your channel is helping me to feel renewed confidence about going back to woodworking. I cannot afford a Saw Stop saw right now, because I had to take 4 months of work off after my injury. I am an electrician in the construction industry. Being an electrician is a million times safer than using a tablesaw. In order to prevent future accidents, I purchased a wide kerf blade, and I am throwing away the 3/32" narrow Kerf Diablo which is not nearly as straight, due to it being flexible and able to bend easily, under pressure. I had never had a kickback in 25 years, until days after switching to a narrow kerf blade. I am also installing removable "riving knife" inserts that go into the zero clearance insert on my saw. Not having a riving knife, combined with using a new thin kerf blade that is not absolutely flat, along with going into a trance, along with cutting improperly without a proper plan, is why my accident happened. If anyone is reading this, please go and watch several videos on table saw safety, now, while you still can! I didn't know what a "riving knife" was, and I didn't fully understand the dangers of a kickback, because it had never happened in 25 years. A few safety videos would have prevented my completely unsafe technique, and the accident that followed.

[@jad5001]

Thank you 🙏 I hope you are well now

[@SuperBeetox]

You are such a straight forward, detailed, realistic, no shitting in telling things..! I am very grateful finding your videos..! Keep it up Andy, thanks..!🙂

[@terranceweis5231]

I appreciate your insight into just starting out. I've been woodworking as my side Hussle for 4 years just being local. I'm lucky to work in a place that has a lot of staff so it's all word of mouth. But I'm getting into laser engraving and that's a whole additional mountain to climb and get good enough people recognize you for it.

[@PjotrStroganov]

Also. depending on where you live, try to network with local businesses.Them knowing you are there and knowing what your capabilities are can result in commision work. A local garage based company (cnc router, laser cutter, plotter) is up to is neck making promotional gifts like engraved key fobs and company specific things. Make yourself the go to business for others.

[@whydoihavetoify]

You make a very good point about combining both wholesale and retain at the same time, I worked for a company doing this and they really upset their wholesale customers which was a substantial part of their business

[@acornstu]

I'm so glad I saw this video. Thank you. The thought never even crossed my mind to reach out to Etsy moguls. I haven't even made anything really but I know I'll have to make a few sales just to fund the hobby. This is brilliant!

[@matthewsaxe6383]

You're a frikin genius. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@BenRawson78]

Great tips - been doing a mix of all of the above for about 10 years in the UK and it's working well. I like your analogy of the busy highway, might just have to steal it for one of my workshops. Cheers

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Awesome! Cheers

[@chetusher444]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AlainPilon]

this is an incredible idea and I am wondering why I never thought about it!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hope it helps!

[@MrBrewzr]

This is a great tip, I don’t think there are very many makers doing this. You got my sub, great tip!

[@MattMadeIt123]

People who can think outside the box are always ahead of the game. Great creative solution. Thanks for sharing.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks for watching! I couldn't agree more

[@lazio7495]

Like your analogy of the congested highway! And using an alternative route or hitching on to someone on that highway! I've been literally parking on the side of that highway and selling my stuff! Sometimes I'm successful sometimes not! But your info and advice makes sense to me! Thanks 👍

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Great to hear! I hope it helped

[@wayneblythe5713]

Great information. You should CNC yourself your branded logo behind you on the wall.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks! Its on the project list!

[@ian7155]

Keep creating on all fronts, it's great stuff for us woodworkers and aspiring entrepreneurs. It's great to stumble upon the good side of KZbin now and then, what great useful content, thank you!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Awesome, thank you!

[@besteyelashextension6386]

Great stuff! you're a good guy, Andy. One thing I'd like to add that you didn't mention is to invest in an ad campaign. I used to go through the seller ratings and reviews when I first started shopping online, but who has the time to do that for all the things that we buy? I just trust that Ebay and Amazon will sort out any problem that may come about, and they do. It helps to have a huge number of good ratings, but what I usually end up buying are the things that appear at the top of the result. I don't mind buying an item from a seller with horrible rating, I can always return the item if it sucks anyway. All that matters is how good the deal is. Don't get me wrong, you will still need to sell a quality product at a competitive price for your business to go anywhere in the long run. Try running experiment to compare the cost of selling an item through an ad versus through a vendor. If the cost is similar, great! now you've got a lot more leverage. Good luck!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks! You bring up some interesting points

[@kristopherhilton8065]

I'm with you man I sell through a couple other people currently. I prefer not to deal with anyones bs or bartering and just do the part I enjoy

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I couldn't agree more. Good luck to you!

[@madmaxxmad2]

Painters do sell wholesale. my friends and I were younger, it was this guy painted all skyies, this guy painted all trees, this guy all land, that type of deal and made tons of neutral environment paintings used in government offices and big businesses etc.

[@quenuk]

Valuable things to consider. Thanks for the video.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@njuneja201]

Solid, solid business advice, Andy! So much broader than just CNC or startup biz related.

[@sheilamarsh879]

hey who did you get the brains from mom or dad your a pretty smart young man . im 60 retired bought a shopsabre23 no clue how to run it but im learning just started following you yesterday love all the videos ive watch so far

[@adamkramer3125]

My current boss has his own business and he always says that when something goes wrong you must have a pocket full of solutions. Always have a way to get over your obstacle.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I like that 👌

[@rob_white]

Right on Andy. Thanks for sharing.

[@buffit_8345]

Man Andy, thank you so much for the info! Sounds like a good plan. Good job man. As an aspiring entrepreneur myself, I know the road to achieving a level of success that is worth our time and effort is, more often times than not, really rough. Thanks again for the advice. 👍🏽👍🏽🙂

[@blakefeatherly6478]

Excellent share. Thank you for taking the time to do so.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you found it useful 👍

[@bearsstuff]

Genius!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks, hope it gave you some ideas

[@lostsailor2759]

Andy, great analogies and great points. Thanks for sharing. You seem like a smart guy and you've got me thinking about a CNC. I like your vids.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you! Go for it!

[@LimpiezasMyG]

this video is a subscriber maker. You got one here for sure!

[@Mirchitunes]

Bro you should teach business classes! Truly golden advices here. I really like your congested highway analogy.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I appreciate that!

[@unsaiyajin5704]

Thanks for this knowledge man, this is thinking outside the box

[@stuffsethmakes]

just out of curiosity, what products are you making that SNL is selling? or that HGTV is selling?

[@robertbankhead8661]

Good video, you continue to challenge me on my business model, guess you could say I'm talking an alternate path. Either way, there is still 'traffic' you have to maneuver around. Thanks again!

[@KalinZahariev]

That is a really good idea, thank you for sharing it. I am just starting out, but like many, I am the guy who loves building and fears putting myself out there and selling. You gave me a very good option to consider.

[@andstr4150]

you're killing it

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks!

[@jbouza09]

Glad I stumbled into this video, thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hope you found it helpful

[@ianduval1509]

Awesome advice Andy. Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers,

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hope it helps. Thank you for watching!

[@theshockzone]

Very cool options. When I got my Shapeoko last year, I made a few unique items and priced them in a fair range where I was making pretty decent money. I had several wholesalers contacting me directly wanting me to make the items for them. They were wanting 40-50% off, which would pretty much make it not worth my time. I would have stayed very busy, but not really making much money. So I ended up starting the slow process of building my socials and etsy up. This is a side hobby for me though, so I have time. I'm a bit over 1000 items sold now.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks for watching. I've had several of these wholesalers contact me also. I've had to weed them out and find the right product/price combinations. Congratulations on your sales!

[@vicconstruction9126]

Retailers need typically a 100% margin on the products they buy. After all, they have to hold the products in bricks and mortar shops, marketing, utilities etc. So knowing this, you can work back from that number. Also, Consignment might be a good option for you?

[@michaelkeymont501]

Subscribed. YOU earned it.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks so much!

[@isaacwhite9022]

Thank you for a whole new perspective!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrTapanes]

Am loving this content. Looking to start a woodworking business after 30+ years in another field. Subscribed!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Best of luck!

[@redridgemillwork4188]

Hey Andy, Thank you for your insights. I think you nailed when you talked about how many folks struggle because they only see the all or nothing ways you mentioned. Your solution is pretty awesome I gotta say. As long as you know your numbers and are content with smaller margins doing wholesale but use it as your bread and butter work for that machine it’s covered and practical. You REALLY have this thing figured out well so,...Kudos dude! All the best going forward. Cheers. Greg

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you for the kind words Greg. You hit it, knowing your numbers is key!

[@RonMarshallrone]

Marketplace is a gold mine if you stage and take good pics.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Those are great points

[@selbergekauft_de8630]

Thank you for your words. True words. Best regards.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you!

[@mmhnma]

So helpful, thank you.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisfoley.design]

Andy new subscriber hope your hand is ok, hanky out for everything stay real!

[@sdunca4864]

Please keep talking Andy- good info... Bravo! Keep it coming-

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks, will do!

[@danafosburgh2775]

Good stuff! Got my wheels turning, for sure. Good luck moving forward.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks, you too!

[@patrickderp1044]

i just read the comment asking how you find customers on the 10k video......and this shows up!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Perfect timing!

[@rosihancock4]

Andy, help me learn!

[@artmckay6704]

Very good advice! Thank you! :)

[@robertdiffin9136]

Great video. Keep it up. Thanks!

[@jorgel.martinez2648]

Thank you for such a useful video! I'm looking to make my own CNC business

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hope you found it useful!

[@jorgel.martinez2648]

@@AndyBirdBuilds Thank you, I'll continue watching. We can always learn from others. and you are a teacher in this moment

[@davelevee7385]

Thank you for the insight!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoeyRam.]

Basically you are swimming along with the shark 🦈 ...instead of doing it solo on predators waters. Smart man are you. Great tip, I'm just starting with Shapeoko...long way ahead for me. 😅

[@nkathiefrontjes240]

Great information..

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you think so!

[@EuroclydonEng]

Keep it up! Great videos and posts!

[@tiagoestudante7583]

Hi Andy, I'm from Brazil and I love your videos. I usually see them subtitled, but for some reason this one doesn't have subtitles available. Could you enable?

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hello Tiago, I checked and they are enabled. I'm not sure why you're not seeing them

[@tiagoestudante7583]

@@AndyBirdBuilds Alright my friend, thank you so much for your attention and amazing content. I will improve my English and I will come back here.

[@mailtojarriya]

That’s smart. I thought I am the only one who list thing on Etsy and no sales

[@joker7025]

You got my sub great tips

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Awesome, thank you!

[@craigc2721]

Great video. I also have a cnc router and make stuff for family and friends. I was going to start an Etsy store but you gave me an idea. My daughter has a successful Etsy store selling mostly wedding stuff. She has been doing this for a few years and makes a good profit every month. Now after watching this video I’m going to talk to her about selling my products from her Etsy store. The one problem I see about selling on Etsy is that they like you NOT to have extra shipping costs. With making stuff from wood things get a little heavy. What do you do with the cost of shipping?

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thats great! I haven't shipped anything really heavy but look into shipping usps flat rate

[@jimgregor1123]

So you’re helping the big guy crush the small guy

[@Vman7757]

Yeah! That helped me a lot. I make model trains. And train layouts. If I could afford a CDC machine I would build train layout modules kits. They are simple. Ease to put together. And can be sold world wide. I have a wood shop, and I have a system that can interlink any of the modules to each other, or to other systems. My issue is building each one at a time is to time consuming with the way I am set up today. Yes I know a CNC can take hours to out put. But it can do the same thing over and over again, while I do something else at the same time. And if I could do the whole sale thing you just described? It would be even better. Thanks for the ideas and the posting.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you, Vincent! I'm glad this gave you some ideas and some things to work towards.

[@sheilamarsh879]

i sell at a farmers market make from 1400 to 2800 bucks a weekend i just got my cnc but i make a lot of bowls and charcutier boards cant wait to make things you showed in other video's to me etsy is umm unless you can prove its good cause ive seen so much stuff selling so cheap how do they make money

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Awesome!

[@bobd5119]

Thanks! Truly valuable.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@hugehelp]

got a sub. you are on point with your advice

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you, Kent!

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

it's quite difficult to follow your points here, it's difficult to put my finger on why but i know these jarring jump cuts have a lot to do with it. i feel like if you left the rambling in it'd be easier to follow the flow of what you're saying.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Something I'm working on, thanks for the input

[@jonathanworkman5184]

You kind of touched on it, but you have to find the market that is worth your time. I remember after the first market you did with us, you mentioned that building up stock to sell at a booth wasn’t worth it. Glad you found that out early and have hitched a ride in the fast lane!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Absolutely! Its been a process for sure. Between the market, the vendor mall among others, everyone of them was a learning experience.

[@Ibaneddie76]

Wooden cheese serving trays are the ball pythons of woodworking haha!

[@daviddahl8220]

Loving the new intro!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks! That's all Adam Fuller

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

You merged onto the highway, saw the congestion, parked your car and stuck your thumb out. That's brilliant.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Sometimes its about working smarter, not harder, right?

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

@@AndyBirdBuilds What you said is extremely powerful. Some years ago I had something I thought would take off and I had no competition. The highway was empty. The problem was I didn't know to create a demand for what I had. I also thought I should keep my secrets all to myself. Looking back I could've stuck my thumb out. Established businesses would have built the demand. Your video is some of the best advice I've heard in a long time. Thanks for posting.

[@mrk-ph8pu]

You should learn seo or hire someone to help you. Thats the key to driving sales.. Then you get the retail price$$

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks for the input. Although SEO can help, If you don't have a product people want then it doesn't matter what you do. Also, SEO is becoming out dated practice.

[@kevinsomers4473]

Do you ship directly to the client or ship to the etsy store owner? Personally I wouldn't want to shipping directly to the customers since that'd be a time sink

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Exactly, I ship to the Esty store owner

[@Shad0wD3v]

How do you manage putting out enough orders quick enough to fulfill wholesale orders?

[@JAYGRANGE]

Great advice. Can you tell me how much your cnc cost you to buy and where from please, I'm currently looking for my first machine. Thanks Jay.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I have the Shapeoko XXL and I've loved it. Check out www.carbide3d.com

[@JAYGRANGE]

@@AndyBirdBuilds Great Thanks

[@mikeymartin4751]

There's nothing like letting someone else grow your brand. Ford Motor Company doesn't sell cars to drivers.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I agree! Thats a fantastic point👍

[@sirexilon]

I notice you mention the brand of your CNC but I don't see it in a link maybe you have it in another video. But I think it will be good to add it to the list. Find a well-proven and not so expensive CNC is a major task to get started, and if yours has proven to be a good base, then that is a great share. Thanks, Andy.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Shapeoko XXL. I'll see if I can add it

[@sirexilon]

@@AndyBirdBuilds Thanks, Andy, I have the same Router you are using, so I've been looking for a CNC that can use it. Something that is somehow proven, there are so many options. Knowing somebody is using it and getting results is a good template to know that is mine are not good is not the CNC haha

[@dairybarnwoodworking215]

So did you just type up an email with some photos and start sending it out to large etsy stores? Just wondering exactly how you reached out to them.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Good question. Yeah, I reach out to them via Etsy or email. I don't just spam a bunch of accounts with pictures though. They have to see the value in it. So its really important that the product your pitching them fits their brand or is an easy extension of what they're already doing. Look for a good fit for both of you. Hope this helps!

[@LG-ro5le]

Did you have to get insurance / certifications before any wholesalers would buy from you? I saw on rangeme they were asking for that for their retailers but not sure if its needed outside of rangeme

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

No

[@MrCbell57]

So you are basically telling us newbies that it’s not as easy as most people think. And most of us won’t ever be making profits our first year. It will take a decade to build a brand ? It will take forever to build a name with so many others trying to do the same thing. I’m no salesman so this would t be something I could ever profit with. Sounds like you’ve answered my question of “Can I make money doing these wood projects? “ No. not really. Too much congestion.

[@donaldbennett8627]

Nice video. What type of price break do you give wholesale customers relative to your retail pricing?

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

It really depends, but typically wholesale is half of retail. But every situation is different

[@kevinh5349]

This guy likes cookie cutter items. On the other hand the technology available today that anyone can afford allows customization, where any simple product can be made so that it contains dates and/or names and/or events that are particular to individuals. So a mix of both is a good way to go. Customization takes longer and costs more but the selling price is substantial more as well.

[@MAWUT2012]

😊l😊😊😊😊😊l😊l😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊l😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊l😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊l😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MrHelmchen90]

just build something unique and not what is selling 1000x times on etsy and sales will come ... i could not find pleasure to build something for others to sell :(

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

One has to ask themselves, am I building for pleasure or am I building to build a business and make money. Neither is wrong, but there is a big difference

[@needtoknowbasis3499]

SNL? How?

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

They found us online.

[@randyiron2]

So the point of this video is to hitchhike. Should I wear a clown outfit so I can entertain the people that pick me up?

[@peacockthemusicman2163]

Wait a minute, you're saying since I watched the video that long I've earned the right to subscribe to your channel? I mean I did subscribe right after this video but that's not the point.

[@wickedgraphicstudio4844]

Dont tell people how you sell! everyone will jump in and it will be a race to the bottom

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

I disagree. I believe if I help enough people, I'll find myself where I want to be.

[@alanbuilds7829]

Great information man! Thanks

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Hope you found some of it useful 😀

[@mattbowers5342]

Excellent info!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad it was helpful!