No One Bought My Furniture - Building An Online Furniture Store, Part 3

[@JohnHeisz]

Great series of videos on this, Robin, and a good lesson for anyone that's thinking about doing the same type of thing. I think most people take for granted just how difficult it is to setup a successful business that's based on sales - I know I did.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks John. It’s been an eye opening experience for sure!

[@lukeroberts5885]

Hey Robin, for the photos I'd suggest staging them in a relatable, even aspirational scene (I know they're just simple products, but it does help). If you can set up a spot in your kitchen looking clean and nice with the products in use, it helps sell the story. The coaster with a nice handmade pottery mug on it, and teapot behind (including the tea box in shot too) is way more interesting and enticing than just the product. The quality of your photos is great, but a couple of "real life" shots would help a lot I think. It wouldn't hurt anyway. Best of luck with the shop.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

That’s a great idea mate, thank you!

[@samsboringchannel]

Mate, I've loved watching this series, especially as I want to embark on something similar. With the rising cost of living beyond what my employer is able to pay I'm gonna need some hustle in my life, and as such seeing your story will help bring me some perspective. I think you've made some great products, with a great story behind it and i'm sure you'll find your market. Best of luck and keep at it, your time has to come! Cheers

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Sam. Good luck on your end too

[@jsmxwll]

sales and marketing are well paid for a reason. DIY sales and marketing has always been very hard, especially if you don't have a background in those areas to begin with. even if you do everything "right", the timing might be wrong for your market. one thing that has held generally true for me is time builds momentum as long as you keep inputting regularly to your marketing. try new things and track everything you can. there is no need to kill yourself, but an hour a week is more than enough for a small online business like this. most of what you learn will be transferable to future ventures as well. i wish you the best of luck and i'm loving your channel.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

That’s a great pieces of advice, thank you!

[@Wordsnwood]

Tough journey, Robin. I hope that things pick up for you as the Christmas Consumer Craziness ramps up in the last months of the year.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks Art

[@fathogwoodworking]

Great video Robin. Gutted that you haven’t had any sales, Sometimes life is tough but I’m sure they will come rolling in soon!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks. Fingers crossed!

[@FixitFingers]

I know you don't want to go the market route, but these products just really seem to lend themselves to that sort of pipeline (and saves the postage costs). It would be interesting to see you give it a cracks and if that approach works for you :)

[@SDMPoahway]

You’ve just got to find the right thing to make. I made a day bed and put it on marketplace and sold it the same day unfinished. No stain or paint.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

That must’ve been a nice surprise!

[@foresttourer2457]

I just telling, from my experience, online can be just like additional sales channel. Markets and exhibitions helped me to find my customers. I wish you luck!!)

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thank you!

[@rodanvsandrew]

Great video Robin. This is very common outcome. Keep giving it time and narrow your target demographic so that you're able to very tightly reach the people who want your products. Don't overlook craftshows and real-world opportunities to let people see & feel them.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

I looked into craft shows and might go that route. The barrier to entry is a lot lower than I expected

[@rodanvsandrew]

@@RobinLewisMakes that might make an interesting couple of videos too as a lot of makers are in a similar boat. Both the prep for your display at the show, as well as some thoughts afterwards.

[@skipflorey2511]

Robin, I’ve liked your approach and it’s disappointing your sales are flat. Maybe Joey & Bryan’s help from the podcast about craft shows or other makers adding your products to theirs will work. Good luck👍

[@BJCP]

Its great to see you back on KZbin, I hope the Tassie adventires were fun! I'm really enjoying the series as this idea of selling our wares isn't uncommon to most of us. Have you looked into linking your items / site to Etsy?

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Thanks mate. I did but oh boy is it complicated! GoDaddy only does eBay and the amount of setup on the eBay end is intense. Because of my limited inventory it'll be easier to just manage them separately (hence Facebook)

[@BrianBehm]

An observation: I am subscribed to your channel with all notifications turned on and this is the first I have heard about your new store. Also, the URL of the store is only shown in this video for like 1/2 a second and not even in the video description.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

That’s a good point, thank you!

[@ADHDbuilt]

I've done 6000+ sales on my website now, so i might add some constructive criticism which might come in handy. Pine is boring, it's the standard that you'll get say kmart for $5, freedom furniture, etc. Most people won't know the difference between pine species (with the exception of huon pine, people love that), so i don't think the price point will ever come into a good medium between effort and time into it, and what people will pay. Inlay some contrasting timbers/epoxy and it will jump out more. The biggest thing i leant is that people really hate being sold at. You jump up and down in front of somebody saying buy my stuff, they won't. You started this series saying you want to pay off your equipment, so buy this. Not i made this really cool thing, and because i had so many requests for one, i made some more for people to get, but I've only got a limited amount of the timber, so once it's gone, it's gone. I could waffle for a while longer about website layout/flow, but i hope this helps. And the photo editing really does make a huge difference.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Interesting idea about pine being the same. If I don’t get the point across that’s it’s special, or at least convince the buyer that it’s special, then it’s almost certainly going to fail. Thanks mate!

[@geoffb108]

I think you need to think beyond the square. It's always amazed me how people will pay money for simple boxes. Most of this is picking up and feeling the box or the ageing and character time has given it. Crisp smart tight boxes can be made in the millions in Chinese factories. I feel you have to produce art and design. Beautiful timber grain is half the event.

[@kamatchikamatchi7908]

Please I need one wooden house please please please

[@TheRuralGardener]

Thanks for sharing … perhaps some targeted paid media might help? Means investing some cash but that way you can target the right audience for your products.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

It’s a popular suggestion. I’ll be giving it a go in the coming months, hopefully it’s effective. Thanks!

[@teamvtube]

Unfortunately you probably picked the worst time to be trying to sell custom made timber products and the homewares market is challenging even at the best of times. When people can buy a utensil storage at kmart for $9 it makes it hard to get them to see the value in something that does the same thing but costs 5 times as much.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

I know right! Trying to sell uniqueness when moneys tight is not a winning scenario