Six Figure Blacksmith Advice

[@timothytubbs4148]

I have been selling on Etsy for about 2.5 months so far. My first month I sold nothing but after that things started to pick up. I'm up to 13 sales from there and a local commissioned project. I started with small hooks and now I'm adding larger, more expensive items. I agree it takes time and patience is very much needed.

[@threeriversforge1997]

Etsy is all about the number of listings you have. The more you have, the greater your visibility in their search function. The key, I've found, is to create separate listings in package deals. That way you can make 10 simple j-hooks, create a listing for 1 hook, 2 hooks, 3 hooks, etc. You don't have to make all those hooks, just photograph the same 10 hooks you've forged in different groupings. Maybe offer a few pennies off every time you go up in hook count. An easy afternoon's forging gives you ten listings (or more) for that one style of hook, and you move on to a different style. The more listings and the more options, the happier customers are.

[@jonroland2702]

I've been doing this as a hobby for the last 16 years, been a machinist for 18 years. Just retired from machine shop to take care of my kids and do work from home. So far it's been slow but things are selling. In less than two months I've sold online with one sale of two items, setup at two events and sold a few items at each. I'm happy with my progress and getting my name out there. I'm gonna keep making inventory in anticipation for the holiday seasons ahead.

[@nicolaasporter3215]

Love the business vids. I am coming to the end of the first year of five year plan to start my own business and have met my goals for the year. I find your videos on this subject very helpful. Thank you both for showing a more complete picture of being self employed in a craft business.

[@gregpartain4307]

How’s your business progressing so far ? Well I hope

[@DrengrMike]

Part of me would like to say something like "Roy, thank you so much, you don't understand how much this helps us" but that would be false. You know darn well exactly how much this helps us and I am so grateful that you take the time out of your day to do this. It allows all of us to use your wisdom that you've earned over this last decade in order to help us grow our businesses and our smithing practices to a whole new level, and not only are we all so proud of how far you've come, I can also say with certainty how proud God is of what you do to serve him and his people. I'm a Norse Pagan and I can still recognize how much strength and good guidance your Christ God gives to you and by blessing us all you deserve every blessing that's coming your way. You are a fantastic Smith and an even better man and I don't know where I would be if I hadn't come across the content you put out.

[@glassroboto]

The business side of any kind of craft or artistic career is always kind of glossed over or sometimes altogether unaddressed. Thank you for the insight into what has worked for you and how it all goes! As always, you are really leading by example, not just in how successful your business has become, but in creating videos that really do help people.

[@CausticPuffin]

@3:18 is a great explanation of how the internet works with sales. Thank you!!!

[@threeriversforge1997]

Nicely put. Too many people are not honest with themselves, and I often have to check my own goals to make sure I'm not falling into that trap. You have to be brutally honest, your own worst critic, when you put something out there. Are you willing to put in the time and effort? I tell folks that they need to treat it like a job because it is. And once you've made that thousandth hook, and hate making hooks with a passion, then you understand that it really is a job. Everyone dreams of just being able to make what they love and it'll sell enough to keep them in high cotton for the rest of their days. Nope. Throughout history, 99.999% of blacksmiths did nothing but grunge work. Their shops produced nails by the barrel-load, pre-formed horse shoes, cheap cookware... nothing at all sexy or exciting. If you get into blacksmithing as a business, there's absolutely no reason to think you'll be one of those .0001% of smiths like how made the fine ironwork in a cathedral or castle. Those rare few smiths like Samuel Yellin are rare for a reason. They were in the right place at the right time, with the right skills and the right connections. But don't ever think they didn't hustle to get there. 80% of the job isn't forging iron, but working on a computer, talking with customers, ordering supplies.... basically everything but actually doing something in the smithy.

[@jason00121]

A lot of good advice. I am struggling with the online stuff. I ran a full time shop through the 90s and am just getting back into it. It has been quite a culture shock.

[@Kaleb.R]

I prefer to keep it as a hobby, but I have to pay for the hobby somehow! 😂

[@DrGoldenFlap]

I don't sell online. I put in a lot of time during fall, winter, and half of spring and sell kitchen knives sets at craft shows for $250 for a set of 5 or $50-$80 for a single kitchen knife on a good weekend I usually make $3-5k and do about 12 shows during the summer and little bit into fall. The most I made in 1 year was $85k. Overhead cost isn't to bad it's the initial investment for your tools that hurts the most.

[@jonnathonspencer]

Thanks for the video you are one of the only blacksmith's that tell the behind the scenes of the forge very interesting to see how you have worked your way up from the novice blacksmith to a more experienced one thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@davidlewisbrokenanvilforge4555]

I I remember reading somewhere in the Bible that says do not despise the day of small beginnings

[@marbles430]

Your content is always relevant and informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

And thanks for watching Geoff!

[@josephlyons473]

The best advice I’ve had on this journey thus far. Shalom bro

[@undergroundvideoproduction9222]

thank you for that video. I currently have three items on Etsy, not expecting things to sell fast, I get that, but not getting the views. also not shooting for the moon either! your video really hit home for me. so thank you.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you found it helpful. We have a whole Etsy playlist. Continue adding an item every week if you can, and you'll have a full shop before you know it! Having a diversity of items can help bring traffic into your shop. Have a great day! Sincerely, Jessica at Christ Centered Ironworks

[@Vtmtnman42]

I just purchased a cheat sheet.I really want to make this a hobby business in the future in addition to full time welding/fab shop.I'm always looking for simple projects beyond flint strikers and S hooks.

[@521cjb]

There's an old saying: Good, fast, cheap. . . Pick two. . . You can't have all three. Everything in life is some kind of compromise, ain't it ?

[@maxyman86]

Thanks man, great explanation of how salesbuilding works.

[@Aco747lyte]

I've been hobby-blacksmithing for a tad over 2 years now, daughter and friend also and we thank you for your sound business advice! ~Wendi 🌻

[@shawnmcclain9098]

Thank you so much for these videos. They are super helpful!!

[@bettyjane6684]

I recall Earl Nightingale saying something to the effect "To be successful in sales, find a need and fill it." That statement is more about the product and not the wonderful business plan you have described but I thought it may be useful to the vendors who are listening. I used to be a vendor representative for QVC. QVC made/makes alot of money based on its selection of items to market to its core audience (i.e., those that most women, aged 30 - 60 would want/need) in a mid/low range pricing (i.e., 20-50 dollars).

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

Yes...you need tons of items to make most online selling work for a living. I make and sell embroidered patches on Ebay and Etsy (among some other things). I have over 500 SKUs of different items. "X" amount of items will sell each day. The selling items are always different each day, but enough of those 500 possibilities sell each day to make me a living. This is one reason that some manufacturers choose to sell thru distributors rather than to sell themselves. Instead of making one big net themselves, they find other people with big bets who are willing to place their products in the distributor's nets. OR..you might work exclusively to supply several retailers (i.e. gift stores in your area). It's still a way to use other people's nets, and you can focus on what you like to do (working on your craft).

[@charleslemley1909]

Awesome video man

[@NocturnalBallistics]

Im commiting to starting my own blacksmithing co. It's videos like this that are invaluable for the newbies starting a business (I've owned 2 business but still consider myself a newbie). Prayer, Stay motivated, and be patient.

[@RyanBarnes]

Hiya, been 3 years since you commented. How's things going?

[@thesprinkleddonutforge2774]

I understand what your talking about. Good vid. This will soon be my living and I appreciate ideas and input such as this.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you liked it!

[@brandonbentley9362]

I have to ask. Do you think to make a sustainable income "six figure" is only possible online? I am not against the internet or google. Im just curious how to improve local buisness as well.

[@linngittins5737]

Thanks for posting this!

[@finalaccuracy7695]

Great advice. Thank you!

[@MASTERSAIS]

Everything I already know, that i need now to implement. Thank you

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Great advice....I'm thinking of possibly starting a side business so this helps me visualize how it could work

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad to get you thinking :-)

[@solareclipse9461]

When you say item do you mean type of product or each one of a single product?

[@rusticblacksmith9494]

Great advice.........absolutely love this channel. Thank you

[@michaeldelvecchio41]

Thanks for taking the time to share this information. I had always wanted to know how that works. Now I have some knowledge of how to make it work for me. Thanks again, and God richly Bless you!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

You're quite welcome. Have a blessed day Michael!

[@robert5636]

Thanks for sharing the great advice. Much appreciated!

[@johnportwood6223]

Thanks Roey good info An God bless

[@refiningfireforge]

Great info thanks

[@fredmonroe6042]

Thank you very much.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

You are welcome!

[@mattmiller7499]

Brother, you are a blessing

[@billwoehl3051]

ooh...A Roy rant from a year ago on the feed, "unethical pricing", great, under same topic for a follow up watch.

[@matthewhall6087]

please and thank you for the tips and tricks you are giving me great ideas to stop working for the man. more then the smiting ( I know a few things) please keep up the ideas it really helps thank you Roy alos I like a day in your support ( a day in the life of a blacksmith wife) she has good ideas too)

[@chrisg7996]

Thanks Roy, I always learn something from your videos. Have a blessed day. Chris - Stackpole Forge

[@mattwyeth3156]

Dose the 10 of each item work with a stall or walk in shop or is this rule for only online

[@joelburnitt2138]

Thank you.

[@justinwells2451]

Dang this is good well done Roy and Jessica

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Glad you like it Justin. We hope your business is blooming!

[@justinwells2451]

@@ChristCenteredIronworks lol I don't know about booming but I have a steady flow of people viewing my work so I'm gonna keep adding items to etsy and just wait for the right customer

[@kochforgedon6368]

Thanks Roy. Helped a lot!!

[@mpowers56]

Thanks for all you do.

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Not a problem Mac :)

[@ed.sol.crafts]

Always great info and insight!

[@markreed512]

Any advice for people with MS on how to do the work and be standing for any length of time?

[@Tina06019]

Mark Reed If you have MS, staying cool will increase the length of time you can remain standing and strong enough to work. I have used ice-vests and phase-change vests. Fans help. It’s hard and expensive to air-condition a shop, but I suppose it could be done.

[@bret354]

if you check out glen gs tongs channel I've never seen him stand hardly ever. he does good work.

[@heinrichv.martens5118]

Thank you very much!

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Very welcome 🙂

[@tinkeringaround6241]

Awesome information thanks a lot

[@nicholascook9584]

Thank you for the great video. I was actually about to start askin where to bring my stuff to market and what to include and how i should evaluate my profit to expense for the continuation of the business as a whole.

[@bentoombs]

Good advice. Thanks Roy

[@Trick-theDev]

Loved this video! Im going to "hustle" as much as i can lol

[@grandadz_forge]

This was an incredibly useful and appreciated video thank you so much Roy I am going to focus on this and I plan to purchase the business plan business lessons soon

[@TheShepherd2305]

Hey Roy, could you tell me about the car accident you mentioned? I only ask because I had a pretty bad one but through the power of prayer I recovered very very fast! I'll tell you the whole story if you like.

[@twoisbetterthanone6170]

Hello Roy, please tell me. Today in 2024 what is a 5 Dollar/ Euro item? Last years in Europe everything got more expensive. Kind regards. Ben

[@Tina06019]

I sew beautiful, custom-fitted, handmade reinacting, RenFaire and LARPing garb for family members and very close friends. I could never make a living doing this work, because these garments take many many hours. I could sew plainer, more machine-sewn, less customized garments in less expensive fabric ..... and that’s exactly what I would have to do if I needed to make money from sewing. Fortunately, I don’t have to do that.

[@fishsoft92]

I’m planning on keeping it as a hobby until I can’t keep a job and run the shop at the same time. Hopefully at that time the shop will be bringing in enough k make a living.

[@GDHoneyAcresandCraftWork]

Put some good perspective into things.

[@s.q.10-e66]

Considering this is advice for people starting out, and nearly everyone starts small, I do not find it degrading for you to say "your little blacksmithing businesses". The little acorn and the mighty oak and all that.

[@outdoorswiththemick]

Now I know what I need to change...

[@ryanjones8757]

Lol, you like setting off my voice search function in your videos

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Yes sir lol

[@fortpecktim6846]

I can't say anything that has not been said.........thanks.....great vid.

[@viscache1]

You didn’t cover the sales profit percentage. Once you tally the total cost you must add a minimum of 50% just to break even after sales costs, state and federal taxes. Some states charge a tax on inventory (as does Amazon) or there are percentage cuts from auction or ‘warehouse’ type sales. These are the places to go to make consistent sales and gain exposure for your web site which also has costs monthly just like any brick and mortar...then there’s labor.... My point is that you have to be good, proficient and economical in everything you do and try to make a profit of 80-100% without gouging for the resultant product. I have leather that sells for $95 for a large 55 sq’ cow skin whole... you can cover a cheap chair with it an its stain resistant and looks nice. That is its purpose. But to make a purse that you can retail for $15,000 you need to start with my finest calfskin that has a beautiful deep surface grain, is extraordinary soft to the touch and costs$600 wholesale for a finished and vat dyed 12-14 sq’ whole skin. In fact i make less on my high end products and can only buy 4-6 per year because of the rarity.

[@OccupyArnhem]

I want to draw a heart in chalk for this.

[@pawoodsman1737]

Basically, it's like trying to start a convenientce store that only sells bread. You will go out of business.

[@GracelessEmber]

"if you're good as something, never do it for free"

[@billwoehl3051]

fishing parables....hmmmm.....wonder where I've heard fishing parables before? Don't forget Christ is in the name of your channel, would like to hear/see more of Him here, and love the forging tutorials.

[@michaelidarecis]

It is all about eyeballs and skew numbers. Diversify product line and then go back around and add variations. Praise Jesus, Michael Idarecis

[@maverickm15]

I’m thinking about making replica weapons from Videogames and movies and selling them

[@ratherfilmproductions872]

It’s called a funnel not a net 😂😂

[@edr9276]

BOBS ( business of blacksmithing)

[@castleincorporated]

maybe I can take a week vacation and come sweep your shop and learn some skills...

[@gordonfamilyforge134]

Fyi i had to resub this morning. Wierd

[@siikaiz]

One of the things I have realized over the years of being exposed to a ton of craftsmen and artists. There are some people with wicked talent, but because they lack business and marketing skills, they just don't sell well. While some who are "average" quality make more money, because they make their own homepage with a store, make a blog, twitter, fb, insta, etsy, all that. They just make their digital footprint as big as possible and they earn more than some really talanted people (not always the case, as I have never met a poor master craftsman, they work purely for custom orders (a lot of pain in the ass from what I have heard, but pays well). I always suggest them to try and learn about all those things, but often they are gentlemen and woman in their late 40's and 50's (younger generations seem to not do these things as much) and have trouble learning the tech (not all). If you are doing it as a hobby, stop thinking about the money and just practice your craft, give them as gifts (and this alone in time will earn you money, as people will talk about them, show them, and if you have made a quality product, boy o boy will others want it and they will direct them to you), esspecially if you know outdoorsy people and hunters esspecially (they LOOOOVE knives). Always be persistant.