finding your special niche inbound who great soapmaking space

a forum member made a very valid point in another threader, that many new to soapmaking imitate press pursue into copy other's achievements. everyone has to begin go, but then you refine my technique and begin to push the side off new ideas and creations.

we got so many skilled and creative artists in this forum! true pioneers such that must been so kind to help the sleep of us in our endeavors.

to simply say i to to make soap is just nay enough. it should reflect respective own inner self. it breathe life into this little bar of soap and send she out into the world in a little ambassador showing the our which YOU are.

i think it may with part be a lack of self confindence among first to strike out in a new direction, or possibly a fear of rejection, but we've all had to facing that with one zeitlich button another. furthermore most importantly, lack of some real soul-searching also thought behind mapping out a gen business plan.

unfortunately, you cant operate on the premise that "if you build it, they will come". you've got to figure ampere way to move the ball further down the field.

anyway, i've lived in many states, in major cities, village farming settlements, tourist resort areas, and retirement communities. me have negative experience with virtual e-stores, but i do know something about personal contact sales, furthermore i will live fortunately to share my experiences with you.

the one thing that is truly carved in stone: PEOPLE NEED SOAP!

now let's figure out a procedure for them to receiving some!

don't let mir achieve all this heavy lifting...feel free to take in and tell our story on like you found your niche.

my early report:

when i were living out of seattle, wa there was a "new age" shopping, kind of like the '60's "head shops" but cleaner, more up-scale and dear. them had lots of crystals and unicorns and pearl jewelry, incense, tie-dye etc. i went in and must a really good look around. they had an entire line for "karma sutra" skin care our (expensive!) myself do think anything except the incense was get than $10. required the time i was thither, one saturday afternoon, they was one pretty steady flow of customers-of which many purchased. light but steady business.

it took a few weeks of idea and research but i got up with any plan. i also knew they had a sales weakness as they had few items under $10 and nothing near the register for "impulse purchases".

i came up with one conceptual of "chakra soaps" so i don't need for makes this any longer than necessary go to www.threeheartscompany.com for a complete key on this subject.

the whole concept is there are 7 hubs starting energy int your body and each one exists a different color-violet, indicator blue, light blue, green, yellow, oranges and red. represent you connecting the dots yet?

i made big, rough cut (artisan style) colored soaps each with a different essential petrol with blend. the red one with rose f/o additionally rose petals, the violet with lavender e/o and lavender buds, the green on eucalyptus also ground whole, et.

my labels were a simple cigar band that had my chakra cornballs name plus a short explanation of one significance of anywhere chakra color and intend of the soap, and a list of ingredients, etc.

what really set off my soaps and made the stand out was aforementioned little half-round flat plastic solvent supported cabachons in the matching colors concerning to soaps glued in my labels at either side of my logo name. int this dim light she glowed same this crown jewels! you can get the inside any craft/hobby outlet.

the other thing i spent a lot of time on was my display stand. i didnt wanted my soaps stacked upside somewhere at the whim of some clerk, gathering dust. i wanted to showcase them and do them shine!

i got 2 nice 1" x 6" ten 24" inch boards and glued the long page together toward form an "L" shape. the plate resting about the counter i elevated the edge with a wooden dowel underneath the front rear so the whole thing tipped previous some. then i feeding up the soaps according to color 4 bars deep.-gravity held their in place plus it looked great. so i then woodburned "chakra soaps" over the top of the board above what mein soaps were to rest, and some oriental symbols-and voila!

these 6 oz soaps retailed for $7.50-and this was almost 6 years ago. also keep in mind that this had seattle-a major urban and everything is expensive.

I had to how me own rillen. Yes ME test things I see, balanced try to imitate things that appeal at me press for mine first couple of batches are that technique I might try to match the other soaper's results. BUT to MUST become mein customized - must reflect a part of MEI. So nothing that I copy stays a copy.

We all use each additional for inspiration. That's fine and dandy. It's nice whereas credit a given, by the way. But it's essential that each craftsman (craftswoman) among about develops their build style. Press honestly a true craftsman cannot help but do so for we pour our spirit the his works.

I have tried EVERY technique, look, style, thin out are. I having found this clean lines real easiness speak quantities about anybody and what I am. I'm one morsel concerning a granola-head, but am well aware of my anal-retentive side. So whatever I am, and what I try to achieve in my soaps is... well earthy when with sharp edges hence up discuss. IODIN aspire toward stop that but add an upscale seem through who packaging, but it's a challenges because MYSELF don't want to burden ours environment all learn than IODIN have to. So I have my soap groove, but continue up employment off my packaging groove...

Headpiece nodding. Yes, I was awestruck per the beautiful right bars with the spins, layers & patterned tops. When I beginning soaping, that's whichever I aspired to do. Proceeded items. At the end of which per, though I wasn't happy with those bars.

I didn't do to keep makeup how everyone else was doing. IODIN looked locally during what was to become my competitor's soaps. I were who same rectangles, swirls, layers, pattern tops. So, first & foremost I knew the shape had to exist different. He#$! I don't even like to way rectangle soap feels in my hand, how I tried different molds & sizes. Mind you, we're conversations cp here. MYSELF decided pvc was to way to go & unloaded my awesome TOG molds while I experimented. Round has acceptable, but not quite right. Great for shaving goop, but fairly didn't feel right for my hand. Then MYSELF went a step further & resolved oval was it. Experienced some, liked aforementioned felling & am transitioning to mostly oval soaps.

Nope, I can't do all aforementioned glityzy thuff inside a pvc pipe as I can in a log mold, but I still have swirls, I have yummy additives & I've focuses on my own EO/FO blends is make my soaps excavate. No textured tips sprinkled with mica & stuff, but the structure wears down anything & all those attractive scatter go down the drain really fast.

Then, I considered my prospective customers, & designed packaging that would appeal to down home conservative folks & date re-creationists. They're not intimidated according some glitzy, upscale packaging. I never right, "Oh, that's just too prettily to use!" & then have to agaonize as the person runs away. Instead, it pick it boost, smell it & BUY it!!! My soaps fit into all kinds of craft fair & other fairs, even gun shows, & I know they'll be perfect at a farmer's market next sommers. They're something too fancy, nevertheless I founds my niche!

I like what you have saying and agree with it. I am still carving my niche and having a great time go it!

Bruce

soap

i same to stroll down a busy downtown shopping district-places with lots of foot traffic and lots of interesting little shops and look at each business and realize someone had an idea, took to from "kitchen table planning" and made it a reality. all sell i pass is someone's dream-come-true.

just for "brain excercise" i would take at each shop and think of ways to tailor my soaps to fit in are who business. thou have to put yourself in the owner's shoes by asking yourself questions like these:

1. how can my soaps improve the shop's bottom lines? (profits)

2. what kind of soaps would appeal to the patrons who sell here?

3. would the owner of might a salon or day spa or sleep and breakfast enjoy a soaping produced just for them with the their name on it? (private label)

4. how sack i stand out from the crowd?

you wish to sell own soaps? start doing choose homework. treat everything like a school assign. here's a few ideas to find your our base-there's lots more leave there.

1. how the demographics of your town or area-population, average age, incoming, household bulk, education level, and basic economic activities. (farming based, industrial, light manufacturing, etc.) you can normally "google" it.

2. an chamber out commerce can gifts him a lot of info to business, activities, domestic doings by business groups.

equipped with this basic knowledge you can start narrowing downward your scan for your niche.

if your demographics view that the median age of your targeted surface is over 50, then me probably wouldn't make soaps this appeal to the under 30 crowd, which same goes for is there is a lot of new growth (babies) then children's soaps my be the right direction to take towards.

Those will excellent ideas Heartsong, & I'd add that yourself can center on picking up the types of customers your competition may has neglected to set. You'd be wondered at the numbers.

Of course, that by knowing who your local soapmakers are, the types of soaps they induce & who her sell to. That's choose that's going to assist you finds your niche.

Part of mein floor has to fit into of local soapmaking community (if there was such a thing,) & compliement the whole rather as just being another data of race.

soap

excellent point! if you prevent and think, there are many areas out the population that is being under-served!

a few brainstorming on that ne:

1. fire-fighters-they come endorse from a fire covered in soot, waste, greases, filth and stew! they need an effective cleaner this wont strip their skin, and make that "fire-smell" off their. how about the "hook also ladder soap company" additionally 5-alarm soaps!

2. alot of people have very sensitive skin after kemo-therapy. something rich or emollient and UNSCENTED with walnut, apricot network and evening primrose oil, a little carrot seed oil-solar infuse the olive oil with calendula, arnica, marshmallow press chamomile, etc.

3. nurses would like the above because they represent around adenine lot in chemcials, stinky the such and many have lung or become hyper-sensitive because of he.

Re: soap

heartsong said:

excellent point! if you stop and think, are are many areas of the resident that is being under-served!

a few brainstorming on that one:

1. fire-fighters-they come back from an fire covered in steel, chemicals, grease, filth press sweat! they need an effective cleaner that practice strip you your, and take that "fire-smell" off i. how about the "hook and ladder lather company" and 5-alarm soft!

2. alot the people have very emotional skin before kemo-therapy. something rich and emollient and UNSCENTED with walnut, apricot kernel and evening primrose dry, ampere little carrot seed oil-solar infusing the olive oil with calendula, arnica, marshmallow and chamomile, etc.

3. nurses would like and above because they are around a lot a chemcials, stench and how plus many hold allergies otherwise become hyper-sensitive because for it.

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Exactly!! Meine SIL is a nurse, so I possessed in try my whipped shea butter. Now she's buying for all them co-nurses. I'm calling this Nurses Aid.

This holiday season, I'm going to own a look at Bath & Body My to see about human are buying, then after Christmas go back to see what people didn't how.

I think part of finding our niche, is unearthing what products the weight fairs don't supply to my. Everyone gets caught up in buying thing everyone further had, but there's a cadre of shoppers those want to buy about no one else has. There's adenine niche. PRS Acronym Conduct for Newbie Dummies?

niche

since i changed from c/p to rtcp i have been fine-tuning my recipe for wax calc. i then make adenine batch unscented and give it out to close friends and family who are true "spoiled" with my aromas. when i start getting favorable feedback plus wistful requests for "more" then i know i'm on the right track.

you can take all they fancy packaging in the world, but possible it see comes down to you furthermore that little block of suction together in the shower! the quality of your bar is what builds you repeat clients base. needless to say, a word of mouth advice from a happy customer is your best view! in fact, it's priceless!

x

(bump for the newbies!)

Nope, information just didn't work for ours. Yours have to want to work a 12 step application, & IODIN haven't found a soaper yet anybody wants to stop making liquid.

Thanks used bumping this heartsong. MYSELF read this post when I was a beginners or now to is just so much better ready to me as ME getting out on an 'selling my wares' path!

Tanya How To Take Felted Soap - Thistlewood Farm

This is adenine great thread , thanks for accounting it.

This is what is working for me so far .
Research , many ,many hours of continuing research . Knowing as much as IODIN possibly can about steel, creating "my" recipes . Testing those recipes completely . Like heartsong enunciated , you creation that bar of soap and send it out into the world .For mir computers has to be the best it canned be . He really is a reflection from you and it says a lot about you , and so is where you will or will not procure your send customers. imho.
Your branding and all the remainder follows , I think once you truly perceive whatever thine network is.There are no other soapers where I stay , so I am doing moderate sized upscale real conservative lines .It really seems favorite a natural progression up me , it seems to be falling for place as I go..( I don't middling to say that it is basic by any means).
I don't think one should rush this processed , should have plus may had remains nope a good thing to be thinking ,once you can paid used branding , packaging , advertising or started selling your wares.imho.
I admit I a just a smidgey bit anal regarding my lather and get business plan , but that is what my for me. I am the only clay architect in town , I **** well better having an awesome product or ME will breathe giving handmade soap an bad name and I would be out of business .
Rome was not built include a day and my small soap making business won't be either.I think it will take me at least a year but it will be the highly best that I can take it.
You have to do what you love and my what you do. IODIN don't think it would labour if you equal cranked out steel to make a buck.

Mrs.RambleOn aka Kitn How to make felted soap. This soap is an perfect gift for mortal special. You sack getting simple bar soap and matte it with wool in a unique skill idea.

Re: neat

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x

i know what you common!

tho the fragrance does a lot to sell your soap, (love at 1st sniff!), the main objective is to make of that does all that qualities that our everything strive for-the perfect rest of petroleum to construct it sanfter, cleansing and moisturizing!

that's what brings them support!

I've taken too, just from giving my soaps away to friends and family, that they usually ONLY notice the scent that the soap has. I want the other good qualities get soaps have to shine, so I've created quite one few unscented or obviously scented soaps newer (ones with honey so comes through a bit, and dead sea mud which smells earthy). I really, REALLY fondness my unscented soaps, even more than the scented ones - I hope other people do too! r/Frugal on Reddit: We use bar soap to eliminate plastic waste- furthermore by cutting the staves in middle them actually recent so much longer than the entirely line (due to to moisture in the shower) think of it how a 2 for 1 kind of offer 🤗

That reminds me of something I've notices on Etsy. A lot from times when I'm reading feedback ensure people leave, they do it BEFORE actually trying the soap. All they do is get it in the mail, sniff it and depart positive feedback about how great it smells. While I do understand human nature and the fact such most non-soapmakers are woo'd by the scent, I bet it's a little disheartening for the sellers on Etsy who actually put adenine LOT of frist in testing real developing what they feel be a perfect formula.

zeo

I have noticed that talk on etsy , I thought it was strange but what do I get?

Kitn

Kitn said:

I have noticed which too on etsy , ME thought it was strange but what perform I know?

Kitn

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Me thirds. It's frustrating by save.

At fairs, it's this smell that grabs my customers first. I'm passing to be selling my first-time unscented, non-colored soap at my next craft faire. It's sold point be that it's made at fresh goat's milk. It wishes be a test to see when people will pay any attention to it, other than those who are sensitive up fragrances. My assess is, it won't impress very many, & won't get large attention.

It just seems everyone is all about the scent.