Digital Scrapbooking Business – Getting the Money!
A digital scrapbooking business requires little financial investment and if you’re already a scrapper, probably little investment in time except perhaps for learning Photoshop Elements or other software. Setting up a blog to publicize your business is relatively simple so even if you’re just getting started you can be fully operational in as little as a couple of weeks.
The only aspect we haven’t touched on is the sometimes touchy subject of getting your hands on the cash. Time to get to it then, because if you’re not taking money what you’ve got is still just a hobby!
There are a number of ways to set up a blog or website to take money online but probably the easiest and widest known is PayPal.
PayPal is trusted by millions of people and it’s no longer necessary for people to actually open a Paypal account to deal with you, they can just give their credit card details. Getting a “Buy Now” button for your blog or website is relatively easy as is setting up “stock” prices (if you sell certain digital scrapbooks for a fixed price) or “one-off” buttons for a particular scrapbook commission.
If, as recommended, you run a blog to promote your digital scrapbooking business, it’s a matter of a couple of minutes work to set up a private page for your client that only they have access to. That page can have their own payment button and a downloadable copy of their finished digital scrapbook if you wish.
So the mechanics of taking people’s money is relatively straight-forward. What about actually asking for it? One aspect of business many people get very nervous about is bringing up the subject of payment.
Which is a bit odd if you think about it, because your client certainly expects you to ask. You’ve set yourself up as a professional scrapbooker so whether you do it personally, by email or via a website, your client is expecting to have to pay.
The only thing you have to do to make the transaction trouble-free is to make it clear what things cost.
Some digital scrapbooking sites require their clients to get in touch for a quote. Some have a menu pricing system where clients can pick and choose elements they want included. Some require a deposit before work is started. You may want to offer alternatives that give your clients “budget” or “premium” scrapbooks.
Each of these things is a choice for you to make, but never forget people are expecting to pay for their digital scrapbook. Make it clear what those costs are and people will decide one way or the other. If you don’t get the commission it’s most likely not you they’re turning down, they frequently simply can’t afford it (although they’ll seldom say so!).
Don’t take it personally. Remain polite and you might find they return or recommend others.
Don’t ever attempt to conceal costs, tactics like that will do serious damage your digital scrapbooking business. Be clear, concise and as simple as possible to avoid confusion. Your business will be easier and more profitable as a result.
One final note on the PayPal account. Opening a Premier or Business account gives you a wider range of options than the Personal account and the choice of adding the virtual terminal (so you can take money anywhere you have access to a computer).
About the Author
I’ll discuss the pros and cons of this on the blog soon.
Stay up-to-date, find lots more free professional information and a wealth of scrapbook resources at Digital Scrapbooking Business where you can also download a valuable free report from well known scrapbooking teacher Dawn Stegall. If you’re thinking about making money from scrapbooking you don’t want to ignore help like this!
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