How To Get Your Handmade Product Into A Gift Guide
Do you have a product that you would love to see featured in a gift guide? The gift season can be extremely profitable for a small business but only if people know who you are and that’s where gift guides come in.
There are endless types of gift guides out there for specific searches like gifts for moms to more niched down gift guides like best gifts for people who make soap. It’s one of the best ways to promote your craft business.
And these lists are visited by countless, struggling shoppers who are looking for ideal gifts so of course, you want to have your products featured in there!
Whether you’re a small business or an individual, getting your product into the hands of a professional is easier than you think. In this blog post, we’ll outline how to get your product into the hands of a gift guide curator.
Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to make your product stand out from the competition!
How To Get Your Handmade Product Into A Gift Guide
1. Make your store ready
Your store needs to be editor-friendly, meaning presentable and professional; your page should also be easy to navigate, well-optimized, and provide a good customer experience.
This matters not only for the editors to choose your products and site to be included in their gift guides but also for customers later on to be able to buy your product and turn into a returning customer!
A luring coupon with a discount for sign-up or an email lead-capture pop-up is also a welcoming addition worth considering for your website!
But the secret is to make sure that it is a forever code that does not expire, publishers are way to busy to go back into the article to update coupon codes.
2. Contact publications
You need to do a little research – which publications and media outlets also target your market audience?
If you are good at e-commerce you probably already know your targeted customers and what they like/dislike so you need to figure which media, they are most interested in.
Go top online platforms, influencers, social media figures, or even regular magazines – figure out which ones would be able to help you and contact them.
Search Google: You need to be specific – the lists as we mentioned typically belong to certain criteria (for example, beauty gifts, edible gifts, gifts for X$, etc.,) so you should make sure that the gift guide is not something generic, but matches your products category.
3. Create a pitch that is mutually beneficial
The best way is to contact and pitch your products 3-6 months in advance via email Put all of this into your calendar or spreadsheet to stay organized.
Make sure that your pitch to them is speaking not only to the publication’s (and yours) demographic but also is aligned with their values and is on-brand. So if you sell hand dyed yarn or woodworking crafts, make sure it’s a fit.
Know your niche: If the publication is continuously speaking about cruelty-free, protecting the environment subjects, make sure that the products you send them meet that criteria.
That way it will be mutually beneficial and you will increase your chances of having your product featured.
Here’s a short email sample:
Dear Name Here
I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out from [Your Company] in hopes that I can get featured in your gift guide [leave link].
Our [Handmade Product] brings a [describe it here] that would be a standout addition to your gift guide. I would love for you to visit my shop and take a look.
Thanks for your time and consideration and let me know if you have any questions.
4. Be prepared to send product samples
Together with the pitch, you might also need to send a free product sample; this way, the editor may test the product.
Not all publishers will require a sample but sending one off might get you into more articles, especially if they own more than one website or magazine.
See our article about label printers for crafters.
5. Have a unique write up ready
Writers are busy so to help you get featured, have a product or company write up prepared for them so that they can just insert it into their articles. Some might have a team of writers who will do this themselves but be prepared just in case.
The write up must be unique to them and make sure that they know you will not be sharing it with anyone else. So you may need to make a write up for every submission you are doing.
6. Have Good photos ready
Make sure your photos are top of the line and professional of your product and packaging. Use photo editing software to resize your images and edit out any dust or lint from your photos. People shop with their eyes so you must have a good picture of your product.
7. Follow up
A strategic follow-up is key! After introducing your product to the publisher, give it a couple of weeks before sending a polite follow-up email.
This timeframe allows them ample time to review and consider your offering. In your follow-up, express your continued interest, inquire about their thoughts on your shop, and offer any additional information they might need.
A well-timed follow-up demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to collaborating, increasing the chances of securing a spot for your handmade product in their gift guide.
Make sure that you are not putting all your eggs in one basket, and contact various media outlets that fit your criteria. Do not despair if you get a no from some, instead see it as a challenge.
We hope these insights prove invaluable in navigating the process of showcasing your unique handmade products in a gift guide.
May your creations find their well-deserved spotlight, capturing the attention of discerning publishers and delighting readers with the artistry and craftsmanship behind each piece.
Best of luck, and may your journey into the world of gift guides be filled with success and recognition!
Next, check out some Etsy shop update ideas you can post in your shop.
