I always do best with products unique to me during the holidays. When I make what everyone else is offering it's extremely hit or miss, but usually a miss.
Why? Because your market is likely saturated. The current economy is taking a hit on everyone and many are needing a side hustle to keep food on the table. Sometimes that side hustle may be vinyl or sublimation based, other times it may be a scroll saw, 3D printer or even a laser.
How can I stand out in a saturated market?
Just because a particular market is saturated, doesn't mean you cant succeed with what you offer. Put yourself in your clients shoes. What would you purchase right now? What do you think your areas market needs that isn't being provided by others already? How can I stand out?
You've likely heard it over and over again; but in order to succeed, you need to stand out. Don't copy a design just because you believe someone else is selling out. Create your own product. Offer what no one else can.
I could sell you digital files all day long (and don’t get me wrong, I do!), but if you find your target markets demands prior to file searching you will become much more profitable. Random cute iteams just don't always sell. Even if Martha on that specialized Facebook group claims it does. Her market may be different than yours or she very well could be lying to sell her product.
How can I find my target market?
You'll need to do some digging here. Analyze your consumers and rule out who your consumer isn't. Marketing research is an amazing tool to help your business grow. What has sold well in the past? If you haven't found your product, then keep searching. I am constantly taking courses and researching to keep my skills growing as both a designer, a wood worker and a business woman. I really do believe it helps our businesses grow.
if you offer home decor, research trends for the current year. Sometimes researching silly things like nails or wall colours will help you find what will be popular in the next year. This is exactly how I research my products.
What can I offer my target market?
Well, if my target market is a stay-at-home parent, what can I make to appeal to this market that isn't overly saturated in my area?
If you make vinyl products, it could be car decals or family shirts.- not just any designs. Offer something useful like "baby on board or safe hands here (for the side of the cars) or something unique like a saying along the neckline. I may even look up tecniques to keep my products different (ie: tie dye or bleaching)
If you're a wood worker, maybe puzzles, last name signs or family ornaments. -try unique colours or patterns, create something sweet like a growth chart or piggy bank that parents/kids would love that may fit into the current decor trend
If you offer 3D printing, you could research tools to make a parents life easier or offer fun coloured puzzles. -try stroller cup holders in neutral colours or block name puzzles
If my target market is a business oriented individual my products would differ greatly.
For vinyl products, I would offer vinyl logos or file markers. Maybe even office labels. -lawn signs, banners or store window decals/qr codes
For wood working, I would try tablet holder or car tables. I would also likely tap into the leather market -try hours of operation signs, or gift baskets
For 3D printing, maybe keychains, business card holder or just items to keep things organized. -try creating magnets that meet a businesses aesthetic or desk organizers, something that isn't already readily available locally.
Obviously these are just ideas and there are plenty of other target markets and fun products you can ofree. Do your own research for your niche and take advantage of social media for free marketing.
I can honestly say that my daughter and I have built this brand without a significant amount of paid advertising and you absolutely can too.