We have stated before about the importance of quality photos for your soap shop website. The pictures of your soap can help entice a potential buyer if they appeal to the eye. However, there are a number of photo mistakes that could potentially jeopardize your soap sales.

Underexposed or overexposed images can make soap appear in the wrong color and lose any details in the highlighted areas. Too many shadows can cover up details and give the soap an ominous look. Grainy images prevent the customer from seeing how gritty or smooth a soap can be. Taking your time to make quality photographs will help your business out in the long run. For more mistakes people make when photographing soaps, click here:: 12 Common Photography Mistakes that Might Be Costing You Sales

Running your soap shop requires preparation, organization, and planning. There are a number of apps for your smart phone or programs on your computer to help with your schedule, however sometimes those programs can complicate things. Why not go old school with a physical day planner?

Using a physical day planner will help remind you to use it and focus since it doesn’t have all the other games/internet features that a phone can distract you with. Also, it’s been proven that physically writing appointments by hand helps the brain maintain them in your memory. For a full article about the positives of day planners for soap sellers, click here:: Improve Your Productivity in 2015 the Old Fashioned Way

Many would-be craft soap entrepreneurs stop short of starting their business because they cannot afford to get it off the ground. It can be difficult to get a business loan or credit line for some folks who have quality soaps to sell. There are some funding alternatives, however.

Microloans are an option to look into if you don’t need more than $25,000. Peer-to-peer loans, such as KIVA Zip, can allow you get loans from peers and other lenders on the backs of traditional lenders. If that’s not your thing, there is always testing the market by crowdfunding through websites like Kickstarter. There are ways to display your talent and market your wares, even if you don’t qualify for a regular loan. For more on alternative funding for soap businesses, click here:: Getting Alternative Funding for Your Soap Company

Craft fairs and shows are great ways to show off your new soaps, network, and make a little bit of money as well. When done right, the trip and set-up will all be worth it. However, there are a number of tips for newbies to know that they could learn from veteran craft sellers.

Even though people can pay using credit cards and a card reader on your tablet, it is still important to have some extra cash in case you have buyer that needs to make change. Be sure to bring a wide variety of items from your inventory to fully show what you can offer. You might want to offer a discount of some sort and incorporate your website/social media (“Follow on Facebook, get 10% off”). Using these suggestions can help you have a fun and productive time at the fair. For more craft fair tips, please click here:: 9 Things Etsy Sellers Learned at Their First Big Craft Fair

Making your own custom soap is a great way to make your mark and establish your brand for your online soap shop. Fragrance oils can help make your soap stand out with a unique blend of scents that can be your trademark. But how should you use fragrance oil?

One thing to keep in mind is that fragrance oils are like ingredients: there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” way to blend them, but sometimes the mixture can stink. Try to establish what kind of scent you want your soap to project. Fruity? Crisp? Masculine? Sweet? Remember to consider how strong a fragrance can be and know that sometimes a little bit can go a long way. With a little bit of trial and error, you’ll be able to find the right mix for the soap for you. For more fragrance tips, click here:: Fragrance Oil Blending Tips

You’ve created a bunch of different soaps in bars, bottled up lotions, and are ready to send them off into the world. Your website is up to date and ready to take orders for your newest creations. With that said, a bad photograph of your soap can impede its sales!

Invest in a quality digital camera like a Nikon D7000 and Canon 70D. Try to use as much natural light as possible without resorting to a flash. Experiment from different angles to give your soap a unique perspective. Use Photoshop to adjust the lighting and make the colors pop. A great photo can easily increase the appeal of the soap in the customer’s eye. For more tips on soap photography, click here:: Soap Photography Tips from Handmade in Florida

Let’s say you make a batch of soap, but the color is a smidge off. Or you take a gorgeous photo of your soap for your website, but delete it because of a slight lighting issue. Aiming for perfection is admirable, but being a perfectionist will kill your online soap business.

Big mistakes are obvious, but nitpicking will cause you to waste time and resources without any gain. Getting things “just right” will prevent you from moving forward. Most obsessions with perfection come from fear. If you let go of fear and let go of the idea of being ideal, you’ll end up farther than you expect. For more on the problem of perfection in the craft business, click here:: Why You Need to Stop Waiting Until Things are ‘Perfect’

It is a dream to make a living working and creating from home. However, many times a person’s attempt at that dream can turn into a nightmare. Many believe naysaying isn’t being negative, but protects people from heartbreak by having realistic expectations. But is that really true?

Having faith that things will work out is helpful and keeps a positive creative mindset, which is important. Being negative will make you afraid to try. However, a healthy bit of worry can make you proactive and go the extra mile to ensure success. Don’t be positive or negative. Be both. For more on having faith in your craft shop business, click here:: Is it dangerous to have faith in a positive outcome?

Handcrafting soap can be a messy and trying time for the first few times. It can be difficult to figure out how to balance out the right ingredients so you make a great soap that is gentle to the skin, tough on dirt, has a decent scent, and won’t fall apart. There are a number of factors to look out for.

When a soap is too lye-heavy, it can be too dry to the touch and irritate the skin. Too little lye will prevent the soap from hardening into the bar shape and melt in your hands. Soaping at higher temperatures can create cracks when you’re using hard oils and butters. For more handmade soap problems and solutions, please click here:: Soapy Mess-Up Quick Guide