How To Sell Woodworking Projects

Can you make a living selling woodworking? I have sold completed projects and found it a great way to earn money. If you dedicate the time and effort, you can also learn how to sell woodworking projects.

How To Sell Woodworking Projects

Is woodworking a profitable business? That can depend on:

1. Who are you targeting? If you are selling one item at a time as you complete it, you will get extra spending cash. Ramping up to make several of the same items to sell through a local store or online could generate enough money to make woodworking a career;
2. What are customers wanting? Are you randomly selling woodworking projects on Facebook Marketplace, or do you have an online “store” that customers browse? The difference in money earned between these approaches is significant;
3. Why do you want to learn how to sell woodworking projects? If you keep woodworking at a hobby level, you will only need to sell projects sporadically. If you want to use woodworking to pay the bills, you need a plan and a more dedicated approach.

I think that selling items that you craft is a good idea. Even the largest shop will run out of room, and your family or friends can only receive so many wooden clocks before they ask if you are cuckoo.

Let's take a closer look at turning your hobby into a part or full-time business, along with a list of the top 5 woodworking projects to sell on Facebook Marketplace. You can experiment with selling to see if you like it or not.

Can you make a living selling woodworking?

Learning how to sell woodworking projects gives you the freedom to sell what you want for the price you want. The trick is to find a customer for your finished projects. I suggest starting your business slowly, building it up as you gain experience by:

• Researching: Are people interested in what you are building, or would you need to change to different projects that will sell in-person or online? I think understanding this will save you lots of time and frustration. Keep reading to find out more of what does sell;
• Resourcing: Do you have the tools to get a project done, or do you need to build and sell other items to get money to expand your shop? There might be a golden opportunity for turned bowls in your area, but you need a lathe to produce them efficiently;
• Learning: You need to be realistic about your woodworking skills. Some folks thrive at winging it, but part of learning how to sell woodworking projects is building quality items that people want to buy. If something is beyond your reach, take on other projects and develop the necessary skillset;
• Promotion: If you sell a one-off dining table, creating an entry on a sales site for a quick sale is probably fine. Anyone looking to stay busy in the woodshop will need to build up clients through social media profiles, website building, advertising, and word of mouth.

Can you make a living selling woodworking? Yes. Will it be fast and easy? That depends on how well you plan.

When I started changing my woodworking from a hobby to a more serious endeavor, I began by offering single items. Later, I advertised my woodworking skills to build what clients wanted.

Learning how to sell woodworking projects has become profitable.

Is woodworking a profitable business?

As you learn how to sell woodworking projects that you make, you will need to set realistic goals for your business. I know that it is possible to make this hobby profitable, especially if you spend your resources and time wisely by:

• Buying only the tools you need;
• Purchasing materials for projects;
• Using proper plans and layouts;
• Investing your time wisely.

Looking For More Great Woodworking  Tips? Check our comprehensive article – Woodworking Joints and When To Use Them

Is woodworking a profitable business? It can be if you spend your money on hand or power tools that will help to finish projects you are selling. Avoid impulse buys or unnecessary upgrades for your woodshop.

One of the tricks to mastering how to sell woodworking projects is buying the right amount of materials. Wood gets expensive quickly when you move from framing lumber to more exotic materials. Keep your eye out for free wood whenever possible; your wallet will thank you later.

Never build projects without a well-organized set of plans. They will allow you to cut, shape, and assemble pieces correctly the first time. A quality set of woodworking plans will also help you plan out purchases for wood and other supplies.

Layouts are also crucial for profiting when learning how to sell woodworking projects. Experience will teach you how to get the most out of every inch of surface area on a piece of lumber. You will be shocked at the money you save, especially with hard-to-source hardwoods that you order and ship from non-local sources.

Finally, the one resource you can not replace is your time. Organize your shop and prepare your workday so that there is minimal downtime. That includes stocking expendables, sharpening tools, and avoiding interruptions that take away from you finishing items you plan to sell.

Selling woodworking projects on Facebook Marketplace

Learning how to sell woodworking projects is much easier today, thanks to digital sales outlets like Facebook Marketplace that make transactions easy. Selling woodworking projects on Facebook Marketplace offers unique pros and cons, including:

• Easy listing and searching: Buyers and sellers can easily post and search for crafted items;
• Large reach: Facebook Marketplace is a busy platform, and items that you list will reach larger audiences than on other sites;
• Facebook is built for communication: It can be difficult and time-consuming to communicate questions and answers on other sites. Facebook Marketplace allows buyers and sellers to converse quickly;
• Caution required: Facebook does not vet buyers and sellers, so scams are always possible. Also, there is no delivery system, so exchanges are often face-to-face.

Learning how to sell woodworking projects on platforms like Facebook Marketplace can make a huge difference in the money you make. Like eBay, Etsy, and other digital sales outlets, there are tricks you can use that will increase your exposure and sales.

I think the most important tip is to create a post title that buyers can search and locate. Include multiple names (Dresser/Chest of Drawers, for example) or other identifiers (Oak, Cherrywood, etc.).

Another tip that will increase hits on your post will be clear images. Take pictures indoors with good lighting. Stage the item to highlight function and beauty.

If items do not sell, change the ending and reposting times. That will introduce your post to new potential buyers. Use the renew button weekly to prevent your post from getting buried.

Timing is key as you learn how to sell woodworking projects online. You can also join Facebook groups related to selling and crafting to boost exposure.

Top 5 woodworking projects to sell on Facebook Marketplace

Knowing how to sell woodworking projects has a lot to do with what you offer potential customers. You may have just made a beautiful dining room table, but many large furniture shoppers are still buying these types of items from large outlets.

I find that buyers on Facebook Marketplace will usually buy small and medium-sized items. That is especially true for the first purchase from a seller. My return customers are the ones that request larger furniture pieces or unique builds.

A good list of top 5 woodworking projects to sell on Facebook Marketplace include:

1. Farmhouse Bench: One trick to learning how to sell woodworking projects is to build functional items that buyers will use. Indoor benches are a great addition to dining rooms for extra seating and can be used to display decorative pillows. I make these using 2×4 lumber;
2. Blanket Ladder: Another functional item that is a popular decoration as well is this “ladder.” Buyers can use them for organizing other things besides blankets. You can make a decent profit for the amount of work you put in making these;
3. Raised Pet Bowl Stand: Pet owners are all over Facebook Marketplace, making them a good target audience. Dog bowl stands have grown in popularity, and I have watched many sale posts turn into sold items;
4. Step Stool: These compact seats are a cheap way to get together with possible repeat customers. These stools are quick to construct and use minimal amounts of wood. I find them easy to sell online;
5. Adirondack Chair: Outdoor furniture is popular to make as you learn how to sell woodworking projects. You can start with simple designs and work towards stylish pieces later.