Building Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank
At Today’s Hobbies, we know what it’s like to run a small, handcrafted business. You want your work to shine, but you don’t want to spend a fortune. Here’s how you can build your brand on a budget—just like we do every day.
#### Take Better Product Photos
You don’t need a fancy camera. Your phone is enough. Good light is the secret. Shoot near a window during the day. Turn off overhead lights to keep colors true. Use a plain background—white poster board works great. Hold your phone steady or prop it up on a stack of books. Take a few shots from different angles. Pick the clearest one. Edit with free apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile. Brighten the photo and boost the contrast a little. Don’t overdo it. Show your product as it really looks.
#### Social Media Without the Stress
You don’t have to post every day. Pick one or two
platforms where your customers hang out. For us, that’s Instagram and Facebook. Plan your posts for the week in one sitting. Use a free tool like Canva to make simple graphics. Share a mix of product shots, behind-the-scenes peeks, and customer stories. Don’t worry about going viral. Focus on real people who care about handmade work. Set a timer for 15 minutes a day to reply to comments and messages. Then log off. Your time is better spent making things than scrolling.
#### A Simple Website That Sells
You don’t need a fancy site. You need a clear one. Use a platform like Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. Pick a clean template. Use your best product photos. Write short, honest descriptions. Tell people what makes your work special. Make it easy to buy—no extra clicks. Add a contact page and a short “About” section. Link your social media. Test your site on your phone. If you get stuck, look for free tutorials on YouTube. You can build a good site in a weekend.
#### Why It Matters
At Today’s Hobbies, we
believe in keeping things simple and real. You don’t need a big budget to build a strong brand. Focus on clear photos, simple social media, and a website that works. Spend your time on what matters—making great products and connecting with real people.
If you want to see how we do it, check out our shop or reach out with questions. We’re always happy to share what we’ve learned. Let’s grow together, one handmade piece at a time.