How Often Do You Short Sell Yourself?

Throughout the years I've enjoyed participating and visiting many a craft fair. This last season, it didn't surprise me to find many wonderful and beautifully made items that were sold for little more than cost. The reasoning behind this wasn't because the item's shelf wear had gone too long. No, simply the crafter who had created the item had under estimated the product's worth.

Thus short selling not only their product, but themselves.

As a crafter and even a writer, it's sometimes hard to assess what our end products are really worth. Here's a little secret I learned long ago, and I'll share with you.  "It's only as worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it."

Yep, that's it.  Didn't help much did it?

In order to evaluate whether you are short selling yourself, you need to assess the following things:

What does it mean - short sell? To short sell yourself means that you are worth far more for your talent, skill, or as the person you are.

 Is there anything else out on the market like it? (If so, what does your competition look like - item and price wise)
What makes your product unique from all the rest?
Why would anyone want to buy this?

Starting in January to assess this about yourself and your craft is a great time. January is a slow period where the economy is taking a nap after the busy rush of the holiday season. It may seem like a slow time for you, but actually it's the best time.

It's the best time to re-evaluate your craft, take inventory of what you have to offer, and build your brand.

Why are those things so important?

Well, let's just put it this way. If you had the choice of buying a pair of jeans from your local Wal-Mart or buying a custom pair from say Old Navy. Which pair would you choose? The price of the jeans doesn't matter in this example. I think if you were to take a vote, Old Navy would win out over Wal-Mart.
Why?
Regardless to say that Wal-Mart may have had the cheaper pair of jeans, it's the fit that counts.

Just like your product and your customers.
No matter how much you short sell yourself to attract business, it's going to be the customers who "fit" with your brand than your price that comes shopping.
So today, ask yourself, "Am I short selling myself to make a buck? or do I need to re-evaluate my product and who my customers are?"