Hi!
I'm just wondering whether designing sb kits (digi) can be a financially viable business? Are there any of you out there who make a living like this? If so how much time does it take, is it your sole income, does it fit round family etc etc...??!
Am just starting out designing and my stuff's been quite popular so am considering whether this may be my next career (or not!).
Thanks for your time
Lizzie xx

I think most designers will tell you that they couldn't make this their main source of income.

There are a lot of designers out there, and only a handful make a "full time" income. Most designers put in a lot of hours (some work at night, or during kid's naps) and try to work around their little ones.

Designing is not my sole income. DH works full time and I'm a stay at home mom. I bring in a little each month that helps me buy things that I want.

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Mirranda
Creating, Designing, Scrappin', Lovin' It!

I agree. I make a very small amount each month and most of it goes to support the site that I maintain. If there is ANY left over, I put it towards a kit I had my eye on for a while or something. There is rarely any left over.

My DH works and I work two jobs other than scrapping so that I can stay home with my little girl. I do scrapping when she is asleep.

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My Blog
Emma's Blog

Personally, I do it for the love of learning and creating - if I can make a few bucks out of it to pay for my own purchases or magazine subscriptions, then great, but I doubt that you will make enough to earn a living if you just do digital scrapbooking. If you did, then I'm sure you would probably need to put A LOT of effort and time into it, and it would practically be a full time job. It's not just the designing and selling, it's the marketing and research that a lot of people underestimate too

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Annette

Yes I think that you can BUT I know that it doesn't happen over night. I've been designing for over a year but only selling in a store for about 3-4 months and I haven't made enough to cover a meal at McDonalds yet. Unfortunately!

That said, I do it for the love and know that it simply takes time to market and get your name out there and gather a following. That is my problem - self promotion. I am a busy person. Very busy. I barely have time to design so getting kits actually put together is a challenge, but I enjoy doing it. Now saying "hey I did this and it is for sale here" is another story. I am hoping that I'll start to clear some of my schedule and be able to get more out and in the store and the rest will start to come too. It is hard to say "hey I am new and exciting" when I release a kit every 2-3 months.

I hope to make enough to have petty cash to go into a craft store and spend $50 for a project I know I won't get to right away but want to do (like make a quilt for my best friend for years and years) and NOT feel guilty about spending the money. And to support my computer habit.

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~*~ Stacey ~*~
Mother to 3 boys | Digital Scrapbooking Junkie | Web Designer | Digital Scrapbook Kit Designer

Thanks for all your replies...certainly food for thought. My worry about only commiting part-time to it is not being able to generate enough stuff to fulfill commitments with a shopping site (I've previously worked freelance as a textile designer and struggled sometimes to come up with my quota of work - despite time constraints I also hate having the pressure of having to produce something, even if it's not your best just to make up the numbers IYSWIM?). But then again, giving it your all and having nothing to show for it at the end of the day is also a little daunting - I know that there will come a time soon when my dh will be expecting me to join the wage-earning population again and pay off our mortgage!Hmmm...lots to think about!!
Thanks again for your time.
Lizzie xx

I say start small and realistic and see where it goes. I recently started promoting my part-time photography business a bit more and lo and behold.. I've been quite successful the past few months making more $$ than I really expected to... and the best part is.. I'm having a great time with it, learning a lot in the process and meeting some terrific folks. I didn't have very high expectations but just kept at it and it worked out. If you have a good product that is in demand, then you should be sucessful.

In your case, the start-up costs to do this is very low (assuming you already own photoshop).. Just purchase a domain name, some web space and create yourself a nice website. Use paypal as a back end for credit card sales and also except orders via email. For as little as $10 a month, you can have yourself a working shopping cart website and all it takes from you is the content and a blog.

Good Luck to you!

You can get free business counseling from the small business development centers. Find a local one at asbdc-us.org.