Start Your Own Calligraphy Business

I started writing calligraphy for fun, after I saw an example of it in a history text book. I thought it was so amazing, therefore, I challenged my self to learn how to write calligraphy. I didn't realize that there were hundreds of different forms of calligraphy, and that I needed to start with one. After that though, I got a Sheaffer calligraphy fountain pen, and my first calligraphy book, which is featured directly below.

I continued writing calligraphy, for about a year. My art teacher let us choose what we wanted to learn, and helped us out individually, because of the small size of our class. She didn't know how to write calligraphy, but had an abundance of calligraphy supplies that I could use.

Then, she had an upcoming art show, and remembered my calligraphy. She had these jars filled with artifacts, and wanted me to write labels for each of them in Latin. I enjoyed it, though it was stressful, trying to perfect everything. I didn't know what to expect as a payment, but when she came to pick them up, she gave me $80! ( You should know what a client is going to pay you, before doing anything. I didn't think about this when i was given my first job.)

This was how I started, and continue getting references to do things in calligraphy such a birthday invitations.

The first thing you should do, before starting your calligraphy business, is write a business plan. This will keep you on track with your goals, so that you don't quit soon, or veer off to other ideas. Business plans also help you get all of your ideas down on paper.

When writing a business plan for calligraphy, you should include a few things. The first thing you need to think about, and then write about on your business plan, is who your customers are. This will help you realize who you are catering to, and how you will get them to choose your business. For example, if you are writing wedding invitations, you may want to bring samples of your work to wedding planners, print shops, and party planning places. This way you get your name out. Write all of this in your business plan.

Something else that should be in your business plan is your goals. I wrote my goals for year 1, year 2, and year 3. It helps you stay on track, and expand your business. I know some people who even started teaching lessons to make more money. Possibly include this in your business plan and goals.

Finally, you should include your start-up cost, and estimated earnings. This may help you, with deciding the price of invitations, when you need to stay on track with your goal.

Where do I sell my calligraphy? How do I get clients? These are some of the questions that are asked bout anyone trying to expand their calligraphy talent iin to a business. I mostly sell by references. I have had people, such as friends, tell parents, who tell friends, and soon enough contact me to have something done in calligraphy. A good way to start is doing calligraphy cheaply to gain references. Just be sure to remind them that your calligraphy won't always be so cheap. They will tell people if they are happy with it, and you will slowly get a client base.

Another thing you can do is try to sell online. I suggest starting with etsy.com, if you are interested in selling your calligraphy online. One thing that you could do is offer to write personalized letters, or cards. Just charge a certain price per word, or letter. This way, you don't get stuck writing a ridiculously long letter for low pay.

One more thing that you can do is give samples of your calligraphy to party planners. You can go to wedding planners, and just regular birthday party, or cocktail party planners. They may like your work, and refer you to their customers. This is a great way to get more publicity to.

The level of customer service that you have for your customers decides how much money you make. Honestly, if you are bad with follow ups, and dodn't correct mistakes, your calligraphy business will have a bad reputation. One bad review at the beginning could ruin your business. If I read a bad review, why wouldn't I just go to someone with better service?

There are a couple of things you should do in order to have goo customer service. One thing, one of the most important things, is contacting your client to update them on how their invitations, or whatever you are doing is coming along. This will make the client feel comfortable with your service.

Also, you should always have your invitations done on time, or done early. If not, you could ruin your clients plans, therefore, make the client angry. Then the client may write a bad review about you online, or just tell everyone that you are bad.

Lastly, if you make a mistake, It is your job to fix it. Remember that when starting a business, no matter how wrong or stupid the customer is, always treat them with politeness, and make them happy.