Selling Products to Friends and Family

Selling your handmade products to family and friends can be a great way to start your business and build your customer base. However, it can also be a tricky situation, as you don't want to come across as pushy or ruin important relationships. In this article, we'll discuss how to sell products to family and friends without giving products away for free.

Start by building relationships
The first step in selling products to family and friends is to focus on building relationships. Instead of immediately promoting your products, take the time to catch up with your loved ones, ask about their lives, and listen to their stories. This will help you build trust and rapport, which will make it easier to sell your products down the line.

Offer value first
Once you've built a relationship, it's important to offer value before promoting your products. This could be something as simple as sharing a helpful article or recipe, offering to babysit or pet-sit for free, or providing advice on a topic you're knowledgeable about. By offering value first, you'll show your friends and family that you care about them and their needs, and they'll be more receptive to your sales pitch.

Be clear about your intentions
When you do start promoting your products, it's important to be clear about your intentions. Let your family and friends know that you're starting a business and that you'd appreciate their support. However, be careful not to come across as too pushy or desperate. Simply let them know that you have a product that you're proud of and that you think they would enjoy.  Tell your story for how you got started in making your products and why you decided to start a business.

Offer discounts, not free products
One of the biggest mistakes that small business owners make when selling to family and friends is giving away their products for free. While this may seem like a good way to get people interested in your products, it sets a bad precedent and can lead to people expecting freebies in the future. Instead of giving products away for free, offer discounts or special promotions to your loved ones. For example, you could offer a "friends and family" discount of 10-25% off for a limited time.

Be professional
Just because you're selling products to family and friends doesn't mean that you should treat it as a casual transaction. Treat your business interactions with the same level of professionalism that you would with any other customer. This means providing clear pricing and delivery information, following up on orders in a timely manner, and addressing any concerns or complaints in a respectful and professional manner.

Don't take it personally
Finally, it's important to remember that not everyone will be interested in your products, and that's okay. Don't take it personally if a family member or friend declines to make a purchase. Simply thank them for their time and let them know that you're there if they ever change their mind.  

In conclusion, selling products to family and friends can be a great way to build your business and your customer base. However, it's important to approach these interactions with care and professionalism. Focus on building relationships, offering value, and being clear about your intentions. Offer discounts instead of free products, and treat your business interactions with the same level of professionalism that you would with any other customer. By following these tips, you can sell your products to family and friends without giving products away for free.