Image: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels

If you've decided to make the leap into selling your 3D prints online, then you're probably excited to get started. But what if you've never sold anything on the internet before? How do you go about selling your products strategically? How do you find customers? That's what we're discussing today. We've got five of the top-selling strategies to help you make that first sale and every sale thereafter.

Tip 1: Find the Right Products to Sell

• Research Products You Can Market

It can often be overwhelming to find products to 3D print and then sell. Moreover, many people struggle with where to start. But, basic market research doesn't have to be a huge production. Instead, think about the communities you already frequent. Are there common problems in those communities that 3D printing might help solve? Is there a product in those communities that everyone wishes someone would make, but no one has yet? Fantastic. When you start thinking in terms of solving problems, finding the right product becomes much easier.

• Focus On Unique Designs and Item Customization

A good place to start is in the world of customization. Because even if someone else is selling a print like yours, adding customization options can draw customers to you instead of your competition. These can range from phone cases and tabletop miniatures to toys, decor, and even art items. And customization doesn't need to be complex to be lucrative. Just offering items in filament colors that your competition doesn't offer can be enough to sway buyers in your direction.

Tip 2: Optimize Your Online Business Presence

• Select the Best Online Marketplace for Your Products

Even if you've found the perfect product, you still need a place to sell it. There are many popular marketplaces that can help. Online hobby and reseller sites such as Etsy and eBay will let you list your products for a small portion of the sales proceeds. If you have an Amazon Seller account, you can even list your product on Amazon.

Of course, there are pros and cons to each of these sites. Amazon, for example, will require a much more extensive listing than a site like eBay. But an Amazon listing has the potential to reach a wider audience than selling on Etsy.

• Create Compelling Product Listings

If you want to attract the most customers, you'll need to write compelling listings, and you'll need to take some exceptional photos of your products. If you're not the best writer, or you don't know your way around a camera, it might help to consider working with a professional who is. On the other hand, if you've been taking photos for years or writing stories in your free time, you might just be the perfect person for the job!

Research will help here. Look at the structure and photos of the top-selling 3D-printed products, and use them as a model for your listings.

Note: Make sure you don't copy content or product listings. Doing so can land you in all sorts of trouble. If you have questions about what is acceptable to use and what isn't, you should consult a legal professional.

Image: Andrea Piaquadio / Pexels

Tip 3: Offer Competitive Pricing For Your 3D-Printed Items

• Calculate Your Costs Accurately

There are numerous costs to consider when deciding how much to charge for your 3D-printed items. The cost of filament and shipping materials, the cost of running your 3D printer, the time it takes to create items, and the amount of overhead are all costs that should be factored into your pricing.

• Avoid Undervaluing Your Work

Remember, you're pricing items from the perspective of a business, not from the perspective of a one-person hobbyist. Which means your business should make a profit. So, make sure you're charging enough! It's important to be realistic, however, and not charge so much that you scare your customers into the arms of your competition.

When in doubt, find out what other makers' prices are for the same types of 3D-printed products, and adjust yours accordingly. Also, if one of your products is selling well, you should consider charging more for it.

Tip 4: Provide Personalized Customer Service

• The Value of Customer Communication

Have you ever had a terrible customer service experience? Do you remember how it felt to be treated like your business wasn't valued? That's the feeling you want to avoid when it comes to servicing your customers. The key here is to communicate with them frequently, quickly, and professionally. If you make communication a priority, your customers will certainly notice.

• Manage Your Customer's Expectations

Speaking of professionalism, an important aspect is transparency regarding potential production issues. If your printer breaks down, and you can't fill orders, then you need to explain the delay to your customers. Candor when things are going wrong is an important step in building trustworthy relationships with the people who buy from you. Be proactive and forthcoming about problems. Your customers will appreciate it.

Tip 5: Effectively Market Your 3D-Printed Products

• Choose The Right Social Media Platforms

Social media is an excellent resource for showcasing your 3D-printed items. Creating TikToks, or Instagram Reels, offers the opportunity to give your customers insight into your products and into your business. Use them to your advantage. YouTube and other video sites can also work effectively. However, the rules for creating engaging content apply here-don't waste time, offer value, capture attention, and sell the benefits of your product.

Image: Pixabay

• Utilize SEO and Content Marketing

If you're serious about selling 3D-printed items and building your business, eventually you'll need to start looking into Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and online content marketing. These two fields can help you provide value to your customers, and can help you get your products listed at the top search engines.

On the other hand, SEO and content marketing are important, but the most important aspect is helping your customers in some way. Solving their problems is the key to your continued success.

Start Your 3D Printing Business Today

In this post, we've discussed five top tips, in detail, to get you started on the road to your first 3D print sale. These tips offer you an edge over your competition, are easy to implement, and they really work. So, try them out for yourself, and let us know how they've helped you down in the comments.

Oh, and if you're in the market for a new 3D printer, we're currently offering some exceptional savings on our AnkerMake M5 and our AnkerMake M5C 3D printers. Both machines are excellent for beginners, and experienced makers alike. We've also got some spectacular deals and discounts on 3D printer filament and accessories, so make sure you check them out.

Happy Printing!