Savvy studio owners understand the importance of innovation in maintaining and enhancing their financial sustainability. Staying ahead in your market means always being on the lookout for fresh, creative methods and strategies that can differentiate your studio offerings, increase your customer base, and optimize efficiency. Whether it's adopting new pottery techniques, exploring diverse marketing channels, or incorporating new technology, studio owners should be continually evolving their business practices to ensure long-term success and stability.
In this blog post, we'll explore 5 simple ways in which pottery studios can diverify their income streams. From renting kiln space to selling pottery supplies and hosting unique workshops, there are countless opportunities for studio owners to unlock new revenue streams.
Rent Kiln Space on Kiln Share
One often overlooked source of revenue for pottery studios is renting kiln space to non-members. With kilns being the lifeblood of every studio, offering them to other artists in the local area can be a win-win situation. With interest in pottery booming worldwide, renting kiln space to local potters, newbie hobbyists, and even schools who may not have access to kilns, allows them to bring their creations to life whilst earning your studio a side income!
By charging a fee for kiln usage, studios not only generate extra revenue but also create new relationships with other potters in the area. It can be a clever way to increase foot traffic into your studio and an opportunity to promote other services and products that you may offer, such as memberships or classes.
Studio owners are in full control when they list kiln equipment on Kiln Share. The free platform allows you to set your own pricing and firing rules and you’re under no-obligation to fire a potter’s work just because they sent you a message. Whether it's temperature settings, loading instructions, or firing only specific types of clay or glazes (like those purchased from you), Kiln Share allows owners to communicate their expectations clearly on their own individual kiln listing page.
Through listing your kiln on KilnShare.com, you're not just renting out equipment – you're becoming an integral part of a local pottery community that values collaboration, creativity, and the value of ceramics.
Sell Pottery Supplies Locally
By retailing pottery supplies, studios can cater to the needs of both beginners and experienced artists in the local area and earn a healthy markup on the wholesale prices. From clay to glazes, tools to templates and everything in between, selling these essentials not only provides a convenient one-stop-shop for artists but also becomes an additional revenue stream for your studio.
One added benefit of selling pottery supplies locally is the opportunity to potentially reduce your own studio running costs as better bulk-buying discounts will be available for larger supply orders. Establishing partnerships with suppliers can also create mutually beneficial relationships which may allow you access to new product launches ahead of the market or to be part of product testing trials.
A great example of an innovative studio owner who’s taken selling pottery supplies to the next level is Mia Mueller from Pottery to the People. Every month, Mia is creating and launching new pottery templates that can be downloaded and used at home by hobbyists all over the world! It’s a fantastic and creative idea that’s making ceramics more accessible for all.
Hosting Unique Clay Workshops and Classes
With more and more people looking for mindful ‘hands-on experiences’ that let them be creative away from their screens, there’s never been a better time to host your own events. Pottery studios can leverage their experience, expertise and audience by organising in-person workshops and classes throughout the year.
These workshops can cater to various skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and cover a range of ceramics techniques i.e throwing, slab building, glazing or Raku firing. You could even host classes that tie into yearly events such as Halloween and Christmas to make the most of these celebratory periods where people are looking to buy gifts and spend time with others.
With Kiln Fire, you can sell classes and collect registrations, managing class times, registrants and more. You could even consider collaborating with local schools, community centres or corporate groups to reach new audiences and find your niche market of customers who want to get creative with clay!
Attract Wholesale Customer Orders
Local retailers are often on the lookout for unique, locally-made handcrafted products to differentiate themselves from larger competitors, which makes pottery an attractive addition to their inventory. That’s not to mention all the hospitality businesses in your local area who use tableware on a daily basis and might be interested in an exclusive collection of pieces.
If you’ve got the capacity, time and space, generating wholesale orders is a great way to increase your studio’s revenue. Working on larger orders, allows you to bulk-buy supplies to bring your costs down whilst still earning a healthy profit margin. To get started, why not create an available products list with prices and start reaching out to let businesses know you offer wholesale ordering!
For wholesaling inspiration, check out Charlotte Talbot-Mauloubier from super_ceramics on Instagram to see how creating pieces for retailers plays a vital role in the studio’s income. Kara Leigh Ford Ceramics also has some great tips about wholesaling for makers.
Start Selling Gift Cards
Gift cards and vouchers are an excellent way to attract new customers and guarantee future footfall in your studio. The best thing about vouchers is that they generate instant revenue that you can invest straight back into your studio.
When creating gift cards, it’s important to consider the different ways they can be redeemed. Offering vouchers for pottery classes and workshops, or studio time is common practice but why not extend this out to buying pottery supplies or kiln firing time. With Kiln Fire, you can sell gift cards through our platform and allow people to use them to pay for classes, memberships, or firing fees.
Gift vouchers are versatile products that have no associated ‘creation cost’ and can be marketed during special occasions such as public holidays and celebrations, making them a year-round revenue booster. Just don’t forget to shout about them through your marketing channels!
It’s Time to Increase your Pottery Studio Revenue...
Diversifying income streams is not just a smart business strategy; it's an essential step towards ensuring the long-term success of your pottery studio. By embracing opportunities such as renting kiln space, selling supplies and hosting workshops, studio owners can create a resilient business model that thrives in your community.
The key is to think creatively, engage with the local community, and turn every part of the studio into a source of inspiration and revenue. So, let the kilns fire up, the clay spin, and the creativity flow – the possibilities are limitless.
