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A while back I had posted some pics of accessory bits I am planning on selling (armored pauldrons etc) and wanted to get an opinion from the masses.

I've sculpted more since then, some armored doors for vehicles and some weapon options for power armor troopers. I've just started on some "modular" Beastmen as well that will have options so they can be used for fantasy or sci-fi games.

I'm trying to decide which would be better to start out with, selling on Ebay or a proper website. Selling on Ebay has the advantage of being easy, except for the fees.

A proper website wouldn't have those fees but I don't know a thing about HTML or how to make a website, and money is tight right now so I can't really afford to hire someone to do it.

So I was then thinking of doing a small Kickstarter for the parts to generate some money to get a proper website, this would also have the benefit of basically having pre-orders for the parts and I could judge how "popular" the parts are and I would know exactly how many parts to produce to start.

One step I still need to do, which was recommended by several members here, was to talk to an attorney but that costs money as well.

I'm also going to call it Wolfshead Miniatures. I admit I'm a Robin Hood fan and I like the sound of it. A friend of mine made a banner for me, pic attached, but I think it needs some "finessing".

So I'm basically trying to decide where to go from here, this is my first time setting up a business and I want it to be successful and you guys have a lot of really good suggestions/recommendations so I want to know what you think.

Hi Fella!
I started selling on the forums to get feedback, then started a free webstore http://www.freewebstore.org/ . Then when I had a reliable turnover stated a proper website www.zinge.co.uk powered by opencart and only just started selling on ebay recently (should have been sooner).
Good pictures and descriptions are very important.
Cheers
Kit

Lets see what ya got!

Launch a kick starter before you waste time and money configuring your own website.

If your kick starter fails then it is no big deal as you've only lost time it took the type your perks/product description.

Making a website can be very misleading as you need to pay for someone to host the site, the domain name, and potentially templates from which you will base the website off (as you have no programming experience).

Your biggest challenge as a new website would be search engine optimization and attacking traffic in general.... there can be additional costs here as well for advertisement.

Mechanicalhorizon, glad to see you're moving ahead with this. I have no experience is sales, so can't comment on what is better from that standpoint. I will only say, almost all 3rd party bits and bases sites I use, I found initially on Ebay. Being listed on Ebay will generate the greatest exposure in my opinion. I notice a number of Ebay sellers maintain an Ebay store and a webstore. The store is not accessible via Ebay, but all their images have the store URL.

It might be worth starting with Ebay and moving onto a webstore after becoming established. It will help you work out any manufacturing and distribution kinks initially and not have to deal with webstore issues as well. Once you are confident with everything, open up the webstore. Should the webstore not workout, you can always move back to Ebay.

On word of advices. Your Paypal account for the store, separate it from your main bank account and have it at different bank. Should there be an issue with Paypal, they have the right to freeze your account while the issue is investigated. That way you can still pay bills and rent should something go awry.

I'll probably do a mix of Ebay and a basic website, like the one Zinge recommended.

I'm at the point now where I need to make the master molds and get some castings to photograph. I think at first I should cast up some stock, about 100 pieces of each part just in case. I don't want to have to rush and cast to order every time.

I have no idea what kind of sales volume to expect though.

Starting a different Paypal and bank account sounds like a good idea.

I think I have an advantage when it comes to the manufacturing end since I have a lot of experience making molds and casting I get about a 90% fill rate and most of my molds last to about 70 pulls.

I guess one of my hesitations is "What if I fail". I know there are a number of other bits makers that are successful and my sculpts are very good ones, but there's still that nagging doubt!

One other benefit of a Kickstarter is it can give you some lead time. Even if you dont make the goal, if interest is generated in the product you currently do have you will get to see which items people are interested in and begin casting accordingly.

If nothing else it will give you a head start on knowing what people will want. And should it take off- if your sculpts are good and you can present them well, you could not jsut get your current line up and running but possibly get set up for other projects you've had to hold back on.

That being said- if the stuff in your Deviantart link is all your work- you shouldn't have much difficulty generating interest in selling bits if thats your level of talent. With that sort of resume it could be a huge boost of credibility/legitimacy to a kickstarter.

When you think about it- most KS projects are done on pure speculation- mostly digital concept art- and the gamble- pure gambling- that the 3D prints will come out looking like the artwork. An established sculptor however-with product ready to go? Thats much less of a gamble. If anything I'd say if you go with a Kickstarter be prepared to have several stretch goal ideas ready to go- and time frames for being able to deliver them to backers at various levels.

Don't be afraid to say 'This is what I have done' so people know your work and realize its already out there and they might very likely have some of your work if they play the right games

 Mistress of minis wrote:
That being said- if the stuff in your Deviantart link is all your work- you shouldn't have much difficulty generating interest in selling bits if thats your level of talent. With that sort of resume it could be a huge boost of credibility/legitimacy to a kickstarter.

Yup, it's all mine except some work on the Skorne Gargantuan and Troll Battle Engine.

The Skorne Gargantuan was sculpted "naked" by Jason Hendricks and was given to me to sculpt all the rest of the details.

The Troll Battle Engine had the Trollkin sculpted by Todd Harris and the Buffalo was sculpted by Steve Saunders, I did the Battle Engine itself.

Ya, you shouldnt have any problems. I also sent you a PM

Theres two main problems with the accessory bitz market- the first is poor quality casting. Thats easily remedied with patience and technical knowledge(which you seem to have).

The second is quality sculpting. There are alot of rather shoddy bitz out there, but people buy them anyways because there aren't many (if any) other options for some of the items they want.

So if you sculpts stuff thats cooler than everyone elses, and cast it well, it should sell itself.