Raksha Bandhan falls on August 28 and Krishna Janmashtami on September 4, and the run up to these two festivals is turning into a genuine home based earning opportunity for many women. In the weeks before Raksha Bandhan, women across the country start making designer rakhis at home, getting them ready in time for the fairs and exhibitions that spring up ahead of the festival.
Janmashtami brings its own demand
Alongside rakhis, Janmashtami creates another window for home based income. Around this festival, women make designer outfits for Laddu Gopal idols, a range of other costumes, and decorative items for the home. Once this stock is ready, it gets sold at the same seasonal fairs and exhibitions, bringing in a solid income.
Start with proper training
Priyanka explains that anyone who wants to get into this work should first take some training. Several women run workshops out of their own homes where this craft can be learned. Those who cannot attend an in person workshop can also watch videos online and practice at home instead. According to Priyanka, the very first step is to get properly skilled at making designer rakhis.
Chasing the latest trend matters
Priyanka stresses that the biggest requirement in this business is to keep following new trends. If the same kind of items are displayed at every exhibition, customers will not warm up to the rakhis or the Laddu Gopal outfits as much. That means spending time observing what is popular, going online to check what is currently in demand, and putting together a genuinely unique collection, similar to how Snapchat themed rakhis or Instagram themed rakhis have caught on recently.
Solving the marketing puzzle
Once the products are ready, the next big worry is how to market them. Priyanka suggests starting with a WhatsApp group made up of every woman in one's own circle. Short videos of each product should be shared in that group regularly, and also posted on one's status. On top of that, setting up an Instagram profile and a Facebook account, complete with a contact number, helps customers reach out directly.
Fashion exhibitions bring direct sales
Priyanka also points out that setting up a stall at fashion exhibitions is another strong option. These events draw in a large number of customers, which helps build a solid contact network as well. Reaching out directly to whoever is organising such exhibitions is worth doing, since sales made there tend to be brisk. In fact, on some days, sales at a single exhibition have touched as much as 10 thousand rupees.
