people often ask how to earn a living cutting wood

April 6, 201214 yr

When I weigh in on those threads I usually talk aboutÂ finding the customer base that suits both your style andÂ income expectations and then marketing to them.

For most guys thinking of goingÂ into woodworking as a businessÂ ( no matter how expert they may be) that is a bit of a hard sell. They tend not to be comfy in that crowdÂ with theÂ multi-million dollar yachtsÂ & the multi-million dollar NYC condos,Â or the high toned big city club set. they become reasonably frustrated when the flea markets simply don't have people who can or will pay what the work is worth and it is a sad but true fact that the really wealthy people don't surf the internet.

Here is a tip:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/garden/carol-egans-single-twist-shelf.html?_r=1

Don't go looking for the wealthy people.Â

Go lookingÂ for those people who serve them like the woman in the article. She does interiors and she's the sort of personÂ that the expert level woodworker can more easily approach. The interior design person will be interested in your waresÂ - - because he or she ain't buying them, and they will appreciate you being yet one more arrow in their quiver.

So put a portfolio together of your work photographed well preferably by an expert with a camera andÂ find these peopleÂ who do interior design for the high toned moneyed class and go press the flesh, buy 'em coffee and show your stuff. You also want to see their stuffÂ because it tells them you are picky AND you don't want to waste your time trying to sell through people who just can't get your prices because their clients aren't the right sort.