If you 're like many people, you can 't help but wonder about the infinite possibilities of owning and using a 3D printer as an entrepreneur. Think about it: A manufacturing facility, right on top of your desk!
The short answer to the question of whether or not you could build a business around your new printer is yes, you certainly can. Be warned, though, as it 's already a highly competitive field, but nonetheless, wide open for creative thinkers and those willing to put in the effort.
How do you choose a niche?
Since you can create virtually anything, how do you decide what niche to get into? If you already have an area of expertise or one you 're particularly passionate about, start …show more content…
A website from which to launch and maintain your business. Grab a camera or your cellphone and start snapping images of your amazing 3D creations! They 'll be the best form of advertisement for you and also be a great source of free, non-copyrighted material for you. While some businesses start out using website creations sites, make sure the one you use allows you full ownership over the site and total control.
5. A good idea of who your target customers are going to be. No matter how gorgeous your end products, there has to be a suitable group to buy them. Think long and hard about this, unless you 're absolutely positive there 's a good market for what you intend to sell. In all honesty, it 's very easy to get carried away with the creative end of 3D design!
If you get that far and find yourself overwhelmed with excitement, as in, you can 't wait to get started, that 's a really good sign. Building a business from a 3D printer may be exciting and these amazing machines can really give you an advantage in terms of what you can create for any customer base, but it 's still a business and as such, requires the same due diligence as any other startup. How do you build your …show more content…
Consider the following 10 brand-building strategies as you move forward:
1. Defining yourself. Maybe it 's just you and your 3D printer, but you have to project an image to the world and you do that by defining your brand, first. Think of what you 're going to do and who you 're going to do it for; picture what you think they are looking for in a provider.
2. Finding your brand 's personality. Every company has a personality, even if it 's lacking in any real attitude. You probably want your business to have an exciting, easily identifiable personality.
3. Understanding your long-term customers. Your 3D printer can do just about anything, so even as you start out, think about add-on products and upgrades and how such things can help you build long-term relationships. This is vital to know as your brand identity is