minne Special! A thorough dissection of the appeal of minne, a handmade marketplace that caters to everyone from beginners to professionals!

Hello!
I'm the owner of a handmade blogkanahina I'm a handmade blogger.😊

This time, I'd like to introduce you to a new blog created by GMO Pepabo in 2012 with the aim of providing a place where anyone can casually present their works.minnea "place where anyone can showcase their creations in a casual manner.
In the first part, we will introduce the operating background, platform features and functions, and the reasons why the platform is supported by "low barriers to entry" and "professional security.
The second part covers application functions, fees, global expansion, offline policies, and FAQs!

🛍What kind of service is minne?

minnewas launched in October 2012.
Operated by GMO Pepabo, Inc., it is currently one of the largest handmade markets in Japan with over 930,000 registered artists and more than 17 million items listed.

With the philosophy of "creating a place where people who want to make and buy can easily connect online," the market is active in a wide range of fields, from hobbyist beginners to star artists with monthly sales of over 1 million yen.

🗂️ Wide range of genres handled

Over **30 categories** from accessories, fashion goods, interior, art works, baby/kids goods, food, and antiques.
The appeal of our diverse lineup goes beyond handmade products to include handmade kits, materials, and digital contents.

🏢 Operating Company & Scale

Registered artists range from beginners to veterans, and by 2024, minne will have approximately 2 million monthly visitors.
With the No. 1 customer attraction power in Japan and the low threshold for free listing, minne is the ideal platform for debut artists.

⚙️ Key features that encourage users to exhibit their works

1. free listing & easy registration

You can list as many works as you like immediately after registering as a member. No monthly or listing fees are required.

2. easy Minneko Pack

A nationwide flat-rate shipping package provided by Yamato Transport. Automated invoice issuance and tracking greatly reduces the time and effort required for shipping.

3. review & message function

The review posting rate is as high as about 40%. The message function facilitates order consultation and troubleshooting.

4. detailed access analysis

Check the number of PVs and favorites on the artwork pages in real time. You can grasp the top-selling sizes and colors with the data.

🎯 Low barrier to entry & professional security

• Free & Easy to StartNo PC required, even for beginners. Complete the process from photographing to exhibiting with a smartphone app.
• Reasonable commissionSales commission is 10.89% (10.56% with minne PLUS), which is lower than the industry standard.
• Large customer base2 million users per month, providing plenty of opportunities for new artists to sell.
• Achievements of Star AuthorsMany successful cases of monthly sales of over 1 million yen. Step-up to professional activities is possible.

These strengths are the main reasons why minne is supported by a wide range of authors, from handmade beginners who choose minne as their "first step" to professional creators who aim for stable sales.
The free and easy-to-use smartphone-based service allows you to get started without hesitation, and the extensive review function and access analysis keep you motivated to create.

In addition, the site's ability to attract a large number of customers and the variety of sales channels (featured publication, event participation, and overseas sales) make it easy for any work to reach the eyes of users without being buried under the surface.
I believe that this combination of "ease of starting" and "ease of selling" is the reason why minne is chosen by the largest number of artists.😊

⭐ Summary of ratings and reviews

We collected minne reviews and summarized the appeal from the seller's point of view💖

• Great ease of listing items
  Even beginners can easily get started with minne, as everything from member registration to selling items can be completed on a smartphone.
• Minneco Pack is convenient
  Many customers say it is easy to manage everything from issuing invoices to tracking, even for first-time shippers.
• High review rate
  About 40% of purchasers post reviews. It is easy to get feedback, which can be used for improvement.
• Free Listing & Low Commission
  No monthly fee for exhibiting, and 10.89% commission is creator-friendly.
• Strong Customer Attracting Power
  2 million visitors a month check out your work. Even newcomers can easily sell their works.
• Optimize sales with data
  Detailed analysis of PV and favorite counts is available, which is useful for planning the next work.
• Extensive sales promotion measures
  Feature articles, e-mail newsletters, and SNS links increase exposure of works.
• Enhanced community support
  Create horizontal connections among artists through exchanges and learning at minne college and LAB.
• Global support
  English-language switching and overseas delivery service lowers the hurdles for cross-border sales.
• Safe trading environment
  Settlement and delivery support by GMO Pepabo minimizes the risk of trouble.
• Extensive beginner's guides
  Official help and video tutorials provide detailed support for the listing process.
• Promotional effect with regular sales.
  Seasonal sale specials such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Halloween are popular for increasing sales.
• Community Forum
  There is an active online forum where writers can share their success know-how and concerns with each other.
• Push Notification Function
  Notification of new releases to followers, leading to the acquisition of repeat customers.
• Increased attention with ranking postings
  Access and sales increase rapidly when you are in the real-time popularity rankings.
• Multi-device optimization
  Easy-to-use management screen for PCs, smartphones, and tablets, allowing operation on the go.
• Sales promotion through e-mail newsletters
  Special features and new release information can be delivered directly to users by posting email newsletters from the management.
• Various payment options
  Credit card, convenience store payment, carrier payment, PayPay, etc. are supported to lower the purchase hurdle.
• minne college courses
  Learn practical skills in online courses such as photography and marketing.
• Event Linkage Information
  My Page allows you to centrally manage exhibition applications and the latest information on minne-sponsored events.

📱 Expand your sales experience with the official application

• Support for ExhibitorsShooting, correction, and publication are completed in a few taps
• Order NotificationPush notification of new orders and messages
• Shipping ManagementIn-app delivery management: In-app invoice issuance for Raku-Raku Minneco Pack
• Sales ConfirmationCheck the status of sales and transfers at any time
• Access AnalysisPV and favorite counts for each work are available at your fingertips.

Supported OS: iOS, Android
App Store Rating★4.8 (369,000), Google Play Rating★4.6, and is well-received for its intuitive and easy-to-use operation.

💰 Details of Listing Plans & Fees

A simple, performance-based fee structure with zero initial costs and low commission rates maximizes creators' profits.

🌐 Global Expansion & Collaboration

• Overseas Sales ServiceWe offer a variety of international shipping services, including: WorldShopping, neokyo, Bibian, and others, allowing you to simply send your artwork to domestic destinations and have it delivered to users around the world.
• Multilingual explanation supportEnglish and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) descriptions can be added to the artwork page. By using the limited public page, you can maintain the Japanese page and publish another version of your work for the overseas market.
• Seller bears the same commission fee.Seller bears the same handling fees as for domestic shipments. The same minne sales fees apply as for domestic shipments.

You can register and accept orders in Japanese, and GMO Pepabo's support system allows you to take on the challenge of international sales with peace of mind.
Feel free to showcase your work to craft enthusiasts around the world!
The above information has been researched to the best of our knowledge, but please check the official minne website for the latest information.

🤝 Community expansion through offline measures

• minne's handmade marketminne Handmade Market: Held annually in major cities across Japan. Great opportunity to interact directly with customers and gain fans.
• minne LABminne LAB: Artist exchanges and workshops are held at real locations in Tokyo and Kobe (Setagaya LAB will be closed in 2022).
• Handmade in Japan Fes.Handmade in Japan Fes. Brand power is enhanced at this large-scale event that attracts 50,000 people nationwide.

By combining the convenience of online shopping with the experiential value of a real event, minne offers the "fun of picking up" and "peace of mind of being able to purchase at any time" that only minne can provide.

Users who discover a work on the web, see it in person at an event, and are captivated by it, and then go on to purchase it again on their smartphones - this is our greatest strength in attracting new customers both online and offline, and nurturing fans into repeat customers.
In addition, direct communication at events enhances the artists' brand trust, creating a virtuous cycle that spreads by word of mouth and SNS.😊

📣 SNS & Community

• Instagram（@minne_official)300,000 followers: Posting your works attracts more customers!
• X (@minne_official)X (@minne_official): Provides event information and artist case studies.
• Official magazine "minne MAG.: Introduces photography, sales promotion know-how, and successful case studies.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

🎉 Summary: Expand your creator life with minne!

minneis more than just a handmade marketplace; it is a platform that offers both "ease of starting" and "ease of selling.

The free, smartphone-complete listing flow, a reasonable commission rate of 10.89%, the ability to attract a large number of customers, and reliable logistics support by Rakuraku Minneko Pack - these are just a few of the features that make minne a platform that is more than just an easy-to-start handmade marketplace.
All of these will lead your creator activities to the next stage.

Whether you are a first-time creator or a seasoned veteran, minne's unique
Whether you are a first-time creator or an established veteran, minne's unique features include: a list of potential customers who have registered their favorites, interactive communication through the review and message functions, and opportunities for exposure through participation in events and feature articles.You can steadily increase the power of your brand by taking advantage of the following features of minne.

You can also connect directly with fans through community initiatives such as "minne's Handmade Market" and "minne LAB," which cross online and real life, and experience the joy of refining your new creations based on real feedback.

Why don't you take your first step toward making things with minne?