Handmade Business Podcast

Having been through a few recessions with my own businesses I can certainly understand the strain you are feeling right now… a recession is like a slow speed car crash you can see happening but are unable to do almost anything to prevent. You know your business will be hit, but it feels like you are powerless to dictate, by how much. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has so far been a surreal high-speed version of a recession, with orders and craft shows being cancelled overnight. Today on the blog I wanted to give you some tips I have found helped me during recessions that might help your business during these unsettling times. Watch the video and then check out the SHOW NOTES

Founded in 2008, Folksy has become known as the biggest UK based Etsy alternative, still dedicated to handmade products. Today on the podcast I want to explore this alternative with you, so you can see just how good an option it could be. Watch the video and then check out the SHOW NOTES

There you are with that tightening pit in your stomach – is this the worst craft show you have ever done? You have worked weeks to put this craft stall together and you just aren’t making sales, because either people are uninterested, or non-existent and you feel like crying! Hey, we have all had those moments and I’m here today to help you with how to make the most of a bad situation… that’s right, how to salvage this steaming turd of a show and turn things around for you going forward. Listen to the podcast and then check out the SHOW NOTES

Sometimes it feels like one of the hardest things is to drive continuous website traffic to your handmade business. You try all kinds of things, but nothing really seems to help and it’s frustrating as hell! The worst thing is that the more you read about strategies and traffic hacks, the more confused you feel and the more time these tips take away from your making. Believe me I completely understand, in fact I felt exactly the same way about my craft business website until I found a formula that worked for me to help drive traffic on autopilot. Today on the podcast we are going to be talking about how I changed my website traffic dilemma and how you can too. SHOW NOTES

In 2020 I hope to bring the Craft Business School to a location near you and create a pop-up space where you can come and find the help you need in either starting a craft business, or growing your craft business sales. I’m starting off my journey in Westpoint, Exeter at Craft4Crafters 13-15th February. Watch or listen to today’s podcast to find out what the Craft Business school is all about and how you can get involved!   SHOW NOTES

It’s been an amazing year this year and I want to THANK YOU FOR THAT! I will be back mid January 2020 with season 4

Whilst in our personal lives Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year”, as a sole-trading hand producer, it can quite frankly feel stressful

With the new year fast approaching it is time to sit down and plan out what 2020 looks like for our businesses and create your small business goals. Today on the podcast we will be looking at the 3 main growth goals you should be including in your 2020 vision. SHOW NOTES

Starting a successful craft business whilst working full time can feel daunting. You find yourself asking, ‘How much time do I need to give this new business?’ ‘How long will it take me to get going with sales?’ And even, ‘What exactly do I need to do in order to get there?’ All perfectly valid questions and you aren’t alone in asking them. Recently whilst I was teaching craft business workshops at Stitchfest in Totnes, I was asked the very same questions and so I wanted to take some time today to address the strategy I would put into place, if I were to start my craft business under the same circumstances.   SHOW NOTES

With 2020 fast approaching you are starting to think about what next year will hold for your craft business and just like me your first goal will be to increase your income.

If you have been following along with my holiday marketing series this month you will already have an idea of how I do things and the kind of content I know will serve you well, in the quest to precure more sale this Christmas. Today on the blog

At this time of year we are deep into holiday marketing for our craft business, hoping that we have everything just right in order to get as many sales as we can in this competitive arena. Today on the podcast

In today’s show I want to take you through 5 marketing ideas that I think will bring you both brand awareness and sales this coming holiday season for your craft business and handmade products… and what’s more, is that most of these ideas are really quite simple to set up! Don’t forget to go to the SHOW NOTES at https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/holiday-marketing-plan  too, because over there I am going to take you through a copy and past version of my marketing plan strategy, so that you can get started putting your content out there in a way that works for you, while you cope with sales and holiday season shipping.   Also mentioned - CRAFT BIZ INCUBATOR - https://my-indie-life-academy.teachable.com/p/craft-biz-incubator And - GROW YOUR SALES BLUEPRINT - https://www.myindielifeblog.net/grow-your-sales

Preparing my business for the holiday season is going to be a busy moment this year and just like you I have marketing I NEED to do! What I thought would be good is to show you that I practise exactly what I preach by starting a new series on holiday marketing and showing you behind the scenes of my holiday marketing prep here at HQ. SHOW NOTES - https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/holiday-marketing-prep Next week I’ll be sharing my tips on how to create your perfect marketing plan! When you have caught up with the show tell me; What product are you marketing for the holiday season? I’d love to hear from you – comment below

Running a successful craft business is one of the proudest achievements of my working career. Why? Because it was my passion and it taught me so much! Not just about business, but about life too. Today on the podcast, I want to explore running a successful craft business further by giving you the 5 biggest lessons I learnt from my 11 years in business. Now listen up, because I know you are going to need to hear this! SHOW NOTES - https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/successful-craft-business-confessions   Resources mentioned – GROW YOUR SALES BLUEPRINT https://www.myindielifeblog.net/grow-your-sales   Running a successful craft business isn’t based on luck, it’s based on a myriad of knowledge and most importantly the right mindset. In order to navigate your maze of success you will need to be focused, resilient, motivated and above all patient, because there will be a lot you will need to learn how to do well. Just don’t be too hard on yourself while you are learning! Tell me; What’s your biggest confession

Today on the podcast I want to see if I can help those of you who haven’t yet reached out and show you some of the issues your struggling business has and how to fix them in order to be successful. I often get asked this question by coaching clients and podcast viewers at the beginning of their journey with me. It’s often asked by someone feeling deflated and frustrated that their craft business isn’t doing as well as they thought or hoped. As I look into their eyes or read their email, I can sense the desperation in finding an answer that is both simple and transformative, like a magic tap that they can turn on to start the flow of sales.

Shipping your products around the globe

I’ve seen many online sources tell you that shipping policies aren’t required by law ❌ and  on the podcast

On the 31st of July 2019 A.C. Moore launched their handmade marketplace in conjunction with Zibbet. Today on the podcast I want to look at the new A.C. Moore marketplace with you, to find out if it could be an Etsy alternative, or a secondary platform to sell your items through.   SHOW NOTES - https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/etsy-alternative-acmoore-marketplace GROW YOUR SALES BLUE PRINT - https://www.myindielifeblog.net/grow-your-sales   Tell me; What do you think of the new A.C. Moore marketplace? I’d love to hear from you – comment below