6 Tips for Creating an Effective PowerPoint Presentation
How often have you squinted at a PowerPoint slide trying to make out tiny print? Or zoned out on what the speaker was saying because they were simply reading from their slides? Creating an effective PowerPoint slide deck will enhance your presentation and keep your audience engaged.
Bluprint Alerts Instructors to a Year’s Worth of Unanswered Customer Questions
The video on demand crafts and lifestyle channel, Bluprint, alerted instructors yesterday to a yearlong backlog of customer questions posted to their classes. These questions were, until now, inaccessible by the instructors many of whom now have a queue of thousands.
How Introvert Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness Uses Video to Communicate with Customers
Many sewists know Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness thanks to her twice-weekly live videos that feature everything from demos to Q&A, reviews, and even giveaways. But there’s something many of Sara’s customers may be surprised to know: She is a very shy introvert.
How to Deal with Customer Complaints After You’ve Made the Sale
In a perfect world, business would run smoothly. Customers would never leave negative feedback or attack a merchant for a perceived injustice. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world. Sometimes you must take the good with the bad and adapt as situations arise. So how do you handle difficult and stressful situations? Are there ways to prevent misunderstandings and future problems?
Michaels Embraces the Gig Economy With New Community Classroom Program
In a step towards embracing the gig economy, craft chain Michaels has revamped its in-store classes turning instructors into freelancers responsible for designing, pricing, and marketing their own workshops. The new Community Classroom program, which rolled out to 1,258 Michaels stores nationwide in March, allows any creative person to pitch to teach at their local Michaels store.
What to Do When the Company You’re Working With Files for Bankruptcy
Navigating your way around a bankruptcy filing is tough, but it will be easier if you understand some basics about U.S. bankruptcy law.
The Next Chapter
We have some important news to share with you today about Craft Industry Alliance’s next chapter. It’s exciting and we want you, our members and subscribers, to be the first to know.
How to Use a Content Calendar to Plan and Schedule Your Posts
Do the words “content calendar” induce an anxiety attack or make you roll your eyes? Although it may seem like an extra step, using a content calendar to organize and plan your posts and can help you think ahead and share content that’s relevant to your audience all year long. Most of all, using a content calendar allows you to reflect on your efforts and measure the effectiveness of your work so that you can improve over time. Here are some considerations to think through when choosing a content calendar for your creative business.
Yarn Industry News Update
The yarn industry appears to be in the midst of industry-wide consolidation, with this quarter seeing even more acquisitions/mergers. Diversity in the industry and concerns over the inclusion of knitters/crocheters of all races, religions, genders, ages, sizes and socio-economic statuses has been the largest topic of discussion this quarter. Although the topic has simmered for years (decades?), the popular discussion began on Instagram in February and began on Instagram before moving to other social media networks and live events. Here’s a roundup of the latest news.
Interweave Faces an Uncertain Future, Its Impact Reverberates
Interweave is facing a very uncertain future. Its parent company, F+W, filed for bankruptcy in March and the search is on to find a buyer for the books division and the magazines by June. Now is a good time to take a moment to reflect on all that this company has given to the craft community over the past 44 years.