Hey craft business owners! This gift guide is just for you. If someone has been asking you what you want this holiday, we know you’ll find some things on this list that you’ll need and love. Treat your business (and yourself) to something fun this holiday season!
Making Things is a new web app that launched on October 30 to the knit and crochet community and has provoked intense online discussion about the cost of pattern, designer compensation, and disclosure of affiliate links. Created by Megan Elizabeth and her partner, Rob Andrew, and based in Melbourne, Australia, Making Things is a monthly subscription service providing access to over 1,000 patterns as well as web-based pattern reading tools including stitch counters, row highlighters, chart grids, and editable notes, plus 24-hour live pattern support.
Online course platforms, of which there are more than three dozen, can be divided into four categories: stand-alone platforms, all-in-one platforms, marketplace platforms and WordPress plug-ins. The ones chosen for this article are those most fitting for craft entrepreneurs.
Social media strategist and video creator Jennifer Priest recently led a webinar for CIA called Know What Works: Make Videos that Capture Attention. She put together this list of suggested video equipment for all skill levels.
You know you should be making videos, but who has the time? Social media strategist and video creator Jennifer Priest will lead you through workflows and methods for creating video content on a budget and in very little time. We’ll discuss live video, social media video, and other ways to create and share video content […]
Have you have been using MailChimp to gather your email addresses, but that is about as much as you have managed to do? Is the thought of trying to get your head around Mailchimp is enough to make you put your head under the covers and hope the moment passes? This webinar is for you! […]
As creative business owners, we have to keep on top of many things at once. Sometimes it can feel like we spend more time tied to the computer than crafting, and that’s not a great feeling! Fiona Pullen is the owner of The Sewing Directory and the author of Craft a Creative Business. She uses a series of apps to stay productive and organized and work more efficiently. Learn to use a few of these apps and you’ll free up the time to focus on what you really enjoy.
Do you find yourself writing the same types of emails over and over again for your business? Programs Like Gmail’s Canned Responses and Text Expander can help you streamline your approach to answering emails, and free up more time for marketing, shipping orders, or anything else that might need attention your business. I use canned responses to speed up replies to wholesale requests, client questions, customer support, job applicants, and more.
No small business owner can develop personal relationships with every customer to nurture the relationship. That’s where email automation can help.
As small business owners (and individuals for that matter), staying organized is a constant challenge. Trello is a useful tool to help with organization and today Erin Weisbart shares the variety of ways she’s been using it and perhaps you’ll want to begin using Trello for your own small business as well.
Hey craft business owners! This gift guide is just for you. If someone has been asking you what you want this holiday, we know you’ll find some things on this list that you’ll need and love. Treat your business (and yourself) to something fun this holiday season!
There are dozens of craft inventory software packages to choose from, and it can be difficult to determine what needs to be tracked. Here’s an overview to help you chose which one is the right one for your craft business!
Surveys and polls can help you understand your customers and followers much better than social media reactions because they allow you to target the specific information you’re interested in to grow your business and engage your community.
As a small business owner, chances are good that you are taking the photos, editing them, and posting them. Put your best photo forward with these free and/or inexpensive apps, all recommended by members of the CIA community.
It’s possible to create beautiful photographs of with your camera phone. Follow this advice and embrace the potential of your pocket-sized wonder.
Leanne Pressly of Stitchcraft Marketing suggests that small business owners use Instagram bots to engage their audience to help grow their followings.
Evernote is one of the best organizational apps out there. Hanna Lisa shares her experience and expert tips on how to use Evernote to bring structure to your creative business.
Payroll services can keep you on track, keep you compliant, and save you time. Time card apps can help you and your employees and contractors keep track of their hours.
Payroll software is easy, affordable, and reliable. The right system can make sure that bringing on help will save you time instead of causing you headaches.