Ecommerce Platform Fees Calculator
With all of the ecommerce choices out there, it can be difficult to know which option is best for you. We’ve built this calculator the will help you compare all of the most common platforms.
Recorded Webinar: How to Use Squarespace to Create a Unique and Effective Website for Your Craft Business
In this webinar you’ll learn expert tips and tricks to create a Squarespace website for your craft business from expert Paige Brunton.
Save Time and Connect with Customers Using Instagram Quick Replies
Using a canned response can help reduce your time answering common questions from customers or prospective clients. It’s as simple as cut+paste, then customizing the message as you see fit.
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.
How to Integrate Shopify with MailChimp After the Breakup
Last week MailChimp threw the ecommerce world into a panic by announcing that they would no longer integrate with Shopify. The two companies were apparently unable to resolve a disagreement overcome to an agreement over a data privacy issue. Here’s how we recommend you proceed.
Creative Business Owner’s Gift Guide 2018
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 App Attempts New Pattern Subscription Model
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.
Mobile Payment Processing Cost Comparison
We’ve compared some of the most popular mobile processing services so you can choose wisely. See the table for an explanation of each field.
A Comparison of Online Course Platforms
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.
How to Get Started with Overhead Videos … At Any Skill Level
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.
Recorded Webinar: Make Videos that Capture Attention
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 in the context of your business.
Recorded Webinar: Making the Most of MailChimp
A MailChimp beta tester since 2009, Maeri Howard is here to help you get excited about using Mailchimp to Market your business smarter!
6 Great Apps for Boosting Your Productivity
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.
How to Use Gmail Canned Responses to Speed Up Your Workflow
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.
Five Email Automation Ideas to Increase Your Revenue
No small business owner can develop personal relationships with every customer to nurture the relationship. That’s where email automation can help.
How to Use Trello for Small Business
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.
Creative Business Owner’s Gift Guide 2017
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!
An Overview of Inventory Software for Makers
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!
Best Websites for Building a Customer Survey or Poll
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.
Take Your Images to the Next Level with These Photo Editing Apps
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.