RSVP to the Webinar – Finish What You Start: Project Planning for Creative Entrepreneurs
CIA’s Favorite Online Tools 2019
Craft Industry Alliance is a group of co-founders, contract writers, and service providers. Although we’re a small team, we have big communication challenges. Here are some of the tools we’ve found to be the most effective for communicating with each other as well as our members.
Summer Reading List for Creative Entrepreneurs
We’re excited to have Erin Dollar back today offering her picks for Summer 2019’s best art and craft books, creative business titles, and self-help books. Kickstart your summer reading with these new titles. There’s something for everyone!
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 Pack For Creative Travel
In an effort to learn how to pack better — and lighter — for her next trip, Stephanie Escheveste asked some artists who do work on-the-go about what they pack. She found that each artist has their own unique set of art supplies, based on their own practice. Instead of packing their whole studio, they each select only the essential items and have found that the limitations actually help them be more creative.
Spring Reading List for Creative Entrepreneurs
Erin Dollar is back as the Craft Industry Alliance resident librarian, offering her picks for Spring 2019’s best art books, creative business titles, and self-help books. Erin has found some excellent new titles to kickstart your springtime reading.
Organize your Desktop With This Helpful Computer Wallpaper (2019 Version)
Desktop wallpaper to help you stay organized with the year at a glance and division of space for keeping track of those things that clutter your desktop.
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!
Fall Reading List for Creatives
Erin Dollar is back as the Craft Industry Alliance resident librarian, offering her picks for 2018’s best art books, creative business titles, and self-help books. For artists and creatives, fall is a great time to get renew your inspiration and, as the kids go back to school, buckle down with your own work. Erin has found some excellent new titles to kickstart your autumn reading.
Putting the Kids to Work in Your Craft Business
The big order comes in and it’s all hands on deck to get it processed and out the door. Photographing, packaging, and post office visits. If you have kids in the house there is a good chance you asked them to help, just to get the work done and maintain a level of sanity.
The Benefits of Limiting Your Time on Social Media
“Although getting hacked is a horrible experience, there could be a silver lining of sorts. Some creative business owners find that easing up on social media frees them up to focus on their primary handcraft, and allows them to plan, strategize, and research effective business practices, while still marketing effectively enough.”
12 Great Podcasts for Creative Entrepreneurs
Looking for an engaging podcast to listen to while you work in your studio? Need some motivation and perspective for your own entrepreneurial efforts? Check out some of our favorite business podcasts for creatives.
CIA’s Favorite Online Tools 2018
Craft Industry Alliance is a group of co-founders, contract writers, and service providers. Although we’re a small team, we have big communication challenges. Here are some of the tools we’ve found to be the most effective for communicating with each other as well as our members.
Summer Reading List for Creatives
Erin Dollar is back as the Craft Industry Alliance resident librarian, offering her picks for 2018’s best art books, creative business titles, and self-help books. For artists and creatives, summer vacation often means a tote bag filled with craft books, and she’s found some excellent additions to your summer reading list.
The Power of Daily Practice
Along the journey of my daily art creation, I did a lot of things right, many of them by accident, but together these tools helped me start and maintain a daily practice.
Mindful Making: Essential Self-Care For Craft Entrepreneurs
Mindful crafting can help crafty entrepreneurs refresh and rejuvenate. Take some at least once a week to make something just for yourself.
Put Your Phone Down and Get More Done
Social media fatigue is hitting hard in 2018 as makers spend more time trying to “beat the algorithm” to connect with our community. Between our desire to reach our customers online, and the dopamine hit our brains receive each time we check social media, many of us are grappling with bad habits around screen time. Erin Dollar gives us some tips for carving out time to let our minds wander.
Journal Your Way to Art, Travel, or Bible Study
In this fast-paced digital world, it’s no wonder people are slowing down in an analog way by gravitating to journals in all their myriad, wonderful forms.
Spring Reading List for Creatives
Throughout 2018 we’ll be bringing you curated lists of books for craft business owners. Erin Dollar, founder of Cotton & Flax, a home decor products company based in California, is an avid reader with a library of books to share. She’ll be choosing a selection each season and describing what each book has to offer. Erin is here today sharing her spring book picks!