How (and When) to Hire a Business Coach
For many small business owners, hiring a business coach can help you develop leadership skills, overcome overwhelm, and create the company culture you want. Learn how and when to hire a business coach.
Storing and Managing Your Business Media Files
As you accumulate images and videos for your website, shop, social media, and more, building a system that is effective and efficient is a must. Stitchcraft Marketing share tips on how best to organize and manage your media files.
How These Craft Industry Professionals Stay On Top of Their Instagram DM’s
Craft business owners use Instagram to build community, show process shots, and display a portfolio of work. New opportunities can come in as a result, but it’s all dependent on keeping up with your Direct Messages. We ask a variety of craft business owners how they stay on top of their Instagram DMs.
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.
How to Use Acuity Scheduling for Your Craft Business
Acuity Scheduling is a powerful tool for craft business owners looking to find automated ways for students and clients to book time for classes and other types of appointments. Here’s how it works.
Summer Reading: Books for Craft Business Owners
Want to get inspired or improve an aspect of your business? We’ve collected nine new books that are sure to appeal to craft business owners.
Spring Reading List for Craft Business Owners
Need something new to read? Check out our list of new books to offer inspiration and thoughtful reflection for your craft business.
Winter Reading List for Craft Business Owners
Check out our picks for this season’s best craft book and creative business titles. Our reading list for craft business will get you inspired to grow your business, or invest in your creativity.
Podcast Episode #157: Elise Blaha Cripe
In this podcast interview, Elise Blaha Cripe talks about how she built her creative business and the winding road she took that eventually led her to create the Get to Work Book and to publish a book about productivity with Chronicle Books.
Which Cutting Machine Should You Buy? A Review of the Top 7 Most Popular Digital Cutting Machines
Which digital cutting machine should you buy? We review the most popular models from Silhouette and Cricut so you can choose the right one for your needs.
Fall Reading List for Craft Business Owners
We’re excited to have Erin Dollar back today offering her picks for Fall 2019’s best craft books, creative business titles, and self-help books. Learn something new and build your business with these new titles.
Finish What You Start: Project Planning for Creative Entrepreneurs
In this webinar, you’ll learn productivity tips to help you avoid getting derailed by distractions and finish the projects you start.
Craft Industry Alliance’s Favorite Online Tools
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.
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.