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Vital information for your craft business in a searchable libraryFind trend forecasting guides, manufacturing resources, event listings, and printable worksheets, to help grow your craft business. Members enjoy 24/7 access to our full resource library.
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Payroll and Time Clock Software
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.
Bookkeeping Software Comparisons
Selecting the best bookkeeping software for your business can be a confusing process. Each product offers specific features and upgrades at various price points. To make the process more straightforward we’ve gathered the information for the most commonly used applications in one place so that you can more easily compare and contrast.
Startup Costs Template
If you’re starting a new business it’s important to estimate how much it costs to become operational and how long it will take to get there. We’ve created two templates for craft businesses to create a simple startup costs budget to stay on track.
Schedule C Cheat Sheet
The Schedule C Cheat Sheet breaks down this tax form into simple terms with tips specifically for craft business owners filing for taxes.
Cashflow Spreadsheet Template
Using a spreadsheet to input your cash flow you’ll be able to determine when to hold onto cash for upcoming expenses and when to make significant purchases without causing undue stress.
Recurring Payment Tracker — Printable and Template
The truth is, many businesses are using a subscription model, and it’s easy to lose track of them. For this reason, we’ve created this recurring payment doc to help you keep track of recurring payments. We have a handy editable file, as well as a printable file in both letter and A4 formats for your planners.
Keeping Records: Don’t Forget These Business Tax Deductions
There are a lot of expenses that you can write off on your taxes. Here’s a list of ones you should keep track of during the year to make tax time easier.
Business Planning
Craft Market Data and Research
This roundup of craft industry research studies can be helpful to you when seeking funding, creating a business plan, or expanding into new sectors.
Are You Covered? Insurance for Your Craft Business
Whether you’re just beginning to set up your small business or are already established in the crafting industry, it never hurts to imagine, “what if?” What if someone takes a tumble on an icy sidewalk outside your shop? What if you sell a sewing machine that turns out to have an electrical fault? What if a massive hurricane brings floodwaters to your shop? Luckily, you can be your own risk manager and prepare for a great many of these “what ifs” by purchasing insurance for your business. By understanding the coverage options you have, you can protect yourself and your business against the unknown.
How to Create a Quick and Easy Business Plan with the Lean Canvas
The Lean Canvas that can help you get focused and make informed decisions about your business by getting those half-baked ideas out of your head and written down in a plan so you can move forward with confidence.
Quick and Easy Lean Canvas Business Plan Template
Use this Lean Canvas business plan template to help strategize and plan your business.
10 Ways to Make Your Craft Business More Inclusive
We all want to make the world a more inclusive place, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Take this survey to identify what you are doing well and what you can work on.
Emergency Operating Plan — An Editable Spreadsheet
Here’s a spreadsheet created for Craft Industry Alliance members to use for emergency and tragedy business planning. Don’t leave your loved ones unprepared!
Ecommerce/Websites
Customer Support Beyond Email: Affordable Help Desk and Chat Software for Small Business
Modern help desk software can help you do tie your customer service efforts together into one cohesive customer experience.
Best Tools to Sell PDFs Online
Selling PDFs is a big part of many craft businesses. Here are some options for handling the sales of these digital goods.
Landing Page Builders Round-Up
A well-designed landing page has a single call to action; visitors are asked to do one thing, such as enter their email address, in order to get what they want.
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.
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.
6 Shopify Wholesale Apps To Simplify Your B2B Sales
If you use Shopify for your ecommerce store, there’s a number of apps that will assist in adding a wholesale component to your business. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most popular wholesale apps available for Shopify, discussing their features and prices so you can decide which one may be right for you.
Etsy SEO Checklist
If you sell on the marketplace, understanding how Etsy search works and optimizing your listings for the algorithm will improve your views, likes, and sales. Use this checklist to improve your SEO on Etsy.
How to Increase Your Shop’s Conversion Rate
Your site’s conversion rate is a metric that tells you how much of your traffic converts to paying customers and optimizing it is an efficient way to make more sales.
30-Point Blog Critique Checklist
Once you have completed our 30-point checklist, you’ll not only have looked into your blog’s overall performance, you’ll have discovered some easy tweaks that will get you more attention from your audience.
Ecommerce Checklist: Make Sure Your Site Isn’t Missing Anything
Use our Ecommerce Checklist to make sure your site isn’t missing anything! Let us help you use all the tools available to bring and retain customers.
Sample Return and Exchange Policies
In these sample return policies, you can see what kinds of issues might arise and put some thought into what policy makes sense for your specific products and for your particular business.
SEO Tips and Tricks to Optimize Your Website
Search Engine Optimization is the steps you can take to increase organic traffic to your website through search engine results. Here are 20 SEO tips and tricks to optimize your website.
Membership Plugin Features to Consider
If you’re planning a membership site, you’ll have many considerations such as content, cost, and community. Use this guide to find what is available.
Resources For Monetizing Your Online Presence
Earning a living as a craft industry professional requires creativity and diversification. Monetizing utilizes the power of your community as an income.
Call To Action Buttons for You To Edit and Use
To make the job of creating effective call to action buttons easier we’ve created a set of 30 buttons ready for you to use. Download them today!
12 Technical Resources for Not-So-Technical Website Owners
If you have a website it’s a good idea to get familiar with some basic coding. It doesn’t have to be hard! Here are some resources to get started.
Events
Important Holidays and Shipping Cutoffs Through Dec. 31, 2024
We’ve pulled together this calendar of all important dates and shipping cutoffs craft businesses should be aware of for the remaining weeks of 2024.
The Big List of Craft Fairs and Festivals
Independent craft shows have sprung up everywhere in the last few years. They’re a great opportunity to meet customers and colleagues. Here’s a roundup!
2024 Craft Conferences and Trade Shows
We gathered the locations and dates of some of the biggest craft industry trade shows and business conferences in 2024.
Packing Checklist for Vending at a Craft Fair
In addition to bringing your handmade products, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies to create an eye-catching display and facilitate sales. Our checklist covers items such as signage, lighting, packaging materials, and payment processing tools. By using our checklist as a guide, you’ll be well-prepared and able to focus on interacting with customers and making sales at your next craft fair.
Find a Guest Artist Residency
Artist Residencies are a great way to expand your network and collaborate, get out of your comfort zone and find time and space to create. In addition, residencies can help promote you and your business through press opportunities and face-to-face interactions with...
Business Retreat Planning Checklist
Planning the details of your business retreat beforehand will ensure you and all the participants to get the most out of the retreat.
Conference Packing Checklist
A conference and/or tradeshow packing checklist to help you come prepared for business opportunities, and personal comfort!
Inspiration/Motivation
Annual Goal Setting Workbook
Use this workbook at the start of each year to reflect on where you are and where you want to go with your business.
Creative Business Owner’s Gift Guide
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!
Inspire Creativity While You Work with This Helpful Computer Wallpaper (2024 Version)
Calendar desktop wallpaper to help you stay organized with the year at a glance and artwork to keep you inspired all year long.
Handmade for You: Printable Holiday Gift Wrap and Gift Tags
We wanted to give you a little gift, something to make your life just a little bit easier. We’ve designed these printable gift wrap pages and gift tags just for you!
20 Great Business Blogs to Follow
Discovering high quality business blogs to follow can be tricky. Discover some gems in our list of 20 terrific blogs for creative business owners.
Listen Up! Dozens of Podcasts for Crafters and Entrepreneurs
A great round-up list of creative podcasts from all perspectives! Pottery, knitting, sewing and quilting and entrepreneurial business podcasts as well.
Contests and Business Awards for Makers
Applying for a business award can help you to hone in on the goals you have for your business and your future. What would you do with grant money, or specialty training that winning a business award might bring?
Checklist for Organizing a Craft Drive for Charity
When you decide to organize a charity craft drive, there are steps you should take to ensure that the effort is effective and follows legal regulations.
Legal
Legal Building Blocks: The Consignment Agreement
A consignment agreement is important when you’re leaving your goods in the possession of an authorized third party to sell. Kiffanie Stahle walks you through the short form and long form agreements so that you can protect your products or artwork.
Legal Building Blocks: GDPR Checklist for Small Craft Businesses
GDPR regulations are now an important part of the internet, no matter where you’re located. Use this checklist to go through your business and website to be sure you’re dealing with customer privacy properly.
Legal Building Blocks: Design Agreement
Make sure you consider the following issues when drafting or reviewing a design agreement.
Legal Building Blocks: The Non-Disclosure Agreement
Non-disclosure agreements are a valuable and important tool to protect your business information so it doesn’t fall into a competitor’s hands.
Resource Roundup for Protecting and Defending Art and Design
Are you prepared to protect and defend your art? We’ve rounded up a collection of resources to help.
Entering a Partnership? Discuss These Questions to Prepare Your Operating Agreement
Preparing an operating agreement is a wise step to take before entering into a business partnership. Here are some questions to ask as you start.
Legal Building Blocks: Teaching Contract
When you’re planning to teach it’s important to include all of the terms of the agreement in written form, and to get the contract signed by both parties.
Legal Building Blocks: Takedown Notice
A takedown notice is like any legal remedy, to be effective it must be done right. Learn about takedown notices, then use our template to craft your own.
Marketing
Brand Strategy Workbook
Use this workbook to understand the core purpose of your brand by reflecting on the reasons behind starting your business, establish brand values that align with your customers and to gain clarity to build a coherent and clear brand identity.
Getting Ahead of the Game by Preparing for the Holiday Season Now
Here are some concrete tasks you can work on over the next few weeks that will bring more people to your shop and convert them into customers.
Where to Get Stickers Made For Your Business
With so many custom sticker companies out there it can be hard to know which one to choose. We’ve compiled the most vital information for each one.
Stock Image and Font Sources (Free and Royalty Free)
Visual imagery that makes an impact is vital to a company’s online success. This is a great collection of sources for stock images and fonts.
Elevator Pitch: Short, Sweet, Informational
Learn how to develop an elevator pitch – a short, succinct, and persuasive way to introduce yourself, make a connection, and give the business answer to the ol’ cocktail party question, “So, what do you do?”
Email Marketing Service Providers Comparison
A comparison of the different services available for your email marketing considerations. Pricing, value, and prospective cost as your email list grows are considerations.
5 Apps And Tools For Making Digital Quizzes
The best digital quiz apps make it easy and fun for you to create a personality test for your website, mailing list, or social media page. In this article, we’ll go over the features, usability, and pricing of some of the top quiz apps.
45 Swag Ideas that Will Make a Lasting Impression
We polled Craft Industry Alliance members and this is a list of their favorite swag, the stuff they still have and use years after the event has ended.
Brand Messaging: 220 Adjectives for Craft Industry Businesses
A brand message is the way a business communicates the value of your business to your target audience. It describes why your brand matters, what it stands for, and what it has to offer. It can include your tagline, your About page, advertising slogans, and a recurring story or theme in social media posts.
Wholesale Linesheet and Terms & Conditions Templates
If you’re ready to grow your wholesale business, you’ll need to create a wholesale linesheet to facilitate orders from retail shop owners.
Tips for Increasing Brand Loyalty as a Small Craft Business
Taking the time to treat each person who purchases something from your craft business with care will convert first-time customers into loyal fans who will make repeat purchases from your shop and tell their friends.
Turn Sponsor Inquiries into New Partnerships with our Customizable Media Kit Template
Turn sponsor inquiries into new partnerships with our customizable media kit template. Have it ready to go the next time you need it!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Promotion Ideas
Whether you have an ecommerce or a brick-and-mortar store, here are some Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Sample Press Release
Use this sample press release as a model to write your own.
50 Terrific Content Upgrades and Lead Magnets
We’ve put together a list of ways to create irresistible bonus content, to entice potential customers who are excited about your product.
Build A Better Newsletter List — A Checklist
Email is a personal and direct way to contact your customers. Most importantly, you own your email list-it is one of your business’s valuable assets.
Photography/Video
Take Your Images to the Next Level with These Photo Editing Apps
As a small business owner, chances are good that you are taking 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.
Webinar & Video Conferencing Software Comparison
There are dozens of online meeting and webinar tools available. We took a look at some of the most popular to compare the prices and some of the most critical features.
Creative Business Owner’s Gift Guide
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!
8 Apps for Video Captions, Transcripts, and Teleprompters
Creative professionals who make videos may need captions or transcriptions and perhaps a teleprompter to say the right words during the filming process. Here are the top apps you can use to create these video elements in an instant.
6 Crafty Backgrounds to Use in Your Zoom Meetings
You can use a custom Zoom background that will completely hide whatever is actually behind you. Once you enable the background, you’ll just see your face superimposed on top of it. Voila! You look instantly professional. We’ve created a series of crafty backgrounds especially sized for Zoom.
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.
Video Equipment: Editable Document for Your Research
We all have our own video equipment needs so we’ve created this document to help you organize your thoughts and create your own equipment wishlist.
Productivity
2025 Planners for Craft Pros
Paper planners are a great way to help boost productivity, and achieve big goals for your business. Check out our roundup of the best planners for craft pros.
Email Etiquette: How to Say Please, No Thank You, and I’m Sorry
My secret to polite email etiquette is having a cordial hook that sets the tone for myself. With this, the rest of the email can fall into place.
How to Ship Like a Pro
A list of shipping tips and resources for creative businesses, to help your packages ship seamlessly and arrive beautifully packaged and ready to charm!
2024 Free Printable Monthly Calendar
Print this 2023 calendar, staple together, and start drafting your goals for a productive year!
Social Media
Social Media Holiday Calendar
We’ve gathered the essential craft business holidays for 2023 to help you plan social media success.
Social Media Scheduler Comparison
In this comprehensive resource, we compare various options for social media schedulers for craft businesses.
Social Media Image Sizes At-a-Glance
Part of having a polished visual face for your brand online is having beautiful images. Here’s a handy guide to all of the image sizes and types required.
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.
Checklist: How to Start & Manage a Facebook Group
Author Marjie Kemper created this helpful checklist to walk you creating a Facebook Group. Print it out and check off the boxes as you work through each step.
Low Tech Analytics: Printable Social Media Trackers
We’ve created this very low-tech solution for keeping track of your social media efforts. We suggest focusing on one platform for a couple of weeks to see how your community engages with different types of posts at different times of day.
More Art, Life, and Work Quotes for Social Media
We’ve put together some cards with a few great quotes about art, life, and work. If they speak to you, feel free to use them wherever you like.
Art, Life, and Work Quotes for Social Media
Quotes might be everywhere on social media, but it’s because they are so very effective! We’ve put together a bunch of art, life, and work quotes for you to use and share as you wish!
Social Media Ideas When You Got Nothin’
We’ve all been there—you realize you haven’t posted on your blog for a week and you’re uninspired on social media. Here are some ideas!
Software Comparison
Social Media Scheduler Comparison
In this comprehensive resource, we compare various options for social media schedulers for craft businesses.
Project Management Tools for Partners, Teams, and Clients
Sharing documents, collaborating on posts, building on common visual inspiration — these are all tasks that can be done remotely using any of these tools.
Choosing an Online Bank for Your Small Business
We did the research to help you choose the right online bank for your small (but mighty) brand.
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.
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.
Password Managers: Main Features and Price Comparison
Password managers can be a lifesaver when you have multiple accounts and employees. These apps allow you to generate, store, and authenticate your passwords on your computer or mobile devices. Most companies have a low monthly fee and similar features.
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.
Sourcing
Big List of Craft Books Submissions Guidelines
Publishing houses are constantly evolving. They’re looking at trends and always in search of the next great idea. Use this chart to get a sense of what each house has published and how to contact them.
Custom Digital Fabric Printers
We’ve researched the premier custom digital fabric printers to make it easier for you to compare and make a decision about who to work with.
Business Coaches for Crafters
One-on-one coaching can be incredibly helpful when you need specific advice to take your business to the next level. In this list, we’ve gathered coaches who specialize in working with craft businesses.
Big List of Sales Representatives
Sales Reps act as the personal connection between craft manufacturers and the retail shops that carry their products. A rep’s value lies in their deep knowledge and strong relationships in the industry, that allow them to match a retailer’s business needs to the manufacturers and products that are the best solutions for them. Whether working independently or in-house for a particular manufacturer, sales reps offer both manufacturers and retailers an efficient way to grow their businesses.
Small Batch Manufacturers
Finding a small batch manufacturer that can help you produce your goods can be a vital step for a small business looking to scale. We’ve rounded up small batch manufacturers that specialize in working with creative businesses to make the research step easier for our members.
Fulfillment Centers
We’ve put together a short list of fulfillment services that are a good fit for small businesses.
Big List of Packaging Suppliers
If you’re looking for boxes, bags, custom labels, or other items for packaging and shipping, check out the prices and reviews of these suppliers.
Eco Friendly Packaging and Shipping Supplies
Eco-friendly packaging and shipping materials are one way to reduce waste in your business. Explore our picks for recycled shipping supplies and biodegradable packaging.
The Big List of Wholesale Suppliers
Sourcing supplies at a reasonable cost is a big part of making a small, creative business profitable. Here is a list of wholesale suppliers for crafters.
The Big List for Hand-Dyers
In this Big LIst for Hand Dyers, we’ve generated a comprehensive list of sources for indie yarn dyers, dividing them into wholesalers, retailers, and sources for dye and other supplies.
The Big List of Craft Magazine Submission Information
Here’s the big list of Craft Magazine Submission Information! This can be a great way to share your creative work and grow your audience.
Big List of Craft Industry Distributors
A list of distributors for selling your craft product. A great resource if you’re working to reach a wider audience and more buyers!
Where To Get Art Prints Made
There are plenty of businesses that can make prints of your artwork—but choosing the best option based on your needs takes time and effort. We do a deep dive on popular printers so you can choose the best one.
The Big List of Jewelry Suppliers
Whether you’re launching a new business venture or seeking materials to stock your established design studio or retail shop, the jewelry supply market is full of top-name suppliers. Here you’ll find a comprehensive list of both wholesalers and retailers who can get you what you need.
Choosing a Laser-Cutting Service
A round-up of laser-cutting services for quilting templates, acrylic rulers, or tags and other unique products to promote your business along with tips for working with laser cutting services.
Custom Packaging Manufacturers
Simple customizations to your packaging can help create a cohesive brand experience, help you save money on shipping costs, and protect your products in transit. Dive into our list of custom product packaging options to find the option that works best for your business.
Trend Forecasting Resources
Trend forecasting experts to help us navigate what’s coming in the years ahead. Explore our guide to 40+ trend forecasting resources that will help your business stay ahead of the curve.
The Big List of Fabric Manufacturers
Whether you’re starting an online fabric shop, launching your own line of garments, preparing for a large class of quilters, or planning for a big sewing giveaway, there may come a time when you need to reach out to fabric manufacturers. Here’s the big list of fabric manufacturers with contact information.
Everything You Need to Know to Make Enamel Pins
To create your own pins you’ll need to learn to learn a bit about how pins are made and figure out the best place to source them. Here’s some resources to get you started!
Sources for Custom Cloth Labels
Adding a custom cloth label to your handmade item gives it a professional touch and makes it easily identifiable.