Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Thoughts about selling handmade...and a question

I bought The Handmade Marketplace a while back, skimmed through it here and there, and never really sat down and read it. This morning, I was doing some catching-up on my blog reading, and I saw Moorea's post from earlier this week about her own Indie Business experience. I checked out the Indie Business 3.0 website, and it sounds really awesome....but a little expensive for a grad student. So I finally sat down and read The Handmade Marketplace, and it got me thinking... I recently posted about taking "the next step" with Crack the Sky.... I've started advertising on other blogs, created a new product line for my shop, and have been actively promoting my blog and shop with Twitter, Facebook, and also the Etsy Blog Team.

This is Crack the Sky in a nutshell.....

With all of that said, I still feel unsure about how to proceed... I feel like there are bits and pieces that I'm missing.... but I don't know exactly what they are! I feel like I'm at a pivotal point in my life.... I just graduated from college, and have started grad school. My field has absolutely nothing to do with art, but creating has always been a huge part of my life - and I don't plan on that ever changing. I know that, right now, I'm ready and able to take my business to the next level. I just need to figure out the missing pieces - how can I better brand myself and my business? I feel like I'm really starting to figure out my 'identity' - the look and feel of my brand - and I want to better communicate that. I also want to expand my product line - I want to carry a wide range of items, but still have a cohesive feel to everything. That's the tricky part, for me!

So...all of this rambling leads me to this: have any of you taken the Indie Business class? It sounds like an amazing opportunity...it sounds like it will answer many of the questions I've had about my own business. But $90 is a little steep for poor, destitutde grad-student me. That's an entire week's babysitting pay! So.... what are your thoughts on the class? Have you taken it? Know someone who has? Do you think it would be worth it, or do you know of any other resources that would offer similar information (like a book)?
The Handmade Marketplace talks about a lot of the same subjects.... but there aren't any step-by-step guidelines, helpful pictures or tutorials, or real people to answer my questions!

(Does it sound like I'm answering my own questions and convincing myself to just shell out the $90??)

What do you think??

6 comments:

  1. I'm pretty excited to read the responses from this post. I feel like I'm at a cross roads myself and I've also been thinking about taking the indie business class. I've heard from some that have taken it that it's pretty worth it (although it was much less expensive when they were in the class.) You get some really inspiring ideas and make good connections. I'm just not sure I can swing the $90 either! I'm also in college and with the new baby on the way our budget is super tight!

    I think this class would be even more beneficial for you because you already have a business start. I can't wait to hear what you decided!

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  2. I'm excited to read responses, too! Moorea's post about Indie Business is pretty convincing... and I think I'm a pretty savvy lady, but there are some things that just seem so...foreign (?) to me because I haven't experienced them yet... I feel like they'd be best learned from someone who has first-hand experience... like L.A. and the other ladies teaching the course! sigh. I just don't know.

    I can imagine its pretty crazy trying to budget with school AND a new baby...yikes! Maybe I should just take the class and then give you all of my 'notes' so you can 'cheat'? ;D

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  3. I've never heard of the class until now, but it has piqued my interest! I could probably swing $90, though I'll do a little more research just to see if it actually helped more people. Hate to waste money!

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  4. Unfortunately I don't have many tips myself, but I did sign up for the course. And so far, it seems incredibly helpful. There's a great deal of information that I've gathered from it before it has officially started. I think it's worth the money so far and really hope that it helps me take my business to the next step as well.

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  5. I know exactly what you mean Veronica. I am really interested in the course but it just too expensive for me at this moment. I would love to do it because the ladies that are doing it are so talented and have made it themselves in the business world.

    I did the same thing as you did with the book...on I go by Katie she recommended the book Craft Inc. I purchased it and am waiting patiently for it.

    The course would just be brilliant though. I have just started and just need some help..how do I get viewers? where do I advertise..is my blog good enough..how do I take good photos? how much do I sell my things for...where is the best place to sell online. Aaahh. So many questions. No answers.

    Maybe I have just talked myself into buying it too...

    *sigh*. On the up side, I absolutely love your blog. And your products. You are splendid to read about :)

    La
    *

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  6. Ive never read the book Handmade Marketplace but I did read Craft, Inc and get the business planner for it. I loved it so much and it is not only cheaper but you can also go at your own pace.

    I'm just beginning to start my Etsy store and learning about the business side of things really helps. Best of all I feel like it really gets you excited about your business since your goals are better organized and you know the steps it will take to reach them. Hope this helps!

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I love reading your comments! Thanks so much! xo

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