Start a Handmade Business

Most artists and crafters are easily inspired to create new work, but getting inspired to build a business that shares that work with the world can sound like a much more daunting prospect. Kari Chapin, author of The Handmade Marketplace and Grow Your Handmade Business, is ready to teach you everything you need to know to break into the online marketplace and share your work with the world.

Kari will help you determine the online sales venue that’s best suited to your handmade goods. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of both selling through an existing online marketplace (like Supermarket or Etsy®) and setting up your own independently-operated website. You’ll also develop the optimal marketing strategy for sharing your products with the world, from social media to blogging to branding and packaging. Kari will cover essential best practices for running a successful crafting business, including confidently setting price points, creating media kids, acting as your own publicist, and much more.

No matter what you make, this course will give you the confidence to see the things you have to offer as uniquely valuable to customers, the inspiration to take your work to new heights, and the foundation you need to ensure your business’s success.

• 11 Pre-Show
• Creating the Lifestyle You Want
• Benefits of Owning Your Own Business
• Setting Intentions and Goals
• Fear and Unexpected Success
• Facing Your Fears
• Knowing Your Ideal Customer
• Building a Customer Profile
• Ideal Customer FAQ
• Preparing for a Craft Show
• Booth Q and A
• Free Preview: Tips for Craft Shows
• 11 Wrap-Up
• 21 Pre-Show
• Whats in a Name?
• Selling Online
• Customer Communication
• What is Marketing?
• Engaging Marketing
• Small Object Photography
• Shoot: DIY Lightbox
• Pricing
• Packaging
• Policies and Item Descriptions
• 21 Wrap-Up
• 32 Pre-Show
• Blogging vs Websites
• Social Media
• Accounting and The Law
• Records are Fun
• Business Plans
• Press and Media Coverage
• Media and Press Q&A
• Venues for Press
• Thanks and Credits
• Product Development
• Crafting Success
• Defining Success
• 32 Wrap-Up