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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, hosts Andi and Tori chat with their guest Ashli Montgomery about her journey as a quilter and author.  Ashli discusses her diverse interests, including her writing career and her non-profit business, Quilt to End Alzheimer's. She explains how she balances her various pursuits and the importance of time blocking. She also shares the inspiration behind starting Quilt to End ALZ and the different ways people can get involved. Plus Ashli discusses the benefits of being a published author and how it lends expertise and authority to her work. This conversation really gets you thinking about all the possibilities in your business. 

Takeaways

• Being a published author lends expertise and authority to your work, attracting more followers and engagement.
• Building an audience is about creating relationships and community, allowing followers to feel connected and supported.
• Launching new products or projects can generate excitement and engagement, but it's important to find a balance and avoid constantly being in launch mode.
• The Longest Day campaign provides an opportunity for quilters to contribute to Alzheimer's disease awareness and fundraising.

Learn more about Tori & Andi here.

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In this two part episode, Tori and Andi interview Julia Wachs, a quilter and pattern designer, about her recent successful launch of a Row of the Month program. Julia shares her background in foundation paper piecing and her goals for the launch. She discusses her marketing strategies, including email and social media, and the collaborations she formed with quilt shops. Julia also talks about the challenges she faced in customer service and her plans for future projects.

Then in part two Tori interviews Andi! Andi shares her experience with a recent launch that did not go as expected. She discusses her introduction to quilting and half rectangle triangles, as well as the program she launched. Despite having goals and expectations for the launch, Andi did not receive any sign-ups for her workshop. She emphasizes the importance of sharing failures and learning from them. 

Takeaways 

• Marketing through email and social media, including reels and sneak peeks, can be effective in generating interest and sign-ups.
• Collaborating with quilt shops to offer kits can be mutually beneficial and help spread the word about the program.
• Planning ahead and documenting the process can save time and ensure a smooth launch.
• Launching a program or workshop requires a cohesive and targeted marketing strategy.
• Listening to audience feedback and adapting plans accordingly can lead to better results.
• Sharing failures and learning from them is an important part of the entrepreneurial journey.

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Darla Hall shares her journey in the quilting world, from learning to quilt as a child to starting her own long arm quilting business. She discusses the transition from quilting as a hobby to turning it into a business, and the various components of her quilt business, including teaching classes and creating online content. Darla also talks about the challenges and rewards of sharing her favorite hobby with her daughters. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of building relationships with fellow quilters and finding inspiration in the quilting community.

Takeaways

• Building relationships with fellow quilters is essential for growing a quilting business.
• Sharing your passion and expertise with others through teaching can be rewarding and help expand your business.
• Technology, such as social media and online platforms, can be valuable tools for connecting with the quilting community and reaching a wider audience.
• Quilting can be a meaningful way to bond with family and friends, creating lasting memories and shared experiences.

Learn more about Tori & Andi here.

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In this engaging episode, Andi and Tori delve into the crucial role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics in assessing the vitality and success of a quilting or craft business. They clarify the distinction between revenue and profit, highlighting profit's paramount importance as a business health indicator. The conversation further explores the concept of return on investment (ROI), emphasizing the need to account for indirect costs when calculating ROI. The hosts examine essential KPIs for email lists, such as open rates and engagement levels, and offer actionable advice for refining email marketing efforts. The episode wraps up with a call to consistently monitor and analyze metrics, urging a long-term view in gauging business success.

Takeaways

• Revenue is the money coming into a business, while profit is what remains after deducting expenses.
• Return on investment (ROI) measures the gain or loss generated from an investment relative to its cost.
• Indirect costs, such as time spent and overhead expenses, should be considered when calculating ROI.
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for email lists include open rates, engagement, and unsubscribe rates.
• Tracking landing page performance and customer satisfaction and retention are crucial for business success.
• Customer acquisition costs should be monitored to ensure profitability.

Consistency in tracking metrics and maintaining a long-term perspective are essential for evaluating business success.

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In this week's episode, Lyric Montgomery-Kinard shares her quilting adventures, from traditional quilting to art quilts and teaching with our hosts Andi and Tori. She discusses the benefits of teaching as a way to travel and have a flexible career. Lyric also talks about the challenges of teaching online and the importance of owning intellectual property. Lyric offers insights into finding one's voice as a quilt artist and the pros and cons of writing a book. She concludes with tips for marketing and getting students into workshops. 

Takeaways

• Teaching quilting can be a way to travel and have a flexible career.
• Owning intellectual property is important for maintaining control over your work.
• Finding your voice as a quilt artist involves exploring different techniques and styles.
• Marketing quilting classes and workshops requires authenticity and creating a connection with your audience. Utilize existing content, such as blog posts and social media, for marketing your classes.
• Make it easy for people to hire you by providing clear information on your website and reaching out to potential clients.
• Build a support system of like-minded colleagues who can provide advice and collaboration.
• Find joy in teaching and inspiring others, and remember to dream big and pursue your goals.

Learn more about Tori & Andi here.

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In this episode of Quilting on the Side, Andi and Tori discuss the power of collaborations in growing a quilting business. They explore different types of collaborations, such as summits, podcasts, Instagram collaborations, and blog hops. The hosts emphasize the importance of finding collaborators with similar goals and values. They also provide tips for starting a collaboration, including presenting value to the audience and reaching out with a clear purpose. The conversation highlights the need for effective communication and organization in collaborations, as well as setting realistic expectations. Plus they explore various ways to collaborate in the quilting industry.

Takeaways

• Collaborations are a great way to grow your audience and business quickly by borrowing audiences from established quilters.
• When starting a collaboration, present value to the audience and reach out with a clear purpose.
• Choose collaborators with similar goals and values to ensure alignment.
• Effective communication, organization, and setting realistic expectations are key to successful collaborations. When engaging in collaborations, it is important to actively participate and engage with others, rather than just passively participating.
• Clear communication and setting expectations are crucial in collaborations, especially when money is involved. It is recommended to have a contract in place to ensure everyone is on the same page.

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In this conversation, our hosts Tori and Andi chat with Kris O'Neill who shares her journey from being a hobby quilter to building a successful business on YouTube. She discusses the importance of joining a quilt guild and learning from other quilters. Kris explains how she started her YouTube channel and the strategies she used to grow her audience and monetize her content. She also talks about her collaborations with other quilting companies. Kris emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with her target audience, as well as staying true to her personal style and preferences. She also discusses her plans for expanding her online presence and reaching new markets. 

Takeaways

• Joining a quilt guild can provide valuable support and learning opportunities for beginner quilters.
• YouTube analytics are essential for understanding and engaging with your audience.
• Collaborations with other quilting companies can help expand your reach and build partnerships within the quilting community.
• Staying true to your personal style and preferences is important for creating authentic content.
• Understanding and adapting to trends in the quilting industry can help you stay relevant and attract new viewers.
• Creating a persona for your target audience can help you connect with viewers on a deeper level.
• Managing your workload and considering outsourcing tasks can help you maintain a successful quilting business.
• The quilting community is supportive and inspiring. Building connections with fellow creators and engaging with the community can lead to meaningful relationships and opportunities.

Mentioned inside this episode

Sew Yeah 

Missouri Star Quilt Company

Fallon from Sew Be It Quilts

Charisma Horton

Notion: Sew Line Pencil, Easy Press Pen, Mini Vac (Affiliate link to Fat Quarter Shop)

Allison Glass

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Sherri McConnell

Mystery Quilts from Cotton Cuts

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In this episode, Andi and Tori dive into e-commerce platforms, with a spotlight on Etsy and having your own site. They chat about kicking off their businesses on Etsy, what was great about it, and the not-so-great parts. They also touch on how crucial customer service is and the tricky bits that come with it. Then, they switch gears to talk about picking an e-commerce platform and what you should keep in mind. They wrap up by stressing the need to drive traffic to your site and give a shoutout to their upcoming quarterly planning session.

Takeaways

• Etsy can be a great starting point for selling online, but it has drawbacks such as high fees and limited control over your brand.
• Having your own website gives you more control and ownership over your business, but it requires more effort and investment.
• Customer service is crucial in e-commerce, and having standard responses and FAQs can help streamline the process.
• When choosing an e-commerce platform, consider factors like ease of use, cost, features, and the ability to host workshops or classes.
• Driving traffic to your website is essential for success, and platforms like Pinterest can be effective in generating sales.
• Joining the Quilting on the Side quarterly planning session can help you plan and strategize for your e-commerce business.

Learn more about Tori & Andi here.

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In this week’s episode, Becky Campbell joins our hosts Andi and Tori and shares her journey into quilting and how it evolved into a successful business. Becky's business began with designing and selling quilt storage sleeves. She then developed innovative applique techniques and started teaching. She also ventured into pattern design and published two books. Becky discusses her marketing strategies and favorite tools, as well as recommended classes and courses for aspiring quilters. 

Takeaways

• Becky developed innovative applique techniques and started teaching, which led to pattern design and publishing two books.
• Her marketing strategies include using Canva and Later for social media posts and Pinterest for driving traffic to her website.
• Recommended classes and courses include the Academy for Virtual Teaching and Craft Industry Alliance. Keeping quilting supplies organized is important for a smooth quilting process.
• Finding inspiration from podcasts and other quilters can fuel creativity.
• The quilting community provides support and friendship.

Click here to check out Sew Forever Quilting by Becky Campbell
Connect with Beck on Instagram here. 
Learn more about Tori & Andi here.
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This episode of Quilting on the Side explores the process of launching a product or service in the quilting industry. Andi and Tori discuss the different phases of a launch, including the pre-launch period, the actual launch, and the post-launch follow-up. They provide insights into the activities and strategies involved in each phase, such as surveying customers, creating content, and utilizing affiliates. This episode offers valuable guidance for quilters looking to successfully launch their products or services.

Takeaways

• Launching involves turning an offer into an event and creating content to generate excitement and interest.
• The pre-launch period should include activities like surveying customers to understand their needs and objections.
• The length of the pre-launch period depends on the complexity and price point of the offer.
• During the launch period, it is important to focus content on the offer and create a sense of urgency and scarcity.
• The post-launch period should include follow-up emails, regular communication with customers, and opportunities for feedback.

Learn more about Tori & Andi here.

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