The Create & Thrive Podcast

In this Episode I discuss all things SEO, website creation, and online marketplaces with Jonathan Peacock of Zibbet.

In the beginning, Jonathan developed Zibbet as an online sales platform for friends of his who were fine artists, as there wasn’t really an appropriate online sales platform for them at the time.

Over time, Zibbet has grown in scope. and now focuses on helping makers get their work into the world. They also offer their own website builder and have been working on some other pretty exciting things, which we discuss in this podcast.

We also chat about the future of social selling and the benefits of selling on an online venue as well as your own website – and how to best make these venues work for you.

This podcast includes some really great tips for both beginners and those with a little more experience. Jonathan has a great mind for business while keeping the particular needs of creative entrepreneurs squarely in his sights, and he and I are definitely on the same wavelength regarding how to be successful in business, as you’ll hear at the end of the ep!.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘If you do the work you WILL be competitive’ {Jess}

* If you have a hobby you can sell in any online marketplace that is easy and works.

* If you are creating a brand then you need to have your own website and domain name.

* ‘If you are trying to build a real business and you don’t have your own website then you are doing it wrong’ {Jonathan}

* You need to make sure that all links lead to your website not an online marketplace.

* Sending traffic to an online marketplace could ultimately end up with you losing the sale to another maker.

* Online markets should be used for extra sales and extra exposure.

* You need to be competitive online, everything should be top notch.

* Zibbet have their own website builder which is also integrated with their online marketplace.

* Currently Zibbet are developing a platform that integrates a whole range of channels to make sales and inventory control even easier for sellers.

* SEO is super important and stands for Search Engine Optimisation.

* There is on-page SEO which includes title tag and meta description (your welcome message).

* Fill these on-page SEO tools with great keywords and word it in a way that is enticing to people.

* There is also off-page SEO which is all about creating back links to your website for example being a guest blogger.

* Make sure all online appearances such as guest blogging link back to your website and keep creating these external link backs.

* Google yourself to see what comes up. This are what you need to work on. It has to be good stuff.

* Do your research with website builders as features and cost can vary greatly.

* Jonathan notes three things that are really important for building a business.

* 1. Consume a lot of great content because that is how you learn and grow.

* 2. You need to work really hard, there are no short-cuts.

* 3. You need to have lots of patience as this journey takes time.

* ‘Constantly learn, work very hard, and be patient’ {Jonathan}

* You can find and explore Zibbet here or head over to the Create & Thrive facebook page to enter our giveaway!

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

In this Episode I discuss all things SEO, website creation, and online marketplaces with Jonathan Peacock of Zibbet.

In the beginning, Jonathan developed Zibbet as an online sales platform for friends of his who were fine artists, as there wasn’t really an appropriate online sales platform for them at the time.

Over time, Zibbet has grown in scope. and now focuses on helping makers get their work into the world. They also offer their own website builder and have been working on some other pretty exciting things, which we discuss in this podcast.

We also chat about the future of social selling and the benefits of selling on an online venue as well as your own website – and how to best make these venues work for you.

This podcast includes some really great tips for both beginners and those with a little more experience. Jonathan has a great mind for business while keeping the particular needs of creative entrepreneurs squarely in his sights, and he and I are definitely on the same wavelength regarding how to be successful in business, as you’ll hear at the end of the ep!.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘If you do the work you WILL be competitive’ {Jess}

* If you have a hobby you can sell in any online marketplace that is easy and works.

* If you are creating a brand then you need to have your own website and domain name.

* ‘If you are trying to build a real business and you don’t have your own website then you are doing it wrong’ {Jonathan}

* You need to make sure that all links lead to your website not an online marketplace.

* Sending traffic to an online marketplace could ultimately end up with you losing the sale to another maker.

* Online markets should be used for extra sales and extra exposure.

* You need to be competitive online, everything should be top notch.

* Zibbet have their own website builder which is also integrated with their online marketplace.

* Currently Zibbet are developing a platform that integrates a whole range of channels to make sales and inventory control even easier for sellers.

* SEO is super important and stands for Search Engine Optimisation.

* There is on-page SEO which includes title tag and meta description (your welcome message).

* Fill these on-page SEO tools with great keywords and word it in a way that is enticing to people.

* There is also off-page SEO which is all about creating back links to your website for example being a guest blogger.

* Make sure all online appearances such as guest blogging link back to your website and keep creating these external link backs.

* Google yourself to see what comes up. This are what you need to work on. It has to be good stuff.

* Do your research with website builders as features and cost can vary greatly.

* Jonathan notes three things that are really important for building a business.

* 1. Consume a lot of great content because that is how you learn and grow.

* 2. You need to work really hard, there are no short-cuts.

* 3. You need to have lots of patience as this journey takes time.

* ‘Constantly learn, work very hard, and be patient’ {Jonathan}

* You can find and explore Zibbet here or head over to the Create & Thrive facebook page to enter our giveaway!

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

In this Episode I discuss finding your creative spark with Katy McCullough, who runs a business helping others find their creativity.

Katy realised there were many people who wanted to be more creative and to live a more creative life but didn’t know where to start, so she set out to help people re-ignite their creativity (or find it if they never had in the past). If you’re here, I’m guessing you are a creative person – but what happens when you hit a creative block, where you just seem to lose your mojo? You can apply what we talk about in this episode to light your spark again.

We discuss how creativity is a skill you need to practice, and the 5 steps you can take to reignite your creativity.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘Creativity doesn’t necessarily equal art’ {Katy}

* Step 1 – Acknowledge your creativity.

* Think about the different aspects of your day where you use your creativity.

* Step 2 – Reflect on your creative past.

* This could be going back to your childhood or even more recent reflection.

* Step 3 – Find inspiration and ideas.

* Pinterest is great for finding inspiration and sparking ideas.

* You might discover what inspires you just through pinning posts that interest you!

* ‘Don’t be limited by who you think you are or what you think you like’ {Jess}

* Step 4 – Make sense of it all.

* Things will become more clear and patterns will emerge.

* Ask others what creative strengths they see in you.

* It can be scary following a new creative path but you need to remember that there is nothing to lose in doing so.

* Step 5 – Start living it.

* Figure out how to make time for creativity in your life.

* Courses and classes can be a great kick start and a way of meeting like minded people.

* Want to learn more? Katy has some free email courses on creativity which you can check out at Greens & Blues Co.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

In this Episode I discuss finding your creative spark with Katy McCullough, who runs a business helping others find their creativity.

Katy realised there were many people who wanted to be more creative and to live a more creative life but didn’t know where to start, so she set out to help people re-ignite their creativity (or find it if they never had in the past). If you’re here, I’m guessing you are a creative person – but what happens when you hit a creative block, where you just seem to lose your mojo? You can apply what we talk about in this episode to light your spark again.

We discuss how creativity is a skill you need to practice, and the 5 steps you can take to reignite your creativity.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘Creativity doesn’t necessarily equal art’ {Katy}

* Step 1 – Acknowledge your creativity.

* Think about the different aspects of your day where you use your creativity.

* Step 2 – Reflect on your creative past.

* This could be going back to your childhood or even more recent reflection.

* Step 3 – Find inspiration and ideas.

* Pinterest is great for finding inspiration and sparking ideas.

* You might discover what inspires you just through pinning posts that interest you!

* ‘Don’t be limited by who you think you are or what you think you like’ {Jess}

* Step 4 – Make sense of it all.

* Things will become more clear and patterns will emerge.

* Ask others what creative strengths they see in you.

* It can be scary following a new creative path but you need to remember that there is nothing to lose in doing so.

* Step 5 – Start living it.

* Figure out how to make time for creativity in your life.

* Courses and classes can be a great kick start and a way of meeting like minded people.

* Want to learn more? Katy has some free email courses on creativity which you can check out at Greens & Blues Co.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

This episode is all about facing the reality of the expectations – both conscious and unconscious – that you may be harbouring about your creative business.

We usually begin our small business journey driven by our love for what we do, and quite often as our business begins to grow we begin to butt our heads against the expectations we harbour about what we should be doing, what our business should be doing, and how our work should make us feel.

In this episode I touch on a number of potentially false expectations you may have about your biz, and I counter them with the reality of the situation, in order to help you avoid disappointment or a feeling of defeat when things aren’t going as you had first imagined they would.

It doesn’t do any of us any good to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the reality of what running a small handmade business is truly like. It’s not all sitting around dreaming up beautiful things and making them!

Sure, turning your biz profitable will ensure you do have the opportunity to do that, but it also brings a raft of other time-consuming responsibilities and difficulties that may be stressing you out because your expectations are constantly being challenged by the reality of running a small business.

I hope this episode helps you to open your eyes, realise you’re not alone in what you’re feeling, and find deeper acceptance of the reality of how your relationship with your craft will change when you turn it into a business, rather than indulging in it as a hobby.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘Stress and disappointment often comes from a disconnect between our expectations and the reality of the situation.’ {Jess}

* 1. The expectation that you will get everything on your to do list done.

* It is important to realise that it is normal not to get everything done all the time and this is okay.

* If you find that some tasks are just never getting done you need to work out why so you can remedy that.

* ‘Get realistic about why things aren’t getting done.’ {Jess}

* 2. The expectation that you are going to have enough time.

* We all have more ideas than we have time to complete them.

* You will NEVER have enough time to do everything you want to.

* You need to be realistic about how long a task or project will take as this is often underestimated.

* 3. The expectation of success and profitability.

* Some people expect their business to become profitable in a much shorter time frame than is realistic for a new business.

* ‘Just let go right now of the idea that your business is going to be profitable straight away.’ {Jess}

* It is possible but unlikely so holding that expectation will just stress you out.

* Small business takes time to grow and for traction to build.

* 4. The expectation that once your business has reached a level of success that there will never be a dry spell.

* You have to be accepting of dry spells and use the time wisely.

* Use the time to promote your business even more or as extra time for business development.

* Use a dry spell to your advantage to keep your business moving forward.

* 5. The expectation that you will get to spend all day doing what you love.

* At minimum 50% of your time is not spent making things.

* All the behind the scenes tasks take time away from making.

* It stops being about you and becomes about your customers.

* 6. The expectation that you are going to be able to please everyone all the time.

* This includes the expectation to please yourself all the time!

* No matter how hard you try to make every customer happy it is impossible but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

This episode is all about facing the reality of the expectations – both conscious and unconscious – that you may be harbouring about your creative business.

We usually begin our small business journey driven by our love for what we do, and quite often as our business begins to grow we begin to butt our heads against the expectations we harbour about what we should be doing, what our business should be doing, and how our work should make us feel.

In this episode I touch on a number of potentially false expectations you may have about your biz, and I counter them with the reality of the situation, in order to help you avoid disappointment or a feeling of defeat when things aren’t going as you had first imagined they would.

It doesn’t do any of us any good to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the reality of what running a small handmade business is truly like. It’s not all sitting around dreaming up beautiful things and making them!

Sure, turning your biz profitable will ensure you do have the opportunity to do that, but it also brings a raft of other time-consuming responsibilities and difficulties that may be stressing you out because your expectations are constantly being challenged by the reality of running a small business.

I hope this episode helps you to open your eyes, realise you’re not alone in what you’re feeling, and find deeper acceptance of the reality of how your relationship with your craft will change when you turn it into a business, rather than indulging in it as a hobby.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘Stress and disappointment often comes from a disconnect between our expectations and the reality of the situation.’ {Jess}

* 1. The expectation that you will get everything on your to do list done.

* It is important to realise that it is normal not to get everything done all the time and this is okay.

* If you find that some tasks are just never getting done you need to work out why so you can remedy that.

* ‘Get realistic about why things aren’t getting done.’ {Jess}

* 2. The expectation that you are going to have enough time.

* We all have more ideas than we have time to complete them.

* You will NEVER have enough time to do everything you want to.

* You need to be realistic about how long a task or project will take as this is often underestimated.

* 3. The expectation of success and profitability.

* Some people expect their business to become profitable in a much shorter time frame than is realistic for a new business.

* ‘Just let go right now of the idea that your business is going to be profitable straight away.’ {Jess}

* It is possible but unlikely so holding that expectation will just stress you out.

* Small business takes time to grow and for traction to build.

* 4. The expectation that once your business has reached a level of success that there will never be a dry spell.

* You have to be accepting of dry spells and use the time wisely.

* Use the time to promote your business even more or as extra time for business development.

* Use a dry spell to your advantage to keep your business moving forward.

* 5. The expectation that you will get to spend all day doing what you love.

* At minimum 50% of your time is not spent making things.

* All the behind the scenes tasks take time away from making.

* It stops being about you and becomes about your customers.

* 6. The expectation that you are going to be able to please everyone all the time.

* This includes the expectation to please yourself all the time!

* No matter how hard you try to make every customer happy it is impossible but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

In this Episode I chat all things podcasting with Katie Wyatt, who not only runs her own successful podcast, but also helps other people get their podcasts up and running.

This episode is by request – I’ve had a number of you ask me about podcasting, so when I met Katie a few months back, I thought she’d be the perfect guest to have on the show to cover this topic.

I chat with Katie about the hows, whys, whens and whos of podcasting and how you can get started. We also talk about what you can do to be featured on podcasts.

Podcasts are becoming more and more common as a platform to promote and grow your business. It is a great way to find your audience and to really engage with them.

Podcast audiences can be really loyal listeners and as such can create quite a personal way of finding and keeping the customers you want.

If you’re a maker, don’t be limited by the idea that ‘I can’t do a podcast, what would I talk about?’ There’s real space in the podcasting community for podcasts about creativity and making.

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Firstly – how are you supposed to constantly come up with content for your podcast?

* Start with thinking about an interview format as it is a great way to start and begin the content creation of your podcast.

* Don’t be afraid to re purpose previous ideas and/or blog posts.

* You will soon find the content starts to build up very quickly and you are never short on ideas!

* People feel very connected to the podcaster – more so than a blog. It is somehow more personal.

* Create structure for your podcasts so that you don’t end up rambling.

* ‘You need to work out how to make sure people find you, listen to you and then engage with you’ {Katie}

* Secondly – How do you put it all together technology wise?

* Skype is a fantastic way to record interviews and there are also programs such as Amolto and Audacity which are free recorders that integrate with Skype.

* You want to make sure you have crisp clear sound which is also important when it comes to choosing a microphone.

* You don’t need much to get started and you certainly don’t need to spend a fortune.

* You will need somewhere to host your podcasts such as your own website or an online hosting platform.

* Last but not least – How do you get the word out?

* It is important to put work into marketing your podcast.

* ‘You have to work to get noticed’ {Katie}

* You need your listeners to subscribe, rate and review!

* Use your existing email list and get the word out there on social media too.

* Treat it like a mini launch and let everyone know!

* It is ideal to have a weekly podcast but if that is too much commitment fortnightly is okay too.

* Want to get featured on a podcast rather than recording your own? Here are a few tips;

* 1. Find creatives who you admire that have been interviewed on a podcast and that just may be a great one to pitch to.

* 2. Listen to the content of the podcast before you pitch to make sure your pitch fits their style.

* 3. Be prepared to be turned down. Expect it. But if you keep at it you will get a yes and that is worth it.

* Want to learn more? Katie has a free podcast launch checklist here (This site/resource is no longer available).

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes...

In this Episode I chat all things podcasting with Katie Wyatt, who not only runs her own successful podcast, but also helps other people get their podcasts up and running.

This episode is by request – I’ve had a number of you ask me about podcasting, so when I met Katie a few months back, I thought she’d be the perfect guest to have on the show to cover this topic.

I chat with Katie about the hows, whys, whens and whos of podcasting and how you can get started. We also talk about what you can do to be featured on podcasts.

Podcasts are becoming more and more common as a platform to promote and grow your business. It is a great way to find your audience and to really engage with them.

Podcast audiences can be really loyal listeners and as such can create quite a personal way of finding and keeping the customers you want.

If you’re a maker, don’t be limited by the idea that ‘I can’t do a podcast, what would I talk about?’ There’s real space in the podcasting community for podcasts about creativity and making.

 

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Firstly – how are you supposed to constantly come up with content for your podcast?

* Start with thinking about an interview format as it is a great way to start and begin the content creation of your podcast.

* Don’t be afraid to re purpose previous ideas and/or blog posts.

* You will soon find the content starts to build up very quickly and you are never short on ideas!

* People feel very connected to the podcaster – more so than a blog. It is somehow more personal.

* Create structure for your podcasts so that you don’t end up rambling.

* ‘You need to work out how to make sure people find you, listen to you and then engage with you’ {Katie}

* Secondly – How do you put it all together technology wise?

* Skype is a fantastic way to record interviews and there are also programs such as Amolto and Audacity which are free recorders that integrate with Skype.

* You want to make sure you have crisp clear sound which is also important when it comes to choosing a microphone.

* You don’t need much to get started and you certainly don’t need to spend a fortune.

* You will need somewhere to host your podcasts such as your own website or an online hosting platform.

* Last but not least – How do you get the word out?

* It is important to put work into marketing your podcast.

* ‘You have to work to get noticed’ {Katie}

* You need your listeners to subscribe, rate and review!

* Use your existing email list and get the word out there on social media too.

* Treat it like a mini launch and let everyone know!

* It is ideal to have a weekly podcast but if that is too much commitment fortnightly is okay too.

* Want to get featured on a podcast rather than recording your own? Here are a few tips;

* 1. Find creatives who you admire that have been interviewed on a podcast and that just may be a great one to pitch to.

* 2. Listen to the content of the podcast before you pitch to make sure your pitch fits their style.

* 3. Be prepared to be turned down. Expect it. But if you keep at it you will get a yes and that is worth it.

* Want to learn more? Katie has a free podcast launch checklist here (This site/resource is no longer available).

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes...

In this Episode I chat with Clare Collyer, the designer and maker behind the Australian handmade brand Zillpa.

Like many of us, it took time for Clare to find her current creative path. She had a creative childhood and studied graphic design but soon realised that what she really wanted to be doing was working with her hands.

Clare went on to study fashion design, and absolutely loved it! She ended up securing a job working for a bridal label, where she learnt a lot about running a business making things.

Behind the scenes, Clare was working on her own designs… and at one point, she started creating rope-based products. That was the turning point for her and her business.

Zillpa began to grow, and so Clare took the leap to creating and selling her products full time.

I met Clare through the Brisbane maker’s scene – specifically, because we were both members of BrisStyle (which began as an Etsy team, and which I was the VP of a few years ago).

I love her work, and I knew she’d turned her biz into something really successful, so I invited her to come on the show and tell her story.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Zillpa grew so much that Clare ended up opening her own retail space with a working studio out the back.

* The store front has now closed as she focuses on markets, online sales and wholesale to grow her business.

* Clare finds that face to face selling can be easier for her with customers enjoying holding and feeling her designs before buying.

* Clare took Zillpa to the trade show Life InStyle and this ended up being a huge success for her business securing a large number of wholesale orders.

* The biggest challenge she has faced in running her creative business are her own pressures and expectations of herself.

* A huge boost to the business was a featured article in Home Beautiful magazine which has been a highlight of her creative career.

* Clare has found that taking her products to the customer such as shows and markets has been the best marketing move for Zillpa.

* Clare now has a wholesale agent which has been a really positive experience for her helping her free up time to do more creating.

* ‘It’s all about knowing your strengths and weaknesses’ {Jess}

* Clare admits that having a plan for your business is a huge help in moving forward as well as knowing your weaknesses and being ok with them.

* She hopes to continue growing her business and to keep creating and doing what she loves well into the future.

* You can Find Zillpa on her website (This site/resource is no longer available), Facebook and Instagram.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)

In this Episode I chat with Clare Collyer, the designer and maker behind the Australian handmade brand Zillpa.

Like many of us, it took time for Clare to find her current creative path. She had a creative childhood and studied graphic design but soon realised that what she really wanted to be doing was working with her hands.

Clare went on to study fashion design, and absolutely loved it! She ended up securing a job working for a bridal label, where she learnt a lot about running a business making things.

Behind the scenes, Clare was working on her own designs… and at one point, she started creating rope-based products. That was the turning point for her and her business.

Zillpa began to grow, and so Clare took the leap to creating and selling her products full time.

I met Clare through the Brisbane maker’s scene – specifically, because we were both members of BrisStyle (which began as an Etsy team, and which I was the VP of a few years ago).

I love her work, and I knew she’d turned her biz into something really successful, so I invited her to come on the show and tell her story.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Zillpa grew so much that Clare ended up opening her own retail space with a working studio out the back.

* The store front has now closed as she focuses on markets, online sales and wholesale to grow her business.

* Clare finds that face to face selling can be easier for her with customers enjoying holding and feeling her designs before buying.

* Clare took Zillpa to the trade show Life InStyle and this ended up being a huge success for her business securing a large number of wholesale orders.

* The biggest challenge she has faced in running her creative business are her own pressures and expectations of herself.

* A huge boost to the business was a featured article in Home Beautiful magazine which has been a highlight of her creative career.

* Clare has found that taking her products to the customer such as shows and markets has been the best marketing move for Zillpa.

* Clare now has a wholesale agent which has been a really positive experience for her helping her free up time to do more creating.

* ‘It’s all about knowing your strengths and weaknesses’ {Jess}

* Clare admits that having a plan for your business is a huge help in moving forward as well as knowing your weaknesses and being ok with them.

* She hopes to continue growing her business and to keep creating and doing what she loves well into the future.

* You can Find Zillpa on her website (This site/resource is no longer available), Facebook and Instagram.

 

Download or Listen to This Episode

(You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)