The Create & Thrive Podcast

 

Having an online presence is one of the most important things you can do for your handmade business.

If you are yet to launch your online shop; are on the fence as to whether it’s worth it; have been thinking about it for a while and don’t know where to start; or you have one but you aren’t sure about how improve it – this episode is for you!

I outline the main benefits of having an online shop – even if selling online is not your primary venue of choice.

I also share the 5 things you need to get a handle on before you can start successfully selling your work online.

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* You need  to create an enticing, well functioning, cohesive and professional online shop.

* ‘An online shop takes time and dedication but it is worth it’. {Jess}

* You can accept orders while you sleep.

* You are more likely to be accepted by retailers.

* You don’t have to have heaps of stock already made.

* You can reach your ideal customer no matter where they live.

* You can start selling for a low initial cost.

* You can work and sell from the comfort of your new home.

* An online shop makes it easy for people to buy your work.

* A strong online presence is very important.

* The 5 things you need before you are ready to sell craft online?

* 1. An attractive and useful product.

* 2. A brand.

* ‘Smart business people quickly realise the power of branding in all that they do’. {Jess}

* Without constraints we have no boundaries or barriers.

* 3. The ability to take stellar product photos.

* ‘Your photographs will make or break your business’. {Jess}

* 4. A basic understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

* 5. You need courage.

* ‘Without courage you won’t succeed’. {Jess}

* You need to believe in your brand, your products, and your photography.

 

Download/Listen to this Episode

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

 

Daisy Forster runs a creative business selling her hand-dyed yarns.

She started her business selling online via Facebook, and has since grown to offer yarn club subscriptions, and also run dyeing workshops and retreats as well as business retreats to assist other creatives.

I invited Daisy on the show after a comment she made in the Thriver Circle, about how she has used social media – primarily Facebook – to grow her business to a very profitable level over the last few years. With all the talk out there about how Facebook ‘doesn’t work’ any more for small business, I thought it was worthwhile to pick her brain about it – to find out why it worked for her, and how you can use that knowledge in your own business.

We also discuss the huge leap forward her business made when she decided to start offering a ‘yarn club’ subscription – members get a box with a new skein/skeins of her hand-dyed yarn every month that they are subscribed. This is been so successful that Daisy currently has 4 different clubs, and it is a huge part of her business model.

If you’ve ever thought about offering a subscription club for your own handmade goods, don’t miss this one!

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Daisy Forster runs Devon Sun Yarns, hosts luxury yarn retreats, is a knitter, and a creative business mentor.

* Daisy found that using Facebook worked naturally to grow her business, as she was already involved in many groups as an active member.

* ‘You need to build a community with the people who like your page’. {Daisy}

* Daisy created a yarn club to help her organise, supply to her committed customers, and streamline her business.

* ‘Make sure your business is working for you’. {Daisy}

* It is important to work smart in the small amount of time that you have.

* Daisy likes to work with what is inspiring her at the time which keeps her business flexible.

* When it comes to social media you should check in with your business multiple times a day.

* ‘The best marketing moves I have made are to be consistent’. {Daisy}

* Always be present on social media as people love to know you will be there.

* Learn and know when your peak times are to post so you show up on peoples feeds every day.

* ‘Positive systems and habits can be the difference between sanity and insanity’. {Jess}

* Don’t wait. The real learning comes from doing.

* You can find Daisy at her website, Instagram or Facebook.

* The book Daisy is featured in: The Business of Being Social

Download/Listen to this Episode

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

 

Daisy Forster runs a creative business selling her hand-dyed yarns.

She started her business selling online via Facebook, and has since grown to offer yarn club subscriptions, and also run dyeing workshops and retreats as well as business retreats to assist other creatives.

I invited Daisy on the show after a comment she made in the Thriver Circle, about how she has used social media – primarily Facebook – to grow her business to a very profitable level over the last few years. With all the talk out there about how Facebook ‘doesn’t work’ any more for small business, I thought it was worthwhile to pick her brain about it – to find out why it worked for her, and how you can use that knowledge in your own business.

We also discuss the huge leap forward her business made when she decided to start offering a ‘yarn club’ subscription – members get a box with a new skein/skeins of her hand-dyed yarn every month that they are subscribed. This is been so successful that Daisy currently has 4 different clubs, and it is a huge part of her business model.

If you’ve ever thought about offering a subscription club for your own handmade goods, don’t miss this one!

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Daisy Forster runs Devon Sun Yarns, hosts luxury yarn retreats, is a knitter, and a creative business mentor.

* Daisy found that using Facebook worked naturally to grow her business, as she was already involved in many groups as an active member.

* ‘You need to build a community with the people who like your page’. {Daisy}

* Daisy created a yarn club to help her organise, supply to her committed customers, and streamline her business.

* ‘Make sure your business is working for you’. {Daisy}

* It is important to work smart in the small amount of time that you have.

* Daisy likes to work with what is inspiring her at the time which keeps her business flexible.

* When it comes to social media you should check in with your business multiple times a day.

* ‘The best marketing moves I have made are to be consistent’. {Daisy}

* Always be present on social media as people love to know you will be there.

* Learn and know when your peak times are to post so you show up on peoples feeds every day.

* ‘Positive systems and habits can be the difference between sanity and insanity’. {Jess}

* Don’t wait. The real learning comes from doing.

* You can find Daisy at her website, Instagram or Facebook.

* The book Daisy is featured in: The Business of Being Social

Download/Listen to this Episode

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

 

 

As we dive straight into the new year, it is important to spend a little time to reflect on 2015 before going full steam ahead.

We need to look at what worked and what didn’t so that we can set ourselves on the right path for the new year – and not repeat the same mistakes.

Whether you had a hard year – or it was a huge success – you can learn so much from it on both a personal and a business level by taking just a little time to look back an analyse what worked – and what didn’t.

In this episode I ask you some questions that will help with this reflection. If you can, I recommend you have a notebook nearby so you can write down your own answers to the questions I ask in this episode.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Get a whole year wall planner – my friend Mikaela has an awesome printable one for sale!

* What worked in 2015? What made you feel really positive and what was the highlight?

* We need to think about what worked and why it worked.

* ‘You really need to take care of yourself first before you can give’. {Jess}

* What didn’t work well for you in 2015? What did you want to do but didn’t do?

* Use the top 3 priorities method in 2016.

* What are your must do’s for this year?

* What are your limiting beliefs?

* Learn to recognise your false limiting beliefs, so they no longer hold you back.

* ‘Start switching your mindset and challenge your limiting beliefs’. {Jess}

* What are you most excited about this year?

* Business Bootcamp starts next week in the Thriver Circle!

*

Download/Listen to this Episode

 

http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/38_What_Will_You_Change_in_2016.mp3

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

 

As we dive straight into the new year, it is important to spend a little time to reflect on 2015 before going full steam ahead.

We need to look at what worked and what didn’t so that we can set ourselves on the right path for the new year – and not repeat the same mistakes.

Whether you had a hard year – or it was a huge success – you can learn so much from it on both a personal and a business level by taking just a little time to look back an analyse what worked – and what didn’t.

In this episode I ask you some questions that will help with this reflection. If you can, I recommend you have a notebook nearby so you can write down your own answers to the questions I ask in this episode.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Get a whole year wall planner – my friend Mikaela has an awesome printable one for sale!

* What worked in 2015? What made you feel really positive and what was the highlight?

* We need to think about what worked and why it worked.

* ‘You really need to take care of yourself first before you can give’. {Jess}

* What didn’t work well for you in 2015? What did you want to do but didn’t do?

* Use the top 3 priorities method in 2016.

* What are your must do’s for this year?

* What are your limiting beliefs?

* Learn to recognise your false limiting beliefs, so they no longer hold you back.

* ‘Start switching your mindset and challenge your limiting beliefs’. {Jess}

* What are you most excited about this year?

* Business Bootcamp starts next week in the Thriver Circle!

*

Download/Listen to this Episode

 

http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/38_What_Will_You_Change_in_2016.mp3

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

 

It’s time to say farewell to another year – and what a year it’s been!

I launched the Thriver Circle in January, and we now have over 400 amazing members.

I was honoured to be invited by Etsy Australia to teach #EtsyResolution (This site/resource is no longer available) alongside Clare Bowditch, which was a definite career highlight up to now!

I launched the C&T Podcast in April and we’re now up to 37 episodes

 

It’s time to say farewell to another year – and what a year it’s been!

I launched the Thriver Circle in January, and we now have over 400 amazing members.

I was honoured to be invited by Etsy Australia to teach #EtsyResolution (This site/resource is no longer available) alongside Clare Bowditch, which was a definite career highlight up to now!

I launched the C&T Podcast in April and we’re now up to 37 episodes

This week – in the third Q&A podcast – I answer three great questions from listeners that many of you have probably asked yourselves at some point.

How do you cope when you decide to change your brand direction – specifically: what do you do with that heap of materials you have that no longer fit your brand direction?

What do you do when someone asks you ‘how did you make that’?

Finally, is asking your customers for reviews a good idea? How should you approach this?

And as always, please keep the questions coming!  Send me an email, let me help – that’s why I’m here…

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Don’t dilute your brand by using materials that aren’t in line with it.

* You need to think about what this will do to your brand.

* Sell on old stock, mark it down to a sunk cost or re-purpose your old supplies.

* “Follow the clear idea of your brand and make it stronger.” {Jess}

* The people who are going to buy from you are not the same people as those who would make what you make.

* Your customer is the person who can’t make what you make.

* Tell a story of your process, a story of how your item is made.

* Put some detail of your process in your product descriptions.

* Make process a positive part of your marketing.

* Episode 8 – How to Deal with Copycats

* “Reviews are the lifeblood of micro businesses like ours.” {Jess}

* The more positive reviews you can get, the more confident a new customer will be in buying from you.

* Asking for a review is asking the customer to go above and beyond the transaction.

* Be aware that asking for feedback runs the risk of reaching people who may not leave a 5 star review.

* Asking for personal feedback rather than a review is a great way to find your happiest customers.

* Don’t be afraid to follow up with your happiest customers – those who’ve already told you they love their purchase – to ask them for a public review.

* Keep your follow ups simple, sweet and genuine.

Download/Listen to this Episode

 

 

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

This week – in the third Q&A podcast – I answer three great questions from listeners that many of you have probably asked yourselves at some point.

How do you cope when you decide to change your brand direction – specifically: what do you do with that heap of materials you have that no longer fit your brand direction?

What do you do when someone asks you ‘how did you make that’?

Finally, is asking your customers for reviews a good idea? How should you approach this?

And as always, please keep the questions coming!  Send me an email, let me help – that’s why I’m here…

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Don’t dilute your brand by using materials that aren’t in line with it.

* You need to think about what this will do to your brand.

* Sell on old stock, mark it down to a sunk cost or re-purpose your old supplies.

* “Follow the clear idea of your brand and make it stronger.” {Jess}

* The people who are going to buy from you are not the same people as those who would make what you make.

* Your customer is the person who can’t make what you make.

* Tell a story of your process, a story of how your item is made.

* Put some detail of your process in your product descriptions.

* Make process a positive part of your marketing.

* Episode 8 – How to Deal with Copycats

* “Reviews are the lifeblood of micro businesses like ours.” {Jess}

* The more positive reviews you can get, the more confident a new customer will be in buying from you.

* Asking for a review is asking the customer to go above and beyond the transaction.

* Be aware that asking for feedback runs the risk of reaching people who may not leave a 5 star review.

* Asking for personal feedback rather than a review is a great way to find your happiest customers.

* Don’t be afraid to follow up with your happiest customers – those who’ve already told you they love their purchase – to ask them for a public review.

* Keep your follow ups simple, sweet and genuine.

Download/Listen to this Episode

 

 

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

With only weeks to go until Christmas and the New Year it is important that you set yourself some time for a break from your handmade business.

I know the idea of shutting down strikes fear into the heart of many handmade business owners… but honestly? Taking a real break from your business can often be THE BEST thing you can possibly do. Both for you, and for the future of your business.

Whether you take a day to yourself, or have a big holiday planned, there are some things to think about in advance to ensure that you are prepared and have the confidence in taking a break that you can really enjoy.

In this episode I share some practical tips that will take the stress out of your holiday, and give you a step-by-step plan that tells you how to get everything you need to do done.

I’d love to hear about your holiday-taking experiences in the comments below, too! When’s the last time you took a proper break from your business? How did it go? And do you have any tips for your fellow makers on this process?

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* ‘If you work yourself too hard, you will end up resenting your business’. {Jess}

* Take the fear out of taking a break from your business.

* Saving enough money and making sure you have more than you need.

* Work harder before your break so you can enjoy it.

* ‘Your life is more than just your business’. {Jess}

* Write an action plan ahead of time.

* ‘It’s all about communication, communication, communication’. {Jess}

* Preparing your regular customers.

* Announce clearly and announce early.

* Set up email responders and vacation notices.

* Keeping visible during your break.

* Have a set date to re-open.

* ‘Re-spark the fire that drives you’. {Jess}

* Taking a break is powerful for the future of your business.

Download/Listen to this Episode

http://createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/35_How_To_Take_a_Break_from_Your_Handmade_Business.mp3

 

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