At what point do you have to get a business license? If I teach art classes, do I need a license. Zoning concerns…when should you move from your home to a rented location.
I have so many questions I would ask an expert if I could!
The top one on my list right now is how do you go about building a website? How do you find a good web hosting company and is it possible to build your own or is it better to hire a professional?
Others have mentioned this, but time management is huge as well. If you only have a few hours a day to devote to your creative business (for now) what is the best balance between creating/marketing/planning? What is the best time investment in the early stages of a new business?
How do you decide what to charge for your products and services?
How do you connect with mentors and/or accountability partners who can provide direction and keep you motivated?
I am currently struggling with “lack of mojo.” I want to be successful, I just can’t get that kick in the pants to do it. So maybe help kick-starting creativity.
Also anything accounting related. I’ve already figured out most of what I need, but I struggled and I know there still is a lack of resources on this. How to keep track of numbers, what to keep track of, what certain terms mean, INVENTORY!, sharing systems and tips.
Organization. Bleh… it’s needed, but I hate it.
How to start a creative business… I don’t need this anymore, but I have a friend who is just starting and she has tons of questions.
Where to begin? I struggle with…
Time management
Balancing family needs with business demands
How to write a newsletter that doesn’t suck
Business budgeting
5 year plan type thingies
Keeping up with wholesale and my own retail inventory demands
And if I may second pretty much everything that Allison and Erika said.
I teach full-time, make jewelry, & have a husband & 2 kids (13 & 5).
*Balancing family life with creating.
*Add in social media…SEO…balancing figuring that out with above.
*Twitter?? Brand new account, now how to build QUALITY contacts!
*Blog…have 1 & my followers have stalled out…how to again find more QUALITY followers.
Newsletter, how often, what info, what one is best?
Creativity – finding “my little corner” and getting the word out there.
Not getting stuck in fear of (fill in the blank).
Time management (trying your list of 6) =)
oh man – my MAIN thing is the financial biz stuff. How to keep track of spending/ saving/ profits & organizing this info to be more useful to me not just at Tax Time but ALLLLLL the time! I’ve tried using Mint.com, no comment as of yet, still dealing with it but if there is any simple way to organize this stuff whoever is keeping the secret needs to spill asap. Also, the “official” business stuff like filing a DBA, doing sales taxes… all that unfun stuff that is necessary. ALSO! – offline promo and advertising is hard for me… Uh one more- understanding the steps ahead from the start – what i mean is, visualizing/knowing what the correct steps are (the actual order of things) for certain tasks, i guess mostly like the administrative stuff i’ve mentioned earlier. Gosh darn, all that paperwork stuff!
I agree with the Danielle. I have read two books about turning your craft hobby into a business, and i am still confused about the “Official Business” stuff, like apply for a state tax id number, whether I need to or not at this time, what type of business am I and how do i register, etc etc etc. I just feel like there is an easier way to explain it to those of us who say, went to music conservatory college and didn’t go to business school, lol. I am keeping expense and income spreadsheets to track my financials, but have no idea what to do about state taxes, or what i am going to do next year at tax time. Some people have said (in the books especially) that i should get an accountant or financial advisor to walk me through this, but i can’t really afford that at this time. So in other words I need the quick and easy skinny on how to step in the right simplified direction.
I’m struggling getting my product out there. I think I have a great product, yet I’m not getting the response I want when I’m approaching shops or the big craft fairs. Those are where I’m marketing myself on an electronic application, but I must be doing something wrong because I’m not generating interest that way. When people see my stuff, its different. So how do I market my product electronically. Better photos? Better blurb about me or my product?
I’m a new business owner and one of the most pressing issues on the top of my list is finances and taxes.
-What are the best ways to keep finances in order without having to hire an accountant?
-How do you figure out how much you should be paying yourself and how much to save and reinvest in the business??
-What are some tips on how to keep the creative juices flowing…when you’re getting caught up in orders, paperwork and everyday life what are some good tips to keep new ideas coming?
-Tips on approaching shops to carry your products, is there protocol to follow?
=)
I also pretty much second…or fourth what everyone else said above!
Thanks April!
I have a question about reaching your target market without being too exclusive.
My customers are diverse, and I want everyone to feel comfortable purchasing my jewelry. My handmade earrings appeal to ladies of all ages who have various interests and lifestyles. I am struggling with developing a fitting design for my Etsy shop and promotional materials because I would like to target my demographic while staying available to my mother’s and grandmother’s.
How can I define a cohesive brand, Etsy shop, and business card design that considers women of all ages, lifestyles, and locations while still focusing primarily on a more specific (younger) target market?
I think my biggest issue is balancing the farm with the store. For instance I got really sick for the last week and the goats decided to start losing their coats. That means the lovely cashmere is coming off of them and I need to collect it for the store. However this has to be done by hand with help. It messes up my schedule for blogging , social networking and creative time for getting things into the store. So many things that need to be done and cannot be delegated to my teenage kids(quite honestly they already do alot with the farm and the house to help me out). So that kind of balance is what i need to be able to prepare for.
My most hated part of the business is the financial and legal end. I could stop creating and spend 24/7 learning about it, but it would still keep me up at night and I would end up with nothing to sell.
The next thing that I struggle with is balancing everything. Like, how much time should I spend blogging versus creating versus paperwork versus advertising. I get so conflicted with juggling all of those balls in the air. I guess what I am saying is that I would love to learn how to track the return on investment of my time easily and not feel like I am missing something.
I would love to see tips on creating and working with others, as well as how to find and jumpstart those creative partnerships. Creative people have such diverse skill-sets beyond the art and often we can mesh well to share those skill-sets without losing our individual branding to help each other achieve our goals. See!? I can’t even put into words what I am thinking of! Argh.
An example might help. My blogging partner does pretty well with facebook marketing and I have more of a handle on Twitter. By working together, we are able to harness both skill sets to our advantage. Sort of like our own version of a etsy street team. Tips on how to keep that moving in a positive direction for everyone involved would be great.
These are things I think about:
*Advertising–how to determine what form of advertising I ought to use; if I sponsor blogs then what is the best way to determine if they fit the bill?
*I always struggle with photos (do I need to use models for my clothes and accessories?)
*How to organize your time to create and then do the social marketing things?
*I have been asked about wholesaling my work. It would be great to have insight into contracts, what to expect, etc.
Thanks, April!
Hi April,
Time Management is a big one especially when you’re starting out. Some sort of logical plan to follow.
E-mail marketing & Newsletters – setting up campaigns and also what to give away to encourage people to join your list.
How to use Twitter effectively.
How to monitor your social media presence & efforts.
How to formulate a plan for guest posting on other blogs and how to approach it.
How to successfully Network.
How to grow your blog quickly and build community.
Accounting side of the business. Best Tools to use.
Think that will do for now, 😉
Thanks April x
At what point do you have to get a business license? If I teach art classes, do I need a license. Zoning concerns…when should you move from your home to a rented location.
I have so many questions I would ask an expert if I could!
The top one on my list right now is how do you go about building a website? How do you find a good web hosting company and is it possible to build your own or is it better to hire a professional?
Others have mentioned this, but time management is huge as well. If you only have a few hours a day to devote to your creative business (for now) what is the best balance between creating/marketing/planning? What is the best time investment in the early stages of a new business?
How do you decide what to charge for your products and services?
How do you connect with mentors and/or accountability partners who can provide direction and keep you motivated?
Thanks, April!
I read the above comments and I second them all! Would love to talk to another business woman! and ask them lots of things!
Thanks again, April
Hey!
I am currently struggling with “lack of mojo.” I want to be successful, I just can’t get that kick in the pants to do it. So maybe help kick-starting creativity.
Also anything accounting related. I’ve already figured out most of what I need, but I struggled and I know there still is a lack of resources on this. How to keep track of numbers, what to keep track of, what certain terms mean, INVENTORY!, sharing systems and tips.
Organization. Bleh… it’s needed, but I hate it.
How to start a creative business… I don’t need this anymore, but I have a friend who is just starting and she has tons of questions.
THANKS!
Where to begin? I struggle with…
Time management
Balancing family needs with business demands
How to write a newsletter that doesn’t suck
Business budgeting
5 year plan type thingies
Keeping up with wholesale and my own retail inventory demands
And if I may second pretty much everything that Allison and Erika said.
Thank so you April!
Balance, balance, balance!!!
I teach full-time, make jewelry, & have a husband & 2 kids (13 & 5).
*Balancing family life with creating.
*Add in social media…SEO…balancing figuring that out with above.
*Twitter?? Brand new account, now how to build QUALITY contacts!
*Blog…have 1 & my followers have stalled out…how to again find more QUALITY followers.
😎
Newsletter, how often, what info, what one is best?
Creativity – finding “my little corner” and getting the word out there.
Not getting stuck in fear of (fill in the blank).
Time management (trying your list of 6) =)
oh man – my MAIN thing is the financial biz stuff. How to keep track of spending/ saving/ profits & organizing this info to be more useful to me not just at Tax Time but ALLLLLL the time! I’ve tried using Mint.com, no comment as of yet, still dealing with it but if there is any simple way to organize this stuff whoever is keeping the secret needs to spill asap. Also, the “official” business stuff like filing a DBA, doing sales taxes… all that unfun stuff that is necessary. ALSO! – offline promo and advertising is hard for me… Uh one more- understanding the steps ahead from the start – what i mean is, visualizing/knowing what the correct steps are (the actual order of things) for certain tasks, i guess mostly like the administrative stuff i’ve mentioned earlier. Gosh darn, all that paperwork stuff!
I agree with the Danielle. I have read two books about turning your craft hobby into a business, and i am still confused about the “Official Business” stuff, like apply for a state tax id number, whether I need to or not at this time, what type of business am I and how do i register, etc etc etc. I just feel like there is an easier way to explain it to those of us who say, went to music conservatory college and didn’t go to business school, lol. I am keeping expense and income spreadsheets to track my financials, but have no idea what to do about state taxes, or what i am going to do next year at tax time. Some people have said (in the books especially) that i should get an accountant or financial advisor to walk me through this, but i can’t really afford that at this time. So in other words I need the quick and easy skinny on how to step in the right simplified direction.
Thanks April, and I think you Rock!!!!
Amanda
I’m struggling getting my product out there. I think I have a great product, yet I’m not getting the response I want when I’m approaching shops or the big craft fairs. Those are where I’m marketing myself on an electronic application, but I must be doing something wrong because I’m not generating interest that way. When people see my stuff, its different. So how do I market my product electronically. Better photos? Better blurb about me or my product?
I’m a new business owner and one of the most pressing issues on the top of my list is finances and taxes.
-What are the best ways to keep finances in order without having to hire an accountant?
-How do you figure out how much you should be paying yourself and how much to save and reinvest in the business??
-What are some tips on how to keep the creative juices flowing…when you’re getting caught up in orders, paperwork and everyday life what are some good tips to keep new ideas coming?
-Tips on approaching shops to carry your products, is there protocol to follow?
=)
I also pretty much second…or fourth what everyone else said above!
Thanks April!
Hi April!
I have a question about reaching your target market without being too exclusive.
My customers are diverse, and I want everyone to feel comfortable purchasing my jewelry. My handmade earrings appeal to ladies of all ages who have various interests and lifestyles. I am struggling with developing a fitting design for my Etsy shop and promotional materials because I would like to target my demographic while staying available to my mother’s and grandmother’s.
How can I define a cohesive brand, Etsy shop, and business card design that considers women of all ages, lifestyles, and locations while still focusing primarily on a more specific (younger) target market?
Thanks for considering my question!
Allison
I think my biggest issue is balancing the farm with the store. For instance I got really sick for the last week and the goats decided to start losing their coats. That means the lovely cashmere is coming off of them and I need to collect it for the store. However this has to be done by hand with help. It messes up my schedule for blogging , social networking and creative time for getting things into the store. So many things that need to be done and cannot be delegated to my teenage kids(quite honestly they already do alot with the farm and the house to help me out). So that kind of balance is what i need to be able to prepare for.
My most hated part of the business is the financial and legal end. I could stop creating and spend 24/7 learning about it, but it would still keep me up at night and I would end up with nothing to sell.
The next thing that I struggle with is balancing everything. Like, how much time should I spend blogging versus creating versus paperwork versus advertising. I get so conflicted with juggling all of those balls in the air. I guess what I am saying is that I would love to learn how to track the return on investment of my time easily and not feel like I am missing something.
I would love to see tips on creating and working with others, as well as how to find and jumpstart those creative partnerships. Creative people have such diverse skill-sets beyond the art and often we can mesh well to share those skill-sets without losing our individual branding to help each other achieve our goals. See!? I can’t even put into words what I am thinking of! Argh.
An example might help. My blogging partner does pretty well with facebook marketing and I have more of a handle on Twitter. By working together, we are able to harness both skill sets to our advantage. Sort of like our own version of a etsy street team. Tips on how to keep that moving in a positive direction for everyone involved would be great.
So many great points have been posted here! Most of mine have been mentioned.
I would add:
– what are some tips to submit your work to art magazines and make a fantastic first impression?
– what are some creative ways to package your art for mail orders?
Thanks!
Sandra
something about press releases would be great too, april!