I’ve created four comprehensive courses that you can take at any time at your own pace. If you’re looking for all-inclusive courses about topics like blogging for your business or marketing your creative business, you’re in the right place. Find details and information for each course below.
Do you wish there was a way for you to learn everything you need to know to market your creative business without having to research every individual topic?
A way to create an individualized marketing plan for your business that actually works?
“This is probably the most comprehensive how-to market your blog course I've seen. Better than and with tons more content than some of the $2000 ones I've taken from well-known marketing experts.” -CreativeLive Student
When CreativeLive invited me to teach a bootcamp-style course with them, I knew the topic should be marketing (because I love it and there’s a lack of comprehensive marketing courses available for creative businesses).
Most courses teaching you how to promote your online business focus on business-to-business models. While I do cover that in this course, I also use just as many (and probably more) examples of how to apply these promotional strategies to creative businesses such as artists and jewelry designers.
“This course is bursting with content! I love April's style. She doesn't just drop ideas and move on, she works through problems towards a solution. It's an awesome step-by-step guide to reach more of your ideal followers.” -Richelle Shadoan
In this course, you’ll learn:
+ How to finally figure out who your ideal customer is and how to sell to her
+ The psychology of marketing (a.k.a., what really works and what doesn’t)
+ How to take professional-quality product photos
+ How to start using video to connect with potential customers
+ Tips and techniques that will transform your writing
+ How to double your blog readership
+ How to brainstorm a year of blog posts that your reader will love
+ The ins and outs of email marketing
+ Strategies for building your email list
+ The basics of promoting your business with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
+ And so much more!
“I've listened to other Creative Live courses and even bought a few of them, but this is by far the best I've experienced so far! As a visual artist and jewelry designer, I love the visuals in every presentation and April's delivery of information is so pleasant that it feels like I am in the live audience.” -Charmaine
With social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, you might wonder if you really need to blog.
If you’re building an online business, the answer is YES.
“April's course is the first blogging course that really clicked for me. April covers a ton of really valuable information and makes everything very accessible. I finished this course feeling incredibly inspired.” -CreativeLive Student
Unlike social media platforms, you own your blog. You get to make every decision from how it’s designed to how long your blog posts are to what kind of content you publish.
If you rely on social media to promote your business, you could find yourself without a way to talk to your customers. Social media platforms can delete your page or account without notice. Once they do, it’s often really hard to get it back. They can also change up their algorithms making it difficult to get your posts in front of your followers (I’m looking at you Facebook and Instagram!) or make you pay to get your content into your followers’ feeds.
You’re gambling on the future of your business, because you’re not in control.
“April is one of those people you fall in love with and can't wait to hear more from. All of her classes are full of inspirational stories and how-to's that sincerely make her one of my favorite instructors of all time.” -CreativeLive Student
Blogging is a necessity.
The bad news is that there are over 200 million blogs on the internet, so you have to work to stand out from the noise.
You need high-quality, entertaining content, a unique voice, and pretty visuals. I’ll cover all of that and more in my course, Build a Successful Creative Blog.
In this course, you’ll learn:
+ How to create content that will attract your ideal reader
+ How to develop a content plan
+ What it takes to develop a unique style and voice
+ Copywriting skills that’ll help you sell your products and services
+ How to create branded visuals for your blog
+ Strategies to monetize your blog
+ Marketing with SEO, guest posting and social media
+ How to balance blogging and life
+ And so much more!
“Being not a native speaker, I was a bit reluctant about this course. But April's course was so easy to understand and a huge pleasure to follow. She gave an abundance of information and all my questions about blogging got answered. I loved doing this course and recommend it for everyone, beginners as well as experienced bloggers.” -CreativeLive Student
Would you love to create a product once and be able to sell it over and over and over?
That’s the beauty of digital products.
Ebooks. Downloadable prints, cards, bookplates and bookmarks. Printable calendars. Workbooks. Ecourses. Digital patterns.
“I was surprised at how much I learned in this class. I thought there would be a lot of fluff, but everything was presented beautifully and in a well-organized way. Inspiring and useful!” -CreativeLive Student
I’ve worked with many creative entrepreneurs who added digital products into their business models and it alleviated so much stress and allowed them to make more money without working more hours.
For example, I worked with a knitter who started selling her patterns alongside her knitted socks, mittens and scarves. She already had an audience of women who wanted to learn how to knit her items instead of buying them. Because she started selling her patterns, she was able to raise the price of her hand-knit items and within six months, she doubled her income.
At first, she worried that if she sold her patterns then people wouldn’t buy her hand-knit items, but actually those are two different groups of customers: 1) women who don’t want to knit intricate designs themselves or don’t knit at all but love and buy hand-knit items 2) women who are knitters and don’t buy hand-knit items--only patterns. By adding digital patterns to her shop, she doubled her customer base.
“I just have to say I was riveted to my seat for two days. I have 30 years business experience and a BSBA, but the way April presents decision-making and how-to's for creative entrepreneurs blew me away and increased my knowledge in a way I didn't even see coming. One of the best courses I have taken.” -CreativeLive Student
I’ve spent the past six years selling digital products, mainly ebooks and courses. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with many women who sell digital products. And, for this course, I interviewed other women who make thousands of dollars from selling digital products, including one woman who makes six figures from selling downloadable prints on Etsy.
If you want to start creating and selling your own digital products, this is the course for you.
In this course, you’ll learn:
+ How to pick the right products to sell
+ The logistics of creating digital products
+ Strategies for pricing digital products
+ How to connect with your dream customers
+ How to write a sales page that actually sells
+ The ins and outs of launching your product
+ How to keep selling after your launch
+ And so much more!
“The is one of the best online classes I have ever taken. April is positive, upbeat, knowledgeable, and so great at breaking things down. She seemed incredibly well prepared to teach this class. The class moved along at just the right speed. If you have ever considered selling digital products and aren't sure where to start, this class is exactly where you need to be.” -Blair S.
Do you feel like you get lost among the thousands of online sellers or hundreds of fellow makers at a trade or craft show?
Do you get nervous when someone asks you what makes your business different than your competitors?
Maybe you lack confidence when selling or explaining why someone should choose your product?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, this day-long course is for you.
“April just sucks you in with her huge personality and smile. This lady could talk about paint drying and you would happily watch her do it. April is by far my favorite instructor, she encourages you and provides all the information one would need to start and finish. Her classes are a must-buy being how they are all packed with so much information, one would get a cramp trying to write it all down.” -Hollie Nguyen
In this course, you’ll learn:
+ Why your customers choose you
+ What the unique brand trifecta is and how to apply it to your business
+ How to get to know your customers
+ How to create a customer service experience that shines
+ The five objection profiles and how they affect your sales
+ How to write a unique about page
+ And so much more!
“The workbook helped me to identify key points that I needed to think about. I’ve had a business for a while now, and I wanted to give my shop and blog a fresh look. I certainly got exactly what I was looking for in. By going through this process, I feel wonderful about my products.” -Karen
