Spring Clean Your Crafting Business

Spring Clean Your Crafting Business

Published in our June 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Written by our founder The Crystal Lady

If you are finding your craft business a little slow right now, try not to let it get you down too much. Everyone is in the same boat in the current financial situation. A lot of small crafters are giving up and calling it a day, this is a huge shame as so much work goes into creating products and marketing them. (The latter can often take more time than actually making the product in the first place). It can be extremely depressing when days/weeks/months go by without a sale but there are things that you can do to lift your spirits a bit. Look at it as a fantastic opportunity to Spring Clean your business.
Look at your current stock of products. Are any of them looking a bit tired, if possible could they perhaps be revamped into something new?
Scour the Internet and other sources looking for fresh inspiration. Create a new product line or update an old one.
Does your Website/Folksy/Etsy shop etc need a facelift? Sometimes changing a colour scheme or moving things around can work wonders when getting people to find your store.
Could your images be better, or more uniform. With a bit of time on your hands you could perfect those all important sales pictures.
Blog, twitter, Facebook. This all takes time so make use of it while you have it.
Contact previous customers and ask for Feedback. This can not only be very useful but also reminds them that you are still there and may cause them to revisit your sites.
Join groups or get together with other crafting friends, share the marketing, more blogs, Facebook pages, twitter accounts reach more people.

It is very easy to feel that the world has forgotten you and it is easier to just give up. Try and remember why you were attracted to crafting in the first place, how much you enjoy creating. The vast Crafting Community will continue to support each other ready for when things take a turn for the better. One thing that I have always found is that there is always someone willing to offer a kind word and inspiration when you need it. You only have to ask.

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one."Elbert Hubbard

Hands up if .....

Can I put my hand down now my arm is aching!

Rachael did make a very good point in her comment on the Please don't ask me THAT question post the other day. She mentioned that when people ask her what she does, she always feels as though she has to explain that although she has a craft business, it doesn't make enough money to support her. Why do we feel this way? Because we do don't we! Why do we always feel that we need to defend ourselves. When you think about, there are so many mainstream businesses out there that have very small turnovers and in the current financial climate make losses every year! How much money it brings in does not define your business! And to be honest, it is no one elses business but your own. We should feel confident enough to hold our heads high and shout to the world that 'This is what we do!'

So the next time someone asks you where you work. Say proudly that you own your own business, you are a Professional Crafter. And don't forget that you don't just have to compete with the shop across the road! You sell online! You are in competition with the rest of the world! Every sale that you make is extra special, that customer chose you out of the whole world!

How's that for a confidence boost!

So get that hand down, and keep it down. :)



Please don't ask me THAT question!

I dread people asking me what I do! Because I'm not sure they ever really listen to the answer. Because I don't go out to work I always get the impression that they think I am either making things up to get out of doing the housework or am either too thick or lazy to get a 'proper job'!

Are they totally insane! Do they really not realise how hard it is to start a business from the ground up, from absolutely nothing, whilst trying to ignore everything going on around you. (Housework, small children, pets etc) The answer! No, I don't think they do.

Everyone that works from home knows as well as I do, that although we love our work, and we really do love it! It certainly isn't the easy option. We rarely, ever stop work. You will still see us beavering away whilst cooking tea and juggling children. Doing a spot of PR on twitter or Facebook during advert breaks in the evenings. Often sitting up through the night to finish off orders and projects. So please, please, please don't accuse us of having a hobby! It isn't a hobby, it is our LIFE! And lots of us are very good at it so credit where credit is due!

I started the Professional Crafters Guild, initially to give people something visible that they could slap on their websites and blogs etc. Something that shouts "Hey! I am working here!"
As it is starting to grow and develop I am coming to realise that we could actually make a difference, so if you have any ideas on how we can mature and support eachother I am all ears. :)

With regard to my answer to 'that' question! Well, it is always difficult to say. Yes, I do have a jewellery business, I also run a social network, I publish a magazine and now have this Guild. What do I call myself exactly? ( A total raving lunatic perhaps!) A good friend once said that I do too much and that it is 'virtual self harm'. She could be right, but I love it all too much and so I shall keep on going until I explode. :)

Welcome to the new blog for The Professional Crafters Guild

The Professional Crafters Guild was created in July 2011 to help working crafters show the world that they are 'serious' about their craft as a business and not a hobby! Nothing will rile a working crafter nore quickly than thinking that they are hobbiests rather than professionals.

The working crafter works excessively long hours and puts their body and soul into their work and deserve recognition for their efforts.

As the Guild grows we hope to achieve great things and look forward to meeting new people and working with them to raise awareness of our work. In this mass produced world we must strive to keep ancient crafts alive and keep generations of experience within our communities.

Initially, your first step is to wear your unique PCG badge with pride on your sites. Show your customers that you mean 'business'! Never be afraid to get in touch with ideas for the Guild, we need you to help us push forward into 2012.

Together, lets make 2012 the year of the Professional Crafter!

On joining our ranks you will receive a Welcome Pack which includes your unique digital badges that carry your registration number. Your details will also be added to our members list on our website. You will also have a digital certificate which you can print out and keep.

Spread the word and Join us today!

http://www.procraftersguild.com

You can contact the founder of the Guild, Anna-Marie at info@procraftersguild.com