Print-on-Demand, Website Setup and eCommerce, Product DevelopmentIn this session, we talked about choosing the right sales platforms, developing a product lineup, and knowing when to expand into new products. We also covered setting up a shoppable website, printing and selling artwork, shipping orders, managing business costs, and pricing handmade products.2:01:27
Shipping & Fulfillment, Print-on-Demand, Influencer PartnershipsThis session covered topics around shipping and fulfillment, website platforms, email marketing and product photography. We also discussed about Black Friday strategies, influencer partnerships with friends, branding, POD, product sourcing, and competitor research using the coattail technique.2:41:06
Product Design, Branding, Print-on-DemandThis session covered a mix of business pivots, branding, websites, design decisions and protecting creative work. Students received feedback on refining a new sculptural product direction, deciding whether a small collection is enough to launch and finalizing business card designs, as well as how to apply ASAD strategies to a print-on-demand business and build an independent brand and store.1:48:01
Niche selection, Google Ads, BrandingThis session focused on niche selection, product development, branding, and website conversions. Discussions included website optimization, the effectiveness of Google Ads, defining and refining a niche, creating a cohesive brand, and developing products after finding a niche. Student wins were also celebrated throughout the session.1:44:31
Ads, Website Review, Product SourcingThis session covered tips on ad creatives and hooks, starting a business on a small budget, navigating the course as an established business owner, deciding when to leave a full-time job and validating and pricing new business ideas. It also covered whether an Amazon trademark is worth it, rebranding versus dissolving an LLC after moving to a new state and sourcing products2:31:55
Paid Ads, Website optimization, Business LaunchThe session covered balancing course progress with strategy work, expectations for getting traffic and sales after launching, paid ads platforms, ad budgeting for new shops, and website feedback.1:20:00
Business Owner Mindset, Media Outreach, Google VisibilityThis session highlights student wins and dives into practical strategies for balancing creative and CEO roles, structuring product listings, and managing time effectively. We talked about outreach, from contacting churches, funeral homes, and boutiques to crafting letters and exploring media partnerships while also tackling visibility through Google, and attending in-person events. We also covered tips on what to look out for when working with ad agencies and the best app to use for audio for content.2:53:09
Marketing, Social Media, Working with Retailers and Manufacturers, Product Listing OptimizationThe session covered practical business setup and strategies on using virtual mailboxes and crafting About pages. We discussed how to handle suspicious signups, scam orders, email incentives, social media platform focus, and outreach through ads, SEO, and influencers. The discussion also highlighted collaboration with retailers and manufacturers, tips for product listings, and video creation using free tools.1:53:20
Sale-Ready Designs, Brand Name, Shopify vs Hostinger, and Launch PlanningThis session focused on early-stage business decisions, including creating sale-ready designs, branding and naming, choosing the right website platform, and practical launch decisions like how much packaging to stock and designs to prepare.1:43:14
Meta Ads, Media Outreach, Brand personalityIn this session, we covered practical Q&A on marketing and growth for product-based businesses, including Meta ads, pitching collaborations, media outreach timing, platform selection, brand personality, sourcing manufacturers, and sustaining digital offers.2:08:11
Marketing Strategy, Refining Niche, Sales RecoveryIn this session, we covered how to recover from slow sales periods, and evaluate product ideas like custom home goods and gemstone jewelry in competitive markets. We also discussed when and how to hire marketing help, choosing the right sales channels and target market, and tools to manage social media more efficiently.1:27:38
Shipping, Website Optimization, Email Marketing, Ads, Influencer MarketingThis session covers key challenges for handmade and small business owners, including shipping issues, email marketing strategies, and driving traffic to Shopify websites. We also discussed advertising with Meta Ads, finding influencers who convert, and spotting fraudulent orders. Finally, business strategy topics were addressed, such as launching an MVP, reinvesting sales, and managing underperforming products.1:51:45
Website Review & Optimization, Keyword research, Appealing to a Mixed AudienceThis session celebrated several student wins. Feedback was given on a new embroidery patch shop website and Etsy store, and discussed keywords to use to be searchable in search engines and Etsy. We also talked about targeting a mixed audience from different age ranges to sell a product. Finally, we did a quick check on a competitor’s Etsy shop selling embroidery patches, and noted best practices.1:18:28
Email Marketing, Shopify Website Optimization, Influencer Outreach, Self-MotivationThis session covered how to re-engage old subscribers through newsletters, manage Klaviyo popups for imported lists, and optimize product display on Shopify. We talked about resolving layout and image issues, compared Shopify's costs to Etsy, and shared insights about Shopify customer support. Attendees also asked about following up after sending samples, filtering influencer lists, and using affiliate programs for outreach. We also talked self-motivation to do marketing and outreach that a lot creatives struggle with. Business strategy topics included pitching events to companies, selling artwork to hotels, and deciding whether to continue offering print based on feedback received from customers.2:19:44
Rebranding, Pricing Strategy, Email Marketing Tools & Set-up, Magazine PitchingThis session covers a wide range of questions navigating growth, rebranding, and marketing challenges in their product-based businesses. Many are in a transitional stage, reworking their brand direction, refining their product focus, or trying to sell existing inventory to fund new ideas. Common themes included low conversion rates, uncertainty around product-market fit, pricing strategies, using Klaviyo flows, pitching to magazines using different angles, improving packaging presentation and exploring platforms like Shopify and Hostinger.3:34:16
Pitching, Marketing & GrowthThis session covers key topics like pitching, marketing, and refining business strategies. Participants sought advice on websites, pricing, influencer engagement, wholesale pitching and growing their brands. Student wins were celebrated along the way, making the discussion both insightful and encouraging.2:43:48
Website Optimization, Wholesale Suppliers, Product Listings, Product Sustainability, Product Tag Organization, Shipping Price, Managing Business Overwhelm, HostingerThis session covered key business challenges, from improving user experience to branding and sustainability. Discussions included choosing between “Page” and “Drawer” cart types, organizing product tags, adjusting header text, resolving shipping issues, and optimizing product listings. Participants also explored moving products from Subbly to Shopify, deciding whether to keep a long-standing Etsy shop, and strategies for making a business stand out and creating buzz at launch. Wholesale sourcing was another focus, with conversations on finding suppliers for artwork collections and cost-effective POD options. Branding concerns included whether to rebuild, rebrand, or start fresh after a business hiatus, as well as how selling multiple product categories under one brand might impact customer perception. One participant also explored offering reuse ideas as an alternative when full sustainability isn’t feasible. Managing business overwhelm while working through courses. Technical challenges included removing inactive contacts after switching email platforms, updating Shopify themes, and evaluating Hostinger as a website host. Overall, the session provided valuable insights into optimizing websites, making strategic business decisions, and building confidence in business growth.2:59:24
Rebranding, Pricing Strategy, Product Packaging, Email List Segmentation, Website Design, AI for Website Management, Confidence in BusinessThis session covered a range of business challenges, including website design, rebranding, pricing strategies, and niche positioning. Discussions focused on optimizing homepage elements for mobile, balancing aesthetics with usability, and creating a clean, engaging user experience. Pricing was explored, offering insights on intuitive pricing decisions. The conversation also highlighted the role of confidence in business and how passion can help strengthen it. The session also highlighted the importance of letting go of a brand name or materials that no longer serve the business, making room for growth and a stronger brand identity.2:29:30
Media Outreach Tips, Overcoming Difficult Times, Art Fair Marketing Strategies, Klaviyo, Product Photos, Dealing with Price Complaints, Wholesale Deal StrategiesThis session covered a wide range of business topics, including website improvements and effective pitching strategies for media and wholesalers. We explored using Klaviyo for email marketing to boost sales and shared tips on optimizing product photography for online listings. Marketing tactics and event preparation were also discussed, along with advice on selecting the right product offerings for various price points, particularly for artistic candles. We addressed navigating challenging times as a small business owner, especially for those fully reliant on their business income. Additional discussions included leveraging resources from the module to support media outreach and attract customers without relying on influencers, social media, or paid ads. Finally, we talked about the challenges of using free websites and how to balance budget constraints while aiming for a professional branding image.3:33:13
Media Outreach Tracking, Influencer Agreements, Product Photography Tips, Shopify Transition, Coattail StrategyThis session covered a variety of business topics, from alternatives to tracking media outreach to choosing between Shopify, Squarespace or WooCommerce. We also discussed how to handle influencer agreements and whether it's better to invest in a PR company and work with YouTube content creators. There were also some great tips on capturing product photos for gold jewelry with rhinestones. In addition, we explored finding the right keywords for a brand and researching businesses to coattail from, as well as how to make Google ads work for the business.1:55:21
Market Research, Influencers Outreach, Social Media Strategies, Manufacturer SourcingThe session covered a wide range of topics, including how to do market research for niche products and guide on surveying at craft shows. We also talked about moving product listings from Square to Shopify and redesigning websites to optimize sales. There was advice on pitching to the right media magazines, reaching out to different types of influencers, and the challenges that come with influencer marketing these days. The session also tackled finding wholesale buyers, newsletter signup strategies and manufacturer sourcing.2:03:34
Pitching to Influencers, Product Stacking and Overcoming Imposter SyndromeThe session covered a range of topics for online businesses. It offered tips on managing unwanted stock and customizing your Shopify store. It also discussed influencer marketing strategies, including finding the right fit for the brand. We also talked about the importance of clearly identifying your one ideal customer for your business, and how to know if you have successfully defined it. Strategies for getting consistent sales when selling high-end jewelry through product stacking were addressed. The session also tackled maintaining operations during business expansion and how to overcome imposter syndrome.2:44:20
Website Building, Marketing Channels, and Customer ExperienceThe Q&A chat was a lively discussion filled with insights and support for online entrepreneurs. We covered a wide range of topics, from building websites and choosing products to marketing strategies and overcoming challenges. We also delved into practical tips and advice. For example, we discussed the pros and cons of different e-commerce platforms, effective marketing strategies, and strategies for managing inventory and shipping. Overall, this discussion was a valuable opportunity to connect with other online business owners, learn new things, and gain inspiration.2:53:32
Business Growth, Website Reviews, and Pitching to MediaToday's discussion covered a range of business challenges and all the participants actively sought advice. Topics today included website reviews and the tweaks to make to increase online sales. We also delved into affiliate marketing, media outreach strategies, and selling wholesale. We all shared experiences and advice generously to help each other grow.2:53:03
Media Outreach, Influencer Relationships, and Product DevelopmentToday’s Q&A session centered on the challenges and strategies of launching and growing a business. We explored various aspects of product development, including manufacturing, sourcing, and product validation. Additionally, we delved into marketing and sales tactics, such as media outreach, influencer partnerships, and overcoming fear of failure. We shared experiences and insights on building an audience, managing inventory, and navigating the complexities of working with vendors and manufacturers.2:28:36
Email Marketing, Website Set-Up, and Business Strategy TipsIn today’s Q&A session, we covered a lot of topics related to setting up a website properly to set your business up for success. This includes payment gateways, shipping methods, taxes, and integrating other tools to streamline selling and fulfillment. We have also raised topics on email marketing, such as how to avoid ending up as spam, import contacts, and the like. Additionally, we talked about niching down, advertising, dealing with influencers, and getting over analysis paralysis. Throughout the session, we brainstormed actionable tips and insights, providing practical advice to help each other with our respective concerns and issues.04:02:05
Pitching Strategies, Platform Migrations, and Marketing AdviceToday’s session covered a range of essential topics for handmade business owners. We began by discussing the importance of sharing wins, then moved on to various tips for pitching and identifying the best people to pitch to. We also covered technical aspects of migrating between email marketing platforms and website platforms. Aside from this, we explored ways to reach your target audience outside of social media, conduct market research for winning product ideas, and gain more subscribers without relying solely on giveaways. Throughout the session, student wins were shared, providing inspiration and practical examples. Each question raised was thoroughly addressed, offering actionable insights and tips to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate the challenges of running an online business.3:00:09
Setting Up Shop, Optimizing Your Website, and RebrandingToday’s session revolved around being an online entrepreneur and setting up an online shop. We covered a lot of ground, including the strategic reuse of old Instagram accounts for new brands versus starting afresh, using discount coupons on Shopify, setting up product variations, targeting content for your ideal customers, and bringing to life product ideas. We also talked about which platforms are best for purchasing domain names and which POD vendors are highly recommended. A lot of recommendations were also given about photo editing services, outsourcing platforms, and wholesalers. With each question raised, we successfully tackled the everyday challenges that handmade business owners face. It was a session packed with lots of insights and actionable tips, leaving everyone feeling more confident to handle running an online business smoothly.4:00:00
Discussing Wholesale, Increasing Conversions, and Incorporating BrandingIn today's session, we delved into various aspects of entrepreneurship and managing an online business. This included crafting effective taglines, setting up profit-tracking systems, and choosing the best domain. We also discussed offering incentives to increase sales and how to get more people to sign up for our email lists. Wholesale was another topic of discussion, particularly about where to find wholesale clients and what effective strategies we can use to strengthen relationships with our wholesale partners. A lot of recommendations were also given about website platforms, conversions, email marketing, and more. Overall, it was a productive session filled with celebrating student successes and encouraging each other to push through with valuable insights from one another.2:21:37
Naming A Brand, Website UX, and Managing InventoryDuring this session, we covered a lot of questions related to website development and management. We talked about website domain extensions, brand names, SEO issues, adding relevant Shopify plug-ins, and reviewed some of our attendees’ website design and functionality. We also talked about how much inventory to have ready before delving into marketing or launching a product, funneling traffic and creating affiliate links. Overall, it was a fun productive session where we celebrated our students’ recent wins and explored different ways to problem-solve and support our student community.2:11:02
Troubleshooting Website Issues, Dealing With No Responses from Influencers, and Setting Up Emails for ShopsIn this session, we delved into a range of website-related challenges and explored effective troubleshooting strategies. Topics include migrating from Squarespace to Shopify for enhanced SEO performance, setting up professional emails, and the ethical collection of contact information from people. We also addressed some concerns related to lack of responses from influencers and implementing advertising strategies to boost sales.2:10:02
Improving Website Layouts, Utilizing Influencer Marketing, and Reviewing Business IdeasDuring this session, we talked about different website issues and how to solve them. Other discussions included navigating forums, setting up credit card payment gateways, transitioning website layouts from WooCommerce to Shopify, pre-launch website and business feedback, and strategies for influencer and social media marketing in the upcoming year.2:49:29
Website optimization, Black Friday strategies, Discounts and Analysis on eCommerce Sales for 2023In this coaching session, we delved into website optimization and Black Friday strategies. We discussed effective methods for researching coattail brands and influencers relevant to their products, as well as planning on product launches, whether to create a new website for a different product line or not. Finally we talked about why ecommerce sales are 40-50% down this year across the board, and what to do about it1:49:18
Pitching Strategies, Maximizing Landing Pages & PODIn this session, we session started by celebrating the recent successes of ASAD students. We then kicked off the discussion by talking about hiring individuals to help with creative work in the coming year, specifically focusing on where to post job listings and how to find the right candidates. We also talked about insights on changing pitching strategies, especially in the context of upcoming holidays like Christmas and Valentine's Day, and discussed follow-up strategies for pitching. We discussed signup forms, landing pages, double opt-ins, selling in a welcome series, and the possibility of offering free shipping, seeking guidance from the group. We also explored the idea of purchasing an artisan brick-and-mortar store in a tourist area while considering potential improvements. We also talked about suggestions for Print-on-Demand (POD) suppliers and strategies to offer different choices on the product page, such as digital, print, framed print, and canvas options. The session covered a wide range of topics related to entrepreneurship and marketing, offering valuable insights and advice for each participant.3:17:00
Increasing Sales Traffic, the Power of the Email List and Reaching out to Influencers and MagazinesIn this session we talk about online traffic to setting up shipping rates. We discussed strategies on how to drive traffic to your online store (whether you have a new one or you’re gearing up for the holiday sales), and how to navigate influencer partnerships. We talked about insights on product research, website platforms, and the power of an email list. Finally we delve into pricing strategies, landing pages, and how to spot the perfect influencers for your biz.2:49:00
Hiring Help, Pitching to Influencers & Practicing the Abundance MindsetIn this session, we talked about hiring, delegating work to team members and coaching them, using a virtual address for your business and pitching to influencers and contracts for content creators. We also discussed some Shopify features and apps. Finally, we talked about practicing abundance mindset and juggling multiple tasks for the business.2:26:02
Outsourcing, Influencer Marketing and PricingFor this session, we talked about expanding your business by outsourcing, offering a pay later payment option, and finding creators who target towards actual potential buyers. We also discussed about utilizing Facebook more to improve website traffic. Finally we talked about ideas for rewards programs for customers, balancing prices for retail and wholesale products and being confident in charging a higher price.1:25:29
Media Outreach, Email Marketing, Focus and Overcoming FearsIn this session, we talked about pitch angles for magazines and media outlets and working with influencers. We also discussed about staying focused on your niche or business goals, overcoming fears and following the 80/20 principle.2:32:13
Packaging, Media Outreach and Using the Coattail TechniqueIn this session, we talked about how to be strategic when it comes to packaging, licensing fonts for your brand, and Ad inflation. We talked about reaching out the influencers and different ways to determine how to improve your media outreach strategy. Finally we talked about overcoming fears in putting your work out there, and posts-sales apps to gather feedback from your customers.2:37:45
Comparing eCommerce Platforms, Minimum Viable Product Line, Using The Coattail Technique for an established business, and using KlaviyoIn this session, we started off with a discussion on using free subscription apps, the importance of having a well-oiled process for selling subscription-based products and on the recommended number of products to start with. We also discussed how we can maximize Klaviyo Klaviyo's free training program, different ways you can establish trust through reviews, customer photos, product videos in your website. We also compared different eCommerce platforms and why I recommend Shopify for new and established eCommerce businesses. We had a quick walkthrough on some of the new items in A Sale A Day 2.0, a couple of website reviews, and using the coattail technique for an established business.3:18:39
Email Workflow, Shopify, Dropshipping, Mei's Other Jewelry BusinessIn this coaching session, we talked about giveaway ideas, Shopify, and the release of ASAD 2.0. We also discussed about selling on Amazon vs dropshipping sites, my other jewelry business and Shopify vs your own custom-built website. Lastly we talked about preparing for your launch.1:47:45
Finding Sales Reps, Understanding Shopify and Klaviyo analytics and Ways to Get Customer TestimonialsIn this group coaching session, we talked about looking for a sales rep for your business, understanding Shopify and Klaviyo analytics and how to encourage your customers to share reviews about your product1:29:44
Creating Ad Campaigns, Print-on-Demand and Media OutreachIn this group coaching session, we talked about creating ad campaigns while still developing the product collection and the website. We also discussed print-on-demand, and marketing our products through news channels, press releases and magazines. Finally, we talked about how split tests for pop-ups can help determine how to improve conversation rates and celebrated our students’ success!1:46:24
Holiday Gift Cards and Sales, Print on Demand and Energy/Time ManagementIn this session, we talk about whether gift cards and posting holiday season items impact sales, doing a braindump of niches to help determine the best product for your audience and shipping print on demand. Then we dive into deciding where to put energy/attention to the business, tips on annual business planning and time management. Lastly, we talk about contacting magazine, preoders, contacting magazines, advertising on Facebook, the importance of humanizing your business to inspire trust.1:37:54
Sign-up forms, Shopify Store and Website ReviewIn this session, we dive into the decision-making tree when sign-up forms are not working, where to put your efforts on and determining the issue. We also chat about setting up the Shopify store and improving conversion rates. Finally, we talk about how you can review your own website by checking on different funnels making sure that when your customers visit your homepage, they know what your products are all about.2:27:09
Sales Tax, Niching Down and Monthly Live Launching Business ModelIn this session, we dive into a different business model of monthly live launches and closing shop when stock is sold, pros and cons for this model and who it's suitable for. We also chat about sales tax, apps to use and how to do it manually yourself in the beginning. And finally, we talk about the importance of niching down and being very specific in your marketing, else you won't stand out if you're trying to market to "everyone".1:23:51
Email Marketing, Building and Optimizing a Shopify SiteIn this session, we talk about getting more email sign ups, how to revive a cold email list, what email incentives work best and more. We also touch on website optimization, migrating over to Shopify and the time involved, how many product variants are too many and a strategy for testing this with your own audience. We also chat more about how to take that leap from quitting your day job to running your business full time with a family to care for.2:07:58
Email Marketing Software and Outsourcing, and Optimizing Influencer Marketing EffortsIn this session, we talk about email subscribers receiving multiple autoresponders at once, Flodesk for ecommerce and how to affordably outsource email marketing. Then we talk about how to optimize on your influencer outreach, what tweaks to make for better results and the exact call to action to use in an email pitch to an influencer. We also chat about keeping packaging costs low while creating a magical unboxing experience that's on brand.1:57:08
Dealing with Anxiety and Being Decisive in Business, Email and SMS MarketingIn this call, the theme of anxiety and stress come up a lot, which we'll see is often rooted in the fear of making a decision that we're unsure will be successful or not. We also talk about lowering prices as a strategy, how to use live events to make more sales online, email and SMS marketing.2:03:28
Email Marketing, Facebook Ads and What To Do In Economic DownturnsShould you still use email marketing when you sell a high end, luxury product? How do you increase email open rates? How much do you spend on ads and how long do you run them to get them profitable? We talk about all of this and more in this call.2:18:54
Slow Sales, GoImagine and Social Media MarketingIn today's call, led by Peter Chang, owner of Custom Family Gifts, we talk about how to troubleshoot your business if sales are slow or you've hit a plateau. Where to focus your energy on if not on social media, and more!1:15:31
Media Outreach, Partnering with an Accountability Buddy and MindsetThis session is centered heavily around many thoughts and questions around media outreach - best workflows, contracts, busting through your comfort zone, working with an accountability buddy through the Rejection Challenge and more!2:01:00
Pivoting in Business, How To Get Out Of Your Own Way, When NOT To Outsource and The AcceleratorIn this more spiritual and intimate call, we dig deep into how our own fear stops us from achieving success and how to start addressing that. How to spot when your perfectionism is getting in your way, social media pressures make us think we have to run our business a certain way, and so much more!1:58:26
When To Start Paid Ads, The Keys to a Successful POD Shop, Converting Traffic Into Sales, Does Your Product Have Potential?In this session, we chat about all the things! From knowing when you should start paid ads, to troubleshooting conversion rates, and mockup photos for jewelry, this call touches on a little bit of everything!2:04:10
Selling Wholesale, Using Hotjar to Increase Sales, Hiring HelpIn this session, we chat about different platforms to sell wholesale, how Hotjar can be used to increase sales, how to get clear on brand positioning, how to pick a focus, influencer marketing, hiring help and print art pricing .3:57:37
JustUno vs MailerLite, The Made-To-Order Model, Subscription Box Strategy and Black Friday PrepIn this session, we talk about the functionality of JustUno and MailerLite, how to use the made-to-order model, how to find customers on Instagram using the Coattail Technique, subscription box strategies to appeal to more people, how Mei preps for her Ladder Discount Sale for Black Friday, inventory systems, pitching follow ups and when to know you're ready to start using Facebook ads.4:20:42
Email Marketing, Hiring Help, Email Pitching, Optimizing the Customer JourneyIn this session, we talk about everything business from pricing when you have multiple vendors, branding colors, POD companies, how to convert more of your traffic into sales, email marketing, collecting sales tax, email pitching, photographing glass products and how to pay and train a customer service rep for your shop!3:32:19
Strategic Timing in Your Business, Fourth Quarter Planning, Instagram GrowthIn this call, we deep dive on a few students' businesses and how they can spend their money strategically, and how to prioritize future investments or opportunities. We talk about subject lines and due dates for holiday media pitching, and Mei's fourth quarter plans for her business. We then go into Instagram growth using hashtags and interactions with ideal customers, and more!3:58:45
Email Marketing Content and Tech, Picking a Niche and How to Find Great Product IdeasIn this session, we dive deep into email marketing content - what you should say in your emails and how to decide what to include and where, what software you might want to use to collect email addresses effectively, how to set up abandoned cart emails and Mei showed her behind-the-scenes look at her Klaviyo and JustUno accounts. We also cover Mei's process for discovering great products to sell, tips on how to ship heavy products, pricing your OOAK products for wholesale and more!2:59:57
Launching Imperfectly, Tiny Hands' Onsite SEO, Selling Higher Ticket Products, Developing your USP & more!This session is jam packed with a ton of great questions like how to launch imperfectly, how to do onsite SEO, how to scale ads, how to develop a USP in a competitive niche, when to start media outreach, what types of email broadcasts to send, how to build brand awareness, how to do a giveaway when your social media following is small, and more!3:54:30
Cause Marketing, How To Get and Use UGC, Selling Custom Products, & Social MediaIn this session, we talk about how to integrate cause marketing into your business, how to improve traffic and pitching to influencers. How to collect User Generated Content and where to use it in your marketing, how to make your products stand out, how to avoid being ghosted by custom order customers after you tell them your pricing, and so much more!2:56:33
Social Media, Conversion Rate Optimization, Hiring Help and SEOIn this session, we talk about whether you should do all the social media or focus on one at a time. We cover how to use OPC, how to get more engagement and how to have a cohesive branded look with your feed. Use Google Optimize for testing changes on your site to increase conversion rates, how to hire production help, finding long tail keywords for SEO and more!2:40:32
Diversifying Income Streams, Switching to Shopify and Media OutreachIn this session, we talk about managing your energy with media outreach efforts, how to get out of the red with your business by diversifying income streams or scaling up, how to transition over to Shopify, and how to become more consistent with your content creation (email marketing and social media posts). We talk about Instagram hashtags, international shipping and different market tastes!3:27:03
Email Marketing, List Building Strategies, How To Build Fast Momentum with EtsyThis call is packed with a ton of strategies on email marketing and list building that actually converts into sales! Mei introduces our two new amazing Creative Hive coaches, we help Jason get the ball rolling faster with his Etsy shop, how to build your network of suppliers, how to go from artist to business owner and alternatives to POD.3:06:51
Raising Prices, How to Promote a DIY/Craft Product,, My Thoughts about TikTok and IG StoriesWe kick the new year off with some great pricing questions, raising prices, and whether you should keep your prices the same across all platforms you sell on. We talk about how to pick hashtags for IG and SEO keywords, and the nuanced strategy behind selling a higher end DIY/crafty product. The Coattail technique, dealing with overwhelm and fear, inventory systems, outreach systems, scaling Facebook ads and my perspective on TikTok, IG reels and stories... these are just some of the great topics we discuss in this call!3:33:21
2020 Review: Income Report, What Worked, What Didn't and 2021 PlansIn this final call to close out 2020, Mei talks about how much money she and her husband made in their businesses respectively, what helped them get to those new income levels, what didn't work, points of frustration for Mei (negligent DMCA copyright claim filed against us), and future 2021 plans.2:00:55
Facebook Ads Budget, Do You Need A Rebrand? VAT Taxes, Holiday Prep, Coattail List DemonstrationIn this group coaching session, we talk about editing product photos for a truly white background, how to schedule OPC on social, Facebook ads strategy, how to know if you need to rebrand, how to pay for VAT taxes, holiday sales promos, how to do the Coattail Technique and more!2:53:16
Virtual Shows, Facebook Ads, Media Outreach and ShippingIn this call, we talk about virtual shows (Diane shares her experience doing a few of them), getting reviews for your Amazon shop, how to get the most out of Facebook ads if you're just starting out (what lookalike audiences you can make), media outreach, packaging and product feedback for Laura, and shipping strategy.2:51:34
Validating Your Product Idea with our 9 Point Checklist, Media Outreach Expectations and Selling on Marketplace SitesIn this call, we talk about what to expect when you work with an influencer, when to pay for features, if it's a good strategy to sell on marketplace sites and what prices to charge on there (should they be higher or lower than on your site?), and we help Adriana validate product ideas with our 9 point checklist, how to do marketing when your customer are children but the buyers are the adults, and so much more!3:07:21
The Power of Accountability Partners, Mindset Challenges and Email MarketingThis call really dives deep into how masterminds and accountability partners can help push you forward in your business, how to find a partner, what makes a good partner and so on. We also talk about product pricing vs shipping costs and how the two can go hand in hand. We chat more about our perfectionism, how to overcome that, and how to come back to your business after taking a few months' break, or when life throws you lemons.3:01:17
Finding Your Niche, Facebook Ads, Content Marketing, Pitching Products, and more!This call is power packed with lots of great conversations about different students finding their niche, whether they're in the right market or not, how to best communicate their product to strangers, the strategy behind Facebook ads and how to tie ads with content marketing. We also talk about the benefit of moving from different platforms over to Shopify, details about the made to order model and how to keep your business running lean. Also, what does it mean when you get an increase in traffic from a media mention, but no sales? We navigate all of this and more in this call.4:22:13
Media Outreach, The Artist's Ego, Hiring Help Strategies, Comparisonitis and more!In this session, we talked about media outreach software, print on demand challenges, the artisttic ego and how that can negatively impact your business, how to hire virtual assistants, coders and the differences between hiring an agency vs a freelancer. We also talked about MVP, what to do when a celebrity talks about your product, why you shouldn't invest in branding in the beginning, what to do if you're not in the US but want to target a US base of customers, dealing with comparisonitis and why spending all your time on Instagram won't really help your business.3:05:45
Coronavirus - What to Do, Should You Still Launch, Selling Virus Related Products and MoreWith the coronavirus crisis happening, everyone is on edge. We're confused, conflicted and don't want to do anything insensitive. We look at other businesses that are providing great solutions and products to the community during this time, whether or not you should launch your product or business now, whether you should stop promoting all together and more.1:51:40
Pitching Strategies, Facebook Ads, SEO and the Coattail Technique in ActionIn this call, we talk about many pitching strategies and questions, SEO fundamentals like ALT tags, naming photo file conventions and how to get ranked higher in search. How much money do you need to spend on Facebook ads? Mei gives an example on how to use the Coattail Technique, and talks about how to protect yourself if you sell a children's product, how to do giveaways, flash sales and more!3:07:09
Changing Domain Names, HotJar and How To Pick Just One Product IdeaIn this call, we talk about the correct way to change domain names so you don't lose all your previous traffic from link building and SEO, what is HotJar and why you want to install it on your site (it's free!), and how to pick just one business idea to focus on, even if you're equally passionate about both.47:22
Mei's 2019 Business Review and Student Q&AIn this session, Mei breaks down major pivotal points in her businesses in 2019. She mentions several crushing experiences and what her plan is for 2020. Our student questions include how to deal with burnout, feeling like quitting, how to pitch your products and the right mindset to have when doing so, conversion rate optimization, Facebook advertising and more!2:55:10
Customer Reviews, Holiday Social Strategy and Business LifeIn this call, we talk about managing customer reviews, troubleshooting PR and why it doesn't work sometimes, social media holiday strategies for a new business owner, rebranding vs starting from scratch, the life of a small business owner and more!2:37:28
The Current State of Instagram (November 2019)I report on the current state of Instagram, my new Shopify store and the strategies I'm taking to market a new online shop.50:14
How to Personalize Automated Emails, Boost Posts vs Facebook Ads, How To Find Focus, Copycats, Updates on Pinterest Module and Instagram BotsIn this call, we talk about how to use variables to insert first names into an automated email via MailerLite and Consistent Cart, Facebook advertising and why you want to avoid doing boost posts, how to be more productive and organized with your business to-do lists, retargeting Facebook ads and how to set them up easily with a Shopify app, why worrying too much about copycats will slow you down and much more!2:27:00
Selling Wholesale with an MVP Collection, The Technical Side of Rebranding, When Your Focus is Narrow Enough and QR Code MarketingHow you can sell your MVP product line wholesale to stores, without having stocked up inventory, to help you generate cash to kickstart production of new designs. We also talk about how to tackle the technical side of rebranding, the sweet spot for narrowing the focus of your products, how to get in front of your ideal customers, and whether or not using QR codes to encourage customer interaction is a good idea!1:27:36
All Things Shipping: Shipping Internationally, Packaging, Software and more!In this call, we talk about all things shipping, from shipping internationally, what to do when tracking shows your package is stuck at a location for months, how to make financially strategic decisions about packaging supplies, free shipping on Etsy, PirateShip and more.1:29:16
Finding Your USP, Finished Product VS DIY Product and How to Protect Yourself Selling Children's ProductsIn today's calls, we dive deep into what a USP is, what makes a good USP and how to uncover your USP. We talk about when it's a good idea to sell the DIY version of your finished product in your shop, and when that's not a good idea. Finally, we chat about what you need to do to protect yourself from liability specifically when selling a children's product.1:26:10
PR Pitching, Blogging & Repeatable DesignsIn this call, we compare PR pitching with other forms of marketing, what media outlets to focus on when pitching and the differences between them, when blogging is a great strategy for you and when it's not, and why having repeatable designs is important even if you love making one of a kind designs.1:22:05
Q&A With Mei: April 20In this call, Mei breaks down what happened with the virus attack on the Creative Hive website, whether or not influencer matchmaking services are worth it or not, how to find PR assistants to help you do the grunt work for pitching, the differences between Upwork and Fiverr and when to use one of the other for outsourcing, how to manage costs when sending free samples for PR purposes and troubleshooting Instagram outreach bot FollowLiker.1:14:54
Q&A with Mei: March 16In this call, we chat about Facebook ads, craft shows and how to decide if you should keep doing them, whether you should use Paypal on your website, and when is a good idea to have separate domain names for your brand.2:08:08
Q&A with Mei: February 16In this call, we talk about how to set up an easy wholesale ordering system for one of a kind product sellers using Shopify, whether or not you should split your product lines into two separate shops, how to find a common theme between your different collections, social media software, pricing prints where most of your time is spent in the upfront designing process, and more!1:56:12
Outsourcing and Hiring Help 101 for MakersIn this call, we talk about the best places to hire help and what places to avoid (Mei shares some nightmare experiences hiring from certain places you'll definitely want to avoid!), what criteria you should set when looking for help and how to tell if they'll be a good candidate, hiring in person, production help and more!1:07:50
How to Rock Etsy: Photos, Keywords and Influencer MarketingIn this call, you'll learn the photo strategy you should have for your Etsy shop, how to decide whether or not to use white background or colored backgrounds for your photos, lightbox vs natural lighting, and how the algorithm works now and what you must do to do effective keyword research, plus why influencer marketing and PR is a waste for Etsy shops.35:52
Q&A with Mei: November 16In this call, we cover Facebook marketing from organic Facebook marketing with personal profiles, pages and groups to paid ads, how to increase engagement, how to direct traffic to your shop with Facebook and more!1:06:01
The 3 Strategies to Selling High End Products with Jewelry Designer, Julia ChagallSelling more expensive products can be a whole different ballpark than selling affordable items. In this call, Julia shares the exact strategies she implemented to get traffic to her shop and make sales!1:11:08
Q&A with Mei: October 12In this call, we talk about holiday craft shows and how to figure out which ones are worth signing up for. Mei talks through her process for figuring out how much inventory you need to bring to a show and how to drum up your online sales through local shows.1:04:16
How M.K. Zeppa Built A Successful Pet Product Business With Her PaintingsIn this chat, MK talks about the importance of having a niche and a USP. She shares the exact steps she took to create a wildly successful launch for a new product line where she sold over 600 tea towels over a couple short months. She talks about what marketing worked and what didn't, and how to best approach wholesale buyers in this information packed call.1:00:57
Q&A with Mei: September 14In this call, we talk about email marketing, which email marketing service to sign up for, how to keep open rates up and how to grow your email list. We also chat about how to make using bots for Instagram authentic, and why it's really important to consider using bots for IG.1:04:54
Quitting Your Day Job For Your Passion with Kimberly Taylor-PestellArtist and stationery designer, Kimberly Taylor-Pestell, shares her step-by-step plan for how she made the leap from 8-5 job to pursuing her business full time. She talks about how she found her passion for art, the fears she felt (and still feels) about her art, and work/life balance (or lack thereof!) She shares how she grew her wholesale business so quickly, the importance of masterminds, and how changing her mental language changed her perception of her business journey.1:19:23
Q&A with Mei: August 17In this chat, we talk about all things holiday prep for your business, from planning your Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, to figuring out how much inventory you need and how to set up cut-off shipping dates.1:05:14
Explode Your Instagram with Followers and Sales with Roota Mittal's Instagram Story Ads StrategyIn this call, digital marketer Roota Mittal shares with us how she quickly grew her (and her clients') Instagram accounts by the thousands in a few short weeks. She talks about the strategy behind how to create Instagram story ads that get you new followers at $0.20 per person, and how to nurture the relationship with your new followers to convert them into sales later on.53:08
Q&A with Mei: July 13In this call, we talk about the overall Pinterest strategy and fundamentals of Pinterest, how to drive engagement on Facebook without spending money on boosted posts, the two strategies for making social media translate to traffic and sales and how to get started with video marketing.53:51
The Keys to Succeed on the New Etsy with Ijeoma Eleazu from Etsy Conversations PodcastIn this insightful call with podcast host, Ijeoma Eleazu, we learn about how Etsy has changed and what the landscape looks like now. Ijeoma shares smart Etsy marketing tips like "think like a buyer" and how to use Etsy's search bar to do keyword research. We learn about how passion is the common thread tying all the successful Etsy shop owners she's interviewed, and how Etsy monitors buyer behavior and interactions with their search engine. Learn how to focus on one social platform and how there's value in having other sellers critique your listings!1:25:10
Q&A with Mei: June 22We chat about raising prices, licensing, working with wholesale buyers, how to get more direct traffic to your website, marketing to 40-65 women on Instagram or Facebook, how to do market research interviews and how to partner with other business owners, Facebook ads, how to find influencers and blogs to pitch your products to and GDPR.1:29:51
How to Provide Amazing Customer Service with Stacey TrockStacey shares her overall philosophies for when dealing with customer service emails. She talks about how to handle difficult people, scams, unhappy customers as well as how to make the most of a raving and happy customer.1:12:27
Q&A with Mei: May 11In this call, we talk about Instagram likes, comments and follows conversion ratios and what to expect for a reasonable %. We also talk about buying followers for social proof, using Instagram story ads to gain followers and using bots vs manually interacting with prospects. We talk about what's a healthy profit margin for growing or larger volume shops and how to increase profit margins.0:53:00
Engaging Storytelling on Social Media with Ashley DammeyerAshley shares her 10 step process for how to create more engaging posts on social media. We talk about how to start with a strategy and plan for your social media posts, being real and personal and how to overcome resistances like the fear that no one will be interested in what we have to say, not having anything interesting to share, being a private person and how to still show up on social media in a meaningful way.1:05:17
Q&A with Mei: April 13In this call, we talk about Instagram software, what marketing platforms are the best bang for your buck, how to diversify your Facebook ads campaigns and whether to target the buyer or end user for your ads, what to do with packaging that has your old logo, blogging for business, and we reviewed @mandibk and @cocoandleelee's Instagram profiles.1:38:58
Getting Wholesale Ready with Adrienne WileyAdrienne shares practical and straight forward advice for new makers just getting started with wholesale. What do you need to get straightened out before you pursue wholesale? What should you consider when designing or producing your products for wholesale? Adrienne shares her production and hiring secrets, her GENIUS way for how to find stores to pitch to, what to say (and what not to say!) in your pitch and the system for keeping your pitches and follow ups organized. We also talk about when you know you're ready to take on trade shows, when they start to pay off and sales reps.1:21:14
Q&A with Mei: March 9In this call, we chat about the different marketing platforms, why it's important to focus on 1-2 ways of promotion, influencer marketing - the different types of features, how to find influencers using keywords and on YouTube, why having a wide range in age for your ideal customer complicates your marketing and Instagram algorithms.1:20:05
Legal Matters for Creatives with Kiffanie StahleKiffanie shares a wealth of knowledge on the topics of business licenses, what you should legally take care of when you're just starting out, the differences between copyright, trademark, patents and trade secrets, how to protect your artwork online, how to deal with piracy with digital products, and a whole lot more!1:14:09
Q&A with Mei: February 9In this call, we talk about PR, pitching and influencer marketing. What kind of mindset to have, who to pitch to and how to make sure influencers follow through on their end of the bargain! We also talk about pricing and how to make smart design decisions!1:43:37
Conquering Resistance, Improving Confidence and the Six Pillars for a CEO Mindset with Kate CroccoGet practical, actionable advice from a trained psychotherapist! Kate shares with us the biggest roadblock creative business owners face, how we can change our mindset and how to improve our self-esteem. We talk about self-sabotage and the six pillars for being a successful business owner.1:08:11
Q&A with Mei: January 12In this call, we chat about PR and publicity, what to focus on if you've got multiple passions, whether or not you should carry inventory and my philosophy of getting your product in as many people's hands as possible!1:06:01
Q&A with Mei: December 29In this call, we talk about how to pivot in your business and when you should, whether or not different social media platforms should have different content, product packaging, how to get started with wholesale and how to find sales reps, how to figure out what needs to be done first on your to-do list and more!1:46:01
Project and Time Management and Productivity Secrets with Stephanie DykeStephanie shares some of her best tips and tricks for how to plan projects to ensure they get done and on time! She talks about how work life balance is a fallacy and how to really juggle everything at once. We talk about creating systems that work for you, how to deal with procrastination and lack of inspiration and how to be more proactive and less reactive in your business.1:04:03
Running a Full Time Business with 15 Hours a Week with Mollie ChenIn this extensive Q&A with Mollie Chen of Mu Yin Jewelry, Mollie shares her practical systems for scaling back on time spent on her business while still making $60-140k per year. She talks about doing cost and time analysis and being strategic with prices and designs. Mollie's business model relies heavily on marketplace sites like Etsy and Amazon. She talks about her scheduling system, how and what she outsources and what she works on to grow her business.2:14:40
Q&A with Mei: November 10In this group Q&A, we talk about how it's important to plug leaky holes in production but how you can't let that constant need of improving your site and products keep you from putting yourself out there to do marketing. We help Denise come up with a subscription product and Lucy with whether or not marketplace sites are worth spending time on. Then we chat with Dianne about building a cohesive product line while not letting past experiences define your future. We also cover recent Instagram growth strategies, how to pitch outside the box, how much products to send to influencers, and how Shelly can improve on her Facebook growth.1:12:21
Mastering Productivity and Focus with Abby GlassenbergAbby Glassenberg talks about how she balances family life and her business while staying productive with projects. She shares her favorite apps, her system for keeping her organized and her daily schedule. A recurring theme in this interview is how your love for what you do plays a huge role in keeping you focused and motivated.1:10:56
Q&A with Mei: October 13In this group coaching call, we talk about Facebook ads, how to juggle between launching your shop and an upcoming craft show, which marketing platform to focus on and how blogging ought to be used to attract ideal customers and traffic.1:09:56
Selling Wholesale Intensive with Justine VannucciIn this call, Justine shares how she started her business and her foray into the wholesale market. She talks about the logistics of her wholesale program, from packaging and shipping to linesheets, Etsy Wholesale and IndieMe. We talk about how to set yourself apart from other makers selling wholesale. Then Justine gets deep into sharing her experiences with trade shows and working with sales reps, how to find them and run a cost efficient booth. Lastly, we hear how product level stacking and price anchoring can help with sales and strategies for getting reorders coming in.1:17:11
Q&A with Mei: September 15In this group coaching call, we talk with a few members on how to narrow down on their ideal customer and pick a niche. Mei reviews a couple of websites and diagnoses the problem with lack of sales.2:15:22
Instagram Success with Ria Chan from CraftsposureIn this masterclass, Ria shares with us several strategies for growing your Instagram account for if you're just getting started and after you've reached your first couple thousands followers. She talks about hashtags and how to several ninja ways to find relevant hashtags that you have never heard of before! We talk about how to foster engagement and how Instagram is realy more a lead generation platform than it is a direct sales one. Learn how to get on the Top Posts or Explore feed.1:01:34
Q&A with Mei: August 18In this Q&A session, we talk about finding focus with your design style, getting clear on your ideal customer before tackling any marketing, pitching to Instagram influencers, how to deal with comparisonitis, whether or not to do trade shows, figuring out what to post on Instagram and more!2:18:26
Growing a Multiple Six Figure Handmade Business with Cheri Tracy of OrglamixIn this chat with Cheri, we talk about the importance of listening to your customers and going to where they're already at. Cheri shares how she got her big break and 1000's of features later, believes PR outreach has made the biggest impact on her business. This call is filled with amazing nuggets of advice, from how to find influencers, dealing with bloggers who ask for payment, to Cheri's favorite Shopify apps, her email marketing secrets and how she manages everything while raising two young girls.1:16:13
Q&A with Mei: July 13In this chat, we talk about Shopify plans and gift cards, Instagram hashtags, giveaways, Instagram automation tools (should you use it or not?), Pinterest marketing - creating more specific boards of existing general boards (i.e. weaving board vs tapestry weaving board), how to increase repins on your own pins, and a few other Shopify logistic questions like designing the personalized shopping experience for custom products using variations and drop down menus!1:51:56
Q&A with Mei: June 27In this session, we chat about how to reach out to artists for collaborations, how to pinpoint what you want to be known for, how to increase repeat sales through recurring orders, loyalty programs, and email marketing, Pinterest vs Facebook ads, how to display a large number of collections in a Shopify site's navigation.1:29:59
Email Marketing Best Practices with Ilma from MailerLiteOur special guest expert from MailerLite shares with us how to grow your email list, the importance of having an automated welcome email, strategies to increase open rate, tips for what to write in your emails, double vs single opt in, common mistakes, how to link to your sign up form in Instagram and how to change ESP's.57:25
Perfecting Pinterest with Miranda NahmiasMiranda manages Pinterest for many of her clients and she's gotten a system down for getting it to work for your business. In this masterclass, Miranda shares the common mistakes people make with Pinterest, how to optimize your profile, the differences between Tailwind and BoardBooster, the strategy for growing your following, traffic and email list with group boards and some extra ninja tricks!1:07:18
Q&A with Mei: May 18In this call, we talk about Instagram and getting automated likes and followers, how to do a successful giveaway, how easy it is to change themes in Shopify and how much code do you need to know to get it working right, setting up a wholesale section on your Shopify store, raising retail prices to afford selling wholesale and how to raise perceived value of your products.1:16:56
Selling on Handmade on Amazon and FBA with Molly ChenMolly shares her positive experience selling on Amazon. She helps you decide if Amazon is right for you, breaks down costs and compares with Etsy and talks about her marketing strategies with Amazon that have helped her make more sales on there than on her Etsy shop!1:40:52
Q&A with Mei: April 13In this call, we talk about pricing a product where the materials are more or less free, pitching to influencers, bloggers and magazines and how to get more traffic and growth via Instagram.1:00:30
Running a Successful Art Business with Yao ChengYao Cheng talks about how she found focus in her business, how she got to her first tipping point and she shares her production and printing processes for her art prints and home decor items. We also talk about how to deal with weird commission requests, pricing products, customer service, hiring help and more!1:42:04
Q&A with Mei: March 9In this Q&A, we chat about how to sell directly on Instagram, how to build an email list of your ideal customers, we reviewed Denise's tagline and Samara's traffic ad campaign, and we talked about the why Shopify is the best ecommerce platform to go with!1:36:23
Emily & Etan from Wholesale in a Box on Practical Steps to Selling WholesaleEmily & Etan talk about how to find stores for your products, how to decide if they're a good fit for you or not and how to find the buyer's email address. They talk about what to specifically say in your email pitch, follow up emails and smart goal setting.1:19:07
Q&A with Mei: February 9In this chat, we talk about how to get unstuck with your business, targeting FB boost posts, Instagram hashtags, why traffic isn't converting into sales, wholesale linesheets, guest posting and more.1:51:24
Branding And Finding Your Voice with Aliza SteinBranding and copywriting expert, Aliza Stein, shares some great tips on how you can write more naturally on social, email newsletters or on your blog. She gives practical tips on how you can have the confidence and feel comfortable just being you. We later get into branding copy and how to practice writing better, as well as how to feel less salesy when promoting our products online.1:01:48
Q&A with Mei: January 12In the first chat of the new year, we talk about Instagress, how to repost other people's content on Instagram, how to be more productive and organized, making designing decision, how to use the Coattail Technique and debating between Etsy vs Shopify.1:50:13
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Taxes with Allison RosenAllison Rosen, a chartered accountant and bookkeeper to crafty business owners shares tons of tips and advice for how handmade business owners can be better about managing their money and books. She goes into specific detail on the differences between bookkeeping and accounting, examples of bookkeeping expense categories you can set up, what we should be prepared for when tax season rolls around and some of the common mistakes she sees creative business owners make.1:42:38
Q&A with Mei: December 8, 2016In this call, we talk about how to be more tech savvy, how to get traffic and fine tune your Instagram growth strategy, how to raise your prices, selling dropship products, how to best use a referral program with influencers, how to use yourself as your USP and when is the right time to send an email to your new email list!1:54:35
Licensing Your Art With Corinna BuchholzCorinna shares amazing step-by-step information on what you need to get started with licensing your art, whether or not you need an agent, how to find one and how you would pitch your art to potential licensing clients if you did not have an agent. Corinna drops tons of truth and wisdom bombs on the mindset and lifestyle you should have as an artist in business for yourself and even shares specific numbers on some contracts she's made to give you a realistic idea for what to expect in this world of licensing. Lastly, we talk about whether or not trade shows are a requirement for you to do and how you licensing 3D products (like jewelry and ceramics) work.1:03:14
Q&A with Mei: November 8, 2016In this call, we chat about Instagram engagement, how to know if you're offering too many products, Denise got some validation on her new product idea, and we talked about email list building and how to get more people signing up.1:31:29
Creative Copywriting with Kateland KellyKateland from the Write Assistant LLC share amazing advice on how we, as product business owners, should be writing product descriptions for our listings. She chats about the do's and don'ts as well as some very specific steps for overcoming writer's block when describing our own products, which can be very challenging to do! Kate ends the call with three live critiques.1:09:23
Q&A with Mei: October 13, 2016In this live call, we chat about Instagram feature accounts, fine tuning Amy's client onboarding process with her photography business, what emails to send your list when you haven't launched yet, how to find content to post on your Facebook page, how to step outside your comfort zone when working with influencers in your market, the Coattail Techqniue and how it's useful and so much more!2:38:46
Selling Abstract Art Successfully with Christine LindstromChristine shares how she found customers who love her paintings, how she prices her originals using a sliding scale and talks about the challenges with pricing art. She also talks about pricing prints, how she markets your business, her strategies for having a successful Etsy and Shopify store, hiring help, protecting your rights as an artist and how to diversify and license your work.1:37:31
All About Wholesale with Artist and B&M Store Owner Sara VillariSara shares with us tons of great tips on wholesale, including: how to know when you're ready to start selling wholesale, what things to avoid when you're pitching your products to a buyer, the #1 best way to get a buyer's attention, working with sales reps, Etsy wholesale and how to nurture a long term relationship with a store so they keep reordering from you!1:31:13
Q&A with Mei: August 11, 2016The power of outsourcing production, how to find bloggers to pitch to, writing sales page copy and hiring a copyeditor, how to find your ideal customer using Facebook search and Audience Insights, becoming an authority in your field as a service based business, using content upgrades in your blog to triple email subsribers.1:11:51
Selling Digital & Subscription Products with Stacey Trock and Wendi GratzStacey and Wendi share what it's like to market and promote yourself as an information based business selling digital products. They talk about what they did when they were first starting out, what they do now to diversify their income and make a living with their business and share amazing tips on how to make sales in your subscription business (plus, they share some funny disaster stories so you don't make the same mistakes they did!)1:22:02
Q&A with Mei: July 14, 2016Repositioning your brand and launching a new product lines, creating Facebook groups for your information-based business, posting the same or different content on other social media platforms.45:59
PR, Publicity & Getting TV Placement with Peggy LiPeggy shares with us how you can get your products worn and used on hit TV shows! Learn the step-by-step process you need to take to pitch your products to a show, what you should say in your pitch and how to best leverage your TV placements for more sales! Peggy also shares her favorite resources to help with researching, pitching and securing some TV spotlight.56:11
Q&A with Mei: June 16, 2016Email newsletter broadcast and autoresponder ideas, branding and photography resources, running one or three separate Etsy shops to house multiple different product collections, teaching on Skillshare.1:05:52
Being a Working Artist with Lisa CongdonLisa goes into details how an artists' career begins, how it makes us feel, and what we can do to make ourselves feel more prepared to run our own business. Lisa gives fantastic advice on blogging, sharing your work, creating a social media presence and being brave with the work you create!1:13:05
Q&A with Mei: May 12, 2016Artists setting up for shows; how to be prepared for anything, pricing original pieces of work, how to choose logo design best suited for your brand, describing "unique" or "one of a kind" products.1:03:43
Mastering Pinterest with Bridgette Salvon-BerndtBridgette is the owner of earmark social where she creates many different products, mainly paper goods. Here, Bridgette goes in depth about her tips and tricks on Pinterest success. She talks about how to use Pinterest as a main marketing tool for her business by explaining the analytics she uses and why she uses this social media platform.1:11:34
Q&A with Mei: April 21, 2016Alternative marketing channels besides social media, PR & publicity, using bookkeeping software vs DIY, feeling redundant with writing marketing messages, how to diversify social media content.39:43
Successful Shows and the Secrets to Wholesale with Larissa LodenLarissa shares her secrets to growing a handmade jewelry business from just doing craft shows, farmer's markets and music festivals. She talks about how to design a sustainable and profitable product line, how she prices her products and how to get started selling wholesale. We also chat about doing trade shows, knowing when you're ready, how to make the most of your show and booth display set up and configuration.1:32:22
Q&A with Mei: March 17, 2016Making sales with Instagram influencers, what to do when sales are slow, different opportunities and angles for working with influencers, finding Facebook groups to join, how to network in Facebook groups, streamlining marketing in Facebook groups, Iconosquare and SimplyMeasured apps for analyzing Instagram stats, setting up an Instagram giveaway, the new Instagram algorithm and how to keep your audience engaged, what to post on Instagram.1:12:03
Q&A with Mei: February 25, 2016How to be more productive, how to find a focus that makes money, working with social media influencers, crafty conferences, creating online courses and competing with larger sites like Craftsy and CreativeBug, using YouTube vs Vimeo as a platform to market courses, how to find topics that people are searching for to create content for marketing your information products, Facebook advertising, incentives to entice people to subscribe to your email list, what to write in your email newsletter.1:32:09
Overcoming Comparisonitis with Lucy SheridanThe comparisonitis coach shares how she found her niche doing comparison coaching, how comparisonitis affects you and makes you feel, how to identify if you're going experiencing it and various practical ways to overcome comparisonitis!1:10:06
Growing Your Etsy Shop with Melissa KaisermanMelissa, an Etsy expert with over 13,000 sales, talks about how she grew her Etsy shop by getting featured on popular blogs, outsourced part of production to her husband, Etsy SEO, collecting email subscribers from Etsy and how to balance family and business.1:07:10
Q&A with Mei: January 14, 2016Repositioning your brand and launching a new product lines, creating Facebook groups for your information-based business, posting the same or different content on other social media platforms.1:09:53