I spend a lot of time researching different aspects of my business, from ideas for sourcing materials, through to the best ways to market my goods, package them, insure them, post them, track my finances, use social media….. you get the drift!  This page shares some of the blogs, sites, links, and ideas that I have collected along the way, to help you find some of the wonderful resources that I have been able to access.  I will continue to update this, and welcome input into links that you find useful!   (7 March 2018)

Where to start

Almost every creative person I know has a head full of ideas of where to go, and gets bogged down in the details of how to get there.  Creating a vision board can help bring clarity about which ideas are important to you.

How to make a vision board by Tracy Verdugo is a good starting point for creating a vision board that helps you to clarify your thoughts and plans.  If you are space poor, take a photo of the board and print it so you keep a visual reminder of your work.

Creative business websites

Studio Exsto, run by Elle Roberts,  is an Australian site for creatives in business – and the organiser of the annual Artful Business Conference.

The Right Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee is a wonderful place to start the process of planning your business, without the scary spreadsheets and forms approach!

Creative Women’s Circle is another Australian site designed to support women creatives in business.

Create and Thrive is a wonderful site by Jess van Den who provides support and tips on turning your hobby into a business, with lots of support for how to be successful at selling online.  Feedback from colleagues is that her e-courses are a worthwhile investment.

The site Design Sponge has a whole section dedicated to Biz Ladies.

Handmadeology has a number of useful articles, and the collection is always growing, about building a business for handmade goods.

Bespokezine, the website for the magazine of the same name, (very good for showcasing Australian and New Zealand talent) also has some really useful posts on business and is worth watching.

Useful business articles

Ten Rules for Maker Businesses by Chris Anderson

Business Planning Guide – The Sewing Directory

Crafters Guide – Business Planning  – Maryville University

Pricing your goods (always a tricky topic!)

The Formula – Ink and Spindle

How do I price my Handmade Goods – Create and Thrive

How to price handmade crafts – Hub Pages

Pricing for Time Intensive Handmade Items – Handmadeology

Selling online

A beginners guide to selling on Etsy on the World Pay Zinc has clear and sensible advice.

Market Your Creativity by Lisa Jacobs

31 Days Blog to Biz – Etsy – Funky Junk Interiors

How to Start an Etsy Shop – Hub Pages

Open your shop – Etsy

Create and Thrive by Jess van Den is full of practical guidance and advice about successful selling on Etsy.

Tips on social media

Socially Stacked is a site packed with tips and advice

Facebook – know more about the people that matter to your business

7 reasons why creative entrepreneurs must have a social media strategy – bespokezine

Blogging

Blog Chicks is an Australian site supporting bloggers with tips, resources, etc.

Jeff Bullas – 50 One Sentence Tips for Bloggers

ProBlogger.net and the newly launched Problogger.com are wonderful sites that support bloggers.

My Advice

Acknowledging the worth of your creative output

To Market to Market – Part 1  Five things to think about before you hold a market stall

To Market to Market – Part 2 Seven things to do in preparation for a market

To Market to Market – Part 3 Ten things to remember to take with you

To Market to Market – Part 4 After Market analysis