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 If your craft involves style or fashion, consider getting an account and posting on Fashism.com Members can ask post questions which the community votes on and may even give you helpful suggestions.
Fashism chose to open their site during Fashion Week in September, a clever way to tie into publicity already happening. The site proves ways to use the Internet for getting style advice and recommendations.
If you are a crafts-maker of accessories or clothing, can you see yourself offering tips and ideas on how wearing a particular piece makes someone look? And you may be able to work in some subtle self-promotion here.
 EarthGift.com Check out www.earthgift.com it is open for business!
These soaps are yummy and make absolutely fantastic gifts. This is the best handmade soap in North America – bar none.
And Asaera is offering a 5% discount, just use the discount code “craftmarketer” (without the quotes) when you checkout.
Publicity is free; ads cost money. People believe articles and reviews they read in publications;
people typically distrust what they read in advertisements. Media expert, Paul Krupin, and I want to send you the definitive guide for getting publicity coverage about you and your craftwork.
Paul is a publicity expert and former news editor. He’s helped my clients and I get national press coverage in newspapers, magazines, blogs and other news outlets. Because of Paul’s advice, one of my coaching clients had his handmade craft products featured on The Today Show, CNN, BBC and many other major outlets.
Paul is the author of a 196 page ebook called “Trash Proof News Releases.” It’s expressly designed to be an immense help to anyone who even thinks about writing a news release. Here’s the description:
“TRASH PROOF NEWS RELEASES” is a tool designed with one specific goal – to get you publicity in your target media that achieves a return on investment that rivals and even exceeds your best marketing. It offers you everything you need to know to give media everything they need to run with the story using you and the resources you’ve arrayed and meet their needs in today’s fast paced environment and ever changing technologies.
I got the first edition of this book in 2001 and it was like having a veteran news editor standing over my shoulder pointing the way to get the media to notice and cover my story. And it worked. I got all kinds of publicity that brought in more sales than I ever got from paid advertising. The new 2009 edition is more up-to-date and more exciting.
You can grab a copy of this gem for free. But there is a small catch. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you any money and it will be good for you.
 Buy and Sell Crafts at Craftsu Here’s what I want you to do. Register for a free account at the new social networking site for craft artists at http://www.craftsu.com
For several years I’ve been researching the best ways to promote art and crafts via the Internet. I believe I’ve come up with a venue that delivers and will continue to provide the most effective methods available for harnessing free traffic online.
Craftsu.com will help you as a craft artist / artisan / photographer get more exposure and attract new customers for your products. Think Facebook + Etsy + blogging. It’s more than just a place to buy and sell crafts.
And Craftsu is free to become a basic member.
Craftsu is built on the latest search engine optimization techniques. And it’s going to get a lot of publicity aimed at attracting craft buyers. I use Paul’s “Trash Proof News Release” system and it works. You don’t want to miss out on having a presence on Craftsu when the PR starts kicking
in.
From Craftsu, I’ll be coaching members on how to get the most value from the site’s features. For now, though, just go to http://www.craftsu.com, register and create a profile for yourself and join the group “Artisans”. I’ll be broadcasting tips to the Artisans group.
If you have images of your crafts, posting them to your profile will allow them to show up on the site’s ongoing slide show. When someone clicks on the photo, they are taken to a larger image and can then view your profile.
If you are already web-savvy and / or already selling on Etsy or CafePress, you can easily import your store items to create a mini store on Craftsu. You can also import your Flickr images into a photo gallery. And if you have a WordPress blog, you can bring your posts right on in. The more content you add, the better your chances of getting search engine hits. And I’m going to teach you how to place the right keywords in your content to attract more visitors.
Did I mention that membership is free?
Go now to http://www.craftsu.com. Register, read the “About Craftsu” for artists, and then join the group called “Artisans”. I’ll be in touch with you soon about the next steps to take.
Once you have joined the Artisans group, I’ll email you instructions for downloading the 196 page ebook: “Trash Proof News Releases.”
In a recent post, I blogged about 5 common myths of copyright infringement. That post turned out to be highly read and passed around so since we are entering the holiday spirit of giving, I decided to replace the Craftmarketer newsletter issue with a free special report for you.
This report goes into 12 common myths about copyright infringement and explains basic issues of copyright every craft artist needs to know. It helps describe the 1976 copyright act and answers frequently asked questions like:
Why is copyright important to you as a craft artist?
Are titles names and logos protected under copyright?
When is a copyright registered?
What happens to a copyright when someone dies?
How long does a copyright last? When does a copyright expire? Is there a time limit on a trademark or copyright?
Who can claim copyright?
Where can I download printable copyright forms?
What is the difference between copyright and trademark?
How do copyright and patent differ?
What should be included in a copyright notice?
What’s the penalty for copyright infringement?
What is the definition of copyright law?
How to go about obtaining a copyright application?
What is public domain copyright?
How do I contact the copyright office in Washington D.C.?
What is the copyright designs patents act 1988?
What was in the 1976 revision of copyright act?
And links to frequently asked questions that answer just what is copyright and how it affects you as a craft artist.
 Here’s the link to your free craft business copyright infringement report. Please bookmark and share. This is a keeper.
Happy Holidays!
Here is an idea for an overlooked market. Many families hire babysitters on a regular basis. One of the most common questions Sittercity.com gets from parents this time of year is what they should give to their babysitter or nanny this holiday season. For the answer, Sittercity went straight to the source, asking their sitters what they would like to receive.
Among the top requested items was handmade gifts. Sitters and nannies often love getting handmade gifts from the children, so that’s a great place to start. Have the kids make your sitter an ornament, delicious holiday cookies and or a thoughtful card is a cute and personal way to show your appreciate for all that your caregiver does.
 Tiger Lily Boutique Tiger and Lily Boutique is offering my readers $5.00 off their already discounted 6 month subscription to sell crafts through their site. The total for sign up and 6 months worth of vendor services is $35. Or $7 off of the 1 month signup fee and first month vendor services. See their vendor services information here: http://tigerandlilyboutique.com/sell_it
 LadybugMarkets.com Ladybug Markets, a hip and creative place to buy, sell and talk all things handmade. This, quoted from a new Brisbane based website, entices local crafters to gather round, to enjoy and take part in a new craft community. Visit Ladybug Markets for all your crafting needs at: www.ladybugmarkets.com
Ladybug Markets offers an online, year round presence. Targeting the online market,Ladybug Markets provides that creative place to buy, sell and talk all things handmade.”The concept of Ladybug Markets was created for people like me!” says Jennine Schuster, a Ladybug Market
stall owner and Site Operator. “As a crafter, I have felt the highs and lows of being a crafter. There was the excitement of my first sale, seeing somebody wearing one of my pieces or the frustration of a pattern simply not working out.”
Schuster explains that the site caters to all craft types. From the crafters who want to sell their handmade goods but perhaps don’t know where or how to start, to the entrepreneurial individuals who are creatively ambitious but have yet to explore the tremendous potential
of crafting online. With the state of the current financial market, smart, creative people are looking at multiple streams of income, the online marketplace allows for a 24/7 presence accessing both local and world-wide clients; this generates sales while you sleep, a concept
not traditionally undertaken by the crafting industry.
Crafters of any skill, age or interest, are welcome to set up a Ladybug Market stall, in much the same manner they would for the local weekend marketplace, but with substantially more access to a larger, untapped market. Products are individually displayed and described, and may be sorted by craft categories or by the seller. Once an item is sold, it remains within the stall as a portfolio to be viewed.
Virtual stalls may be accessed by visiting the featured artist’s name, or via the featured products areas on the home page, earning excellent recognition and hits. In addition a selected “local artist” is chosen monthly for the Crafters blog entry. Each “stall” may be directly accessed via a personal URL . Example: www.ladybugmarkets.com//shop
At the moment, all the Ladybug Market services are free to use for the seller. The craft shoppers will have access to all styles of imaginable craft, so long as it really is handmade. So much is
available, from paintings to pottery, jewelery to fascinators, dolls to clothing… you name it. Featuring local Australian craft, prices are listed in AUD, and PayPal is used for the safety of the
transaction.
The site was designed to be a one stop reservoir for all your shopping and gift needs. On starting the business of Ladybug Markets, Schuster describes the site as a mosaic of talents. Since the beginning of the project, Jennine notes there has been a lot of trial and error, “It
can be difficult and trying on the ego, but ultimately it all adds strength to the project.” Schuster appreciates customer feedback, as it is essential in developing a small business that caters for a
divers range of crafters.
Schuster extends her commitment in the form of a blog and forums within the Ladybug Market site. Accessible to any viewer, blog posts range from project ideas to marketing advice and local knowledge of events, while forum topics range from self-promotion of new users to “show-and-type” and craft technical help. In addition to the LBM craft club on Facebook, and using Twitter to promote new products, this creates a sense of community; like-minded individuals always need that safe place to discuss and share industry knowledge.
Ladybug Markets is home to many Australian crafting ideas and a safe haven for the budding craft business entrepreneur.
Here are five misconceptions regarding copyright about which every craft artist needs to get clear to protect their designs.
#1 “Someone buys my original art and now has the right to reproduce it.”
False. Even if you sell an original, you control the rights to reproduce and sell or distribute copies, not the purchaser. The exception being when they specifically buy the copyright from you, which you should not do without careful consideration and large remuneration.
#2 “If a craft item doesn’t show a copyright notice, it is not legally copyrighted.”
False now but was true in the past. Almost everything created privately and originally after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether the piece contains a notice or not. You should assume for other artist’s works that they are copyrighted and may not be copied unless you have permission or you know otherwise. It is true that a notice strengthens the protection, but it is not necessary. If it looks copyrighted, you should assume it is. This applies to pictures, too. You may not scan pictures from magazines and use them in your work without permission. You
must be careful about applying “fair use” in justifying copying other’s work.
#3 “The work is in the public domain, so I don’t have to get permission to use it.”
Don’t count on it. Public domain refers to the lack of copyright protection. A design or piece of work may have become trademarked or identified as a logo for its originator. Works not registered or protected under copyright, may enjoy protection by trademark or some other form of contract law. Also, identifiable people such as celebrities may have rights as to the manner in which their name or likeness is used.
#4 “If I don’t make money from the sale, I’m not in violation of an artist’s copyright.”
False. Whether you ask money or not may affect the damages awarded in a lawsuit, but it’s still a violation if you take control of someone else’s design and give it away. You may be found guilty of causing the originator damages by hurting the commercial value of the piece.
#5 “The design / artwork I plan to copy was in an out-of-print book. Therefore, the design is in the public domain and I don’t need permission.”
Don’t count on it. A book can go out-of-print while still being covered by copyright. A book that is out-of-print is considered in a temporary state. The copyrights usually go back to the author or illustrator, which means the underlying copyright protection is still in effect.
Video with more information about copyright infringement
 The Sewing Bible is having a contest. Three lucky readers will each receive a copy of The Sewing Bible. The Sewing Bible By Ruth Singer. If you are a craft artist who sews, The Sewing Bible: A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques is a must have resource.
This guide is a sewing encyclopedia with step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos on techniques for hand and machine sewing. Everything about sewing is covered. It comes with twenty sewing projects.
You must include your email address in the blog page comment form field (won’t be published). All comments will be closed by Noon PST on Monday, November 23rd. Click here for details.
 Food Craft Gift Ideas Just came across this gem of an article from Craftzine with some unique, cheap craft gift ideas containing food and drink. They are inexpensive ideas to make and sell now while the holiday gift buying frenzy is in full swing.
Some of the craft gift ideas described include: Russian Doll Measuring Cups, Limoncello, Chalkboard Tablecloths and Placemats, Blooming Tea, Garlic Masher or Mojito Muddler, Hand-Painted Glasses and Bottles and many others that can be made at little cost. Read the complete article from Craftzine.com.
Just a quick post to let you know that I have updated the page with free articles on starting a crafts business here.
I was teaching a crafts marketing workshop and I started by asking everyone present to say their name, their craft and what they want to get out of the class. Many of the participants were already selling crafts but reported that sales weren’t as good as they wanted.
It’s probably safe to say that almost all of us would like a boost in craft sales. However, I have found that the ways we choose to market or sell crafts through tend to run in the same directions over and over again – like driving in well worn ruts on a dirt road. (I live on a mountain at the end of such a road so that image is probably a little more real for me).
A lot of craft business owners look to Etsy, eBay, craft fairs, craft malls and/or retail stores for where their market is. True, those are popular and somewhat proven venues for selling crafts, but I would like to give you some outside-the-box variations that may help you find new business.
First, let’s look beyond craft shows for a minute. Several types of trade shows rent booths to vendors (and many of them are not juried). Maybe your crafts would sell at one of these events:
* Renaissance fairs
* Historical theme shows
* Mall shows
* Local fashion shows
* Home shows
* Boat shows
* Horse races
* Gift shows
* Health fairs
* Wedding expos
* Baby expos
Beyond craft malls, there are many different kinds of retail stores to sell handmade items through:
* Gourmet stores
* Airport and hotel gift shops
* Museum stores
* Hospital gift shops
* Beauty salons
* Campgrounds and gift stores at National Parks
* Christmas shops
* Fashion boutiques
* Cookware stores
* Florist shops
* Gun stores
* Military bases
I put a video together on brainstorming new places to sell crafts from.
 Handmade Nation DVD If you did not catch the movie / documentary called Handmade Nation, it’s coming to DVD. The film documents the new wave of art, craft and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. It is the feature film debut of director, author, artist & curator Faythe Levine.
Levine traveled to 15 cities to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members. Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art.
The film captures the craft business community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs. Interviews were conducted on-location in artist studios, homes, boutiques, offices and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals. Get a copy at discount here.
If you are using the web a lot, it makes sense to have a fast, stylish way to provide customers and contacts with your contact information. Here are two free services that do that:
 Card.ly is lets you publish your own social media business cards. It’s super easy to input your business information and your social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook. You can also choose from a variety of themes.
 Magntize works like Card.ly and is pretty much offering the same kind of choices. You can add your photo, links to your blog and your company website. Magntize can also pick up content from your other social sites and display it on your virtual business card.
The other day, I posted about social shopping sites and why you should consider them when promoting your craft business (i.e. selling crafts online). Today, I got further confirmation of the importance of using social shopping and review sites from an article on eMarketer.
 The latest statistics are showing people are turning to social networks in larger numbers to find out what people are looking for and to look for special deals.
Recent stats on social media shopping from eMarketer:
27% of shoppers online will look to social networks for gift ideas.
45% will “use social networks to research items, compare prices and look for offers.”
17% of consumers will be using social media in some way this holiday shopping season according to another report from Deloitte.
More than half of shoppers will research gift ideas and check out friends’ and family members’ wish lists.
Check out these social shopping review sites for listing your handmade crafts:
Epinions.com — Epinions provides a platform for people to share their experiences about all kinds of consumer products and services, both good and bad. Contains millions of reviews.
 ThisNext.com — ThisNext is a shopcasting network where visitors discover products based on members’ recommendations. When visitors want more info about an item or they are ready to buy it, they can click to the retailer where users originally found it.
Buzzillions.com — Buzzillions is a social site with shopping reviews. Reviews (good and bad) are collected from the companies who make the products; a retailer must have a consumer product reviews solution installed on its Web site.
These are a few more of the list of 50 social shopping and shopping blog sites included in the book, Sell Your Crafts Online, More Than 500 Free and Low-Cost Ideas to Reach More Buyers of Handmade Crafts.
Does it ever seem that you just cannot make enough income from crafts sales no matter how hard you try? Maybe your crafts experiences can be capitalized in another way, like teaching crafting classes.
Teaching doesn’t require a college education; if you can do something well, you can teach someone else. I’ve taught at adult learning venues in several states (without a degree) and once was invited to teach a college level course based on a craft book I had written.
Not only can teaching earn you money, you might just inspire others to make important changes in their lives. That brings a good feeling
Many colleges and universities have continuing education departments that offer different kinds of craft classes. Find out their teacher eligibility requirements by calling them up or visiting their website.
You may also find opportunities to teach classes at craft supply stores. Supply stores sponsor classes as a way to sell more supplies so it’s in their interest to have lots of how-to classes going on.
A well-known venue with classroom facilities in several cities is the Learning Annex. Learning Annex produces a catalog of alternative learning subjects, including crafts. Classes are presented by a both local and national teachers.
Presenting a class successfully takes planning and preparation. A book I refer to often tells you step-by-step how to make money from teaching alternative education classes.
I met the author, Bob Walling, while teaching at SageWays, an open university in Albuquerque, where he is a partner/owner. Bob’s orientation for new teachers on how to put on a successful class was useful and enlightening. Bob’s book, called “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” is jam packed with
strategies coming from a lifetime of experiences in education.
 MAKE A DIFFERENCE tells you how to use your life experience and professional skills to teach, enrich people's lives, and get paid for it too! Bob Walling helped implement the new Education for All Handicapped Children Act in the 1970s at the U.S. Dept of Education in Washington. In 1985 he co-founded the adult education center, Open U in Minneapolis. He teaches and speaks nationwide on teaching and learning.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE (click to buy) is a must if you have ever considered earning part- or full-time income from teaching your craft or other life experiences.
Almost all arts and crafts business owners agree that having the ability to accept credit cards means more sales and often, larger dollar sales. I remember when I first got my merchant account through my local bank, my craft show revenue went up 30% to 50% after I let customers know I
could accept credit cards.
If you are selling crafts online, you almost can’t afford not to be able to accept credit cards or PayPal. But what if you don’t have a merchant account and for some reason, haven’t been able to get one?
Several companies offer a variety of options for processing credit cards for craft businesses. Check out this offer for crafters who need a merchant account.
Most merchant account services can set you up with a terminal and arrange real time processing online. However, be sure to check all the applicable fees and monthly service charges. Real time processing means someone can make a purchase from your online shopping cart and their credit card is checked to see if it is a valid card. If so, their account is debited and your account is credited the amount of the sale. If not, the customer is prompted to enter another card number.
How do you decide which service is right for your craft business? Read the article about accepting credit cards here. Or just fill in the form in the upper right of this blog page and learn what services are available for your business.
Happy Christmas selling!
A cake decorating business is a great home based businesses. Time and creativity are the two basic elements in this business. Speaking of creativity, a cake decorating business allows you to sprinkle your artistic touch.
Just think of the occasions in which people celebrate with specialty cakes. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other moments and you will realize how much this business is enjoyable, as well as a worthwhile one. The best part of this home cake decorating business is that unlike other home based businesses; this one is quite inexpensive and easy to start. The only basic instrument that you will need is an oven and microwave and you are half way to success.
And if you know how to bake a cake, then starting a home based cake decorating business will be like child’s play for you. Just think of all the birthday parties that come in a single year and you will come to know how this alone can be lucrative. Some of the parents don’t even bother to bake a cake and prefer to buy an already baked and decorated cake.
You would be offering your services to all kinds of parents, who are the main source of income for the business. Graduations, weddings, baby showers, Easter, Christmas, and many other occasions cannot be completely celebrated without a cake. And once you become famous in a community for your quality and aesthetic designs, you will be earning huge in no time.
When it comes to making designs, there are a number of resources. The internet can serve as a valuable source of ideas, so can magazine publications and specialty cookbooks. But this wont be enough, you will also require specific cake decorating tools such as baking pans, icing flutes and spatulas.
We can find all these in our local store and buy all of them from the internet. One of the items which can easily be found on the internet are wedding toppers. One of the things we can easily find are cake decorating lessons on the web. If you are fan of cake decorating and continue this as a career then there is good news for all the cake decorating fans; we can start this business with a small amount of investment.
Ahh, if only there was a single easy answer to which handmade crafts sell best. We would all be rich. But, the truth is popularity of crafts can be seasonal, geographic and/or demographic to name a few variables.
For instance, handmade outdoor furniture will be more popular in spring and summer months. Sales of handmade gifts for the holidays will increase the three months before December. Craft sales will be higher in tourist areas than metropolitan shops.
A friend of mine grew a steady craft business selling her unique wearable art to stores in tourist areas. If she stopped creating her original designs in favor of whatever the trendy handmade craft that sells best was, she would quickly be out of a business she enjoys and find herself chasing each new trend that comes and goes.
Craft industry experts seemed to agree that if there really is a trend to watch today it’s selling crafts online. I agree but I also like to hedge my bets. Keeping up with forecasted consumer trends can prove useful. One year the “in” colors were predicted to include peach and lilac. I wove a line of garments in these colors to see if they would sell any faster than my other work which was mostly based on my own creativity. To my surprise, the peach and lilac garments sold faster than anything of my other pieces.
For more ideas about handmade crafts that sell best, see these videos and article.
The recent economic downturn and the slow job market have many people worried enough to consider working from home. A lot of people find out for themselves that they cannot rely on companies to offer them jobs and that they need to start their own business making money independently. This is why starting a home business or a small business has become so popular. There are so many work from home ideas for people to try as well as work at home reviews to help them select the right businesses to start building.
For a small business, the startup costs can be overwhelming. There are lots of thing you must do when starting a business such as advertising, marketing, branding, stocking up inventory and the list goes on. While a big company often has a large advertising and marketing budget, a small business often does not. If you already know what kind of business you are starting, you may want to get the words out about your business by networking with people you know. You can advertise your products or services with little or no many by word of mouth. You can talk to your family members and friends and ask them to tell anyone they know about your products or services. By going to events and network with other professionals such as at chamber of commerce meetings, you will meet and connect with people who might want your products or services.
Your brand name is also important. A brand is a name or trademark connected with a product or producer. Brands have become increasingly important components of culture and the economy. If you are working with a brand name product, then people will already have heard of your product and it will usually not be difficult to market it to the right crowd. If you have invented something then you might want to protect your proprietary rights through trademark registration. For a business owner to be successful, he or she will need to put a lot of work into the business.
The aim of this article is to equip the reader with practical advice on how to resolve the most common causes of errors in their computers. Each step can usually be implemented in 15 minutes or less.
Most Common Computer Errors - Computers have brought dramatic changes in our day to day lives, yet like any machine, they need regular maintenance and upgrade. Many users do not yet realise that the solution required to fix and prevent most computer errors are in fact really simple.
In the majority of cases, errors exist in the EXE, DLL and driver files. These occur as a result of invalid and corrupt registry entries. These files are of utmost importance as they create entries in the registry which are also used to operate the system. Damaged or corrupt registries lead to random computer responses and this dramatically slowing down any system.
Run Defragmenter - To begin with, run a disk defragmenter. This task leads to the reorganisation of the disk content, whereby the parts of the many files on the hard disk, are stored closer to each other and contiguously.Using a defragmentation software frees up large region of space using compaction, and this makes it easier for the computer to find information on the hard disk and reduce computer errors.
Registry Scan - In order to fix computer errors in the registry, it is also advisable to complete periodic registry scans, as this enables unwanted data to be detected and subsequently deleted. This operation can be done easily using any popular registry fixing software. Users can choose from a variety of registry repair software, which can also complete many registry maintenance activities, for example remove malevolent software such as viruses and spyware, in addition, many of these same computer programs will also backup, scan and fix the registry and finally defragment the computer. Click on fix computer errors for more information.
Remove Spyware and Viruses - Spyware and virus programs create most of the computer errors. Computer viruses are malevolent software, which can also reduce computer response time. This contrasts with spyware, which often copy malevolent software onto the hard disk which are later used to steal confidential information. This code is frequently sent to third parties later for malicious use. A common sense approach is the best guarantee to fix computer errors due to viruses or spyware and this entails updating any anti-virus and anti-spyware tools. Click on adware and spyware removal for more information.
Fix Boot Sector - Faulty programs, in addition to virus infections can also damage computer boot sectors, and this can prevent the system from booting. Some errors occur when booting up the computer, the most pragmatic step to fix these errors is usually to use the operating system booting CD provided with your computer. For instance, XP users can use the relevant operating system to repair the Windows installation.
Upgrade Your RAM - Insufficient memory is another source of errors, which can lead to various computer problems. Usual symptoms of these problems include the system crashing, blue screen, system hanging, sudden reboot and programs crashing and becoming unstable. Some computer errors relate to memory, in order to fix these errors, users can use free software that help solve RAM and memory related problems. These tools are usually user friendly and they can greatly enhance the performance of any system. In addition, completing a computer memory test is also highly advisable.
Click on fix registry problems for more information.
Are you ready to form your very own company? Did you analyze the different company structures and chosen the corporate structure? Here, are a couple of tips on form corporation in the smartest way feasible.
The first action you will need to take is to think of as well as file an original name for the company. It cannot violate those brands owned by other businesses and they have to conform to your state rules and regulations. It needs to end in “Corp.,” “Ltd.,” or “Inc.” After that is done, you’ll need to appoint the company’s director(s) of the operation. This individual or individuals will execute all the big choices for your business, along with the owner. These choices include rules, assigning stock, the hiring of employees, and managing finances.
Next, you’ll have to submit the proper papers to the state’s headquarter’s, which is easily done if you use business incorporation service. This paperwork is called articles of incorporation which are basically the papers allowing a proprietor to create your business. Should there be more than one proprietor, you either all must provide a signature otherwise you can appoint an individual that can represent the whole group. You should also go ahead and obtain all of the appropriate licenses. These include business licenses, zoning approval, and IRS paperwork.
Since that is done, you’ll need to form your bylaws. Your company must be run by these rules. These include choices about how and when meetings will be declared, what will be done should a shareholder or manager passes away, an so on. Normally, these rules will be adopted by the managers when you conduct your first board gathering, which you can conduct sooner rather than later, as soon as you incorporate your business. At your conference, everything will be joined together and decided. Stocks will be assigned at this time before you begin to conduct business.
Did you accomplish all steps of forming a business effectively? If so, you are able to open your doors! The only thing left to do is concentrate on operating the company competently as well as successfully.
Perhaps like you, I spend a considerable amount of time online looking at web sites. Mostly I use search engines to find products and information I need. I often encounter web pages which are supposed to be selling something, but there’s very little contact information or their info@ email address is never answered.
Perhaps also like you, I don’t linger trying to figure out the site owner’s logic, I just go elsewhere and do business with sites that think their customers are worth a little care.
Does your craft business web pages provide your contact information on every page? If not, consider that even though many visitors to your web site may never call, fax or email you, if there is no way to reach you, you are guaranteed none will ever find you. Your prospective crafts buying customers will simply buy from other craft artists who provide contact info.
If you want to make sure you aren’t leaving money on the table, at the bottom of each of your site’s pages, include your phone number (toll free ordering if you provide such), a land line phone number (for overseas callers), fax number, email, and a postal mail address (use a street address because it conveys reliability). It’s probably a good idea to provide your email address, if you can obfuscate it. There are ways to cloak your email address so that spammers don’t harvest it from your pages.
The more visible your contact information is, the more confidence shoppers will have in deciding to buy from your craft business or someone else’s.
A toll free number can increase sales. Shop around before settling with a toll free number provider. 800, 888, or 877 number can be set-up to ring to any other phone line you choose. This means you don’t have to pay for a second phone line. Here is my affiliate link to a toll free provider service that provides very low cost, reliable toll free numbers.
Have you been using the internet to sell your crafts online? If not, why not? What other tool can you use to reach millions of potential customers at a cost of a few dollars a month?
One of the best arguments that I know for marketing and selling crafts online is that with traditional selling, you usually have to spend a lot of money to make any kind of profit. For instance, if you want to sell at craft fairs, you have to send in booth rental fees months in advance of the show dates. If you do several shows a year, that’s a lot of cash tied up that could be otherwise available.
Expenses involved in selling online are relatively less, in fact much less. The real investment is in the time it takes you to set up and publish content to a web site (either your own or an online storefront like Etsy or Artfire), listing auction pages, getting product reviews and getting incoming links.
The big challenge with selling online is that it’s so easy to find your time eaten up by the distracting influences of the net. That’s why you need a focused plan of daily marketing activities and action steps to keep you on track.
 SELL YOUR CRAFTS ONLINE, paperback edition Which areas of online marketing are really going to help you and which are a waste of time? My new book, SELL YOUR CRAFTS ONLINE describes more than 500 places, tips and ideas for selling online and a marketing calendar so you can organize the venues you choose into a daily action plan.
Some of you may have already downloaded the ebook version with live hyperlinks. For those who prefer to hold a paperback book in their hands, the softcover edition of SELL YOUR CRAFTS ONLINE is now available on Amazon here. (My affiliate link).
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