Having been through a few recessions with my own businesses I can certainly understand the strain you are feeling right now… a recession is like a slow speed car crash you can see happening but are unable to do almost anything to prevent. You know your business will be hit, but it feels like you are powerless to dictate, by how much. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has so far been a surreal high-speed version of a recession, with orders and craft shows being cancelled overnight. Today on the blog I wanted to give you some tips I have found helped me during recessions that might help your business during these unsettling times. Watch the video and then check out the SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/coronavirus   So, I guess I need to throw this open to you – What has been the effect of the virus on your business so far? Feel free to drop a comment below 👇

Founded in 2008, Folksy has become known as the biggest UK based Etsy alternative, still dedicated to handmade products. Today on the podcast I want to explore this alternative with you, so you can see just how good an option it could be. Watch the video and then check out the SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/folksy   So, I guess I need to throw this open to you – do you have any questions about Folksy? Feel free to drop a comment below 👇

There you are with that tightening pit in your stomach – is this the worst craft show you have ever done? You have worked weeks to put this craft stall together and you just aren't making sales, because either people are uninterested, or non-existent and you feel like crying! Hey, we have all had those moments and I'm here today to help you with how to make the most of a bad situation… that's right, how to salvage this steaming turd of a show and turn things around for you going forward. Listen to the podcast and then check out the SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/make-more-from-a-bad-craft-show where I have a FREE GUIDE FOR YOU!   Yes, don't forget to check out my 'How to Prepare Your Craft Products for Shows' downloadable guide, to give you some further tips! https://mailchi.mp/001a0984f9dc/newsletter

Sometimes it feels like one of the hardest things is to drive continuous website traffic to your handmade business. You try all kinds of things, but nothing really seems to help and it's frustrating as hell! The worst thing is that the more you read about strategies and traffic hacks, the more confused you feel and the more time these tips take away from your making. Believe me I completely understand, in fact I felt exactly the same way about my craft business website until I found a formula that worked for me to help drive traffic on autopilot. Today on the podcast we are going to be talking about how I changed my website traffic dilemma and how you can too. SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/website-traffic-seo   Also mentioned MY CRAFT BIZ MAGAZINE ISSUE 8 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/my-craft-biz-magazine   So, I guess I need to throw this open to you – How easy or hard do you find growing your website traffic? Feel free to drop a comment below 👇, or email me

In 2020 I hope to bring the Craft Business School to a location near you and create a pop-up space where you can come and find the help you need in either starting a craft business, or growing your craft business sales. I'm starting off my journey in Westpoint, Exeter at Craft4Crafters 13-15th February. Watch or listen to today's podcast to find out what the Craft Business school is all about and how you can get involved!   SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/craft-business-school-2020 Also mentioned NEWSLETTER 👉 https://mailchi.mp/001a0984f9dc/newsletter   So, I guess I need to throw this open to you – where would you like me to bring the Craft Business School? Feel free to drop a comment below 👇, or email me and let's get talking about where I can pop up next with the Craft Business School!

It's been an amazing year this year and I want to THANK YOU FOR THAT! I will be back mid January 2020 with season 4 😉 Watch the video to hear more xx Find me over at https://www.myindielifeblog.net/

Whilst in our personal lives Christmas is "the most wonderful time of the year", as a sole-trading hand producer, it can quite frankly feel stressful 😓 – Everybody wants what they ordered 'yesterday' and as you get busier that urgency of deliveries feels less and less achievable. The other side of the coin is that if Christmas sales are buoyant our creative time is replaced with more and more of the stuff we don't like doing as much and this shows up in our motivation and productivity, slowing us down further.   🙌 Today on the podcast I want to give you some quick tips on how to deal with this busy time in your business in a way that allows you to feel like motivation and productivity never wanes. SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/christmas-motivation  Also mentioned CRAFT BUSINESS TIPS FACEBOOK GROUP 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/myindielifeblog/   Tell me; How have you been finding online Christmas sales this year? I'd love to hear from you – comment below 👇 or email me!

With the new year fast approaching it is time to sit down and plan out what 2020 looks like for our businesses and create your small business goals. Today on the podcast we will be looking at the 3 main growth goals you should be including in your 2020 vision. SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/small-business-goals-2020  Also mentioned CRAFT BIZ INCUBATOR 👉 https://my-indie-life-academy.teachable.com/p/craft-biz-incubator   Tell me; How do you feel about goal planning and taking action? I'd love to hear from you – comment below 👇 or email me!

Starting a successful craft business whilst working full time can feel daunting. You find yourself asking, 'How much time do I need to give this new business?' 'How long will it take me to get going with sales?' And even, 'What exactly do I need to do in order to get there?' All perfectly valid questions and you aren't alone in asking them. Recently whilst I was teaching craft business workshops at Stitchfest in Totnes, I was asked the very same questions and so I wanted to take some time today to address the strategy I would put into place, if I were to start my craft business under the same circumstances.   SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/starting-a-craft-business-while-working-full-time  Also mentioned HOBBY TO BIZ JOURNEY MAP 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/how-to-start-a-craft-business   Tell me; Have I given you everything you need to get the ball rolling? I'd love to hear from you – comment below 👇 or email me!

With 2020 fast approaching you are starting to think about what next year will hold for your craft business and just like me your first goal will be to increase your income. 😍 Today on the podcast I want to explore how hosting craft workshops could be your answer! SHOW NOTES 👉 https://www.myindielifeblog.net/blog/hosting-craft-workshops  I taught many craft workshops over the years I ran Sara's Texture Crafts and learnt a lot about how to create sell out workshops with inspiring themes. Let me share with you how that worked for me and how it could work for you. 🙌 If you need more help, then dive into my new magazine 👉 My Craft Biz Issue 7 – How to Create workshops that Sell Out! https://www.myindielifeblog.net/my-craft-biz-magazine   Tell me; Do you have any questions about setting up a workshop business? I'd love to hear from you – comment below 👇 or email me!