**Note: though this is a very respectfully worded request (note how she doesn’t ask specifically for my sources), it is considered good etiquette to ask advice like this from someone with a related but non-competing business, like someone who’s in fashion, or who makes baby products. That said, when I had this exact question starting out, I asked the plush toy makers down the block from me. They were more than gracious and generous in their help, so I’m paying it forward to all of you. For more on the subject of crafty business etiquette, please see … Read more »
I’ve been hearing a lot about crowdsourcing lately. In general it’s a good idea, tapping the collective brainpower of your fans or customer base to generate ideas you might normally have to rely on hired professionals for. It’s been around for a long time, (think Betty Crocker recipe contests, American Idol or the 2002 vote for the new M&Ms color), but the Internet has made crowdsourcing infinitely easier and the scale infinitely larger. The … Read more »
For someone who used to teach computer classes, my e-mail newsletters were ghet-toooh. I’m talking drafted in Apple Mail and then sent to just five recipients at a time so it wouldn’t get filtered out by spam. It took so damned long they usually went out at around 3am, ensuring that they would get the worst possible response. Deciding it was time to grow up, I did a cursory look at the e-mail marketing programs my friends and colleagues use: Constant Contact, Vertical Response and PHPList.
Although it’s very pretty, … Read more »
Many professional crafters have thought about outsourcing their production at one time or another. But if you’re a “solopreneur”, you probably don’t have the time or money to visit factories or cooperatives overseas. So how can you tell which manufacturers are responsible companies, and not toxic sweatshops employing underpaid toddlers? One way to start narrowing down the list is to look at international manufacturing certifications. These certifications are awarded by independent, international, non-profit auditors, who inspect manufacturers’ operations so you don’t have to.
