April 2007 Newsletter | March 2009 |
What’s New?
Marketing your Alaskan Arts and Crafts Online | March 2009 |
As a crafter in Alaska you have a lot of amazing inspirations for your craft creations such as the immense abundance of wildlife and beautiful natural surroundings as well as the influence of Inuit art. If you are experiencing too much local competition for craft sales or live in a less populated area, you can expand your profit potential by taking your business online. You will be able to market your unique handmade items all over the world. There are a few things you need to know about online marketing for your Alaska craft business to succeed, but these things are fairly simple once you get the hang of it. Of course you will need to set up a good website with credit card processing facility and a shopping cart, and there are even ready-made website templates that can walk you through this process. Once you have your website set up, you will be able to start marketing your crafts online.
Read MoreWisconsin Crafting Outlook for 2009 | March 2009 |
There is a lot more to Wisconsin than just cheese. Actually, the cheese is so good that it does attract a lot of people into this beautiful state which, in turn, helps create success for local businesses. Cottage industries and crafters are very successful in Wisconsin due, in large part, to the cheese industry and, of course, the Dells that draw the tourists into the state. Tourists love to buy homemade items that are created in the state they are visiting in order to bring some of the “local flavor” back home when they return from their journey and this provides opportunities for Wisconsin crafters to sell their wares at local gift shops and truck stops in addition to the plethora of Wisconsin craft shows. There will naturally been quite a few in 2009 too.
Read MoreRhode Island Craft Show Forecast 2009 | March 2009 |
With the economy in a poor condition and Rhode Island suffering from the second worst unemployment rate in the country, many people are concerned about what 2009 will bring for craft shows in Rhode Island. There will be a number of craft shows throughout the ocean state in 2009 and for the most part they are projected to be well planned, well-attended and highly creative events.
Read MoreSix Great Reasons to Start a Crafting Business in Arkansas | March 2009 |
There are many advantages to running a small business from home in 2009. In fact, with so few jobs available in most parts of Arkansas, starting your own business might just be one of the few options that are available to you these days. If you are looking to start a small business in Arkansas, you might want to consider starting your own crafting business. In a state that is known for its mineral production and an abundance of many natural resources, a crafting business can help you make good use of local resources in addition to ensuring a regular income. There are at least six other great reasons to start a crafting business in Arkansas this year.
Read MoreSouth Dakota Crafters Can Improve Profits in 2009 | March 2009 |
Everywhere you turn people are talking about how bad the economy is. One great mystery is that although there is far too much negativity in the world today, too few people are willing to do something about it. If you are a crafter in South Dakota, there is some good news for you: you are living in the state with the third lowest unemployment rate in the country. And you can actually increase your profits in 2009. There is no need to worry about your financial future, because the truth is that you can make it whatever you want it to be. As a South Dakota craft business owner, in fact it is you who decide how much money you will earn.
Read MoreTaking Your Craft Business in Washington Seriously | March 2009 |
The state of Washington might be best known for its delicious apples or for the fact that it is the home of billionaire Bill Gates, but what many people may not know is that some of the most talented crafters in the world live there as well. There are basically three types of crafters who sell their goods at craft shows in Washington
Read MoreWhy You Should Consider a Craft Show Business in Arizona | March 2009 |
If you are looking to make more money in 2009, you might want to consider a craft show business in Arizona. There are many good reasons to consider starting a crafting business. The first reason is that good jobs are getting harder and harder to find. Many people have moved to Arizona looking for work and since the recession has started hitting here, there are less jobs available. People who do manage to find jobs sometimes have to settle for making less money than they have in the past. Starting a part-time crafting business can be a way to make that extra income and a full-time crafting business can even make enough to completely replace your job’s income if you play your cards right.
Read MoreThree Tips for Organizing a Successful Craft Show in Colorado | March 2009 |
Organizing a successful craft show in Colorado requires a lot of time, patience and good skills. You will have to use good marketing skills to attract good vendors and a lot of customers to create a successful event along with finding a venue, creating a floor plan, developing rules, collecting money and getting things set up. Today we will focus on attracting vendors and customers to your craft show in Colorado because without those two groups of people you won’t have a craft show in the first place.
Read MoreThe Top Five Secrets to Building a Craft Clientele in Mississippi | March 2009 |
The people in Mississippi are strong and resilient and extremely dedicated. They have proved this during these past few years as they have banded together to rebuild this beautiful state. Understanding how devoted the people of Mississippi can be provides insight into why building a clientele for your crafting business is vital to your success as a crafter in Mississippi.
Read MoreThe “Buy Local” Trend Increases Craft Sales in Connecticut | March 2009 |
More and more people in Connecticut are realizing the importance of sustaining a local economy by buying locally made things. They are beginning to understand that not buying locally made products such as hand-made Connecticut crafts and other goods from locally owned businesses is detrimental to the interest of the entire community. Buying local things can mean buying locally grown produce, buying made-in-Connecticut arts, crafts and clothing, or buying from locally owned stores and shops. Each of these local options helps keep more money in the state of Connecticut and in the local community, for the people to use.
Read MoreStarting a Crafting Business in North Dakota | March 2009 |
While the rest of the country is suffering from a declining economy, things in North Dakota look pretty good still. North Dakota has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country and if you are looking to start your own crafting business that is an excellent piece of news for you. There are numerous crafts that are pleasant to make and easy to sell. Finding the right craft for you and the market at your local craft fairs in North Dakota is half the battle. There are a number of crafting magazines, websites and books that you can read to give you some ideas and inspiration, and from there you will need to rely on your own creativity and personal expression to create something unique that people will love.
Read MorePricing Your Arts and Crafts for Maximum Profits in South Carolina | March 2009 |
The economy may not be in the best of shape right now, but that is no reason to throw in the towel on your craft business in South Carolina. In fact, since South Carolina currently has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the country, it is more important than ever to make sure that your business succeeds. One way to help ensure your success at craft shows in South Carolina this year is to make sure you are pricing your arts and crafts for maximum profits
Read MorePreparing Your Craft Business for Maximum Profits in Nevada | March 2009 |
How does a crafter make more profit when the economy is suffering? Is that even possible? It is definitely possible to make more profits with your craft business this year, even in Nevada where unemployment rates are at their highest level since the recession of the 80’s and the 7th highest in the country. The good news for crafters in Nevada this year is
Read MoreHow to Increase your Craft Show Sales in New York | March 2009 |
It seems like everyone in New York is trying to sell somebody something and that is something you should be aware of when trying to sell your creations at craft shows in New York. You don’t want to come across like a used car salesman when you are showing your work at local craft shows. There are several good ways you can increase your craft show sales in New York.
Read MoreHow Crafters can Help Michigan’s Economy | March 2009 |
Michigan has been one of the worst hit states in the present economic crisis, with the Big Three Automakers in trouble things could get worse before they get better. As companies and jobs continue to leave the state, there is less revenue coming and that affects everyone, even the people who are still employed. As a response to this crisis, the state of Michigan is supporting a move to promote cottage industry and make arts and crafts a way to supplement state commerce.
Read MoreHow Can Crafters in Kansas Prepare for 2009? | March 2009 |
Crafters need to prepare for a busy and successful craft show season in Kansas this year. The unemployment rate in Kansas is among the lowest in the country, so people here have more money to spend at local craft shows. Crafters should take the time to prepare both mentally and physically in order to achieve success in this year’s Kansas craft shows. The required mental preparation is go into it with a positive attitude and ready to provide the best customer service ever. Physically, they need to create crafts that are high-quality and will sell, and make sure that their displays are as eye-catching as possible to gain an edge over competitors.
Read MoreDo You Need a Sales Tax Permit to Sell Crafts in Iowa? | March 2009 |
Some states only require businesses which will sell goods or services for a certain number of days per year to obtain a sales tax permit, but in Iowa anyone who sells any taxable goods and services must obtain a permit. Craft show organizers are required by law to verify that all the vendors in their shows have their sales tax permits in order to participate in craft shows in Iowa. Otherwise the organizer could be found liable and have to pay the sales tax to the state. You will notice on most craft show applications they will ask for your permit number before allowing you to rent a booth at their craft show.
Read More2009’s Hottest Craft Trends in Delaware | March 2009 |
Understanding the importance of timing and trends is vital to your success at the craft shows in Delaware this year. There are a few basic trends that you must follow if you want to make more money than ever this year. Planning your crafts ahead of time to include these hot trends will help you overcome the difficulties in the economy and to make a profit at this year’s craft shows in Delaware whether the economic downturn persists or not.
Read MoreClosing the Craft Sale Indiana-How to Turn a “Be Back” Into a “Sold” | March 2009 |
While some jobs have been lost in Indiana due to automotive and other plant closings, other new jobs have come into the state; so, Indiana’s local economy is, on the whole, looking pretty good for 2009. This is good news for crafters in Indiana and they should continue to look for new ways to improve their profits and selling skills in order to continue to succeed in 2009. One important aspect of selling that the crafters should master is closing the sale. If you find yourself talking to potential customers and hearing “I’ll be back later” over and over, this is probably an area you need to work on.
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