Weekly-ish notes on navigating big change

Month: June 2018

213: Your questions answered: Blogging, benefits and slowing down sales

Tons of listener questions about creative business, blogging, slow sales, and benefits vs features on this week’s episode of #ExploreYourEnthusiasm. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast213

This week I answered questions from my Instagram followers!

  • collekecreations How do you feel/like blogging as a business model? So writing blog posts and having a shop added to your site with your handmade products? Thanks Tara ????
  • devotedquilter I understand the difference between features and benefits when I'm talking about my quilt patterns, but I have trouble applying it. For example, I include the finished size of the quilt and the techniques used to make it, but those are both features. Other than when a design makes good use of fabric scraps or comes together quickly, I can't think of benefits to include. Do you have any suggestions for how I can think differently about my designs to see the benefits for potential buyers?
  • christmastreegifts I know this isn’t a question for most crafters, but… How do you keep control of sales if you don’t want to scale your business and hire or outsource help? As in.. How do you not get so many sales you can’t handle it?
  • bcastiel Hi Tara! For an Etsy shop, do you think it's better to have a low shipping cost that just equates to the postage, or a higher one that includes labor costs, packaging costs etc? Or should you offer free shipping, as an incentive?
  • francescaabram Hi Tara, I'd like advice on what to do when business takes a slump due to factors outside of your control e.g. Brexit, consumer confidence? ????????‍♀️Thanks!

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

212: Announcement! Insight to a personal decision

One of the best parts about owning your own creative business is that it allows you to the freedom and flexibility to make the right choices for your family without worrying about your boss or employer. Learn a little more about how this is working in my business at TaraSwiger.com/podcast212

This week I make a big announcement – we're becoming foster parents!

In today's Very Special Episode I explain what that means, how it all works and where we are in the process. Plus I share a very sweet story about my Poppy.

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

211: On my 36th birthday

Regular review is essential to thriving in any business. Each year on my birthday I review what I’ve learned over the past year. Learn more about all the lessons I learned this year at TaraSwiger.com/podcast211

It's my birthday month, and that means it's time to review my year and share the lessons I learned from another year on the earth.

Links I mentioned:

Past Birthday posts:

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

210: Fit it all together: Your marketing plan

How many parts are there to your marketing plan? Are they all working in sync to move your business forward? Learn how to make all of the parts of your marketing plan work together at TaraSwiger.com/podcast210

Emails. Instagram. YouTube. Facebook. How can you possibly do all the marketing stuff you “should” do? And how can you be sure it's going to be worth your time?

The key is to make it all work together – today I'm going to teach you how to think about your marketing so you can make it time effective and increase your sales.

Links I mentioned

How to listen

  • You can subscribe to it on iTunes (If you do, leave a review!)
  • You can listen to it using the player above or download it.
  • Subscribe or listen via Stitcher (or subscribe in whatever you use for podcasts – just search “Explore Your Enthusiasm” and it should pop up!).

Find all the podcast episodes here.

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