Site-Wide Activity

Like @dana-gervais mentioned, having an image with the title on it can REALLY help you on Pinterest – people know when they see it that, “oh, this is a blog post about X”, instead of just a pretty picture. That ends up getting more pins (people sharing it on Pinterest) and more clicks (people seeing the pin, clicking on it and coming to your…[Read more]

I think @karen-whooley can say more about this. I've talked to some designers who use a spreadsheet and get the testers to commit, as opposed to “anyone who wants to”. It's like: I have 5 spots, to claim one and get the pattern for free, commit to X, Y, Z.

There's a bit of discussion about payment here:…[Read more]

Oh and @jess-cook is right about the Fees @lisa-barnes. Mine are really low.. that is why I am adjusting them next month! It has been a while since I have raised my pricing

@lisa-barnes I teach no more than 6 hours per day (for example 9-12 then again 2-5)

The hourly rate varies depending on if I am teaching all 12 hours at one event or if I am teaching at multiple events.

For example, If 3 shops are asking me to teach all in the same area but each shop wants me to teach only 2 classes (each 2 hours) So that is…[Read more]

I don't have experience with pattern testers but I do with knitters who make shop samples for me. Only one I've paid with money the others I've paid with yarn. My guideline is they get one hank for each hank they knit, but it's ANY hank in my shop, so they can pick my expensive yarn and I will custom dye something for them. They also get to…[Read more]

I was thinking of getting some of the my colorways I've knitted and get pictures for my background. I was thinking my logo too but I think it might be too busy… I'll try that one first though and try some knitted ones and see if I can get the branding cohesive.

Thank you!

Yay, @dawn-craig – that's awesome!!!

Hi April!

I sometimes think of pricing for this type of thing in terms of complexity – like, is this a task they could hire one of those TaskRabbit folks to do, or is it something that requires a specialized knowledge? (For instance, I work for a handful of clients in the knitting industry and it's an asset for them that I'm a knitter myself so…[Read more]

I agree, I think those images are great. You can put them on the post or not, but in either case I think it definitely helps to make one (or more) for social media. Different shapes/sizes work better depending on what you're using (square for Instagram, for instance, and a big long one for Pinterest).

When I write a blog post I make a title image…[Read more]

Hi Shelley!

How do you feel about the free pattern testers group on Ravelry? I've used them in the past, and sometimes their rules seem a bit constrictive (like, there's a test thread where you have to post your pattern testing requests and get it approved by a mod down to the letter before you're allowed to post a call for testing). BUT, that…[Read more]

Hi Lisa!

Several of my clients teach out of town/state, and they incorporate travel expenses (mileage if they're driving or flight reimbursement if it's that far away, hotel and meals or a per diem) for the day before and sometimes after an event like that. Then most of them have a minimum number of hours they require for teaching time if they're…[Read more]

Hi @karen-whooley! Thanks so much for the info.

Just to clarify- If you teach at an event that is further than 50 miles away, you require a minimum of 12 hours of teaching time? And your hourly rate varies, depending on length of time of each class/event?

And what is the maximum number of hours you agree to teach per day?

Thanks again!

Oh I should add, I have started on making a checklist to send to future testers of things I expect them to do while testing.

Isn't it amazing how much this class helps us see these things! Planning other things Thursday and Friday is a great idea. Friday is my least productive too which is why I think I'm going to plan to work in the living room that day. It's more relaxed to sit on the couch and I can do things like edit pictures that's rather mindless and such.…[Read more]

Yup that's exactly what I meant 🙂 and I was thinking just that too, it will help with branding.

I don't do series so much as themed days. I'm trying to get back to writing 5-7 days per week but most weeks I'm lucky to get one day.

For example:
Monday = Me Monday, once a month I write about my progress living with multiple chronic illnesses. I want to do this one more often.
Tuesday = Tuesday Quotation, I preschedule these a month ahead but…[Read more]

I agree that having a plan is good. I also think that there needs to be flexibility because if not it is too easy to fail to meet the plan and get into that spiral. I suggest that you try things until you find the right fit.

Well done Dawn on spotting the rules and realising what works best for you. it sure does make a difference 🙂

I plan my week on Sunday morning – I am an early riser and the rest of the family are not, so it's a good time for me to think and plan 🙂 I hit the ground running Monday mornings – all day really. I've realised Monday's are my get…[Read more]

Lisa, I am updating my pricing next month but this will give you an idea of what I do. http://karenwhooley.com/workshops/

I have a sample rate sheet there.