Weekly-ish notes on navigating big change

Lessons from Real Income Reports

What do people REALLY make in their handmade businesses? Two years ago, after seeing tons of income reports from bloggers & coaches I started to wonder what an income report would look like from a maker. So I created a survey, where you could share your numbers and your feelings with me. And I’m doing it again this year. You can go to taraswiger.com/income and share your response with me totally anonymously. Listen to the episode to find out why it's important to know your numbers, and also to put them in context: TaraSwiger.com/podcast146/

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What do people REALLY make in their handmade businesses?

Two years ago, after seeing tons of income reports from bloggers & coaches I started to wonder what an income report would look like from a maker.

I decided to hold a survey to collect income reports for 2 reasons:

  1. The reports I saw from bloggers and coaches were just NOT comparable to a handmade business.
  2. It’s way more useful to know what lots of people are doing than what ONE superstar is doing.

So I created a survey, where you could share your numbers and your feelings with me.
And I’m doing it again this year. You can go to taraswiger.com/income and share your response with me totally anonymously.

Wanna know what handmakers earn? @TaraSwiger's doing a survey to find the answer!

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Listen to the episode to find out why it's important to know your numbers, and also to put them in context.

More resources

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.

How do you get up in the morning when everything is awful?

This weekend at Midwest Craft Con, I was on a panel about depression and anxiety. At the end we had a Q+A and I wanted to talk today about a question that has stuck with me: How do you get out of bed when everything is awful? Listen in or watch at TaraSwiger.com/podcast145/

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This weekend at Midwest Craft Con, I was on a panel about depression and anxiety. At the end we had a Q+A and I wanted to talk today about a question that has stuck with  me:
How do you get out of bed when everything is awful?

What gets YOU out of bed?

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.

How to have the business you LOVE

I want you to have a business you love. And by that, I don't just mean that you love making what you make, but that you also love how you're spending your time and you feel fairly compensated. Today we'll talk about the most common reasons people don't love their businesses and solutions for each one. We'll also cover the thing most likely to make you love your business. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast144/

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I want you to have a business you love. And by that, I don't just mean that you love making what you make, but that you also love how you're spending your time and you feel fairly compensated. Today we'll talk about the most common reasons people don't love their businesses and solutions for each one. We'll also cover the thing most likely to make you love your business.

If you need to get clearer on what you would love, check out Map Your Business. I guide you through discovering what you want, where you want to be, and then breaking that down into a doable plan. It's available on Amazon in both paperback or Kindle, or you can get a signed version here TaraSwiger.com/map. If you have one and you love it, please share it with the hashtag #mapyourbusiness.

 

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.

5 steps to effective copywriting

To share your work with the world, you have to write (or speak) hundreds of messages: Instagram, product descriptions, emails, etc. How do you make them each effective? How do you make sure that what you spend your time writing and sharing actually sells your work? This week we’re talking about effective copywriting - writing words, pages, and posts that will connect with your buyer, build your relationships, and sell your work. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast143/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

To share your work with the world, you have to write (or speak) hundreds of messages: Instagram, product descriptions, emails, etc. How do you make them each effective? How do you make sure that what you spend your time writing and sharing actually sells your work?

This week we’re talking about effective copywriting – writing words, pages, and posts that will connect with your buyer, build your relationships, and sell your work.

Resources:

Do you love the podcast? Never listen? Tell me where to spend my energy by filling out the survey, right here: https://taraswiger.com/survey

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.

What I’m Reading: February 2017

I follow my enthusiasm by reading…a lot. And once a month, I share (some of) the books I read last month and the books I intend to read this month. You can join the informal book club by sharing your own list with me on Facebook and find all the posts here.

(The usual disclaimer applies.)

What I read

What I’m reading

I need some more recommendations! Tell me on Twitter or Facebook!

  Here’s to another great month of reading!

What I read last February.

And in February 2015, and February 2014!

A walk on the trade show floor: Conversations around TNNA

This week we're doing something different - I'm taking you with me as I walk around the trade show at TNNA. We'll meet yarn shop owners, vendors (yarn companies) and see some pretty stuff! Whether you're in the yarn industry or not, I thought you'd enjoy seeing what a trade show looks like, how the vendors set up and how they talk to everyone who walks into their booth. These conversations are edited, because it was recorded live and there are, like in life, a million interruptions. Watch the video at TaraSwiger.com/podcast142/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This week we're doing something different – I'm taking you with me as I walk around the trade show at TNNA. We'll meet yarn shop owners, vendors (yarn companies) and see some pretty stuff!

Whether you're in the yarn industry or not, I thought you'd enjoy seeing what a trade show looks like, how the vendors set up and how they talk to everyone who walks into their booth. These conversations are edited, because it was recorded live and there are, like in life, a million interruptions.

If you usually listen to the audio podcast, I encourage you to watch the video, so you can see the faces and the beautiful yarn!

 

Here's more info about the people I spoke to (Go! Support them!)

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.

The Adventures – January 2017

Here’s a round-up of what I saw, did, and read this month! Follow my Instagram Stories for in-the-moment photos + videos. You can find years of Adventures here.

The News:

  • My new book, Map Your Business, is now out on Amazon! I've also got several boxes here of the print version and I'm sending out copies to everyone who pre-ordered first, and then I'll have more available. If you want a signed copy, find it here!
  • I'm teaching at a summit for LYS owners with Gwen Bortner in Asheville, NC in April. More info here!
  • I've started a new Friday video series where I talk about the lessons I'm learning while I build my own biz. Find it here!

The View

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

A photo posted by Tara Swiger (@taraswiger) on

I am so grateful for…

  • TNNA! Meeting students + hanging out with Starship captains is the best part!
  • The community that has grown around the #ExploreYourEnthusiasm hashtag. I love seeing what you're working on while you watch or listen to the podcast!
  • A series of complex adventures (print book, travel, teaching, webinars, online classes) all going very right, in a very short period of time.

The Finds:

I’m reading:

I'm listening to: 

I'm eating: 

I'm loving:

What did you read, listen to and eat last month? Come tell me on Facebook!

The key to consistency + success = Grit

Do you struggle to set goals, because you’re afraid of missing out on everything else you should be doing? Do you feel like you’re pulled in a million different directions? Today we’re going to talk about why that is, and how to clarify what you want from your business, both from the Big Picture to what you’ll actually do today, and all the stuff in between. Listen in at TaraSwiger.com/podcast141/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Do you struggle to set goals, because you’re afraid of missing out on everything else you should be doing? Do you feel like you’re pulled in a million different directions? Today we’re going to talk about why that is, and how to clarify what you want from your business, both from the Big Picture to what you’ll actually do today, and all the stuff in between.


This is the image I mention in the podcast episode: 

 

 

Resources:

 

Got a creative business in the midwest?

Join me at MidWest Craft Con! Save 20% by using the code STARSHIP when you buy a 3 day pass!

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.

9 emails you can send for your handmade business tomorrow

How do you feel about the emails you send, right now? Do they result in sales and conversations with your readers? If not, it's time to experiment. Today I'll share 9 kinds of emails you can be sending for your handmade business. Listen to the episode and get the FREE transcript at TaraSwiger.com/podcast140/

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How do you feel about the emails you send, right now? Do they result in sales and conversations with your readers? If not, it's time to experiment. Today I'll share 9 kinds of emails you can be sending for your handmade business.

Links Mentioned:

Want the FREE transcript for this episode? Enter your e-mail in the box at the bottom of this post!

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.

Avoid these 3 Instagram mistakes: A conversation + new challenge

Today on the podcast, I’m not alone! I’m talking with knitwear designer, tech editor, teacher, and co-host of the Manchester workshops, Joeli Kelly of JoeliCreates.com. Joeli reviewed Instagram accounts and found that the same 3 mistakes kept popping up again and again. In this episode, we explore those mistakes (and how you can stop making them!). To help you avoid these mistakes and use Instagram in a way that works for you, Joeli and I have put together 5 days of challenges and prompts that will elevate your Instagram. To join in, sign up below this post! Find it at TaraSwiger.com/podcast139/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today on the podcast, I’m not alone! I’m talking with knitwear designer, tech editor, teacher, and co-host of the Manchester workshops, Joeli Kelly of JoeliCreates.com

Joeli reviewed Instagram accounts and found that the same 3 mistakes kept popping up again and again. In this episode, we explore those mistakes (and how you can stop making them!).

To help you avoid these mistakes and use Instagram in a way that works for you, Joeli and I have put together 5 days of challenges and prompts that will elevate your Instagram. To join in, sign up below this post!

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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