The Craftcation Conference

So I saw a flier for this at a local craft show & am seriously thinking about going....




It looks like basically a business conference tailored to crafty & DIY people.  Here is a little bit from their statement about who & what they are...

craftcation is a three day indie business & diy workshop conference. it’s a retreat to inspire, network and build upon the independent craft business community. our objective is to ignite the entrepenurerial business spirit, strengthen skills and abilities of both seasoned business owners and newcomers to indie craft business. this is an opportunity to network, communicate and share with your peers.

events and topics include:
indie business: how to start a crafty business, maximizing social media, blogging, in’s & out’s of indie craft shows, etsy, wholesaling, merchandising, accounting, legal issues, branding, website design and more.
diy workshops: screenprinting, sewing, canning & preserving, cheesemaking, needle arts, terrariums & edible gardens, organic bath products, jewelry and more.
community: meet & greets, pop-up shops, yoga, bbq & cocktail socials and so much more!

It's not cheap, $275 if you register before February 1st, but since one of my GOALS this year is to really focus on building my business(es), I think some of the talks look like they might be really helpful.  Some of the specific topics that I want to attend are:

• making the most of craftcation through social media
• financial basics for indie business start-ups
• 
  

  is your social media strategy really a strategy?

• 
  

  breaking into the art exhibition world

Definitely take at look at their website.  I think after I get a paycheck from my day-job, I might sign up.  I think the difference between an at-home-kitchen-table crafty Etsy seller, and being self-employed by owning and operating your own business is knowledge & I'm tired of swimming around in a world of business that I know nothing about!

Back To Business: Week 2

Week 2 Topic:
How much is TOO much Social Networking


You all have heard me complain about trying to find a "Nice Balance" between the Real-World & my Online-Life for the past month. Having a full time job PLUS trying to continue to be creative PLUS trying to keep up with all the different Social Networking that is needed to have an Online-Life is really overwhelming.

I love to make things. This is why I started my humble little business.


BUT...


I guess I didn't realize how much time you have to put into getting your name out there in the infinite World Wide Web. Every Marketing Blog (crafty & business oriented) always talks about how your need to have a FaceBook Fan Page... Twitter really brings traffic to your site... Blog EVERY day... don't blog too much people will find you annoying... Post in the Forums... Comment on other people's Blogs... Update & renew you listings everyday... Make sure ALL your graphics are the same (helps with branding)... etc... etc... etc...

So...

Questions of the Week:

What Social Networking Sites are you addicted to? Which have you tried & think are WAY too much trouble?

Do you Etsy, Ebay, Blog, FB, Tweet, Flickr, Hoot, Post, Comment, etc?

As a Seller - What Sites are a must for your online marketing?
As a Buyer - Where do you find those artists with MUST-HAVE creations?


I think the most annoying Social Networking site that I just can't seem to keep up with is Twitter. I tried it last year, lost interest, got back into it in January, and (again) find it too overwhelming to keep up with. How do people find enough time to do everything, still create new products, and live a normal life?

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