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Top lessons learned from our first market – Part 2

Top lessons learned from our first market – Part 2

craft market atlanta

As crafters, we are all about risks. We take risks when we use new materials, try new projects, mix different mediums, etc. On a warm summer afternoon in June, we crammed into a booth at Panera Bread and took a risk. We agreed to work together to carry out our first Craft Savvy Market. 

Here we are almost four months after our first market day and now that we have exhaled we are sharing our top lessons. Read part one of our lessons learned here. Apply to be a part of Craft Savvy Market here.

3. The Power of Working As a Team

I learned a great deal  from the first Craft Savvy Market, but one of the things that stuck out was the power of working as a team. I built my first business with tons of support from friends and loved ones, but it often gets lonely and you feel like you’re carrying most of the load. Working with my three co-founders opened me up to multiple ways of skinning the proverbial cat. We thought through potential problems (and opportunities!) as a team and that usually resulted in us coming up with a better path forward.

On the emotional front, it’s easy to get discouraged or fearful when you are doing something new or different. I loved how if I was struggling, one of my Craft Savvy Market teammates could cheer me on and offer help. We prayed together, found scriptures together and I think that shared strength and accountability helped us to finish strong.

 

Charlene

4. Taking the First Step Anyway

As a creative, I often struggle with the logical side of my brain. I want to be free to create, but I also need to have some control of the process and the outcome. One of my biggest take away from our first Craft Savvy Market is that I do not have to have all the answers in order to take a step. I typically want to make safe decisions that are bound to work out. And while caution is healthy, too much of it prevents us from growing and trying new things.  

As we planned for the market, I quickly realized that I didn’t have all the answers and neither did the other ladies. But a great part of this process was about being available to learn and figure things out along the way. I walked away on March 10 knowing that no matter what, I need to take the step. Whether it’s a baby step or  a slow drag with me holding on to someone’s leg, I need to be courageous and take steps.

Jandi

Maybe you participated in a craft market for the first time or you took a creative risk for the first time. What new understanding did you possess after the experience? We would love to hear from you.

 

 

What Everybody Ought to Know about Marketing Pt. 2

What Everybody Ought to Know about Marketing Pt. 2

By: Charlene Dunbar

Here’s the official (ahem) definition of marketing from the American Marketing Association:

“Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large”

Processes, communicating and customers were three key words from this definition that I missed the boat on in the early phase of my business.  When I became more intentional and consistent in those areas and truly began marketing my product, my suakoko betty sales doubled and became more consistent. Potential customers who were just “interested” before quickly became paying customers. My process for making new styles became easier and less expensive because instead of trying anything to make a quick sale, I knew who I was designing for. Bigger and better opportunities came my way from people and other businesses who liked my brand (Hey, when did that happen? We’re a brand now!!) because they could trust me and my product.

As creatives, it’s easy to default to our strong suit of design and to treat marketing as an afterthought or to give it “hit and run” treatment. Don’t fall into that trap; you’ll miss out on the full potential of your creative business and customers who love what you do will too. I wasted a lot of time trying to design away problems that needed to be solved with marketing. If you are just starting your creative business or you’ve been going for a while and feel stuck, consider your marketing strategy.

Who is your target customer? What are her needs? How will you reach her? How will you build a relationship with her? How much do you need to invest in marketing? Reading articles, following marketing experts, observing your favorite brands or taking a marketing class are all great steps toward answering those questions. I am excited to share more of my marketing journey and teach four tried and true marketing hacks for growing your craft business on March 10th was at Craft Savvy Market in Decatur, GA (register here). Stepping up my marketing game propelled my business and connected me with customers I had only dreamed of. Armed with knowledge, tools and discipline, you can do it!