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Workshop: The #Top3Priorities Planning Method

by | Dec 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

I’ve put together a planning workshop for you.

I show you, in-depth, how you can use the #Top3Priorities method to plan the whole of year – from the year-view level, right down to the day-to-day. This is the method I use in my own planning – and I show you some behind-the-scenes of exactly how I do it – using Trello and Cal to help me.

I hope this workshop gives you a powerful way to get clear on what you want to achieve in the coming year, and helps you get and stay focused and organised – breaking your priorities down into actionable tasks.

If you’re going to participate in the Handmade Business Bootcamp in January, make sure to do this workshop before that starts, as I’ll be referencing this method!

(This workshop was first published – Dec 2015)

 

Workshop Audio

Workshop Slides

Rule of Three – Copyblogger

Trello

Cal – iTunes

Cal – Play Store

 

#Top3Priorities Template

#Top3Priorities Template

Workshop: Bookkeeping Basics for Handmade Biz

by | Nov 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

I’ve put together a workshop on an absolutely vital, but not-so-fun topic – yes, bookkeeping.

This workshop is aimed at those who don’t have a solid bookkeeping system in place, or who do a poor job of maintaining their bookkeeping on a regular basis.

I hope to convince you why keeping on top of your books is not only important for tax time, but also for the growth of your business in general!

I’ve also put together a downloadable xls spreadsheet for those who just need to get started with a simple bookkeeping system today.

If you’re watching this in the future, you’ll just need to update the dates. Or, you can use this spreadsheet as a guide to create your own!

You can download it below. I used a spreadsheet exactly like this one for my first 4 or so years in business.

I cover income, expenses, deductables; talk a bit about profit and loss; why you should separate your personal and biz finances; and give you a ‘to-do’ list to get you going.

If you have any questions about bookkeeping, please leave them in the comments below, or in the FB group.

Do keep in mind that I can’t help you with anything related to tax laws and requirements in your country, but I can help with general questions.

 

(This workshop was first published – Nov 2015)

 

Workshop: Introduction to Email Marketing

by | Oct 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

{NB: When I recorded this workshop, Mailchimp was my recommended email service provider for makers. That has now changed, and I recommend using Mailerlite instead. You can apply pretty much everything from this workshop to Mailerlite.}

This workshop, I’m taking you through the process of getting started with email marketing.

I discuss:

  • why email marketing is still so important
  • how to set up a list using mailing list software – we’re using Mailchimp
  • where to find the link to share with the world
  • exactly how to set up and send an email
  • some content ideas for emails
  • why unsubscribes are a good thing
  • AND I set you a challenge!!

If you decide to sign up for Mailchimp, make sure to use the links on this page, and both you and I get $30 credit towards our accounts.

Mailchimp is FREE to use for up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.

If you’re already using email marketing, chances are you’ll already know most of what’s in this workshop – but don’t despair! I’m planning a ‘next level up’ workshop on email marketing for early 2016, so keep an eye out for that one.

Links:

Workshop Slides: Workshop PDF

Workshop Audio: Workshop – Introduction to Email Marketing

Task: Send an email to your list within 48 hours of finishing this workshop – and share the link in the FB group!

 

P.S. Please forgive the occasional freezing on my webcam (the audio and the actual main video are fine) – I just upgraded my computer to Windows 10, and didn’t realise until after I recorded this that apparently my webcam doesn’t play well with it!

(This workshop was first published – Oct 2015)

Workshop: Business Planning

by | Sep 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

This workshop, it’s time for some business planning!

The point of doing a business plan is to help YOU get focus and direction, so that you can get clear on what you want your business to be, and how you’re going to get there.

In this workshop I talk you through all the steps in the simple business plan I’ve created for you. You can download your own editable doc copy of it below, which you can use to plan the next 6 months and beyond!

If you’ve put off business planning because you think it needs to be a huge, overwhelming document – don’t. It doesn’t have to be complicated – AND it’s not something that you ever ‘finish’ – your business plan should be a living document that you use regularly and modify as needed.

I’d love to read your mission statements and any other info you’re happy to share with us once you’ve done your plan – don’t hesitate to comment below, or share them in the FB group!

 

Simple, Non-Scary Biz Plan (editable word doc download)

Workshop Audio (right-click to download or listen below)

Workshop Slides: Workshop – PDF

 

 

(This workshop was first published – Sep 2015)

Workshop: Time Management for Creatives

by | Aug 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

This workshop, we’re talking time management – specifically, how to better manage your time, energy, and attention, so you can be more productive, and live in a state of energised calm – rather than a state of stress and overwhelm.

This will not only help you to grow your business – it will make your life as a whole much more enjoyable!

In this workshop I share a number of ideas for gaining back time; I discuss how to gain more energy through better management of sleep, exercise, diet, and relaxation; and I share a number of time management hacks, strategies, and apps you can use to better manage your focus in the time you have.

Links:

Workshop Slides: Thriver Circle Workshop Slides

Workshop Audio: Thriver Circle Workshop Audio Download

Task: Choose one activity from each of the 3 categories and experiment with it for a month. Share your plans with us in the comments below!

(This workshop was first published – Aug 2015)

Workshop: Your Ideal Customer

by | Jul 1, 2015 | 2015 Workshops, Workshops

Do you know who your Ideal Customer is? Do you even know who your current customer is – the demographic of the people who most often buy your products?

If not, this workshop is for you. We’re going to cover what an Ideal Customer is; how to create a Ideal Customer Avatar that you can use to help you write all your business copy (blog posts, product descriptions, social media posts etc.); and how and where you can find and connect with your Ideal Customer.

If you ever find yourself struggling to connect with the people who want what you make – or if you struggle with the tone of voice and language to use in your marketing, this workshop will be super-helpful.

Links:

Workshop Slides: Thriver Circle Workshop

Workshop Audio: Thriver Circle Audio

 

Task: Create your Ideal Customer avatar. Use your avatar to find 3-5 blogs/magazines to pitch to.

(This workshop was first published – Jul 2015)