The Merriweather Council Podcast: Recent Episodes
Danielle Spurge
The Merriweather Council podcast, hosted by Danielle Spurge, is all about celebrating the reality of gainful self employment through craft. This is a podcast for art and design entrepreneurs - makers, etsy sellers and shopify users! Featuring tips, insights, advice and tough love for handmade business owners in concise format. Focused on sharing realistic ideas and personal experiences with the nuances of handmade business in mind. If you are working to turn your crafty tendencies into profits, tune in every Tuesday and Thursday.
Why is it that sometimes even the very best marketing advice doesn’t generate results?
If you have tried the best marketing advice you can find, and it just didn’t work for you, I’m going to explain why that probably is in this episode!
As you likely know, marketing is all the ‘stuff’ that you do that generates interest or traffic to your shop. This could be videos, Instagram posts or stories, blog posts, challenges, ads… you get the idea.
There are lots of things you can do to market your business. Some ideas you’ll hear or read are meh at best, others are genuinely brilliant.
For full show notes visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/177
For a full list of all merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
Today I am diving into the quandary of consistency in your handmade business. So elusive! What does “consistency” in business actually look like? What does it mean when we say we want more consistency? And why does it sometimes seem unattainable or frustrating to accomplish that at times?
We are ALL always looking for consistency in business, usually, that means sales but it could mean other things like subscribers or followers, depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
Is this achievable? I believe that is! BUT we have to work on what we REALLY mean when we say it. Like, truly define what we mean when we say we want consistency.
For full show notes, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/176
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com
Does it ever feel like no one else struggles quite as much as you do to identify or define their ideal customer avatar? There’s a reason for that…
What if I told you that the key to finding your ideal customer avatar is your product seller profile?
Let me explain.
In the past 11 years, I’ve done plenty of my own ideal customer avatar build-outs and I’ve assisted many makes with theirs, too!
There is a lot of experience from those 11 years or so that has influenced today’s episode. I’ve recently started to think about finally articulating my theory about how the way you become the seller of original products impacts the way you find your ideal customer. AND here we are, the time has come. Welcome to today’s episode where I will articulate that theory.
This is my theory about how the way that you become a seller of original products impacts how you determine who your ideal customer is.
I think there are 3 ways you can become a seller of original products and I’m going to cover each one and provide insight into the ideal customer discovery for each.
For full show notes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/175
For a full list of all merripodcast episodes, please visit merripodcast.com
Pricing your handmade products sucks…
That’s just the truth. It makes the impulse to do some of these things very real! It is true that pricing is hard, and it inevitably involves math which, for me, makes it even worse.
There are lots of best practices for pricing your handmade products, I’ll point you in the direction of our top pricing resources in this post! For now though, let’s make sure you know what NOT to do.
Before we get started, I want to remind you that underpricing is bad for everyone, not just you!
Here are the 4 things you definitely do not want to do when pricing your handmade products for sale on Etsy, Shopify or anywhere else.
For full show notes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/174
For a full list of all episodes please visit merripodcast.com
The idea of launching handmade product lines usually brings up one of two emotions: YAY or UGH.
(Both are entirely valid!)
If you feel more UGH than yay, I get you. I, too, dislike using the launch model in my own business.
The handmade product lines launch model I am referring to is one you are probably familiar with. It starts with teasing out a new product line for a few weeks before launching it live for sale at a certain time on a certain date. Usually, there is some fanfare in that build-up process and on the launch date! It might involve a mailing list, email blast, social media campaign or even the help of influencers. It tends to be a multi-faceted project and quite a bit of work concentrated on a single ‘event.’
Launching is a semi-popular approach particularly for product-based businesses and many handmade business owners enjoy it! (I’m not one of them but many sellers do love it.)
For full show notes visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/173.
For a list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com
Hitting a sales goal is a milestone, hitting a revenue goal is a milestone. Revenue is not purpose, and neither is a number of sales. You did NOT wake up this morning just to make progress on hitting a milestone.
Ask yourself why you’re working toward that milestone. That’ll get you closer to knowing what your purpose really is.
We work for a bigger purpose. For those moments of “HELL YES, this!” For that surge of excitement about being able to do something you REALLY wanted to do. For that giddy feeling you get from actually doing the things you could have only dreamed about doing when you were 18. For the pride that comes with knowing you can support your family.
You do NOT work for “I have 4,500 sales on my Etsy shop.” But you CAN celebrate that, because maybe, if you are doing it right, it gets you closer to achieving your purpose.
The other difference between purpose and milestones is that milestones come and go, they are fleeting moments – purpose maintains. Purpose is ongoing.
Your business should be mostly enjoyable and should help you make these other ENJOYABLE things possible.
The absolute first step is believing it’s possible to have a business that helps you get closer to your purpose + surrounding yourself with others who believe it too. Don’t skip it!
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/172.
For a complete list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com.
As you know by now, my team and I support and encourage a small handmade business structure that makes use of one marketplace and one autonomous off-Etsy website.
Specifically, we recommend Etsy as the marketplace and Shopify as the platform for building your independent domain shop.
Whenever I speak about Shopify, inevitably, the question of other platforms comes up
“What about Wix?”“What about Squarespace?”
Today I want to answer that fully and in a meaningful way. Not just so you what my answer is but so that you understand why that is my answer.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/171
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes please visit merripodcast.com
Today’s episode is not about disliking the social media algorithm or marketing platform algorithms.
I know that many people have issues with algorithms, particularly Instagram’s algorithm, and trust me, I’ve done my fair share of complaining about it.
However, this episode is about something much more sinister: the culture surrounding those algorithms and the widespread messaging that we must appeal to these algorithms or we are doomed.
My issue is with the culture surrounding the algorithms – and the messaging that seems commonplace to appeal to the algorithm or don’t expect to get anywhere. This is not a positive or encouraging message.
For too long, I let this message about the social media algorithm get to me. I allowed the idea that unless I work on the preferred schedule and create the preferred content in the preferred formats, I won’t be successful. And that is incorrect.
My job is to share my message with YOU. If the algorithm wants to assist and make it more likely that you see my message, that’s great. Very helpful. But when I sit down to create things, I do it with YOU in mind, not the algorithm. I feel like we live in a world where the algorithm is the priority, not the human – that includes the human creating it and the human consuming it.
Share your message. Share what you want to share. Share what you WANT TO CREATE. Just because your artwork or product doesn’t fit the Instagram aesthetic doesn’t mean it can’t connect to people there, and it certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share it.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/170
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes please visit merripodcast.com
FIRST STEPS WHEN SALES SLOW DOWN Remind yourself, it’s normal, and it happens.
Next, consider this a bit of a gift. We are all continually trying to find time for things, aren’t we? I think most people are looking for some extra time on most days. Consider a slow spell, an opportunity to catch up on something that’s been lingering, or a chance to explore something new that’s been on your list.
You might have tasks that have moved from one month’s to-do list to the next several times already. Get those things done! Take the time and make it useful to you. Anticipate that things will not stay slow forever and prepare for things to pick back up.
QUESTIONS FOR SLOW OR SLUGGISH SALES I know that telling yourself it’s normal, and looking on the bright side won’t always make your worries about it go away. Likely, that will not be enough, which is why we have a list of questions you can ask yourself if sales are slow or stalled in your handmade business.
For full show notes for this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/169
For a full list of all merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
Of course, when we say Etsy SEO, that means Search Engine Optimization specific to Etsy’s native search engine. Etsy SEO is a common focal point for Etsy sellers, maybe even to a fault.
Here are three things I want you to know about Etsy SEO off the top to get this started:
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The factors that go into Etsy SEO and how it is calculated and achieved do not change as often or as dramatically as people seem to think it does.
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SEO is not the be-all, end-all to Etsy success! This applies anywhere. SEO might get you found, but it is not the thing that makes sales. SEO is a marketing strategy, not a sales strategy!
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You shouldn’t focus so much on SEO (on any platform) that you forget about other important areas of optimization.
To get the full show notes for this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/148
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
To find out how to make your Etsy shop work harder for you visit merritrainingcourse.com
I’ve posted about this on Instagram before, and it always seems to ignite a little fire. No one cares about your Etsy sales number besides you.
Etsy is not a perfect platform, but it is a damn good one. We believe it is the best marketplace handmade business owners have right now.
Sellers (and some buyers) often gripe about Etsy changes, but for me I find this one UNCHANGED thing is my biggest gripes: displaying the seller’s sales number on the homepage of the Etsy shop. It’s been this way since day one and hasn’t changed.
The fact that Etsy publicly displays your sales number has ALWAYS seemed ridiculous to me.
To get the full show notes for this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/144
To see the full list of all merripodcast episodes, visits merripodcast.com
To make your Etsy shop work harder for you, visit merritrainingcourse.com
Today I'm sharing with you some big news. Probably the biggest news I've ever shared here.
I've always tried to keep the podcast timeless and evergreen, so I haven't shared much "news" here. But I digress.
This is the last new episode of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
Not for the summer, not for this season - but actually forever.
First, I want to thank you for being here today and for every time you streamed the podcast. It's truly been an honor to create this content and share it with you, knowing that it ultimately might impact your business, and I appreciate the trust you've put in me and my team not only here on the podcast but throughout the business.
There are many reasons for this decision, but most are highly personal or boring. I'll share the key reason with you here, though.
There are many different ways to define success, but I can't accomplish all of them within this business. And there are other things I want to do that would bring me to other versions of success. But I need to make space for them.
I want to be clear before going forward. I have absolutely no intention of sharing this as advice. This is just what's happening for me.
For full show notes and links mentioned, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/166
For a complete list of all Merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
To join the free masterclass while it's still available visit merritrainingcourse.com
Etsy shop audits. What are they? Is that the same as a shop critique? Should you invest in one? And why I don't offer them!
Years ago, I DID offer this as a service. I have done hundreds of Etsy shop audits.
I did shop audits for sellers at all levels, in all different niches, for all different types of products – handmade, vintage digital- all of them.
And what I found was that I was repeating myself quite a bit. Even in the follow-up written points, the additional resources, the extra input, and beyond – even when people would write back with questions… they were the same questions.
I know now that this is because until a certain baseline is implemented, the information that people receive in audits is not personalized.
For all the links mentioned and to get full show notes for this episode, visit merriweathercouncilpodcast.com/165
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com.
Worried you might be you are underpricing your handmade product? I’m glad it’s on your mind because pricing properly is the foundation on which you build a sustainable business.
Regardless of your niche, style, medium, or experience level, pricing properly is key to having a handmade business that can endure, grow, and thrive.
To put it simply: if you aren’t pricing for profit, you don’t have a business; you have a hobby. There is nothing wrong with hobbies, of course, but they are best when you know you have one, not when you are trying to accomplish something else for a year and then realize you were on the wrong track.
In this episode, I reveal the 5 sneaky signs that you need to adjust your pricing.
For all the links mentioned in this episode and for full show notes, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/164
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com.
Does it ever feel like no one else struggles quite as much as you do to identify or define their ideal customer avatar? There’s a reason for that… What if I told you that the key to finding your ideal customer avatar is your product seller profile?
This is my theory about how the way that you become a seller of original products impacts how you determine who your ideal customer is.
I think there are 3 ways you can become a seller of original products and i’m going to cover each one and provide insight into the ideal customer discovery for each
There are three primary ways I believe people become sellers of original products:
The Shark Tank way
The natural-born entrepreneur way
The maker way
There are probably others but they likely would fit into any of those ultimately and for the purpose of the lesson, these three provide enough context. And as you’ll see there can be overlap between these.
For full episode notes visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/163
To see a full list of all Merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
The absolute best way to find customers for your Etsy shop will probably surprise you.
As you know, I am a huge proponent of Etsy and I think it’s a powerful tool that all craft-based business owners would be smart to make use of. I also believe that you should not send prospective buyers to your Etsy shop.
It might sound like those two statements contradict each other, but by the end of this episode, you will understand exactly why they don’t.
Please note: This episode was recorded before Etsy announced their fee adjustment which is now live. The fee % mentioned in this episode reflects the rate it was before April 11th 2021. The explanation around the fee is still accurate!
For full show notes for this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/162
For a list of all Merripodcast episodes visit merripodcast.com
I’m excited to share with you what happened when I deleted 3000-4000 Instagram followers from my @merriweatherc Instagram account!
This episode covers my own experience and what happened when I deleted followers. I hope that it can provide some insight that you can benefit from if you also use Instagram as a marketing tool in your handmade business.
There were no hard and fast rules here, but I did have some key points I'd look for when determining if an account should be removed.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/161.
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com.
As you know by now, my team and I support and encourage a small handmade business structure that makes use of one marketplace and one autonomous standalone site.
Specifically, we recommend Etsy as the marketplace and Shopify as the platform for building your independent domain shop.
Whenever I speak about Shopify, inevitably, the question of other platforms comes up
"What about Wix?"
"What about Squarespace?"
Today I want to answer that fully and in a meaningful way. Not just so you what my answer is but so that you understand why that is my answer.
To get full shownotes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/160
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merripodcast.com
Etsy Predictions for 2022 and 2021 Recap
At the end of 2020, I wrote a blog post about 3 things I predicted Etsy would do in 2021. I went back to check in on them, and at first, it was a little murky deciding on if my predictions materialized or not. Conservatively, we saw half-correctness of 2 of my 3 predictions. I had another prediction that I didn't publish when I wrote the original article, mainly because it was boring. I did anticipate that Etsy would implement payment plans, and they did! You can now pay for Etsy purchases over several payments through a service called Klarna. So that's a cool feature; it's just not a particularly exciting one to talk about.
For full show notes and a list of all Merripodcast episodes, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/159
I don’t want anybody to feel bad if they did this, but this is not a good strategy.
It’s not wise to do this. This concept can apply to any platform. This is not specific to Etsy. As I said earlier, this is something that came about because of Etsy but many platforms already offer more than ten image spaces. You want to always be mindful of what you are including in listings. Don’t just use space because it’s there. Use space wisely.
If someone discovers your listing (yay!) and they click into it (yay!), they explore some of the info (yay!), scrolli through some of your images (yay!) that is all exactly what you want!! If someone has gotten that far into your listing, and is that deep into looking at your product, why on earth would we want to distract them with a graphic that indicates they should stop what they are doing on the listing and leave the page to do something else?
If you put a social media handles or opt-in coupon image in your listing, you are interrupting the buying process.
If someone has gotten through image one, image two, image three, image four, image five, image six, image seven – if they are that far into your listing, if they have gone into your listing that deep, it is your responsibility and opportunity to convert that person to make a purchase! Your listing’s purpose is to convert sales, not to grow your social media following.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/157
Do you ever feel like you know how to do a lot of things and how much knowledge you have from your years of random online learning and freebie gathering and yet… still struggle to make progress in your business?
I've been there!! (I do not feel nostalgic for it, but because I learned some vital lessons, I will revisit those wayward years today for the greater good!)
On this episode, I am diving into why that happens. I'll be answering the age-old (just me?) question: Why do we struggle to achieve our goals, and what do we really need to reach those goals a little bit easier?
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/156
It’s no secret that as a business owner you will, at some point, usually multiple points, have unhappy customers. While unhappy customers are less frequent than happy customers or customers we never hear from, either way, customer service is a daily activity in any business.
It is true that customer service exists at every turn, but the part of it that I’ve noticed is trickiest is at the very end of the transaction, specifically if someone is unhappy.
What should you do, as a handmade business owner who wants to remain human and friendly but also not have anxiety and stress over what to do with customer service issues that might come up?
Drum roll, please… You have actually probably already done it: it’s your policy.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/155
The idea of launching a product line usually brings up one of two emotions: YAY or UGH.
(Both are entirely valid!)
If you feel more UGH than yay, I get you. I, too, dislike using the launch model in my own business.
The launch model I am referring to is one you are probably familiar with. It starts with teasing out a new product line for a few weeks before launching it live for sale at a certain time on a certain date. Usually, there is some fanfare in that build-up process and on the launch date! It might involve a mailing list, email blast, social media campaign or even the help of influencers. It tends to be a multi-faceted project and quite a bit of work concentrated on a single ‘event.’
Launching is a semi-popular approach particularly for product-based businesses and many handmade business owners enjoy it! (I’m not one of them but many sellers do love it.)
I get asked about product launching quite a bit and I’ve heard a variety of concerns. I am going to address as many of those today as possible!
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/154
Today I am diving into the quandary of consistency in business. So elusive! What does “consistency” in business actually look like? What does it mean when we say we want more consistency? And why does it sometimes seem unattainable or frustrating to accomplish that at times?
We are ALL always looking for consistency in business, usually, that means sales but it could mean other things like subscribers or followers, depending on what you are trying to accomplish.
Is this achievable? I believe that is! BUT we have to work on what we REALLY mean when we say it. Like, truly define what we mean when we say we want consistency.
Consistency is too loose of a term for most of us to feel secure with.
If we give ourselves a more liberal and realistic view of consistency then we have the opportunity to celebrate and ‘succeed’ more often!
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/153
Here at The Merriweather Council, we are VERY pro-Etsy. That is probably pretty obvious by now. However, we are also huge proponents of having your own standalone eCommerce site in addition to Etsy. (We recommend Shopify for building that standalone site!)
We wholeheartedly suggest handmade business owners have both!
We love Etsy and believe it’s the best marketplace handmade business owners have available right now.
Are there things I wish they would change? Of course!
I’ve been in a relationship with Etsy for nearly 11 years. Just like any long-term relationship, there are things I have found I don’t LOVE. But, for me, none of these issues were deal-breakers.
There are a lot of great features of Etsy, and one of those is choice. Sellers can CHOOSE to use many functions or not. Such as shipping labels, sales and couponing tools, listing videos, and on-site Etsy ads.
You’ve likely heard me say I do not recommend using Etsy’s on-site ads. I am not against on-site ads; I just don’t think you need them - I know you don’t need them! Further, it’s not the best use of a marketing budget.
But a little explanation might be helpful here!
For full show notes and all mentioned links please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/152
Disclaimer: This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Every year I make an effort to deliver this message regarding the summer sales slump to help you get proactive and manage expectations during this time so you can turn your slump into your most valuable season.
This is about using summer wisely to avoid a lack of focus and preparing for a successful holiday season!
My hope is to make this summer sales slump feel less scary and to assure you that it is very, very normal!
I want to give you the heads up on what you need in order to maximize this season of summer and the season that's coming after it based on what I know from real-life experience.
In this episode, you’re going to learn the three major pitfalls that most makers fall into during the summer months that you definitely want to avoid. It will also cover the timeline that you need to understand and know how to work with. Plus, the five key pieces to turning your slump into the most valuable season.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/151
I don’t work for an algorithm.
I understand that every platform has best practices and things it’s good to be aware of. I’m okay with basic rules and guidelines, but I’m not okay with being told I shouldn’t even bother unless what I want to do will make an invisible robot happy. That is so discouraging and toxic.
I don’t have any issues with the existence of the algorithms on any platform. I understand and support that there has to be an algorithm in place; otherwise, things would move so fast it would be useless.
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other massive platforms handle so much content from so many users and deliver it to so many users; there needs to be a system (algorithm) to manage it.
The algorithm is a huge part of what makes those platforms functional and enjoyable as a user. Are they perfect? No. Are there a million things about it that we don’t know and don’t understand? Yes.
My issue is with the culture surrounding the algorithms - and the messaging that seems commonplace to appeal to the algorithm or don’t expect to get anywhere. This is not a positive or encouraging message.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/150
At one point or another, I believe all makers will receive a message requesting information related to HOW they make their products and with what materials exactly. I know this is a moderately controversial topic in the maker space, and as always I want to remind you that we do not have to agree on this at all.
Everyone gets to choose how they run their business - it’s important that we all respect the choices other business owners have made even if they aren’t the same as the choices we would make for our business.
Of course, those kinds of prodding supply questions could come from potential buyers who have a particular interest in something that is not currently outlined in your shop, for example, ‘is it vegan’ or similar.
Often though, these inquiries come from people who just want to make what you make, either to bypass the purchasing process thinking it will save money (does it ever?) or because they do already (or want to, or think they want to) sell that same sort of product that you do.
It’s entirely up to you how you handle these situations. Some people don’t mind being asked and will share freely.
Others feel it is an invasion of privacy, and that it threatens their business in some way.
Some people simply don’t want to spend their time teaching or educating, as it is not their jurisdiction - not their thing, not what they are here for.
There is no right or wrong answer here.
You don’t even have to react or respond the same way each time.
In any event, here are three possible ways you can react or reply to questions about suppliers or when people inquire about your trade secrets.
For full show notes and all links mentioned in the episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/149.
The ever-popular topic of Etsy SEO is on the docket for today, so let’s chat!
What is Etsy SEO? Of course, when we say Etsy SEO, that means Search Engine Optimization specific to Etsy’s native search engine. Etsy SEO is a common focal point for Etsy sellers, maybe even to a fault.
What I really wanted to highlight in today’s episode is the reality of search ranking! There is a lack of perspective here that is causing some unnecessary drama and anxiety for a lot of sellers.
I hope that in breaking this down by the numbers, I can help shift the mindset about SEO and the desire to rank on the first page of results.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/148.
If this is your first time joining us for an episode of The Merriweather Council Podcast, well, you’re diving into the deep end today.
I’m okay with it if you are!! ⚠️ Just a fair warning: this is one of my soapbox topics, and I get so fired up about this!
Today I am doing an extended rating of the coupon types makers in business tend to offer. I did a short version of this on TikTok, but 60 seconds was not quite long enough for all the many things I want to say. 😏
If you are currently offering any of these or more than one of these, please don’t feel bad! You might love these, and that’s entirely fine. If NOTHING else, I genuinely hope everything we do encourages you to build the business YOU want to run. If that includes doing something I’m not a fan of, so be it! I’m a bigger fan of you doing you than anything.
I’d rather you hear this perspective and decide for yourself what’s good than NOT hear it and figure out in a year from now that you actually don’t want to be offering these.
For full show notes and all links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/147
✨ If your product went viral tomorrow, would you be ready?
Small business owners are so lucky to have an abundance of tools at our disposal for creating and sharing content right now, such as Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok. I know that can be overwhelming at times, but it is a good thing overall.
There are so many ways to create content and places to publish that content. Content is being consumed more than ever. It’s probably ‘easier ‘ than it has ever been to go viral.
But what does “going viral” mean? For the context of this episode, “viral” just means you are getting a lot more attention than you usually average or anticipated, rather quickly.
Going viral can be fantastic for your business! It can create a lot of visibility and increase your sales short or long term and help your business grow! A viral post can lead to even more new opportunities! It can connect you to more of your ideal customers.
Whether you are trying to go viral or not, you want to be able to handle it if you do, in fact, find yourself in a place where your product has suddenly blown up overnight.
It is important to remember that, as business owners, the closest we can get to being ‘in control’ is to be proactive.
Being proactive will help you to maximize the exposure for as much good as possible.
For full show notes and more tips on how to prepare your business to go viral, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/146.
Pricing handmade products is so challenging, but this is a critical topic (obviously.)
Today I’m recapping some of my top pricing reminders for handmade business owners because I know the struggle is very real, and I need to hear these things more than once, too!
If you are a long-time listener of The Merriweather Council Podcast, you have probably heard some of these things before - maybe even more than once! I wanted to smash them all together so we can drive this home! Pricing is such a vital topic in ANY business, and I know it is difficult to feel confident about pricing in handmade.
For full show notes and all links mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/145
⚠️TOUGH LOVE ALERT ⚠️
I’ve posted about this on Instagram before, and it always seems to ignite a little fire. No one cares about your Etsy sales number besides you.
Etsy is not a perfect platform, but it is a damn good one. We believe it is the best marketplace handmade business owners have right now.
Sellers (and some buyers) often gripe about Etsy changes, but for me I find this one UNCHANGED thing is my biggest grips: displaying the seller’s sales number on the homepage of the Etsy shop. It’s been this way since day one and hasn’t changed.
The fact that Etsy publicly displays your sales number has ALWAYS seemed ridiculous to me.
For years, I have heard so many sellers express discomfort with this number on display so publicly.
Etsy sellers take it to mean something about them and their product or as an indicator of success or failure. It’s not.
For full show notes for this episode and a list of all episodes visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/144
What problems do non-essential, luxury, handmade products solve?
Great question, maker!
Oh, you’re only asking because it showed up on some ideal customer avatar worksheet? There’s a reason you keep bumping into this question. It can be hard to answer.
You might think of other issues people regularly seem to seek to fix like weight loss or better health or learning a new language or skill. Again, likely your product doesn’t address those.
The problems your product does solve are still worthy of investment though. The people who have those problems absolutely agree.
Your non-essential, luxury, just for fun, handmade item DOES solve someone’s problem though. To figure out what problem that might be, you need to expand your understanding of what a problem is.
For full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/143.
I’m excited to dig into the big sometimes-scary topic of investing in your business today.
For the past ten (nearly 11) years, I have been operating and making financial decisions about my businesses. I have spent about half that time working with small business owners full time, so I am very familiar with all the hesitations and concerns of making business investments. It might surprise you to know that I have found most of those concerns are the same regardless of how significant the investment is.
It’s important to note that investing and spending money is so personal. How and where we each spend our money is our business. It’s absolutely none of my business what you choose to do with your money. I am regularly asked about investing, though. I want to give my response to those inquiries a bigger platform here on the blog.
For full episode notes and links mentioned in this episode visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/142.
Season 8 of The Merriweather Council Podcast has landed! I cannot believe this is the start of our 8th podcast season!!
If this is your first time listening to The Merriweather Council Podcast, welcome! The Merriweather Council is a female-owned and operated small business that provides support resources for makers in business. Our mission is to lead makers to turn their crafty tendencies into profits and become empowered business owners who thrive on their own terms.
We have already published over 130 episodes of The Merriweather Council Podcast; you can see them all right here. To kick this season off, I will highlight one episode from each season that is worthy of the re-listen (or first-time listen!)
For full show notes for this episode and links to all the highlighted episodes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/141.
We’ve made it to the end of another season of the merriweather council podcast! It is always bittersweet for me to end a season but I truly hope you enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed making it!
To end this unexpected year, I thought it would be fitting to look ahead. Has a new year EVER been more anticipated?! (Probaby, but I’m not old enough to remember another one so it’s at least been a few decades.)
2020 HAS BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER! One for the books. A LOT happened… to say the least.
Because of gestures widely at everything all the things going on, the fact that you decided to tune into this podcast, a podcast about building a handmade business, is extra meaningful. We are so honored you allowed us to be a part of your business this year in that way!
With 2021 nearly upon us, I do of course think about my own goals and plans but, I think about yours, too! I am curious – what’s next for you?
WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR YOUR HANDMADE BUSINESS IN 2021? No clue? Too many ideas? Can’t decide?
I hear you — the new year can feel really intimidating and abrupt. There are two things I like to do in order to transition into a new year smoothly: Make no ‘resolutions’ – i set INTENTIONS instead, and I like to get a head start on the year so it’s less of an abrupt spiral into a new reality and more of an ease into a new way of things.
Find success in 2021 with Intentions It’s much easier to flake on a ‘resolution’ than an intention. With a resolution, it feels like you’ve failed the first time you veer off course. With an intention, you are always SUCCESSFUL as long as you are working, because as long as you have intention at heart, you’re winning, even if you fumble a little bit from time to time.
Whether you’re feeling a bit ‘deer in headlights’ about 2021, or if you have full clarity, resolution or intention (or whatever you like to have!) we would love to help you make big things happen in 2021.
To find out more about setting realistic intentions for your business and to see the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/140
For a full list of episodes visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Today, I want to explain myself.
I want to tell you why I've been holding out on you. We have shared a lot of information with you since 2015, when we started focusing on the education side of the business. I've shared A LOT. Over 120 podcast episodes, countless Instagram posts, videos, and other pieces of content… I've shared a lot!
There is one thing I haven't shared, though.
I haven't told you the four hacks to skyrocket our sales… because they don't exist. I cannot tell you about them because, well, there aren't any.
Any such tips masquerading as such are just that: a masquerade. There is no such thing as '4 hacks to skyrocket your sales.'
For all links mentioned and full show notes for this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/139
To see a full list of episodes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
This is an essential message to the person who steers the ship in your small business: you.
The C.E.O.
C.E.O.
Y-O-U.
We get lots of emails and messages here at MWHQ from small business owners looking for advice, guidance, and support. We have noticed that many are not in the correct place, mindset-wise, to really receive and make use of even the best advice that we could possibly give.
And that is NOT a call out. That's a call FOR! I'm calling for you and all small business owners to step into a C.E.O. state of mind to become better equipped, mentally, to make use of any and all advice and guidance that befalls you!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/138
To see a list of all Merripodcast episodes, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Overwhelm is everywhere.
Things 'to do' pop up everywhere - TikTok lists, IGTVs, Pinterest pins, posts in Facebook groups… everywhere you go that entrepreneurs hang out, you will hear and see people talking about things you absolutely MUST DO to be successful.
It's impossible to avoid seeing them, and it's tough not to let these things take hold and rule your time if you aren't in a place to know how to react to them.
Being an entrepreneur can be very overwhelming, and we are inundated with information. The good news is, there are not, in my opinion, a lot of MUST-DO things that apply to everyone.
Today we are talking about the misconceptions of must-dos and things we KNOW you do not need to do. More importantly, we are talking about the things you need to HAVE and BE to be successful.
Let's dive in!
Connect with me on instagram @merriweatherc
All of the resources mentioned in this episode can be found HERE: merriweathercouncilblog.com/137
To see our full podcast lineup, visit: merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
In the past TEN years (oh my goodness, y'all), I've filled thousands of custom and personalized orders – and I've learned a ton! It's a whole different ball game to do that kind of work than it is to batch produce something and ship it once it's ordered, as I am sure you can imagine. That sort of work has a it’s own set of pros, cons, challenges and nuances, too.
If you are considering offering custom work or personalization in your product line, I hope the insights I'm sharing from my experience will be valuable to you in making that decision and having some foresight to work with as you go.
To get the full show notes and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/136
For a complete list of all episodes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
No matter what niche you are in, no matter what kind of product you sell... sales becoming sluggish or stalled sometimes is normal. ALL businesses have slow times. Just like all businesses have busy times!
One of our goals here at Merriweather is to empower you to weather storms, deal with challenges and make progress even when things feel hard and I am hoping this episode does help you feel more informed and empowered.
The first thing to do here: remind yourself, it's normal, and it happens.
Next, consider this a bit of a gift. We are all continually trying to find time for things, aren't we? I think most people are looking for some extra time on most days. Consider a slow spell, an opportunity to catch up on something that's been lingering, or a chance to explore something new that's been on your list. You might have tasks that have moved from one month's to-do list to the next several times already. Get those things done! Take the time and make it useful to you. Anticipate that things will not stay slow forever and prepare for things to pick back up.
I know that telling yourself it's normal, and looking on the bright side won't always make your worries about it go away. Likely, that will not be enough, which is why we have a list of questions you can ask yourself if your handmade business experiences a slow spell.
For the complete list of these questions and all the links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/135
For a list of all Merripodcast Episodes, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
If you feel drained and overwhelmed by social - you are not alone, and there are plenty of reasons that might be the case. One of them is merely feeling clueless about what your audience wants to see from you. I know for a fact that this one question creates a ton of anxiety and lots of hurdles for handmade business owners who use social media with the hope of casting a wider net for their business and connecting with existing fans and customers.
What kind of content should you create for your social media and email audiences? What do your followers want to see from you on social, in their inbox, or wherever else you show up for them?
The great news is this question has a straightforward answer. Your followers and audience members want to see you showing up as a confident, independent, capable, creative business owner.
Better news: there are LOTS of ways to do that. There are many ways for you to show up and exude confidence, independence, and creativity on behalf of your business.
For full show notes and all links mentioned in this episode, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/134
For a full list of all Merripodcast episodes, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Your business needs more than an Etsy shop the same way it needs more than an Instagram account.
Every business owner who uses Etsy should also build their own branded domain eCommerce shop. Full stop. That is one of the VERY FEW must-do things that universally applies.
I say things like that a lot, in a variety of ways. I believe it is my thesis statement on business.
Having an Etsy shop as part of your business is a brilliant move. Having a branded domain shop as part of your business is an essential move.
For more details on the what and how of this episode, or to find all the links mentioned please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/133
For a full list of all of our podcast episodes and other free resources, please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com
We know that Etsy can be a powerful tool in your business, but only if you feel okay enough to give it a try and use it. That is, of course, the first step to making it work for you!
Many Etsy sellers, would-be Etsy sellers or Etsy curious folks have heard loads of stories about Etsy that have thrown them off and discouraged them from trying.
Many current Etsy sellers also have concerns. We are hoping to address some of the most common concerns Etsy sellers have here today so that you can make a better decision for yourself and more effectively tap into Etsy's unique power and leverage it for your business on and beyond Etsy.
As a reminder: we here at Merriweather see Etsy as a tool that you can use in your business, and we always encourage sellers to use Etsy in conjunction with a branded domain site. This means we see you first and foremost as a business owner, not just an Etsy seller.
Additionally, we want to empower business owners to make decisions that suit them best. If that means not using Etsy at all, fantastic! We don't care about which decision you make; we just want you to have the best information as you make that decision. There is no peace in making a decision that you still feel uncertain about. So make your decisions for yourself, but do it with the correct information!
We have covered all of these concerns before but never in one centralized place, until now! These are the top most common concerns that we hear from current or would be Etsy sellers.
For links mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/132.
For a list of all episodes and other free resources, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast.
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Getting out of our comfort zone is a choice. We can choose whatever we want. Comfort or discomfort. Go out and get it or not.
There is no wrong choice! We just have to accept what comes with that choice.
If you apply this to your business, you can see the connection. You can choose to stay in your comfort zone or NOT.
You can choose to push yourself and break down the barriers you put up for yourself. Or, you can choose not to.
If you placed a hurdle and you're unwilling to break it down, that's okay! But you'll have to accept that you won't be able to reach what's beyond that.
You get to decide, but it comes with owning the outcome of making that choice.
You get to decide what your experience looks like.
For links mentioned in this episode please find our full show notes at merriweathercouncilblog.com/131
To see a full list of our podcast episodes, visit merriweathercouncilblog/podcast
Find us on social @merriweatherc
Business
There is a post on my blog from several years ago that gets so much traffic. It's honestly a little silly. By the way, this is also a shout out to the power of Pinterest. 90% of the traffic that post gets comes from Pinterest, and Pinterest is sending a lot of traffic to this post every single day for years. So, thank you, Pinterest.
That post is titled four things I wish I had done in my first year of handmade business.
The things in that post are still 100% relevant, and I still wish I had done them.
Even though this makes me feel old, I should mention that I started selling handmade products in 2010…
When I started my handmade business, Instagram wasn't even a thing, so I COULDN'T have done a couple of things sooner, even if I wanted to. That being said, there are some things I should have done sooner or that I would do asap now if I were starting fresh.
Tune in to hear about 4 more things I wish I had done during my first year in handmade business.
For the links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/130.
For a list of all Merripodcasts: merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn more about The Council visit jointhecouncilnow.com.
Find me on instagram @merriweatherc.
2020 threw us a lot of curveballs. Like, a LOT of curveballs. Ups and downs were happening faster than I think most of us prefer.
Everyone's experience this year was different. But today, I want to chat about what it means if this was a good year for your business.
If your business did well in 2020: own it. If your business did well this year, it's not 'just because of covid."
There was a lot of uncertainty and misery for small business in 2020, no doubt. But there were also a lot of opportunities for businesses that were already established online, especially.
It might be true that people are online more than normal for a variety of reasons. It is ALSO true that If your business is doing well right now, it's not just because of COVID or because people are online more often.
The success your business saw is not a random coincidence.
For more information on the resources mentioned in this episode or to view the show notes, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/129
To see our full podcast lineup, visit: merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Everyone wants to make sales, but no one wants to sell.
That's the short and sweet summary of what I have observed. It has also been told to me many times: "I hate selling; I feel salesy."
Before moving forward, I want to preface this by explaining when I say "selling" in this episode, I am usually referring to the act of selling, the advertising/ marketing/ show-up-and-sell selling. The action the human person takes to make a sale. Not' selling' like, "my items are/aren't selling well." To be clear!
EVERYONE wants to 'increase sales,' and almost everyone feels super intimidated by marketing or showing up in any sales capacity. No one likes that act of "selling" or having to be "salesy."
Connect with me on instagram @merriweatherc
For links and resources mentioned in this episode please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/128
To see our full podcast lineup, visit: merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Welcome back to season 7 of the Merriweather Council Podcast!
We are so excited to be back for another season of realistic and concise advice for makers in business!
Everything we do here at Merriweather Council supports makers in turning their crafty tendencies into profits.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/127
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
I truly hope you enjoyed this season of The Merriweather Council Podcast. It is such an honor for me and my team to be a small part of your business. We appreciate you tuning in!
Today i am leaving you with a bit of advice for the summer months - whether it is actually summer where you live or not, the next three months are critical if you want to be positioned and ready for the holiday season!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/127
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
There are two brackets of sellers to be aware of when it comes to offsite ads. Sellers who haven't generated more than $10,000 in revenue in the past twelve months, and sellers who have. Those who have not can opt-out of these ads (not participate). Those who have cannot turn the ads off in their shop (must participate). HOWEVER, we will discuss how sellers above this threshold can 'opt-out' in this episode too.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/126
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
On this episode I interview our Etsy Training Course student and current Council Member, Deobora from The Timeless Crane all about her maker story. I find it to be very inspiring and is such a testament to the wonderful opportunities makers can receive when they take the chance on themselves! I hope this inspires you.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/125
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
I was so excited when Chereen from @smeenybeanieknits asked to interview me on her IGTV series! Today’s episode is THAT interview! So fun to have someone else interview me.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/124
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
If you feel intimidated by the size of your audience and how that is going to impact your successor etsy - this one is for you!
If you've been putting off opening shop on Etsy until you have a big audience, don't! I'll explain why.
Many would be Etsy sellers, and quite a few already-sellers - feel that they cannot be successful on Etsy because they don't have a large following. There are lots of ways this manifests. It might sound like, "I don't have many instagram followers" or "I don't have a mailing list."
Basically it boils down to a general malaise of “I don't have an audience to sell to yet so I’m waiting for that before I open my shop" and / or “I don't have an audience to sell to so i cannot be successful on Etsy."
Thankfully though, those thoughts are actually completely incorrect!
You do NOT need a big, organic audience in order to have success on Etsy! You don't need any audience at all, actually.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/123
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
This entire episode is a tough love alert! Friends, we need to come together and normalize these realities of handmade business. Once we do, we will all be much happier and probably more successful!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/122
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Will we ever stop talking about email marketing? It’s unlikely. We are doing it again today with our friend Prerna from Content Bistro. Prerna is a conversion copywriter and she is sharing her 3 Es of Email Marketing with us today - and they are GOOD.
Tun in to hear what you want to keep in mind when emailing your list for the best results for you AND for them.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/121
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
This episode is all about Facebook ads featuring Mia from That Marketing Girl Mia!
If you are considering running Facebook ads, this episode will be super insightful. Mia created a freebie checklist for Merri listeners that you can find in the show notes on the blog!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/120
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Really excited for you to hear from Jake from Kenyarn today on the show! We had a great chat about so many things including separating your work space from your home space, establishing a studio, using instagram to find community, showing up as your authentic self online and how he is managing his full time non-craft career alongside his business dying fiber! I truly hope you find this inspiring.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/119
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Etsy sellers often feel that Etsy isn’t being supportive enough - most usually we hear this in the form of Etsy features or behaviors specifically in regards to running sales and discounts.
If you are an Etsy seller who feels that Etsy is just constantly asking your to discount yourself BECAUSE they don’t care and don’t see the value in your work, I hope that today’s episode helps you reframe that a bit!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/118
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
Today’s episode is about why even the best marketing advice in the world doesn’t work for you!
If you’ve implemented really solid marketing strategies but they didn’t generate results for you - I’ll tell you why that probably is! It’s usually one of two very specific reasons - or a combination of both.
► In this episode you will hear me explain why the above situation is NOT caused by an oversaturated market. You’ll also hear me say that over saturation in a market is not even a real thing. That is a rumor that’s very easy to believe though. If you sell on Etsy you’ve heard it before: “Etsy is too saturated” and “if you sell THIS PRODUCT or THIS PRODUCT, you can’t be seen on Etsy because it’s too saturated.” ... lies, lies and more lies. There are some other very specific rumors that run the Etsy seller circuit that we would like to clear up for you!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/117
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Does Taylor Swift do anything without us paying attention? No. So here we are again! Last year, Taylor released her Lover album in a completely different way than she released her previous album, Reputation. The differences in approach to the marketing of these two albums was extreme - night and day! Both were hugely successful. And that is one of the key lessons in today’s episode: an abundance of marketing can be awesome and work well, and so can a lack of marketing.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/116
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Today’s episode features four things you DO NOT want to do when pricing your work.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/115
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Today’s episode was a real treat for me to record! You’ll hear me chatting with Etsy Training Course student and Council Member, Jenn of Jenn D Handcrafted. I’ve been so honored and humbled to be a small part of something so important to Jenn and something that is so fun, inspiring and community driven.
Jenn shared some really great insights and experienced from her 6 years of running her handmade business - I truly hope this inspires you to stick with your goals!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/114
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Last year I went on an epic journey to see the Backstreet Boys five times in concert. On my journey, I popped in on Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Did you know that Milwaukee is the home of the Harley Davidson Motor Company? Neither did I! But the friend I was traveling with did and she suggested that doing our non-BSB hours we visit their museum. Not one for museums, I wasn’t hyped about it but we had already been to every brewery in town so, we went! I LOVED IT.
Surprising, considering i don’t care much for museums or motorcycles. But this museum was basically a shrine to entrepreneurship and you know I can get hyped about that.
In this episode I’m sharing some of the key things I loved and learned at the HD museum that relate to business and entrepreneurship.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/113
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Today I want to discuss the difference between milestones and purpose. I think we are inundated with HASHTAG GOALS and the word ‘goals’ feels a bit nebulous sometimes. So i thought we could break it down to understand these all a bit better.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/112
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
This episode is for Etsy sellers who feel like they HAVE to offer free shipping - specifically because it is the “only way to be seen on Etsy.”
If you are offering free shipping for no other reason than because you feel like it’s a huge part of being visible on Etsy, this is a must listen.
Free shipping on Etsy is still a huge hot button issue, I hope this episode will help you reframe how you’re approaching it if you are doing it just because you feel like you have to!
Please share this episode with your Etsy seller friends to spread the word!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/111
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
► If you are listening to today’s episode, screenshot and tag us on IG @merriweatherc!
Today’s episode is about three things that are boring, overdone, or useless in email marketing, especially for product sellers.
There is a lot of resistance to email marketing even though it is very effective - I think, perhaps BECAUSE of the things we are covering in this episode, people feel like “meh, no thanks” about it.
Particularly if you feel exhausted by social media, which I know so many people do, you might really like email marketing.
So tun in to hear about the mistakes you’ll want to avoid and hopefully feel reinsured to explore email marketing in your own business!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/110
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome back to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast.
Today’s episode is something of a follow up to my most recent episode - these two go hand in hand! (BUT IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT HAND HOLDY WAY.)
Speaking of social distance, I know many people are spending more time at home, and with that, some things have gotten really popular kind of out of nowhere like puzzles. Puzzles are having a huge moment right now.
And puzzles are what inspired today’s episode. Tune in to learn more about creating your big picture strategy and what puzzles have to do with it!
If you are offering free shipping for no other reason than because you feel like it’s a massive part of being visible on Etsy, this is a must-listen.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/109
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Welcome to season 6 of The Merriweather Council Podcast. I wasn’t sure what to do about the timing of season 6 and then pandemic 2020 happened and I thought to myself, “self, just do it.”
So here we are! Thanks for being here with me today. If you struggle with productivity, this one is for you!
For the first episode of season 6 I wanted to chat about something we hear SO often from makers in business - daily, in fact!
People always tell us they struggle with PRODUCTIVITY!
“Danielle, i really struggle with productivity!” I hear it every day from makers in business. I am not exempt from this either, of course, I have to remind myself the truth of productivity pretty regularly, too.
One note i do want to make: for me, i think time management is DIFFERENT than productivity. Just to provide some context on this going forward, I believe they are two separate things.
Time management is an essential skill - not just for business but in life as well.
It is REALLY hard to nail down specific time management tips - because literally every single person has different things to manage and different priorities, so there is no one size fits all answer to time management and honestly i’ve seen a lot of “time management” hacks that maybe avail like, three additional minutes a day for people and it’s just kind of one of those things you have to sort for yourself what you do with your time because you have to sort for yourself what things need to get done in your life. So that’s a whole other bag of worms.
BUT productivity i think is a more important metric.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/108
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Hey friends,
Popping in out-of-season with a special message for you during these uncertain times. COVID-19 has thrown us for a bit of a loop but WE are well positioned to deal with it. YOU are capable of rising to this challenge.
As entrepreneurs, we are capable of rising to this challenge and weathering this storm. We will do it better if we do it together and support each other. You are inherently up for a challenge - being an entrepreneur requires it! I know you have the creativity, drive, and determination to move through this.
I also want to remind you that the value of what you do is unchanged. Your work is still needed, wanted and valuable. Are things a little mixed up right now? Yes. Are people sorting out a new normal? Yes. Are you still allowed to market your product and not feel guilty doing so? Also yes.
Keep showing up, people are still looking for you.
It will not do anyone any good for you to recoil at this time. Keep showing up. If you can continue to do your work - do it.
Let’s all give each other grace and understanding at this time. We are all going to work through this in a different way. For some, this is an opportunity to lean into business even more, and if that is how you are feeling now, we are here to support you.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/covid
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
I cannot believe we are at the season finale of season 5 already! What a magical season this was.
We heard from SO many amazing makers and professionals who shared their wisdom and insights on a variety of topics. I really hope you enjoyed them all and gained a few pointers or felt inspired.
I have one final surprise!! There is a super-secret bonus episode of Merriweather Council Podcast that you can access right now by visiting http://merri.party/bonuspodcast - this episode outlines 4 powerful marketing strategies and mechanisms you can implement starting today (NOT including email marketing or anything having to do with Instagram! Shocking, right? Check it out!!)
Thank you so much for all of your support for the podcast and for looking forward to every episode in season 5!
Best,
Danielle
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/107
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
This episode is a note to new sellers - those of you who are just getting started, those of you who haven’t found your footing in the big picture yet.
In episode 99, I spoke about what makers who get to a steady spot are most at risk for. That episode is worth a listen no matter what stage you are at. So is this one.
But this one is specifically for those of you who are just getting started.
Spoiler alert: you have so many opportunities right now!! Let’s discuss the many virtues of being a “newbie” - and how you can enjoy and embrace this time better!
Thanks so much for listening today!
Enjoy!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/106
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Is it possible to overstate how influencer Kate Spade was? I don't think so. So we did not refrain on this episode.
Today we are chatting all about Kate Spade, her legacy and influence and her HUSTLE. I don't really like the word hustle but, she definitely worked super hard to get her business off the ground in the early days.
This was a really interesting discussion, i did not know all that much about the history of Kate Spade or her brand but, Kimber did! You know Kimber as our go-to Taylor Swift expert, but she was able to regale us on the fascinating story of Kate Spade as well.
And we WILL get around to recording an episode about TS7 but today we are talking about Kate.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/105
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
I know how frustrating it can be to see business advice that doesn’t seem like it relates to YOUR business. (As you hopefully know by now though, almost all business advice is just that: advice about business. And at the end of the day business is business and no matter what you’re selling, you’ve got to market it. So keep an open mind as you hear things! You can listen to an episode I did about that here: https://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2019/02/product-sellers-are-marketers/
One thing that often gets a lot of traction in service based businesses is CHALLENGES. You’ve probably seen some of your favorite bloggers run challenges for things like growing your email list, or batching content. And if you’ve ever participated in one you saw how it works and how it does engage the community that blogger is trying to reach. Which of course, is awesome.
So how can something like that translate to a handmade business owner? That’s the question we are answering on today’s episode featuring my friend and fellow maker in business, Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts.
If you don’t know Toni, you might live under a very large boulder. That ends today though! Toni was just as excited about this subject as I was when I reached out asking her to be a guest on the show! And she so willingly shared her insights and tips and experiences with running challenges in her community. Specifically she has been running CALs — or, Crochet-A-Longs. Similar to a knit-a-long. These are essentially the same idea as a challenge and she explained everything in this episode.
I have been following Toni for some time so I know how hard she works and how present she is in her community. This was a great strategy for her to implement and I’m excited for you to hear about it.
In this episode you’ll learn more about challenges or “whatever-a-longs”, how you might use this idea in your own business, the surprising thing Toni did in hers that is uncommon but worked and what she learned along the way.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/104
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
As an embroidery person myself, I am naturally attracted to other fiber artists - and Michelle Staub of Stitching Sabbatical creates such incredible work, it's hard to ignore. But also it totally catches my eye and I love it so much every time I see it.
Michelle has an insane talent - she stitches photo realistic pet portraits. YES, STITCHES THEM. With thread. It's insane.
So it's easy to see why people would love following her to begin with, but Michelle wasn't going to rest on her laurels when it came to Instagram. She went about approaching her account in a very specific and intentional way (it might surprise you!) and she created an atmosphere where people could EXPECT something from her. She made herself a reliable party and people kept showing up!
What Michelle has done with Instagram might surprise you in a lot of ways. A lot of it was really refreshing to me and served as a good reminder that what we see and what we infer about what we see isn't already ... well, correct.
After chatting with Kim of Daisy Faye Designs about her IG debacle, and having this discussion with Michelle about her Instagram experience, I have firmed up my conclusion that Instagram is useful for connecting with an audience, and it's fun to use... but it's not the be all end all. (Personally i actually find it is NOT fun sometime haha.)
Both Kim and Michelle shared with us that while Instagram assists their business - and they are both using it in completely different ways - their businesses are reliant primarily on their talents. IG helps them share that talent and that's awesome.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/103
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Imagine going through the motions of checking your instagram and suddenly realizing there is a problem. Imagine your instagram account simply isn't there ... and there is no indication of why and no one really at all to ask.
This is exactly what happened to Kim Chapman of Daisy Faye Designs in January 2019. And as you can imagine, this created a real sense of worry and concern.
This episode is going to make you SO uncomfortable but it's also going to help you so much. If you can get past the discomfort, you're going to learn that being proactive in your business is one hundred percent essential.
I asked Kim if she would be willing to share more about her experience with her Instagram account being shut down with us and she graciously agreed. Kim experienced this first hand and was able to shed some light on the mysterious world of instagram, the process of trying to recover her lost account and what to do if your account is closed without reason.
In this episode you'll hear from Kim about her experience with instagram before and after this incident, what caused this problem for her and what she learned in the process - plus of course she is sharing what she did in the aftermath of the loss of her account.
Kim handled this whole debacle with so much grace and she shared about how the community assisted her in making a comeback. This episode is an absolute MUST listen for any small business that utilizes Instagram as part of their marketing.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/102
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
When I was in college I always felt a little weird around my classmates because most of them were insanely talented fine artists who had already decided they were dedicating their lives to being artists. This was NOT me. I loved being creative, but then what? What do I do with this creativity?
I spoke about that and more in this episode with my friend Erin of Cotton and Flax. I've known her online for YEARS! We only had the opportunity to meet briefly once in NYC at the Etsy Up Conference. But it was magical nonetheless.
Erin has done so many incredible things in her time as a creative entrepreneur and we spoke at least a little bit about all of them and how she got to where she is now: the owner of a small brick and mortar space in San Diego, California.
If you've ever dreamed of having a physical retail location or studio, you will love this episode.
Erin told me that she is working toward nurturing more community in her space through trunk shows and workshops and I told her THANK YOU. because it was people like Erin who I was lucky enough to encounter in Boston while I was in college that made all the difference for me.
This episode is full of gems for creatives and makers who feel ambitious about the longevity of their businesses! If you need a mood booster, this is it!
Thank you, Erin!! Best of luck with everything in CA.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/101
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
One cool thing about the ridiculous amount of time it took to get season 5 of the merriweather council podcast out the door is that we are publishing episodes a bit later in the year. And that means it's timely and relevant for me to share holiday related dialogue with you! And you know that discussing the many things that are involved for handmade business owners at holiday time is one of my most favorite things.
If you've spent any time around here, you know that I regularly remind makers throughout the holiday season to refrain from getting too caught up in the comparison game when other makers start posting about how many orders they've got going out. You can actually hear that pep talk here // https://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2018/12/holiday-pep-talk/
Just as important as not going around the internet comparing yourself to others is being really honest with yourself about how much is realistic to YOU. This is a metric that can only come from you.
That's what today's episode is about and I genuinely hope it helps many of you make better decisions not only for your business but for yourself this holiday season!
Enjoy!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/100
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
I hope this episode is more of a motivator than a bummer. Because truly, that's what it is. And those of you who most need to hear it: hopefully you're more likely to feel motivation than anything else!
This episode is for those of you who feel like things are going great! Sales are steady, or business is going smoothly, or you have finally 'arrived' where you wanted to be... generally, this episode is for you if you are feeling really satisfied with your business at present.
First, if you are that person, i want to say a huge congrats! Not only is it challenging to get your business of the ground and to a point where things are really truly working for you (business ain’t always easy!!) its even harder to actually recognize and fell that things are going well! We tend to be our biggest critics. So if you are feeling awesome, AWESOME! Congrats.
Now i want to help you keep it that way. That's what this episode is for: helping you stay UP. And the biggest hurdle to that is actually none of the things you think it is. It's not SEO changes on Etsy or Instagram's algorithm. It's complacency. Complacency will kill you faster than anything else.
Tune in to hear more!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/99
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Ever been scrolling Etsy or Instagram and felt annoyed by the other makers in your niche who are severely
underpricing their items and wonder how you could ever stand a chance
when people are so willing to sell so low?
It is very likely that you have.
I hear it so often, from so many people that they simply 'can't compete' and feel discouraged about it.
You likely know enough to spot a ridiculously low price in another shop,
so even if you aren't completely positive of someone else's costs, or
even of your OWN prices, you know enough to know when there is just no
possible way that a price THAT low is worth the work.
SO what to do about it? That's exactly what I'm talking about in today's episode.
I think the answer might surprise you!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/98
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
This season i had the great pleasure of speaking with so many amazing people. Many of them are people i have followed on the internet in one way or another for quite some time. Ruthie is one of those people!
Ruthie and I go way back. I'm not sure how far back exactly but, trust me, it's pretty far.
When I invited her to be a guest I told her I wanted to cover a few things: being a mom in business (something I can't speak on but that I know is so valuable and interesting for other moms and parents in business, particularly parents who work from home) and being a military spouse in business AND living abroad while running your business.
Amazingly enough Ruthie can speak on all of those things. I know there are quite a few moms/ parents who are also small business owners who listen to this podcast, and also quite a few military spouses!
I, too, am a military spouse! It doesn't come up a lot, but i figured let's give this topic some love while we have the opportunity! I would love to hear from you if you are also a military spouse running your own handmade business.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/97
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Since we are on a boyband kick recently, i figured let's just top it off with this fabulous episode in which i spoke with PR professional Brittney Lynn about the magic that is the Jonas Brothers' recent documentary "Chasing Happiness."
What is so magical about it? Why is a PR professional THE one to speak on it? Gather round, kiddies, these and many other questions are about to be answered.
Here's how this episode became a thing...
I am one of those people who only used Amazon Prime for the free shipping benefit until like, three months ago. And around the time I started watching Amazon Prime Video, the Jonas Brothers released this documentary.
Being the pop music super fan that I am, i checked it out. And I actually loved it and started down a bit of a Jonas Brothers black hole. The next day, I saw Brittney on Instagram talking about how awesome their documentary was from a PR perspective and, well, here we are.
Brittney shares some key insights in this episode about how and why Chasing Happiness was a brilliant business and PR move for the Jonas Brothers and how storytelling was at the heart of it. Of course, she did not leave us hanging and also explained how small business owners can follow the example the JoBros have set.
Similar to the situation we spoke about on the episodes about BSB DNA, the Jonas Brothers really needed this return to the spotlight to go well. Thanks to great marketing (among other things) it seems like it definitely did! They have been crushing it this year.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/96
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
This might surprise some of you but i actually did NOT plan on having two episodes about the backstreet boys and how they marketed their latest album release: DNA. I swear!
I recorded my solo episode on the matter and was satisfied with it.
But then something magical happened and the powers that be (Facebook) showed me some highly targeted content (JK... i saw it because I am in a BSB related fan group.)
Picture it: i'm scrolling casually through on the BSB fan groups I’m a member of on Facebook and all of a sudden I see Brianne's post...
OMG?! Is this real life?! I emailed her immediately and we both squealed like the fangirls that we are and promptly scheduled a time to record this episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/95
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Is there a subject I enjoy speaking about more than the Backstreet Boys?
Honestly, no.
Will I take any opportunity to discuss them at length?
Absolutely, yes.
And that is what I'm doing on this episode- but for a very good reason: there is so much to learn from the launch of their most recent album.
You've heard me talk about Taylor Swift and her marketing genius, and you've heard me talk about Gilmore Girls and the business lessons they illustrate perfectly. Now we can add BSB to the list of pop culture entities we can learn business lessons from.
For their tenth studio album, DNA, the Backstreet Boys pulled out a lot of marketing strategies that not only created widespread buzz but also triggered deep emotional connections in their existing fan base. And as we know, that is a recipe for success.
So what did they do? Why did it work? What specific things did they do to activate their existing fan base's emotional response? Listen to this episode to learn all about it. It was FASCINATING. Certainly, yes, I am a fan and I would have showed up either way - BUT because of the lead up to this release, I definitely showed up in a much bigger way than I have in the past for other releases.
The strategies that were used in the release of DNA can all absolutely be translated to your own business. Don't miss this episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/94
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Paid advertising seems like a really good option and it is likely you have considered it. You've probably seen it work really well for others. You have also probably seen or heard of experience that others had with paid advertising that were not profitable at all.
Today's episode includes several things. It actually could have been two separate episodes but the ideas really piggy back on each other so I kept them together!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/93
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Ohhh, snap. Some of you are not going to like this. How do i know? I speak about this quite a bit and every time I do, a handful of people reach out to say they disagree. I'm cool with that. I'm perfectly fine with disagreement. I just still really believe in this message. It's my truth... but it doesn't have to be yours.
My job is not to twist your arm about something you're not into. I don't find any joy in convincing people to do things they really do not want to do. My job is to share insights that i believe you could learn or benefit from. If you happen to find something I say valuable and worth trying then i've done my job. So listen to this episode with an open mind, and decide for yourself based on DATA.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/92
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Ever been scrolling Etsy or Instagram and felt annoyed by the other makers in your It's always a thrill for me to be able to chat with my students about their businesses and how they have grown and changed since working with me. When I reached out to Dani, I told her I wanted to have her on season 5 of the merriweather council podcast to chat about how she has turned her two creative passions into businesses and overall, her creative business trajectory. What we ended up speaking about did cover that, but also included so much more!
I can't wait for you to hear from Dani about her music career, her thriving jewelry business and the incredible power of Etsy.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/91
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
If you Google “Etsy success" a bunch of articles about tips, hacks and tricks will likely show up. Some of that is probably helpful (particularly if its from merriweathercouncilblog.com wink) but these things actually are only useful or relevant AFTER the FIRST, TRUE and surprising keys to Etsy success.
It's true that being successful on Etsy DOES include strategy in listings, photos, etc. (We can teach you all of it in our Etsy Training Course merritrainingcourse.com ) But that stuff won't get you very far if you haven't gotten on board with thed first essential 3 keys to Etsy success.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/90
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
It was so wonderful to chat with Grace of Maker Mountain Fabrics about hew sewing shed. What is a sewing shed you ask? Well, for Grace, it is her workspace - a separate structure she built on her property to run her business from. But it is also a symbol of all the things she hopes and works hard for in her business. The shed is literally a physical representation to the dedication Grace has to her business and her commitment to the work she does - also to the confident decision she made to invest in herself.
For Grace the decision to build the shed was a "now or never" moment. I spoke with her about how she felt facing this large investment, what her motivation was, how she overcame the fear and what's happened since she has had the shed!
This episode addresses something all business owners will face at one point or another: having to decide to go all in or stay status quo.
In Grace's case, building her sewing shed meant saying yes to her business and its future. I'm excited for you to hear from Grace about how this investment of time, effort and money was a family affair and a true commitment to her business.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/89
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
What an honor to have the incredible Sarah K Benning as a guest on season 5 of the Merriweather Council Podcast! I have admired her work as an embroidery artist and small business owner for years now and she is so inspiring.
On this episode we are chatting about so many things. I loved hearing her journey from art student to business owner and now, co-author! And you will hear all about it as well.
If you have spent any time on Instagram or in maker communities you are likely familiar with Sarah's hand embroidery work. It is details and intricate and whimsical. Of course, we spoke all about her work, her inspiration, process and struggles not only with her work but with social media and running a small business. We also spoke about her incredibly successful pattern program and why she's decided to end it (for now!) There is so much to learn from in this episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/88
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
I work with amazing creative people every single day - yay for me! - and i'm so incredibly lucky to know Audrey from Hey Be Fab.
Audrey's tag line is so wonderfully crafted: Embrace your Inner Spunk. And I think Audrey has done, and continues to do, an excellent job helping her followers and students do just that.
She is a true free spirit and a creative powerhouse. When she agreed to be on the show, I yelped with delight. Literally, if memory serves me correctly.
Audrey is a textile artist who believes that you can find freedom from the mundane with one stitch at a time. She hosts art workshops (or parties) where (mostly) women come together to build friendships and connect with each as they create art.
I asked Audrey if she would be willing to share more with us about how she got to where she is in her creative career. She is running such a fun, diverse and dynamic handmade business that includes a subscription box, workshops and finished pieces.
The story Audrey told me during out chat was so real and raw and I know many of you will relate to things she shared. I can't wait for you to hear this one.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/87
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Welcome back to season five of the Merriweather Council Podcast!
Thank you so much for being so patient while we prepped this EPIC season for you!
On this intro episode I’ll be reintroducing myself to those of you who’ve been around a while - clarifying some things, updating you on who I am and what we do here at the Merriweather Council! I’ll also be sharing a bit about season five and what’s to come but no spoilers.
I know that your business is one of the most important things in your life and so I do not take it lightly that you trust us to advise on it.
That’s why I always like to introduce myself and the Merriweather Council at the top of each season - so you know who the heck I am and what the heck we do.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/86
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Ahh we have reached the end of another season of Merri Podcast! I cannot believe how fast that went.
I truly hope you enjoyed this season. It’s a real honor and privilege to be able to come on here a couple times each week for a couple chunks of the year and deliver these episodes to you. I know that many of you find inspiration, motivation and education here and that thrills me. I can’t wait for season 5.
There were some really special episodes this season, and some really IMPORTANT episodes. It’s not all fun and games but, we try. Ha.
Today I’m giving you a little wrap up of the season and big thank you! I’m also sharing some of the places we can stay connected in the off season.
If you enjoy the podcast, a tangible way to say “thanks” is to share it with your maker friends, leave a positive iTunes review, and/ or subscribe to the show!
I appreciate you so much.
-Danielle
For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/85
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
My Business Fairy Godmother + Something Amazing she’s Providing Right Now
As your handmade biz bestie, I want to make sure you know about the fun stuff I am doing that could benefit you. But, I ALSO want to be sure to share with you when there are other amazing things out there that you should know about. Especially if those things have been impactful to me!
Many of you have heard me speak about Marie Forleo and her brilliance before and I wanted to take some time today to do it again because… she’s awesome and she has something amazing to share with you that I don’t want you to miss.
Here’s the link to Marie’s free business training
this is my partner link!
If you haven’t met her yet, there is no better time than right now. Because while Marie does publish amazing videos and interviews and podcasts throughout the year, her free business training series that starts today is one of the best things she puts out!
In this episode I’m telling you a bit more about Marie and why I think you will love her just as much as I do.
For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/84
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Sometimes I read things on the internet that really bum me out (as I’m sure you do, too.) One thing I see consistently in the handmade communities i am part of is this idea that product sellers wouldn’t, couldn’t or shouldn’t learn from certain people or implement certain strategies because they wouldn’t apply.
In some cases, that is true. There is basically no reason for a person who sells handmade products to go and take a cookie course with the expectation that it would directly influence their product business. But then again, that is not usually what’s being floated as a possibility that people are knocking.
No, instead, what I see is comments like “that’s for service based businesses” or “this is for marketers” or similar sentiment. Basically alluding to the idea that if you sell a product, you wouldn’t / couldn’t / shouldn’t pay attention to certain things… they don’t apply to you.
WHOA, NELLY. Not cool, y’all. Not cool.
Business is business. At the end of the day - it doesn’t actually matter what you are selling. If you sell something, you are a marketer. Or at bare minimum: you have to be. Whether you want call yourself one or not, it’s best to get comfortable with the fact that you are a marketer. And marketing a service is not all that different from marketing a product.
That’s what today’s episode is about.
It’s short and sweet and to the point. An episode of tough love. Have a listen.
For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/83
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
It’s always a treat when I get to chat with people who I’ve known for years online but never actually SPOKE to. How crazy does that sound, really?
On today’s episode I am speaking with Amy Richards of Amy Richards Illustration. She is one of my Etsy Training Course students AND she is a Council Member. Most importantly she is a super talented artist with a lot of passion.
Amy’s used her personal experiences to identify a gap in the market and create a product that will speak to others who feel that gap. I think this is something all small business owners should constantly be trying to do - this is where small businesses come from. I hope you feel inspired by her story!
For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/82
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Can I be honest for a minute? Hope so because I’m going to be. I really debated whether or not to publish this episode. I recorded it. I sat on it. I thought about it. I decided not to post it. Then i had second thoughts. Then I spoke to a few people about it. Then I decided to edit it and see how I felt. Then I decided not to publish it. Then I spoke to the people again. Then I decided to publish it.
So. 2018 … not a great year, honestly. 7/10 would not repeat.
In this episode I’m discussing one of the tools I used to cope. I truly hope that someone who needs to hear this, hears it today and feels a little bit more confident or motivated to get help if they believe they could benefit from it.
You can find the TalkSpace App in the App store and on Facebook.
You will hear me talk about a dark time I experienced in 2018, albeit vague as I chose to spare you the nitty gritty details and my experience with digital therapy. Since that took up sufficient time, I did not extrapolate on what happened next in this episode. So, please know that I am feeling MUCH better these days. The dark time that was causing me a lot of turmoil has mostly ended and I am better equipped for dealing with myself. It’s important to note that there were some significant highlights in 2018, including seeing Taylor Swift in concert, going to see my beloved Backstreet Boys in Vegas before they end their residency, being a bridesmaid in my beautiful friend Meagan’s wedding and moving to one of the most wonderful places I have ever lived. So don’t you worry about me. AS Taylor Swift would say, “I’m doing better than I ever was.”
And just so you know, this episode is completely not sponsored in any capacity. No one asked me to do this, no one paid me to do this. No one is getting a commission or points or credit from this. This is just a plain and simple recap of my good experience with a service. To be clear, you would always know if something was sponsored or included an affiliate link. So unless i say it does, it doesn’t. Clear? Okay cool.
For the full show notes please visit: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/81
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
The last time Kimber and I spoke about Taylor Swift you all LOVED it. You loved it a lot. Not as much as I love the Backstreet Boys, but still a respectable amount. It was one of the most listened to episodes last season! (In case you missed it: http://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2018/05/taylor-swift-marketing-lessons/ )
I think the reason you loved it so much is because it’s really fun to look outside your industry for inspiration - and because, really, who doesn’t enjoy a little Taylor Swift from time to time?
Regardless of where you stand in your feelings about her music, there is almost no denying the Taylor Swift is a marketing maven. The marketing power and inspiration of Taylor Swift is what Kimber and I spoke about last time and it’s what we are talking about again on today’s episode.
Last time we focused on her Reputation album release - the things she did ahead of it’s release and the way she got everyone’s attention each step of the way. This time we are talking about her Reputation Stadium Tour, the experience of it, the marketing involved and the ideas we absolutely LOVED.
Full show notes:
http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/80
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Any other die hard Gilmore Girl fans out there?! If so, you’re going to love this episode. If not … well, it’s only a matter of time! Today’s episode, and the lesson within it, is drawn from an example in the quirky and fantastic world of the Gilmore Girls, but even if you’ve never seen the show, you’ll understand!
I love looking for, or simply discovering, little business lessons in pop culture. Gilmore Girls is riddled with them! This is probably in large part due to the fact that nearly every single one of the main characters is a small business owner and the entire premise of the show is set against a backdrop of small, local business. It’s such a great show for many reasons, this is just one of them.
One lesson I’ve seen played out on the show is that of attracting ideal customers - the kind of people who are raving fans for life. The kind of customer we want to cultivate as often as possible in our businesses.
Full show notes:
http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/79
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
It was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to chat with Katie Hunt of Trade Show Bootcamp and The Proof to Product Podcast! I actually got to chat with her twice because technology ruined our first recording. YAY! But the good news for you is that the second version was actually even better.
In any event, Katie shared some incredibly awesome tips and tidbits related to trade shows! I’ve gotten the feeling in the past few years that many makers are intimidated by trade shows, I think time of that is related to simply not knowing a lot about them, so hopefully this episode provides some clarity.
One thing Katie and I agreed on is that it might NOT be a good fit for you to do trade shows and that’s okay - we both want you to know whether it might or might not be well before you venture too far into that journey though, so if you’ve been considering it, definitely check this one out!
Full show notes: http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/78
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
It's been requested several times for the topic of dealing with copycats to be covered on MerriPodcast. I completely know and understand from my own experiences how troubling it is and how awful it feels when someone copies you. Whether they've copied you directly, indirectly or you just feel slighted in some way by another maker... it is a crappy feeling.
I don't feel like I know enough to speak broadly on the subject - and I've been thinking about other ways to approach the topic on the podcast. So stay tuned, it might happen! In the meantime though, I thought addressing the idea of "competition" could be useful.
Let me be clear: when another maker who is on the same or similar level as you copies you it is a different situation than when a major company rips you off - morally and legally and emotionally, these are two different things. They both suck, but they are different. in this episode, I am mainly speaking with the idea of maker to maker competition. Not maker to major corporation competition ... though maybe you feel okay applying the same concepts there as well. That is up to you!
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/77
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
As business owners, we are constantly seeking out more information and training for various projects. It is so easy to get swept away in blogs and articles and books and Facebook advice, but sometimes the very best insights and knowledge we can have come from our own experiences! So don't forget your consumer self as a seller!
Today's episode is a reminder to you that you are not only a business owner but also a consumer. You Have great insights - probably some of the best insights available to you - inside of yourself already.
This is easily overlooked but it's so valuable!!
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/76
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
The Great Free Shipping Meltdown of 2018 began precisely at the time that Etsy changed their fee structure. It reached a fever point in the fall of 2018 and it has basically been a hot topic for the past 4 months.
In hindsight, it's actually a bit surprising to me that free shipping was not as hot of a topic all along as it recently became.
The topic of free shipping for handmade business owners and Etsy sellers was such a widely spoken about matter in maker circles that I knew it had to be addressed here in season 4 of The Merriweather Council podcast.
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/75
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
If you've been around Merriweather council a little while you know I have a serious love/ hate relationship with Instagram.
Whenever I speak to someone who leans more on the love for Instagram side than the hate, I feel a bit newly inspired to give Instagram it's due. And I think you might feel the same way after this interview with Melissa of Woods and Wool.
About a year ago - probably about the same time Instagram rolled out their Collections feature, I added one of Melissa Fischer's posts to a collection called "podcast."
I'm thrilled that finally this little wish of mine to have her on the show has come to fruition. Not just for me, but for you as well.
Melissa is the crochet designer behind Woods and Wool, a super fantastic and brilliant business she has built up over time using multiple tools, primarily Instagram.
The way Melissa uses Instagram to engage her audience and build her business is something I've admired for a long time. You guys, her engagement is through the roof, her feed is gorgeous, she goes live, she does stories ... she's doing it all! And she's doing it so so well.
Melissa caught my attention on Instagram well over a year ago now, and more importantly, she's held on to it! Melissa is such an amazing example of so many different things that I think and know are important to cultivate when it comes to social media, specifically Instagram. I asked her to be a guest on the show because her example is one I think we can all learn from.
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/74
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Happy New Year!!
I've got some mixed emotions about New Year's Day usually - on one hand, it feels like a great, fresh start and on the other, it feels a little sad to see another year end.
Whether your year was good or bad, or likely mixed, I hope you are feeling optimistic today about this fresh start, regardless of any melancholy that might exist surrounding saying goodbye to 2018.
Since you only get one relevant chance per year to discuss New Year stuff, that's what I'm doing in today's episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/73
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Outsourcing is a word that I've noticed stirs up a lot of mixed emotions in the maker community. Some people are A-OK with bringing in someone to help them make their products, other people feel strongly that they need and want to be the hands that make their product. Of course there are multiple ways in which to outsource that don't include you handing off the making element of your handmade business.
In this episode, I am speaking with Jaqueline and Minna of The Product Boss about manufacturing and the different ways in which makers and small product based businesses could potentially work with manufacturing partners. Together, Jaqueline and Minna have launched their own product lines as well as thousands of product lines with clients and have experienced the ins and outs of the factory world and today they are passing some of these insights on to you!
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/72
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Merri Christmas, makers!!
Whether Christmas is of religious or personal significance to your or not, I hope you are spending time today doing something you love, relaxing and taking care of yourself or others!
As the holiday season winds down, I encourage you to reflect on your successes and take time to recuperate after this hectic time. (Before you know it, you'll be back at it for Valentine's Day! ha.)
Today's episode is a big thank you to YOU! Listeners, students, followers, supporters ... you all made this a better year! I appreciate your support so so much.
Have a wonderful day and don't forget to rest!
With gratitude,
Danielle
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/71
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Ahh, the internet. An ever-changing landscape!
Today's episode is a throwback Thursday kind of a thing because there are a few things from past episodes of The Merriweather Council podcast that have changed since their airdates.
Nothing to panic about! Just a few things that would be good to know as the facts relayed to you are now out of date
. I recommend Shopify exclusively >> https://www.shopify.com/?ref=the-merriweather-council
. But Squarespace is a great option
. Heads up about an episode that is forthcoming
Today's episode is sponsored by Amazon Handmade where you can get your product in front of 250 million customers worldwide. Amazon Handmade has the best of both worlds: the convenience of shopping on Amazon while supporting small, local businesses. Click for more details on how to get started with zero upfront costs and no monthly fee. >> https://services.amazon.com/handmade/handmade.html?ld=POUSHNDDMWC
It's probably clear by now that staying fresh and up to date on the internet is a never-ending job! That's why The Council provides ongoing support. Join us for fresh content monthly and real-time discussions about all the things! You never have to worry about being out of the loop when you've got a hivemind like this in your corner! >> thecouncilwaitlist.com
Full Show Notes >> http://merriweathercouncilblog.com/70
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
You've heard over and over that identifying and reaching your target customer will be a huge part of your success as a business owner. Hopefully by now you know I've had some things to say about it, too! Like THIS >>
http://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2016/08/product-seller-marketing/
and THIS >> http://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/2016/09/saturated-market/
But I digress.
So you've heard that... a lot. On today's episode I am speaking with Paula Hoss, the founder of CLN and DRTY natural skincare about how she identified, connects with and serves her target audience and how this (and other things!) helps her to stand out in a crowded market.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/69
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
I've made it my mission this year to share this important message with makers in business. I'm committed to sharing this as many times and as many ways as I can.
This important message is one I believe ALL makers in business need to hear during the holiday season especially.
I don't want to ruin it for you, so no spoilers here! You'll have to listen to today's episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/68
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
If you've been around Merriweather Council in any capacity for the past year you likely know I get very riled up (in the best way possible, of course) about encouraging makers to use their summertime wisely.
It's one of my favorite things to talk about actually.
And while that is definitely true: that the summertime is so valuable and you can use it to prep yourself for the busier times of year, it's also true that tracking things THROUGH that busier season of the holidays can help you prep even better in the following year ... and make even better use then, of your summer!
On today's episode, I'm giving you a guided lesson of sorts - in what to track this holiday season while you're in it! Honestly, you will NOT remember this stuff next year. So it's important to track it now, that's what I want to help you do!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/67
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Friends, today's episode is hopefully going to set your mind at ease about some things Etsy did in 2018 that set sellers ablaze with anxiety.
In September 2018 Etsy released a link to “The Ultimate Guide to Etsy Search”
And then sellers immediately tweaked out. Which is fair.
But I am here to tell you, again, that you do not need to panic about this.
Hear me?
You do not need to panic about this.
And truthfully, most Etsy updates and changes are not worth panicking over.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/66
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
It's definitely no secret that I love branding and marketing chat. You've probably caught on to that by now!
Today's episode features a discussion I had with one of my Council Members who has spent the past several years growing and evolving a deeply personal, meaningful brand. I have been so inspired by her work and mission for most of that time!
Lindsay Joy Taylor is the creator of Joyful Jewelry Box - her brand and business that sells jewelry but that also does so much more! Her story is so much a part of what she does that it's only fair you hear it from her directly. That is part of what's in store for you to hear about on this episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/65
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Today we are kicking off season 4!
It's a real honor and privilege to have the opportunity to produce this show and connect with so many handmade business owners. I truly enjoy creating these episodes and delivering them to you!
I thank you so much for listening and for sharing the episodes you enjoy with your friends and followers, too! If you consider that a rising tide lifts all ships, you sharing the episodes you have learned from impacts the entire community positively. And that's great for all of us! So please continue to share!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/64
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Thank you for helping season 3 be amazing! I'm sad to say it's over but it's just see ya later because I'll be back hopefully this fall with season 4!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/63
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
It was a real treat for me to get to speak with Lauren Hooper of Lauren Likes not only for this episode of The Merriweather Council Podcast but also for an episode of her podcast, How She Creates.
I've been following Lauren online for a few years and she is one of the people I most love to see in my feed. Her blog and Instagram account are colorful, aspirational, and fun!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/62
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
from pop culture to business Any other pop culture junkies out there? I know I'm not the only one still tuning into Grey's after all these years.
Unless you were born in the past 6 months - in which case, WOW, congrats on getting that reading thing down so quickly! - you have likely heard of and seen some of Grey's Anatomy. This show is a wild success and has been for many years now. It's a success because it taps into current events and humanity that we all experience. The fact that everyone who acts on this show is super good looking also doesn't hurt.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/61
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
AHH it's my favorite time of year! The time of year when we get to start strategizing for the holiday season!
In this episode, we are going to chat about your ideal December as a handmade business owner: what does that look and how do you get there?
As you know, December is full of gift-giving holidays. December can be a hugely profitable time for product sellers, and it can be hugely profitable for you as well, if you know how to prepare for it and how to take advantage of it.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/60
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
discouraged about your etsy sales-to-review ratio? Do you ever feel stressed out about the ratio of your Etsy sales to reviews? If you are a hot-blooded human, you probably have.
Of course, as sellers, we always want to see numbers of nearly any kind increase. This includes feedback! We love to see new, positive feedback from customers. It's a validation of what we are doing, and the way we are doing it. It just plain feels good to hear from people that the work we have done has made them happy. It's super easy to think that lack of a positive review means someone is unhappy, but that's not necessarily the case. Today's episode talks about all of this and more.
It is normal and common to feel a little self conscious about the number of reviews you have on your Etsy shop especially if you have a lot of sales and few reviews or if you are a newer seller wanting to build up more credibility.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/59
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
After several longer episodes this season, today's episode is your classic Merriweather Council Podcast episode: short, sweet and to the point! There's a little bit of tough love, and it's absolutely realistically accomplishable!
If you haven't done this yet, it's time!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/58
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Viral Instagram Content with @hopebroidery Oh, Instagram! What a tangled web you have got us all wrapped up in!
You have heard me chat about Instagram on Merriweather Council podcast before, and today’s episode is just another stab at trying to make sense of ye olde Instagram!
On today’s episode I’m chatting with Hope Brasfield of @hopebroidery about her experience going viral, creating content, using Instagram stories, social strategy and more!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/57
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Have you heard Taylor Swift's newest album? Even if you haven't heard it in full, i'm sure you've heard some of it through radio or Instagram, and at bare minimum I'm willing to bet you knew she had a new album out as of november. Something tells me that even if you don't follow her, you have heard about this album a some point in the past 6 months.
It got a lot of buzz. And there are a lot of reasons for that.
In this episode, I am chatting with Kimber Casteel of Kim Art Designs, a fellow embroidery artist and big-time T. Swift fan (Swifty.)
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/56
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
effective product listing pages In my time working with handmade business owners and Etsy sellers, I've done hundreds of personalized website and shop critiques. I've noticed something really important that I'm going to share with you today.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/55
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Whacky holidays to celebrate on social media Unless you live under a very large boulder, you have most likely noticed over the past few years there has been a surge in the popularity of whacky holidays.
Both domestic and international holidays seem to be taking place every single day. Of course, some are more popular than others. It’s no surprise these popular ones tend to be the ones with social media mass appeal. And that’s what we are chatting about in today’s episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/54
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Money Mindset It was lovely to have this discussion with Laura Weldy of The Well Supported Woman for today's episode all about money mindset. I learned a lot and I think you will, too!
Before we got to recording the actual episode for you, Laura asked me what my own money mindset was like these days. I said I felt pretty secure in my money mindset - and that is true, for what I considered "money mindset." But in our discussion, I came to realize there was a lot more to this mindset than I had accounted for. It really got me thinking. This is a massive topic, so we of course were only able to skim the surface BUT, I hope this inspires you to think on it deeper for yourself or even begin discussions about it where you can!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/53
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
A Pep Talk for Entrepreneurs Today's episode of The Merriweather Council podcast is a plain and simple pep talk. Because we could all use one from time to time.
No matter how many successes you’ve had in your business, you’re going to feel like a sad sack of potatoes some days. It’s inevitable. It sucks, but at least it’s normal. I’m hoping that on those days you can pull this episode up, have another listen and feel a little bit better.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/52
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
setting money goals When it comes to setting and reaching goals, there is no shortage of tips and best practices. From planning to setting to accomplishing, there are some significant general "steps" to take. But sometimes there is information missing; key insights that could inform what goal you set to begin with. It should come as no surprise that setting the wrong goal to begin with will result in feeling like a failure when it is not accomplished. In order to set yourself up for success in achieving your goals, it's important to set the right goal to begin with. That's what today's episode is about.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/51
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
In part two of my candid chat with Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber, we are speaking about finding your own voice and developing it over time in your work. Stacie has so much experience trying new things which gives her a lot of insight to speak with. I'm excited for you to hear this episode on the podcast today.
If you missed the first part of our convo catch up on it here.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/50
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Recording season three of the podcast was a huge treat for me. I got to speak to several brilliant and inspiring people. Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the interview I did with Kara of Kara's Vineyard Wedding and the crazy-helpful episode I recorded with Amy Northard.
Today I'm excited to share yet another jam-packed conversation with you! This very special two part episode features Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber. It's going to resonate with so so many of you, I just know it.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/49
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Why shopify is the best If you've been around Merriweather world a little while, you will know that there are a few things I am devoted to passing on to you. One of which is the advice to get your own site up and running. (Don't depend on marketplace sites solely, forever.) The other is that I wholeheartedly recommend you use Shopify to make that happen.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/48
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
in 2006 Time magazine named YOU the person of the year. Did you know? How cool is that?!
Well, Time magazine is cool but I'm naming you the person of this episode.
In this episode I'm talking to and about you! Seriously, it's all about you.
You are most likely a one-person show. Your business is relying on you, as a soloprenuer, it all comes down to you. But YOU don't have to be you alone. Let me explain what that means in this episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/47
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in 2006 Time magazine named YOU the person of the year. Did you know? How cool is that?!
Well, Time magazine is cool but I'm naming you the person of this episode.
In this episode I'm talking to and about you! Seriously, it's all about you.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/47
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If you are nodding along and thinking, "hell yes, I feel that" about being proactive in your business, then you'll definitely want to join us inside of The Council!
Interested? Get the details here
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/46
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Tax reform and small businesses Nothing sends a shiver down my spine quite the same way thinking about taxes does. I know many of you feel the same way. Taxes are overwhelming to begin with, and just when we thought we understood what applied to us at least, BAM, changed it.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/45
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Misunderstood Etsy Policies I genuinely hope EVERY SINGLE ETSY SELLER listens to this episode. If you are an Etsy seller, and you know other Etsy sellers, please share the link to this episode with them.
(Please note: at the time of recording and publishing, all the information in this episode is accurate.)
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/44
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Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Welcome to season 3 of The Merriweather Council Podcast! At the start of every season, I like to reintroduce myself and The Merriweather Council as a whole. Since I have done that twice already, but still wanted to do it in some way again, I'm giving you a fuller explanation of my ideal world vision and how you are a part of it to kick season three off.
In this episode, you'll hear me explain my ideal version of the world and how the people in it operate specifically when it comes to matters of art and design and craft.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/42
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In this episode you will hear Kara and I discuss why she decided to start a podcast, how podcasts can help makers and what her podcast has done for her and her business. We also spoke about Kara's love for Pinterest, the idea of casting a net and the numbers behind podcasting. Kara also shared some information on starting a podcast and how she did it for herself. Be sure to listen for Kara's tips for podcasting and the questions she thinks you should ask yourself before starting a podcast if you are now considering it!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/43
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Hey remember when Etsy went ahead and opened the ability for sellers to upload an extra five additional images to each listing? That made a total of ten images available on any listing! So cool right? Well it was, until people starting getting nutty with themselves.
Let's be sure you didn't get carried away - far away - from what you want to be doing with your listings and the photos within them!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/157
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Today's episode is a slow down and chill session. I know you need one. If you don't need it now, you will at some point in the next 8 weeks so here it is. Come back to it as needed!
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I'm so excited to share this episode with you! Not only have I reunited with Jen in podcast form (some of you will remember She Percolates!) but we are sharing insights on influencer marketing.
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Click here for a special treat: http://www.merriweathercouncilblog.com/sendemail
Bonus Episode 9: A Very SCARY Thing That Could Happen to your Small Biz (+ how to get resilient)
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There is a chill in the air that whispers ... "60% off"... can you hear it? Okay maybe if you're in Australia it's a warm breeze.
Either way, the season during which we can truly differentiate ourselves as handmade sellers is here.
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Bonus Episode 7: Chatting about Instagram with Tyler J. McCall
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Bonus Episode 6: An Intro to The Pricing Workshop
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Bonus Episode 5: is Free Shipping a Good Idea or no?
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Bonus Episode 4: Should You "Vacation Mode" Post-Holiday? Or Extend Lead Times?
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Friends, can you believe another season of merri podcast has come and gone? I'm so thankful to my faithful listeners and in this episode I'm sharing some facts and stats on season 2 that you helped make possible! Thank you so much for listening and sharing. Can't wait to get to work on season 3 for you!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/41
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It's almost a little TOO easy to manage biz on the go these days. And that means we are spending a lot of time on our phones and mobile devices even when we don't want to be. I struggle with this, too, I almost feel a little fraud-y to share some of these tips with you because I don't adhere to them all the time, but in today's episode I'm sharing some stuff that has worked for me in reducing phone time and increasing management via automation. But there are limits to automation, so I'm chatting about that as well!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/40
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Sometimes, as amazing creative people, we have two specialties we want to share with the world and that's awesome. Sometimes we just get confused. In this episode I'm sharing my short and long answer to the question "should I open a second shop?" Tune in and find out what criteria I suggest you evaluate when reaching a decision on this!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/39
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Allow me to cut to the chase: we are INUNDATED with information. You go on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook… links, blog posts, videos galore, right? Information is everywhere and it’s so so overwhelming. This information is coming from all different sources, of course, and sometimes even straight up conflicts. It’s a lot, you guys. How do your make your way through all of this?? My friends, that is the subject of this episode! I will be discussing how to avoid info overload and begin actually learning things!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/38
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Social media is - obviously - a huge thing right now. And we tend to rely on it pretty heavily for business promotion. In this episode I'm basically just sharing a smattering of thoughts regarding social media, specifically Instagram. Join me for this emotional roller coaster.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/37
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Listen up, peeps: those bargain prices aren't helping you and they aren't helping anyone else either. In fact they might be hurting you. Today's episode is a tough love tour de force. Please listen and take note. Be honest with yourself here, it could make or break your business!!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/36
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One of my favorite nerd-pastimes is observing big businesses and percolating on how their tactics and strategies can translate to smaller businesses. It's just a thing I do. In this episode I am chatting about some observations I made during two trips to Disney World as an adult that I think all small businesses can learn from.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/35
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Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Etsy's website builder Pattern has evolved quite a bit since it was first released - but has anything REALLY changed as far as your business using it is concerned? That's what I'm chatting about on this episode.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/34
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
I'm so fired up about this, y'all. This episode is tough love central. I'm discussing the REALITY of what happens when you offer a so-called "thank you coupon" or a discount on a second order. As my good friends the Backstreet Boys would say, "tell me whyyyyyeeeeee". Please, really, do. Why? Why? I'll be honest: I just don't get it. Why would you do this?!! Listen to this episode to find out why I'm so not on board with this and why I think you should discontinue your "thank you coupon" immediately. For real.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/33
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The Council is your chance to get fresh Merriweather content each month plus a sweet sweet community of makers in business who are just as invested in their business as you are in yours!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/32
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A biz bestie is a huge asset to your business. And I think you should definitely have one or a couple!! Today I am chatting all about why a biz bestie is so important and some ways in which they benefit you and your biz. Listen in a get jazzed about finding your biz bestie if you don't have one yet!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/bestie
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Hey maker friend! On this episode I am going into the deep dark abyss of time management. Why is it do elusive? Well, i'll tell you. I'll also be sharing a few ideas that might actually change your work-life.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/31
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If you've ever tried to price your handmade produce properly, which I sure hope you have, you may have encountered a pricing calculator or a formula. These can be really helpful but you shouldn't just take whatever it spits out at you and run. There are so many other considerations for pricing and I'm going over some of them in this episode. Seriously give it a listen and apply any that you can to your products!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/30
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Summer slow down is real, but it’s okay. Listen in to hear me explain why I think summer is your most important season and how to make use of it!
I’m so excited let you know all about this new program I’ve developed for you- online handmade shop owner! You can either slump or U.N.S.L.U.M.P. This summer.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/29
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Shipping from home will change your life guaranteed. But the way you do it might stand to be improved. In this episode, I'll explain the benefits of shipping from home and how to maximize your time and money savings with a relatively simple swap in your office!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/28
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Getting flagged for infringement is one thing but actually getting sued for it is a whole other ballgame. Unfortunately, Lisa of Lisa's Little Monsters experienced this firsthand and suffered through the troubles associated with having to actually take listings down and cease business, which at the time was indefinitely. I'm glad Lisa was so willing to share her story so that we may all learn a bit more about this process and the consequences of this reality many sellers have faced - even when they weren't doing anything that they felt was wrong or questionable or using licensed characters.
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Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
It may or may not surprise you to know many shops have been dinged for infringement on Etsy. I spoke to two sellers who experienced this first hand and they are sharing their stories on this episode! An infringement notice doesn't necessarily mean your shop is doomed, but you do want to be aware of the various levels of severity and steer as clear as possible - and always always make sure you are not interfering with any copyright or trademark that isn't your own!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/27
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Disclaimer:
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Getting to share who you are as the human behind your business is easier than ever! Social media has given us the tools to let people peek into our lives with great ease, and we can easily share as much as we want, any time we want to. This is good - but also bad. Today's episode covers some cautionary words of wisdom about keeping it professional while still being a relatable human on social media.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/26
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Wholesale sounds complicated but to get started, it doesn't take much, honestly. Today I am sharing the most basic over view of wholesale - and a little bit about consignment for comparison - to get you started! The most important thing is understanding the benefits and how it works so you'll know if it is a good fit for you. Take a listen for my basic wholesale brief and find out what you need to get started.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/25
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Don't pretend you don't love a good quotable! I know you do. We all do. Today I am sharing one of my favorite business quotes and I hope it gives you some inspiration and perspective.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/24
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The students in my Training Course tend to have incredible results after taking my course and implementing my strategies. Many of these strategies are related to appealing to Etsy's native search system - so it makes sense that once they get a taste of the insane results getting found can have, they want to replicate this on their own site. My students come to me a lot asking about off-etsy SEO - aka, SEO on their own websites. Today's episode addresses some thoughts I have about this - it may surprise you!
PLEASE NOTE THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ETSY SEO!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/23
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In this episode I'm reiterating why I do what I do and how I got to here. From high school to college and through to right now, I have had a lot of experience being the sort of outcast when it comes to interest in the internet and in careers. There is a bit of personal story here, enjoy! This episode is just a refresher on who I am and how I hope to help.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/22
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OMG YAY!! Season two is here!! Thank you so much for joining me again for a fresh batch of episodes. In this episode I'll be sharing a bit about what you can expect in season two as well as providing a brief welcome and overview of the podcast for any new listeners!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/21
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I forgot to mention it but if you would be SO KIND and leave a rating and review on iTunes i would be simply pleased as punch!! Click here to learn how.
"HUH?" That's how I feel about legal and copyright stuff. I bet you do, too. It is mad confusing, right? So much to think about, so many questions... Well, I invited my friend Autumn Witt Boyd who is a lawyer to chat with me about some of this today on the podcast!
Listen in as I ask her the most pressing and confusing questions that you and I both have. In fact, you TOLD me that you wanted answers to these questions! So tune in now and hear what she had to say on these subjects!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/legalepisode
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Thanks so much for listening to season one!!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/20
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To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
"I want to sell on two platforms but I'm not sure how to manage inventory. I don't want to have one of something and have it sell in two places."
Does this sound familiar? Like something you have been saying for more than a year? Then this episode is just for you!
Excuses, excuses This episode is full of tough love. Your inventory management anxiety is holding you back and we need to clear a few things up right now.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/19
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You owe it to yourself and your business to take this important step! It is easier and cheaper than ever to create your own website - and you should! In today's episode I cover a slew of reasons it is in your best interest as a handmade business owner to establish your own off-marketplace website through which you can sell your items. This is hugely important and a big professional step but it's not so hard to do that you should skip it! Tune into this episode for details on why you need to create your own site and the many benefits thereof!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/18
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"My market is too saturated" - a thing you have said. It's easy to feel like a small fish in a huge pond when you are selling a product because products are EVERYWHERE and they exist at all price points - specifically, lower price points. The truth is that your market - not matter what market it might be - is NOT oversaturated. Truly, it isn't. And I'll tell you exactly how I know that in this episode of The Merriweather Council Podcast!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/17
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"So cute! I'm going to make this!"
"I love this! Where did you get the fabric? I want to make one for myself."
"OMG @MyCraftyFriendWhoCanMakeThisForMe Will you make this for me?"
WOW. They are SO annoying. If you have ever posted your handmade work online you've probably gotten some sort of comment like one of the above. Extra prevalent on Instagram, these DIY comments can really throw us for a loop because they FEEL insulting. When you've spend your working hours building business based on your craft and someone reduces it to a Saturday afternoon DIY project, it can really make your blood boil. If you have experienced this sort of thing online, then you will want to listen to this episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/16
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So you're ready to make your own ecommerce website! ... Because you have heard about all the benefits and good stuff that comes from establishing your own branded shop online. AWESOME. There are lots of options when it comes to building your online shop but the ultimate goal is the same no matter which platform you use: sales! We all know that fewer obstacles equals better chance of sales happening, right? Right. We also know that SquareSpace can help you build a gorgeous website and is one of the most commonly looked at options. However, there is one thing SquareSpace doesn't do that you should really care about!
It might also be worth noting that there is not API with SquareSpace like there is with Shopify, so you cannot add functionality to your site alone with apps or plugins. I tell you this because if you are going to invest the time and money into something you want to be sure it can actually do all that you'd need or want it to.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/15
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Finding you target market is a lot like finding your significant other. It's also wildly misunderstood, often avoided, hurl inducing and generally a super lamefest that ends with frustration and no results.
Why? Because classic target market exercises have you create a profile of the person you think you serve. Problem 1: how do you create a profile that personal for someone you've never met? This is A relationship not a game. Problem 2: They are designed for other people - if you haven't noticed, handmade business is pretty special and nuanced.
If traditional approaches to target market finding don't work for you, join me for a free webinar designed specifically for handmade business owners who want to stop with the worksheets and make actual progress on this. I'm going to be sharing simple methods that ACTUALLY WORK for product sellers in gaining clarity on their target market. It'll probably change your life, so sign up now to join us free!
"I know you've heard these words before and I know it's hard for you to trust them once more" (that's some love melody from my boys Nsync) BUT this time is different.
sign up here: bit.ly/merrimatch
For the love of craft. You got into this business because you love crafting. But when was the last time you really made something new and just played with materials like you used to? Probably a while ago. However, that hasn't stopped you from amassing supplies like you're prepping for an armageddon that only takes out Michael's and A.C. Moore... has it? Okay, so you have a ton of supplies and you're in business doing what you love, what's left to do? I'll talk about the benefits of using up your craft hoard in today's episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/14
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It's not scary, I promise. Truth: all mail service is sort of a miracle. It's literally AMAZING that the vast majority of shipments are punctual and arrive unscathed at their final destinations. I mean, think about how much goes into getting a package from point A to point B! Add to that it's relatively cheap to send most items even long distances. All packages are going on epic adventures - no matter what their destination is. Your domestic packages are just as susceptible to loss or damage as your international ones! And the shipping process is nearly the same, so there is not much of a difference really at all!
Shipping internationally feels intimidating at first for sure, but I promise you, it's worth doing. If you have been shipping your domestic orders online you will barely notice a difference in shipping international. And now that I've hopefully tempered your nerves on the technical and logistical aspect, I'd like to tell you some of the benefits of shipping internationally, so listen in to this episode for all the details.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/13
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Make make make Two key issues seem to plague handmade business owners at every stage of their business: the nuances of custom order offerings and the having inventory on hand, ready to ship. It can be so hard to "get ahead" - and you are NEVER ahead if you only sell custom work. And both work streams avail different opportunities. Can you do both? I think so. That's what I'll talk about in this episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/12
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Okay, let's get this straight. Etsy is a tool. This episode is all about Etsy: the best tool available to handmade shop owners. Yes, still. Let's discuss how you can use Etsy to grow your business.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/11
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
***This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.
Talking about what you do when you're an entrepreneur is hard. You do so many things! And sometimes the people around us aren't as familiar with the field we work in - sometimes they don't even know it's "a thing" so we have to be even more choose-y with our words. Lots of times, we end up just rambling. We sputter off a bunch of words because we feel like their lack of understanding will translate to them thinking we aren't doing much or that what we are doing isn't going to amount to much and we feel ashamed by that... so we meet them there.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/10
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OMG shut up about the photos already. No. I cannot. I'm sorry. You've read a hundred articles that mention "good product photos" as a key to success in selling online, I know. However, many of these articles skip over the truth about what that means. They don't tell you what all goes into a great product photo - so you're stuck just figuring it out on your own which is no fun. So let's chat about what actually contributes to a great product photo. That's what this episode is about.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/9
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It's true. Product sellers solve problems. If you've ever encountered an ideal customer avatar exercise, you have been faced with the question: "what problem do you solve?"
And then you probably stopped doing that exercise because that's a hard question for many handmade sellers to answer. But, no more! Today we move beyond this hurdle.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/8
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The only think worse than bad, public feedback is bad, public feedback that would have been avoided. If you are selling on Etsy or other platform that allows buyers to leave feedback, then you have probably experienced the anxiety of waiting on the page to load to see your latest review. Generally things go smoothly and buyer and seller are both happy with the transaction and everything is peachy. Other times, not so much. We all make silly mistakes from time to time, especially as soloprenuers trying to do it all on our own, extra especially when times get busy!
Of course you are doing everything on the front end to make sure all your customers are happy, but there is one place many sellers overlook that can be used to insert one final attempt at mitigating feedback drama - in this episode, I will explain what space that is and what to put in it!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/7
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In this episode I share some thoughts that I just KNOW you will get on board with. Throughout my life I have felt drawn to art, design and craft and my experience in my BFA program was a little bit weird for me. I'll share with you why and what my personal take on the connection between art, craft and design really is. I'll also talk about validity in your creative career and why I don't think you need a degree. Tune in now to hear it all!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/6
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Price is one thing, value is another.
We often associate price and value, but they are two totally different things. Price is a fixed, factual amount. Value on the other hand is more fluid - we all have different values and considerations on what is important to us. Value is a variable and you can't decide the value of something to someone else - don't let this influence your pricing.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/5
For a full list of episodes and their show notes, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Observing big business can teach us a lot!
But not all big business strategies translate to small business and especially to handmade! In this episode I will chat about one tactic big businesses use all the time that works just fine for them but if you mimicked it in your business, you'd be buried. Heed this warning! Listen to this episode to find out which tactic you should avoid in your handmade business.
For full episode show notes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/4
For more free handmade business advice visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
Lots of things look like fun but actually are pretty crappy once you are experiencing them, like... ballet. Ballet looks fun but if you aren't trained, and if you aren't serious about doing it well, then you are just sort of dancing spastically in a leotard. It's exhausting. Which is fine, but you're not gunna make it to any big ballet company like that. Again, exhausting ... if you are trying to make it to the big time and consistently getting nowhere, that is very tiring. Same with business. If you're just doing it nelly-skelly without any direction or skill, that's fine, but you aren't going to make it very far.
So if you ARE trying to be in legitimate business, then you want to be aware of the factors that might be contributing to your stagnation or inability to profit, grow or develop - that is, the signs you are playing business. I'm cover sign of them in this episode!
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/3
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Learn about our community of Handmade Business Owners - people just like you who can help you grow and stay focused on building a legitimate business, not a play one!
In this episode I chat about: * Why blogging works * ... but why it doesn't have to be an every week thing in order to work for you. * How to reap the benefits of blogging without being a "blogger." * A simple way to create blog content for your handmade business. * An example of a blog post you could write that has the potential to go viral and reach hundreds of new, interested prospects
Here is an example of a blog post I wrote that targeted my ideal customer for my hoop art that reflects the ideas outlined in this episode. This post still brings traffic to my blog and shop even though it is a few years old!
For full episode show notes please visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/2
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com
It would be no fun at all to tune into The Merriweather Council Podcast two times per week and have no idea who is speaking to you, so today's episode is a brief intro to me!
Your host, Danielle If you've been following me about the internet for some time then you already know me a little bit but tune into this episode to find out even more about me and my handmade business story.
For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/1
For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast
Say whhhhhattt? Yes, my friends, it is true. I have created a podcast!
I'm super excited and I hope you are as well. This is going to be so fun. The Merriweather Council Podcast is a new venture for me but I'm an old pro (hahah jk) at podcasting thanks to the work I do at She Percolates.
Listen to this episode to learn more and get a proper intro to my show. Also hear my snazzy-pants-fancy-time intro music which alone is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face!
For more free handmade business advice and a full list of episodes, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast