Confidence Archives : The Maker's Business Toolkit

How to make any decision for your business

When you’re starting a brand new business as an artist, crafter or designer-maker you are going to have to make a LOT of decisions, often about things you don’t have any direct experience of. It feels like every decision is make or break. You’re also really aware that you really don’t know what you’re doing and maybe you’ll make a terrible mistake that will kill off your business before it even gets started.

What to do when everything sucks!

In business we have good months and bad months, good years and bad years. It usually, but not always, comes down to sales and whether we are selling as much work as we’d like to, or not. When we’re first getting started (and even after a few years’ experience), these...

Are you suffering from Psych-Yourself-Out-itis?

I am a longtime sufferer of Psych-Yourself-Out-Itis. What is Psych-Yourself-Out-itis? I’m so glad you asked. Picture the scene. It’s January. You’re full of fire and excitement about all of your new goals for the year. This is the year it’s all going to happen. You’re...

How to handle customer complaints with grace

How you communicate with your customers is a vital part of your branding strategy and it’s so important that you get it right. When people reach out to you with a problem (or even a complaint), it’s an opportunity for you to improve your processes and make your sales...

Does Packaging Really Matter?

As a tiny business you have a lot of things to focus on every day. Packaging is a great way to personalise and brand your work and give your customers a really great experience when they order from you online. Gift wrapping, enclosing some sweets, coloured envelopes,...

Are you worrying too much about what other artists think of you?

We artists and crafters are a funny bunch. We’re not like other businesses because our products are so personal. They are our hopes and dreams. They are our heart and soul. Sometimes they are like our children. As one lovely ceramicist I know said to me “selling your...