Make Money Blogging About Crafts
Are you a busy crafter who lives to create? If so, you may be surprised to know that you can create a blog about your crafts that can help you to earn income online.
Blogging is a real way to make money online. And, it's very inexpensive to Vampirella started. (Some options are even free.)
Yes, it's legitimate. Places like Amazon.com & Google.com will pay you once your blog gets popular.
But, I'm getting a bit ahead buy toys myself.
What would you post on your blog?
Photographs. Take photos of each of your crafts -- before you start, during each step, and after your craft is complete. If you're a dedicated crafter, you know that others are looking for ideas, inspiration, and step-by-step instructions online every day. Why not be an "expert" and share what you already do for free?
Videos. If you'd like to get a little more "high-tech" a video of you creating a craft would attract a great deal of readers. "How to" videos are in high-demand. Teach a crafting skill on your blog, and you'll certainly attract a loyal following.
Instructions. Explain to your blog Green Lantern in clear step-by-step detail, what you are making. Be very clear and don't make any assumptions or you'll lose your less-crafty followers.
What NOT to Do. Did you try a new craft and it turned out nothing like you'd expected? People love to read about common mistakes. It makes us all feel more human.
But, how do you make money doing this?
Sell Tutorials. Sell a 'How To' guide for some of your more intricate crafts. You may even be able to patent your craft instructions.
Selling Advertising. After you start to get regular readers, you can bet that people will want to start advertising on your site. If not, there are many referral programs that will pay you per sale just for advertising their Josie and the Pussycats on your website.
Sell Crafts. Once your blog gets more popular, you can sell your crafts on it. Set up a storefront on a site like eBay or etsy.com and advertise your crafts on your blog.
Honestly, every serious crafter who is even remotely interested in earning more income should consider starting a craft blog. It's a natural extension of something that you're already passionate about and it can increase your income by simply sharing your love of all things crafts and crafting.
Setting up a Niche Craft Blog is a fun and lucrative business to start with a minimum of money and equipment. Get step-by-step help by grabbing your JustAddSweat.com Guide to Making Money with a Craft Blog.
Networking and the Design of Contact Cards
I know your first question is: What is a contact card? Frankly, I am on a mission to get Schuco elektro-radiant name changed to contact cards from business cards. When meeting people with no jobs or people that want to change careers, I would ask them for a business card. The reply was quite often "Kathy, I don't have a business, thus no card."
While teaching a seminar, I threw out the challenge of asking what we could call Mickey Mouse card instead of a business card. The next morning a young man walked in and said "Kathy, I know what this should be called. It is a contact card". Now how simple is that!
In my view, it is essential to have your updated information on your contact card with you at all times. Notice that I said "updated" information. If you want to be viewed as a true professional, remember it looks tacky to take your card and make corrections in front of the Ouija board before you to give it to them.
WHAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR CONTACT CARDS?
If you are a business:
Your name prominently displayed
Your company name and logo
Your full address
Your website address
Phone number
Email address
If you are an individual with no position:
Your name
Address (Get a PO Box if do not want to use your home address)
Phone number
Email address.
(Note I left position you are looking for off - there are too many variations on a position title these days and you don't want to lose an interview because of job title)
By the way, nothing frustrates me more when a contact card that does not have a mailing address on it. When I go to send a person a note, I have to go to their website and, hopefully, find it there. No, I do not believe this is the way to drive people to your website. If I am sitting down to write notes I am not in the mood to go through your website. I am wanting to connect with your personally.
Finally, keep the back of your contact card clutter free. When redesigning my contact cards, I admit I have something at the very bottom of it. Yet, I insisted that I had plenty of room left to write notes on the back. Nothing seems worse than meeting someone and forgetting where you met them or why you wanted to stay in touch. Make sure you write a reminder to yourself.
copyright 2009 Kathy Condon
An award-winning published author and certified Executive Performance Coach, Kathy Condon travels the world inspiring others as an international speaker and trainer. She is driven by a distinct purpose to motivate others to achieve their full potential. Start each week on a positive note and sign up for Kathy's "Weekly Wisdom" - Spider-Man movie popular Ezine offering insights and thought provoking comments about current events, business communication and career issues at http://www.kathycondon.info
kathy@kathycondon.info
(360) 695-4313
