There was a lot to do!
1. Set up a business account that doesn't charge. Tick
2. Become a member of the FSB (The Federation of Small Businesses - members get free banking with the Co-operative, plus loads of opportunities to network at monthly non compulsary meetings, not to mention free business and legal advice etc... for starting fee of £125 , £100 a per year then after )Tick
3. Build a Website. Yet to do
4. Create a Facebook 'Artist' page showing all previous work. Tick
5. Set up Paypal to take card payments. Tick
6. Try and get my head round using Paypal via my mobile. In the process of
7. Take account of all present stock and equipment. In the process of
8. Become a member of LinkedIn join relevant groups and research other Arts and Crafts People, find out what works for them, ask advice. In the process of
9. Start a Blog ( taking some advice - customers like to see who they are buying their Handmade/Original pieces from, so a blog is a good way to introduce yourself, plus it can be linked into your website, when it's built, allowing them to follow you.) In the process of
10. Create Twitter account and link to FB page - the same reasons as above. Tick
11. Start an account of all incoming and out going finances. Yet to do
12. Investigate Amazon, Ebay and Etsy. Tick
13. Open an account with Etsy (Seems best place to start). Yet to do
14. Open an Account with Amazon (Already had one from selling back DVD's - need to be up and running before I commit to a merchant account monthly payments though). Tick
15. Set up workshop/space - somewhere to concentrate on the piece in hand. In the process of
There is a huge amount to do to begin trading BUT my tip would be this: don't abandon the love of art you first had for the sake of selling. Whenever I switch position in my craft room from keyboard to art table, my soul seems to say 'ah, at last'.
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