A new session of each course opens each month, allowing you to enroll whenever your busy schedule permits!
How does it work? Once a session starts, two lessons will be released each week, for the six-week duration of your course. You will have access to all previously released lessons until the course ends.
Keep in mind that the interactive discussion area for each lesson automatically closes 2 weeks after each lesson is released, so you’re encouraged to complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
The Final Exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the Final Exam has been released, you will have 2 weeks plus 10 days to complete the Final and finish any remaining lessons in your course. No further extensions can be provided beyond these 10 days.
Week One
Lesson 01 - Where to Start: Niches and Trends
Wednesday
You can't look into the future. Or can you? In this first lesson, you'll explore how to find your own niche within your chosen craft. Then, you'll learn about resources for spotting future trends and making your business a success!
Lesson 02 - Establishing Your Business Identity
Friday
You've heard the expression "It's all in a name." But how do you determine which business name tells the public what you're all about? In this lesson, you'll get some foolproof guidelines for choosing the name that's right for your business. You'll also learn how to secure your name and design a logo your customers will remember you by.
Week Two
Lesson 03 - Choosing the Right Location for You
Wednesday
Claiming your own work space is thrilling and scary at the same time. In this lesson, you'll explore your options, from the home studio to the retail space. Most important of all, you'll learn the secret to choosing the right one for you.
Lesson 04 - Designing Your Work Space and Buying in Bulk
Friday
In this lesson, you'll learn how to design your new work space for increased productivity and safety. The lesson will talk about setting up workstations, choosing work surfaces, lighting, organizing and storing craft supplies, and going green. Then, you'll learn how to buy your supplies in bulk to maximize your profit.
Week Three
Lesson 05 - Marketing in the Arts
Wednesday
What makes marketing in the arts and crafts business different from marketing in most other enterprises? You'll know the secret when you finish this lesson. You'll also know how to create a marketing strategy to get the word out about your new business. How will you put this plan into action? With tried-and-true marketing tools you'll learn here too!
Lesson 06 - Protecting Your Work
Friday
Figuring out how to price your work can feel like a mystery that might even stump Sherlock Holmes! If you aim too high, your products won't sell, and if you aim too low, you'll be out of business before you know it. In this lesson, you'll discover a formula for arriving at the best price while leaving yourself enough wiggle room to be flexible. You'll also learn how to protect your work through copyrights and through insuring your business against loss or damage.
Week Four
Lesson 07 - But I Hate Sales!
Wednesday
Thinking of you-the-salesperson can sometimes make you-the-artist feel like you've been dropped into the Twilight Zone! But everyone has an inner salesperson. In this lesson, you'll find out how to see sales in a new light—one that meshes with your personality and creative integrity.
Lesson 08 - Wholesale, Consignment, and Galleries
Friday
How do you get your craft products into the marketplace? In this lesson, you'll explore how to get your crafts into retail stores at wholesale prices, place your products on consignment, and approach galleries and develop long-term relationships with them.
Week Five
Lesson 09 - Online Selling, Craft Parties, and Your Own Retail Store
Wednesday
Retail is competitive, and you have to know your stuff to succeed. Whether it's the ins-and-outs of how to sell retail through craft parties, or some of the principles of setting up your own retail store, it's in this lesson! You'll also learn how and where to sell retail to a worldwide market on the Internet.
Lesson 10 - Craft Shows: Part 1
Friday
There are thousands of craft shows every year, so how can you find the best (most lucrative) craft shows to be in? In this lesson, you'll learn what the insiders know: how to find the best shows and what you'll need to get into them. You'll also see how to plan the details of travel and lodging and get an idea of what to bring along to ensure a smooth craft show experience.
Week Six
Lesson 11 - Craft Shows: Part 2
Wednesday
Once you're in a craft show, you'll need to pull those craft lovers out of the aisles and into your booth! In this lesson, you'll discover how to design booths and displays that draw people in and how to keep them there with compelling demonstrations, solid craft fair sales, and smart marketing techniques.
Lesson 12 - Teaching Your Craft
Friday
Teaching can be fulfilling both financially and emotionally, and it can also be a great marketing tool for the rest of your business! In this lesson, you'll learn how to find teaching opportunities, design your curriculum, and price and promote your class. By the end of this lesson, the final one, you'll have everything you need to approach your local craft supply store, art school, or continuing education department with a professional proposal for your class.