The Merriweather Council Podcast

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Bonus: Making Sense of Legal Matters and Copyright for Makers Nov 08, 2016

Show notes

"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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Season One Finale Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

Thanks so much for listening to season one!!

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/20

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

To learn about our handmade business community visit the jointhecouncilnow.com

Debunking Your Inventory Management Excuse Sep 29, 2016

Show notes

"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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Why You Need to Have Your Own Website Sep 27, 2016

Show notes

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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Your Market is Not "Too Saturated", Here's Why Sep 22, 2016

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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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

OMG. Those Annoying DIY Comments Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

"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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

The Important Thing that Square Space Doesn't Do Sep 15, 2016

Show notes

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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Bonus Episode 1: Find Your Ideal Customer Match + Target Market Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

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

You Have a Craft Hoard, Now Use It, Here's Why Sep 13, 2016

Show notes

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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

The Benefits of Shipping Internationally Sep 08, 2016

Show notes

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

For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

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