Podcasts about stitchcraft marketing

Today, our guest is Adrian Koehler, and we're jumping into leadership and how to use emotions in leadership to lead fearlessly. Adrian works with coaching leadership engagement and is senior partner at the executive coaching powerhouse, Take New Ground. They've worked with companies such as Lululemon, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream (which we LOVE at Stitchcraft Marketing) and Nike. Adrian has carved a niche in coaching executives and entrepreneurs alike. His goal is always to empower these leaders to bring out the best in themselves, rally their teams, and serve their clients in ways that not only break new ground but also infuse a deep sense of fulfillment in their professional lives.

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode:  Have you ever heard the saying “What gets measured gets managed”? But what should we look at (other than total sales?) Exactly WHAT should we measure? How should that apply to your unique business? In Episode 195 of the Creative Shop Talk podcast, we are talking about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). I am sharing which ones you should be measuring as an independent retail shop owner, why they are important, and the document I've created that makes it easy for you to track them. We'll talk specifically about a few of the financial and marketing KPIs you may want to be tracking regularly.   Don't let metrics and math scare you away. It's how you learn to scale your time and lessen your overwhelm - oh and increase your sales.    I know so many retailers and shop owners shy away when we start talking numbers, but this episode will make this concept so easy to understand. Once you have a handle on your KPIs, I promise you'll feel empowered to put your CEO hat on and make business decisions confidently.    So grab a pen and some paper and let's get down to business!   Don't miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer's Inner Circle in February!   I'm providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer's Inner Circle February 19-23 - all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let's go! Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 33: The CEO Date: This Non-Negotiable Habit is Key to Creative CEO Success Episode 183: Fine Tuning Your Retail Business Operations with Business Strategist Gwen Bortner Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Business   This week's podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing   Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you've listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. You won't regret it! About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been  privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendysources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode:  Ever feel stuck? Or maybe feeling uninspired in your retail business? Sometimes we need a mindset shift. In this episode, I'm sharing some tips and prompts (with the occasional motivational quote thrown in for good luck!) to help you “flip the script” so negative thoughts don't sabotage your business. If you are working on building your leadership muscle, this episode is for you!   From my thoughts on B+ work to the permission to let things go, the prompts I share throughout this episode will help you move from negative thinking around your business to constructive planning for 2024.   This is an episode you'll need a notebook and pen for.    Don't miss Coaching Week inside the Retailer's Inner Circle in February!   I'm providing a full week of live coaching in the Retailer's Inner Circle February 19-23 - all you have to do is be a member! I will go live in our Facebook group going through the foundational principles of my signature course, Retail Made Simple, which as a member you will have full access to. Retail Made Simple has helped hundreds of retailers simplify their business from understanding financials to gaining confidence to manage your team. There is no better time than now to join me and other like-minded retailers. Let's go!   Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 147: How to Reframe Your Mindset Around Competition Episode 153: Recipe for Success: 4 Leadership Lessons We Can Learn From Erin French of The Lost Kitchen Episode 187: Make 2024 Your Best Year Ever in Your Retail Shop   This week's podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing   Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you've listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024. About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been  privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendysources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode:  First impressions count! When new customers come into your retail shop, what is the first thing they notice? It's likely they first notice NOT the prices of your pieces, but rather the beautiful displays, your awesome branding, and the way your shop makes them FEEL.    We want our shops to be memorable. In this episode of the podcast, I'm chatting about the importance of first impressions and specific ways you can make your customers' experiences in your shop memorable. This will keep them coming back again and again and talking about you to their friends. Let's dive in!   Three things I'll touch on (some may surprise you!): 1. The 5 senses in your shop 2. Training your staff 3. Having the right inventory to reflect your brand   This week's podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing   Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you've listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024.   How is your 2024 planning going? Are you prepared for your best retail year ever?  If you think you might need some help, join us in the Retailer's Inner Circle!  We are a casual, positive group of likeminded retailers who are constantly trying new things and supporting each other along the way. Also, if you join now, you'll get a free 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with me!  This bonus doesn't last long, so if you were on the fence before, now is the time to join. See you inside!   Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 96: Before You Pay for Ads: Do These Three Things Episode 141: Are You Running the Store of Your Dreams? Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been  privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendysources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

  With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   In This Episode:  As an unwavering advocate for independent retail shops, I often get asked “What are retailers doing that drives you crazy?” In this episode, I am going to share a few.  These are the five things that drive me crazy in retail shops.  Hopefully you aren't caught in any of these traps! If you are, it's time to give some thought to them and fix them.  Let's dive in!   The Five Things I'll Chat About: 1. What happens when you brand your product lines not yourself  2. Retailers not doing everything they can to get sales 3. Treating your business like a hobby 4. Messy/dirty shops 5. Your attitude matters   This week's podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing   Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you've listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024.   How is your 2024 planning going? Are you prepared for your best retail year ever?  If you think you might need some help, join us in the Retailer's Inner Circle!  We are a casual, positive group of likeminded retailers who are constantly trying new things and supporting each other along the way. Also, if you join now, you'll get a free 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with me!  This bonus doesn't last long, so if you were on the fence before, now is the time to join. See you inside!   Related podcasts we think you'll like:    Episode 190: Five Areas to Focus on in Your Retail Business Episode 144: How to Create a Customer Journey Map Episode 39: Retailer Success Series: How Jill Went from Hobbyist to Creative CEO Customer Map About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been  privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendysources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

 With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   Don't set yourself up for failure!   In This Episode:    “Baby steps!” It's what everyone tells us when we are trying to achieve a big goal. Maybe aren't getting there as fast as we'd like, or maybe when we are trying to make progress more quickly than is realistic.   Episode 191 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast is about just that: growing and managing our retail businesses through small (baby) steps.  I'm here to remind you that 180 degree changes don't happen overnight.   “Success is the product of daily habits - not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.” -James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits   What's one small habit or step you can change or take right now to start making progress in your business?    This week's podcast is sponsored by our friends at Stitchcraft Marketing   Looking for some help with social media and content creation? My friend Leanne can help!  Her business, Stitchcraft Marketing, is a niche marketing agency specializing in social media and content creation for wholesale and retail businesses in the soft craft industries. After you've listened to our chat on Episode 160 of the Creative Shop Talk Podcast, reach out and see what she and her team can offer that can help you grow your business in 2024.   Related podcasts we think you'll like:    Episode 160: Simplifying Social Media with Guest Expert Leanne Pressly Episode 141: Are You Running the Store of Your Dreams? Episode 36: How Planning Kept Emily Kerley Thriving About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been  privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendysources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

Meagan Rogers is an Account Manager at the agency with mad skills in the area of writing for SEO. She is a lifelong writer and former educator with a PhD in English. Like all of us at Stitchcraft Marketing, she's a maker including embroidery, crochet, sewing, and knitting. She also publishes a writes for her  website, craftculturestyle.com, where she writes about crafts in society. Today, Meagan is going to walk us through SEO. We'll explore the ins and outs of SEO, including how it can help small craft businesses improve their website's search rankings, drive targeted traffic, and boost their online presence. We'll discuss the integration of SEO into various online platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media, and how it can complement other marketing efforts.

Today's guest is Anneliese Johnson. Anneliese is on-half of the mother-daughter design duo behind Eye Candy Quilts, which focuses on quilt pattern and fabric design. Anneliese also has experience working in local brick -and -mortar quilt shops, and most importantly, she's also an account manager over here at Stitchcraft Marketing. She is an expert in influencer marketing and is here to share her insights today on influencer marketing and the crafting business sphere and how they can kind of both coexist and maybe learn from each other and of course support each other.

Welcome to Business of Craft, a show designed to help entrepreneurs with fabric or fiber businesses become more successful. Our guests share best practices and teach effective marketing skills, that help crafty business owners learn to grow and scale. Let's start crafting a better business together! Today we welcome you to our kickoff for season six of Business of Craft. Leanne and Anneliese present our findings from the 2023 Craft Retailer Research project. The 2023 Craft Retailer Survey organized by Audience Audit and Stitchcraft Marketing included 923 respondents from April to May 2023. Respondents included manufacturers, distributors and retailers of craft products. The research has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Four distinct attitudinal segments emerged among respondents; these are groups of craft business owners who share a set of attitudes. The data that came out of this study is going to inform a lot of the shows we have planned for this season.

  With host retail coach Wendy Batten   https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/   Many of our creative businesses start as passion projects because we truly love what we are doing.  However, we all know by now that running a business takes more than passion. Today I'm talking with Leanne Pressly, founder and CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing, about all things social media: an aspect of our businesses that creatives often overlook. Stitchcraft Marketing is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping fiber and fabric companies with social media strategy and execution. Throughout the episode, you'll hear so many nuggets of wisdom from Leanne about social media strategy.     Here are some of the social media pointers we dig into: 1.Keep it simple.  Instead of managing 4 social media poorly, cut it back and focus on the one you are most familiar and comfortable with. 2.Be sure that you keep alert to changes happening on the platform you use because the social media landscape changes fast and often. 3.Post consistently and stay engaged with your audience. 4.Lean into your competitive advantage: YOU are your brand and you have that advantage over the big box stores. 5.Use ChatGPT for ideation, not as a replacement for blog posts/content.   Some tips for being efficient when managing your social media strategy: 1.Enlist the help of apps like Trello and Canva. 2.Use a content calendar to reference what you want to focus on. 3.Batch your content. 4.Schedule your content in advance.   We also touched on what's hot right now in the social media universe (May 2023): (1) Short Form video and (2) Facebook moving away from Business Pages and Groups and into profiles that were converted from Individual pages into Professional Mode and (3) the rise of TikTok (4) live selling (CommentSold).   About Leanne: Leanne Pressly is an accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman with extensive experience in the craft and hobby industry. She is the CEO and Founder of Stitchcraft Marketing, a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping fiber and fabric companies with social media strategy and execution. Under Leanne's leadership, Stitchcraft Marketing has grown into a leading digital marketing agency in the craft industry, working with clients ranging from independent craft shops to major craft brands such as Olfa, Bernina, Knitter's Pride and h+h Americas. Leanne is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events where she shares her expertise in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. She also hosts the podcast, Business of Craft showcasing topics to help craft retailers thrive. In her free time, Leanne enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family in the Colorado outdoors. She is also an avid maker particularly in the areas of knitting, quilting and collage art.   Find Leanne at www.stitchcraftmarketing.com Related podcasts we think you'll like:  Episode 123: How To Find a VA for your Brick and Mortar Business with Guest Expert Emily Reagan Episode 134: Easier Content & Copywriting with Guest Expert Lacy Boggs About your host, Wendy Batten In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business.  Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence.  I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers. When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/    For more support from Wendy   Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community   Wendy's FREE Resources for shop owners    Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG    All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE.  Subscribe & Review in iTunes Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I'd love you to consider it. Subscribing means you won't miss an episode! Click here to subscribe to iTunes! If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!

My guest today is my colleague Michelle Walker. She's a Financial Strategist and an Account Manager here at Stitchcraft Marketing who began her artistic endeavor at a young age with painting and sewing. She's a small business owner of Weaverwalker, an Eco-conscious macrame-focused DIY kit & supplies business on a mission to deliver the meditative experience of macrame to everyone's home.  In May, Michelle is launching a new mastermind for Stitchcraft Marketing called Good Math, Smart Business to help crafty business owners really get a handle on their financial numbers. So, today we're going to talk about math monsters and her philosophy which we loosely call profit first-ish.

Maker, quilter, knitter, spinner, and painter, Leanne Pressly is the founder and CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing, which she launched in 2009. Leanne also hosts the podcast, Business of Craft. She is a certified consultant with a Colorado Small Business Development Center, where she consults with new entrepreneurs in a variety of businesses.

Have you been thinking about how your fiber or fabric business can continue to adapt and thrive? Well, you're listening to the right show because that's our theme for Business of Craft season three…Resiliency! Today Leanne Pressly is chatting with Laura Cameron, Director of Operations at Stitchcraft Marketing. The two cover lots of topics and tips you can use to focus in on your ideal customer and maximize your marketing ROI.j

In Episode 80, Greg and Pam discuss sourdough, experimenting, and hexes. They also discuss Chapter 1 in Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Special thanks to Chasing-Rainbows Karen for the intro! SPONSORS We are Knitcrate Ambassadors! Are you the kind of knitter who would enjoy receiving a surprise package of yarn in the mail every month? Then you need to sign up for a Knitcrate subscription. Every month, you will receive a selection of curated yarn, a pattern specifically paired to use with the yarn, and a treat. Use code KD20 at checkout for 20% off your first package when you sign up for a subscription. FiberCrafty's  independently owned shops are stocked with yarn, fiber, project bags, stitch markers and more. With filter terms specific to yarn and fiber, the ability to save favorites, and a secure checkout process, it's better than a 24 hour fiber festival! For shop owners, our easy to use interface makes selling online easy. FiberCrafty is owned by one woman that has a crazy love of yarn and knitting. Greg's favorite feature? Pants are optional. Shop for your next project at FiberCrafty. NOTES Dear Listeners We would love to have YOU record and introduction to the show! You can find details in the Ravelry Group Pages. Greg's Projects Greg is working on a pair of socks for his mom that doesn't have a project page yet. Yarn is form Camel City Dyeworks. Greg is working on a hat design. Greg is continuing experimenting with weaving. Pam's Projects Pam has been working on her daughter's college blanket, Swirly PoP by Marken of the Hat & I. She is using Knit Picks Chroma Worsted and Mighty Stitch. Pam has also been working on her Interplay Shawl by Jo-Anne Klim with Dirty Dyeworks yarn. Pam worked on her socks with Patons Kroy Sock FX. She's not really following a pattern, just knitting toe-up. Pam started a finished a hair wrap from the pattern Beach Hair Don't Careby Melissa Kemmerer. She used some leftover Anzula Dreamy. Pam finished the weaving on a scarf with some acrylic. She needs to tale it off the loom. Knitting Rules We finished Chapter 1 Knitting Rules! The Yarn Harlot Unravels the Mysteries of Swatching, Stashing, Ribbing & Rolling to Free Your Inner Knitter (affiliate link). You can find her blog here and her books here. Here is a great video of her knitting style. You can read her wikipedia page also. Current/Upcoming Unraveling Events The #KnittingMagicKAL is in full swing. Knit anything from the Knitting Magic book (affiliate link) and join the fun! Miscellaneous Pam fell down the sourdough rabbit hole. She didn't start with this technique yet but it's the one that most appeals to her. This is the recipe for overnight sourdough bread. Pam bought too many strawberries and made Strawberry Jam and Strawberry Caramel Sauce. Pam mentioned the OttLite Floor Lamp (affiliate link). Greg mentioned that Bob Dylan has a new album coming out next month. Greg mentioned Korean baseball. Pam and Greg talked about Point/Counterpoint Volume 5 by KinoKnits and Jennifer Lassonde. There is a giveaway going on in the Unraveling Podcast Ravelry forum — check it out! You can also listen to the Kino Knits and Down Cellar Studio podcasts to hear the designers talk about the process of this collaboration. Check out the Knitty SOS page for updates on spring and summer shows that have been cancelled and how to support the vendors who were planning on attending. Greg and Pam talked about the death of TNNA. During the discussion, they mentioned Craft Industry Alliance and Stitchcraft Marketing. Pam talked abut her new phone case from KnitSwag. Affiliate Link Disclosures This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link to Bluprint Premium, Cooperative Press, Amazon, or Knitcrate and subsequently make a purchase, we'll receive a small commission from the sale. You pay the same, and the commissions will help cover our podcasting expenses. Our opinions are always our own, and we're never compensated to endorse any particular product or service. Find us all over the Internet Subscribe in iTunes: The Unraveling Podcast Podcast RSS Feed: Unraveling Podcast Twitter: @UnravelingPod Facebook: Unraveling Podcast Instagram: @UnravelingPodcast Ravelry Group: Unraveling Podcast Greg is KnittingDaddy on Ravelry, @KnittingDaddy on Instagram, and also writes the KnittingDaddy blog. Pam is pammaher on Ravelry, @FiberCrafty and @pammaher on Instagram, and owner of the FiberCrafty  marketplace.

Some listeners might recognize my guest today as a friend and former employee at Stitchcraft Marketing, Benjamin Krudwig. Benjamin makes his mark in the fiber industry as a talented weaver, garment-maker and fashion designer. He is currently the social media manager at Schacht Spindle. I wanted to have Benjamin come on the show today to talk about his expertise on millennial buying behaviors in the craft industry. 

Principal owner, multi-hat wearing. fearless entrepreneur and CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing, Leanne Pressly has 20+ years of experience in sales and marketing. Prior to starting Stitchcraft Marketing, she owned a website design and hosting business for 10 years. She’s been a knitter since she was 18 and has a strong passion for the creative industry.

Recorded on February 2, 2018 Book Talk starts at 32:18 Our Fall Sweater KAL is over!  Winners will be announced at the end of the podcast. The 2 Knit Lit Chicks Hoodie giveaway is over also - the winner will be announced at the end of the podcast. Get ready for our next KAL – the Never-Have-I-Ever Sock-along which will run February 14 through May 15.  Make socks like you’ve never made before - try a new heel, using a pattern if you usually stick with vanilla, knit from a sock blank for the first time, do color work - or maybe try socks for the very first time!  Please go to the Never-Have-I-Ever Sock-along Chatter thread to join the fun.     Tracie and Barb will be at: Stitches West - February 22-25, 2018 NoCKRs 2018 - April 12-15 Knitting Barb has finished: Barb's Free Your Fade by Andrea Mowry, using Zen Yarn Garden Superfine Fingering in the Magical Dyepot D3, D5 and D6 color ways.  And many thanks to Zen Yarn Garden for gifting the yarn to Barb for review!   Barb's Brooklin Vest by Elizabeth Smith, using Berroco Vintage Chunky in the Smoke colorway   Mother Bear #127     Tracie has finished: Redford pullover by Julie Hoover, using Lisa Souza Hardtwist Merino in the Monteverde colorway   Barb is currently working on:       Tale as Old as Time Cowl by Anne Vally, using Must Stash Yarns & Fiber Perfect Self-Striping Sock in the Beauty and the Beast colorways   Pioneer Braid Scarf by Catherine Ryan, using Caron Cake in the Blueberry Kiwi colorway   High Woods Hat by Irini Pi, using leftover Barroco Vintage in the Dungaree and Forest Floor colorways   Royal Mile Cowl by Dami Hunter, using Delicious Yarns Frosting Chunky in the Currant colorway.  Thank you to Delicous Yarns and Stitchcraft Marketing for giving Barb the yarn to review!   Vanilla Socks using Knit Picks Felici in the Hopscotch color way   Misty Scarf by Kaffe Fassett, using Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe (2 different skeins)     Tracie is working on: 5th Fiddly Bits cowl by Jane Pihota from fingering weight magic cake   Levitate  Poncho by Yvonne Poon, using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in the Kohl and Zebra color ways Vanilla Socks in Fishknits Boot Strap Self-striping in the NorCal Vernal Pools colorway New Wave cardigan by Mary Annarella, using Invictus Yarns Reward in the Olive colorway       Books   Barb has finished: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng   X by Sue Grafton Two Old Women by Velma Wallis         Tracie has finished reading: The Unlikely Pilgramage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce A Beautiful Child by Matt Birkbeck Horrorstor  by Grady Hendrix I Know What I'm Doing and Other Lies I Tell Myself: Dispatches from a Life Under Construction by Jen Kirkman The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll's History and Her Impact on Us by Tanya Lee Stone     Barb is currently reading: The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout     Tracie is currently reading:   Quicksand by Malin Persson Giolito       Tracie has set aside The House of Unexpected Sisters (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #18) by Alexander McCall Smith

Leanne Pressly, the owner of Stitchcraft Marketing, discusses the Know, Like, Trust funnel. She also touches on the customer avatar. Listen in to learn how an understanding of these can help you craft a better business. 

In this episode Kara is joined by Leanne Pressly, the CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Principal owner and multi-hat wearing fearless CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Leanne holds an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in English and has 20+ years of experience in sales and marketing. Prior to starting the agency, she owned a website design and hosting business for 10 years. She’s been a knitter since she was 18 and loves to spin yarn, make her own clothes and quilt. She lives in Colorado with her husband, teenage daughter and a menagerie of pets. “The rapid pace of change means you're NEVER going to be in front of your social channels all the time. Half the battle is just having a solid social media plan and following through on the work. Let the rest go.”   -Leanne Pressly [Tweet "Soaking up TONS of #marketing advice from Leanne of @Stitchcraftmktg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"] Episode highlights:   Leanne began her career in the fiber crafts when she met Deb Robson while pulling weeds on a farm in Colorado!  Listen to the episode to hear about Leanne's whimsical first knitting project. Leanne worked at Interweave while she finished her graduate school program in Colorado. Leanne's "light bulb moment" came when she realized that there was a need for fiber arts businesses to hire someone to mange their newsletters and social media.  Stitchcraft's clients own businesses in all areas of the hand crafting world, from fabric to yarn to paper crafts and more. Stitchcraft manages many different areas of a client's business, depending on that client's needs. Stitchcraft's sweet spot is social planning, strategy, and execution but they also offer content planning and marketing, pattern support, and more. Leanne advocates that even a B2B (business to business) company needs to have a social media plan and an active presence on social media channels. Leanne says that the growth in the industry has been mostly positive: "Competition's good for everybody - it raises all ships," she says. Leanne started a podcast so that she could share the common advice she gives several clients with a wider audience. Leanne loves to invite guests to the show who can share their expertise with her listeners. In her daily life, Leanne still knits and spins regularly. She loves a simple project to help her unwind at the end of a long working day. Marketing is in Leanne's blood: her mother was a marketer and her father was an entrepreneur.  Life and knitting have taught Leanne that she thrives best when she's focusing on the big picture. On Leanne's team, everyone has "a seat on the bus." So she builds that team according to the individual strengths that people bring to the bus. Leanne's big piece of advice for our viewers: "Don't be afraid to embrace what you're really good at, and really focus your career on that." What contributes to Leanne's day to day success? Zapier!    Mentioned in this episode: Deborah Robson's book: The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook Stitchcraft Marketing - Leanne's company Spin Off Magazine Interweave Leanne's podcast, Business of Craft Episode 2: Leanne's interview with Staci Perry of VeryPinkKnits Smart Passive Income - Pat Flynn's podcast Tim Ferriss's podcast Zapier   Learn more about Leanne and Stitchcraft Marketing: Website: stitchcraftmarketing.com Business of Craft Podcast: stitchcraftmarketing.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/stitchcraftmarketing Instagram: instagram.com/stitchcraftmarketing/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company-beta/10152753/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/stitchcraftm/ Twitter: twitter.com/stitchcraftmktg   MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ! Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!  

On this episode, we will talk with Leanne Pressly, owner of Stitchcraft Marketing, about how to freshen up your website with 7 steps in 7 days. Leanne will share with us some steps she believes are key to having a successful and presentable website. 

Leanne started her marketing agency called Stitchcraft Marketing over 5 years ago — and she did that to meet the every changing needs of the yarn and craft industries. Leanne and her team work with manufacturers within the fiber arts industry across the country to increase website traffic, build their brand and platform, and ultimately…to increase sales. What do you do in the first 60 minutes of your day? Leanne begins her day by doing a workout and working on her physical therapy due to a recent hip surgery -- you only have one body. ONWARD! Favorite quote or lesson? "Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way, but recurring acknowledgement of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but to surmount our difficulties." -- Sarah Ban Breathnach How do you define success? Success is more than dollar signs -- it's the connections you have with other people. What strategy do you use to combat fear? Leanne in learning everything you can about fear -- and Leanne tells the reasons why here. What makes as "A player" an "A player"? An "A player" is someone who can see what is coming next, they're resilient, has initiative, and is passionate.   Final Round – “Breaking Down the Recipe for Success” How can we become better mentors? Find the teachable moment Use the "sandwich" technique How can we build an audience? Try to build on the one thing you know very well Be in all the places where your niche knowledge is valued How can business owners reach that elusive next level? Carve out the time for you to grow as a business owner Surround yourself with those who know more than you in the areas you feel deficient How best to connect with Leanne: Website: stitchcraftmarketing.com Email: leanne@stitchcraftmarketing.com

Leanne started her marketing agency called Stitchcraft Marketing over 5 years ago — and she did that to meet the every changing needs of the yarn and craft industries. Leanne and her team work with manufacturers within the fiber arts industry across the country to increase website traffic, build their brand and platform, and ultimately…to increase sales.   Secret -- timesaving technique Trello is a website that acts like a sticky note bulletin board -- this website helps to save a ton of time. ONWARD! Daily habit that contributes to success You have to have the right work life balance -- finding the right balance will help with focus and motivation. Could have ruined your business -- but now -- an invaluable learning experience Leanne had to rebrand her company-- and Leanne tells the whole story here. Most critical skill you think business owners need to master to be successful “A business owner has to become a leader who truly cares about every person in their circle.” Most influential lesson learned from a mentor “Fear can be crippling in a business -- learn to slay the dragon and keep it at bay.”     Final Round -- “Breaking Down the Recipe for Success”   What systems would you go back and put into place sooner? “I would have joined a round-table group -- to reap the benefits of a collaborative environment.” What one strategy or “recipe” would compound into big wins for business owners? Networking within your community -- personal satisfaction can be achieved through service. How to exceed expectations and add the most value? An individual who cares for others -- wants to give -- and is passionate about servicing our clients. What strategy would you recommend new business owners focus on to best ensure success? Look at the big picture Stick it out How best to connect with Leanne: http://stitchcraftmarketing.com/about/     You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast I chat with Stefanie Goodwin-Ritter who is the senior account manager at Stitchcraft Marketing (formerly the Wood Wide Web). Stacey Trock is a crochet designer and owner of FreshStitches. In this episode we share our latest projects and our top picks for fun things we are enjoying right now including books, tools, apps, and more! Please note that this show used to be called the While She Naps podcast. The name has changed, but the content and host have stayed the same. To get the full show notes for this episode, visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Meet with show host, Abby Glassenberg, each month for our Craft Business Roundtable, get access to courses and webinars taught by industry leaders, and much more.