The Maker's Circle

UPCOMING WORKSHOP

Next week on April 8th I am offering a workshop entitled "Maker's Circle: Growing your creative business online". One thing that I have learned through doing CreatedHere is that most artists and makers are a one-man band. They work alone and end up wearing all the hats; maker, web developer, accountant, branding officer, marketing expert... the list goes on. And most of you are trying to figure this out all on your own!  What if you could get together and see what others are doing and get some solid coaching on what works and doesn't work?

A few weeks ago I gave this workshop at NBCCD and eleven different creatives got together to learn and talk about growing their businesses online. There was a kite-maker who just launched a website, a wood-worker who jumpstarted his business using only Instagram, a member of a fibre arts cooperative trying to sell on Facebook, a jeweler, a cosplay fashion designer, a francophone batik artist, an aboriginal ceramics artist,  etc etc etc. Everyone was coming from a different background and level of web savyyness, but as the day progressed you could see the lights go on as people got ideas and started to have a clearer vision of what to do next. I could tell that just getting together and hearing other people's experiences and questions was encouraging. Everyone needs like-minded support to do well, even artists.

In the two and half years of doing CreatedHere, I have looked at hundreds of artists' profiles online and have learned a LOT about first impressions and what works in the creative industry. Trying to grow my own brand and sell my magazines has meant that I've personally navigated the murky waters of online marketing and social media and all the frustration that goes with it. I am by no means an expert but I definitely have gleaned some significant smarts about what it takes to stand out in an increasingly noisy (online) space.

In this workshop we'll talk about how to generate content that stays true to who you are while getting the job done. We'll do some exercises together to figure out your online strengths and weaknesses and make a plan to meet goals that will grow your business and make you more sustainable long-term.

After the workshop you will also have the option of joining a super secret Facebook group where I share websites, webinars and articles that will help you as you move forward in this ever-changing medium.

If this resonates with you, head over to the Facebook event and sign up for my next workshop on April 8th. It's at L'Arche Creative Connections on Prince William Street, 10 am-3:30 pm, cost is 50$. There will be hot drinks and muffins :)

Hope to see you Saturday!

-MH