Episode 56: 6 Income Streams for Yarn-Related Businesses
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Release Date: 01/23/2016
Episode 71: Managing Subscriptions, Diversifying Your Income, and Growing Your Business at the Right Pace with Stacey Trock from FreshStitches
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Stacey Trock is the owner of FreshStitches. After a technical failure during our interview at The National NeedleArts Association summer show in June, we talked over Skype about the success of her kit club and why she is switching to digital subscriptions. We also discussed how and why she's diversified her income and her perspective on pacing her business growth, customer service, social media, and more. About Stacey Trock Stacey Trock, the owner of , recently relocated to Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. Stacey started her business in 2008 selling crochet amigurumi...
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Episode 70: Transitioning Your Business from Online to Face-to-Face - Time Management - and More with Kim Russo from Kim Dyes Yarn
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Kim Russo is the yarn dyer behind Kim Dyes Yarn. We met at The National NeedleArts Association summer show in June, and later I spent some time talking to Kim, who shared how her business has transformed over the past 10 years, how she transitioned her fully online business to one that includes face-to-face elements, and her approach to time management. About Kim Russo Kim Russo, owner of , lives in Virginia. She is obsessed with gorgeous colors, the way colors look when mixed and matched with each other, and how to achieve the next great idea in her head. She is a life long learner...
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Episode 69: Staying Inspired, Being Authentic, and Learning to Say No with Dedri Uys from LookAtWhatIMade
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Dedri Uys is the crochet designer, blogger, author, and teacher behind LookAtWhatIMade. I spent some time talking to Dedri and she was incredibly open and generous in sharing how she is able to work a full time job, be a devoted wife and mother, and still find energy and inspiration for her crochet business. About Dedri Uys Dedri Uys is the crochet blogger, designer and teacher behind . She is best known as the designer of , a stunning continuous square crochet blanket pattern available as a free, 18-part crochet-a-long. She is the author of Amamani Puzzle...
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Episode 68: Getting Started with Video and Growing Your YouTube Channel with Jennifer Dickerson from Fiber Flux
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Jennifer Dickerson is the crochet and knitting designer, blogger, author, and YouTuber behind Fiber Flux. I had the chance to chat with Jennifer about how she got started with video and grew her YouTube channel to over 125,000 followers in less than two years. In this interview, she shares her practical tips for working with video, building a YouTube channel, time management, working for free, and monetizing your blog and videos. About Jennifer Dickerson Jennifer Dickerson is the crochet and knitting designer, blogger, and YouTuber behind . In addition to her blog, she launched the ...
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Episode 67: Mailing List and Email Marketing Best Practices with Heather Solos from Feedblitz
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Heather Solos is a director at Feedblitz. I met Heather at the 2016 Snap! conference and we later had a Skype chat about best practices for growing, maintaining, and monetizing your email list. About Heather Solos and Feedblitz Heather Solos started blogging in 2004 and became a professional blogger in 2006. She joined FeedBlitz, an RSS and email marketing company, in 2012 where she built the customer service team. She’s now a director at Feedblitz and swims in a sea of email, marketing, and best practices. When she comes up for air, she works for , a site...
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CYESmmtc2: Make Money Teaching Crochet Virtual Tour Wrap Up/Question and Answer Session
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
I answer questions about teaching crafts and self-publishing as I wrap up the virtual tour for my new book, Make Money Teaching Crochet. About this episode In this episode, I share the edited audio of a Facebook Live event I hosted earlier in the week where I answered questions from listeners about teaching crafts and self-publishing. Thanks to , Novella Bobo from , Patrice Walker from , Rachel McKinney from , and MG Camacho from for sharing questions beforehand! I reference a lot of different resources, which you can learn more about by following these links: : This certification program is...
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Episode 66: Showcasing Your Creative Business and Pitching to Brands and Clients with Leslie Albertson from Mixbook
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Leslie Albertson is the director of marketing at Mixbook. I had the chance to get to know Mixbook in person at the 2016 Snap! conference and was later introduced to Leslie. We scheduled a Skype interview to talk about the best ways to present your creative business to potential sponsors and collaborators, following up after networking events, and more. About Leslie Albertson and Mixbook Mixbook's mission is to help you share and relive life's most important memories through its custom photo products. As director of marketing, Leslie brings her passion as...
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Make Money Teaching Crochet (and Other Crafts)
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
I kick off the virtual book tour for Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students by talking about how teaching has helped to grow my yarn-related business and earn me a stable side income. I also share more information about the book and self-publishing. About this episode In this episode, I talk about Make Money Teaching Crochet, including... Sharing how I got started teaching crochet and how it has impacted the development of Underground Crafter, Discussing why I wrote the book and key decisions I made in the...
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Episode 65: Organizing Your Inspiration, Branding Your Creative Business, and Working with Brands with Alexis Middleton from Persia Lou
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Alexis Middleton is the crochet designer and craft blogger behind Persia Lou. I had the chance to meet her in person at the 2016 Snap! conference and we later scheduled a Skype interview to talk about the panel workshop, Generate and Pitch Ideas Like a Boss. About Alexis Middleton Alexis is a work-at-home mother of three and a lifelong crafter. She learned to crochet from her great grandmother as a child but put down the hook until a few years ago. She started her blog, , as a place to share her crochet projects and it has since expanded to include other crafts and home decor...
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Episode 63: Blogging, Taking Risks in Your Business, and Working with Sponsors with Erica Dietz from 5 Little Monsters
Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show
Erica Dietz from 5 Little Monsters had been blogging for less than a year when she started working with sponsors. We chatted at the 2016 Snap! conference about blogging, taking risks, how to work with sponsors, and more. About Erica Erica Dietz is the crochet, sewing, embroidery, and craft blogger behind . She shares designs and tutorials on her blog. Erica is also a stay-at-home mom to (you guessed it) 5 children. You can learn more about Erica by visiting . You can also follow her online on | | | | About the interview In this episode, I talk with...
info_outlineI share six different income streams for yarn-related business owners to consider in this episode. Many of us start our own businesses part time and by leveraging our existing skills. As you plan for expansion in 2016 and beyond, consider these different options for earning money for your business.
Six Income Streams for Your Yarn-Related Business
Here are some options to consider. Most successful businesses have a combination of income streams which helps to mitigate risk and to standardize cash flow.
- Consumer Products: This is a very broad category including...
- Handmade products you sell directly to the end user (e.g., crochet/knit finished objects, artisan hooks and needles, hand dyed or hand spun yarn),
- Handmade products you sell via retailers (wholesale or consignment),
- Items you purchase from a manufacturer/wholesaler and resell,
- Digital products you sell directly to the end user (e.g., patterns, ebooks), and
- Services including teaching face-to-face and online.
- Advertising and Sponsorship: You may work with an ad network (like Google AdSense, Media.net, Rivit, etc.) or negotiate your own relationships with brands.
- Affiliate Marketing: As an affiliate, you promote another company's products and earn a commission when items are purchased through you.
- Business to Business Services: Many yarn-related business owners provide services to other businesses on a freelance or contractual basis. Some examples include writing, designing patterns, tech editing, sample making, social media coordination, and virtual assistance.
- Membership/Subscriptions: Magazines, pattern subscriptions, and yarn clubs are some examples of yarn-related membership and subscription options.
- Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding can be used in exchange for product pre-orders through KickStarter, IndieGogo, and other services, or by allowing your fans to support your business on an ongoing basis through Patreon and related services.
If you enjoyed this episode
The Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show is no longer broadcasting. Episodes are available as a service to the yarn community. This episode originally aired in January, 2016. Be aware that content may be outdated.
If you'd like to chat with other yarn-related business owners, join the Creative Yarn Entrepreneurs Facebook group. Support Marie's work by buying one of her books, Make Money Teaching Crochet: Launch Your Business, Increase Your Side Income, Reach More Students (Amazon | Gumroad) or Design It, Promote It, Sell It: Online Marketing for Your Crochet and Knit Patterns (Amazon | Gumroad).