Craft Site Directory Newsletter September 2003

Craft Site Directory Newsletter: September 2003 / Theme: Selling Your Crafts
http://www.CraftSiteDirectory.com
View this newsletter online, with clickable links, at: http://www.CraftSiteDirectory.com/September2003.html

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SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?

SECTION 2):*~*: Selling Your Crafts Online
Article by Whipstitch N' Whimsey Web Design

SECTION 3):*~*: Marketing Your Crafts
Links to some of the best online resources

SECTION 4):*~*: Newly Added Freebie Sites
Enjoy these new finds!

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SECTION 1):*~*: What's New at CraftSiteDirectory.com?

Over 100 new links have been added to the Craft Site Directory within the last month. Be sure to visit your favorite category often to see what's new.

If you are thinking about ordering hand made crafts(or perhaps a Joann.com gift certificate) as Christmas gifts, our gifts category now contains 8 pages of links. When purchasing custom handmade gifts online, it is a good idea to allow plenty of time for delivery(up to 8 weeks on some web sites). Shop early to receive your orders by Christmas.
Visit: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/gifts/index.html

If you prefer to make your own Christmas gifts, now is a good time to get started. Visit our 'Free Stuff' category for great gifts ideas and free patterns and projects. Browse 6 pages of free stuff!
Visit: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/freestuff/index.html

SECTION 2):*~*: Selling Your Crafts Online

Crafters nationwide are running around like busy bees getting ready for the big Craft & Holiday Season which is already upon us! With all the traffic generated by the Craft & Holiday Season, this is the best time of year to get your products out there and to get your business name out there as well. For those Crafters who already have a website, or for those folks who are just beginning to consider crafting online, giving your Craft Website the exposure your products have offline is a key ingredient to the success of your website, especially while you're out there doing Craft shows or selling your Crafts in shops during the busy season. In order to make the most of your Craft show traffic and direct folks to your Craft website, whether they were actually your customers or just folks that admired your Crafts but didn't buy at the Craft Show, you need to advertise your website business on business cards, notecards, stationery, and on your products as well. Be sure to have the URL of your website domain name on everything to get more folks to visit your website after the Craft Show or after visiting the Shop where you have your Crafts :)

In addition to offline exposure, you'll need to do considerable online advertising and marketing as well, such as links, webrings and topsites for quick traffic results, and join craft malls, banner exchanges and other web-based organizations such as the Craft Site Directory, which will help to increase your traffic, thereby increasing the propensity for sales. In addition to these other things, don't forget one of the most important types of website marketing for your business, which is Search Engine submissions. Just because your website is out there for literally millions of folks to see ... if you're not getting your website 'OUT THERE' for folks to see, they won't be able find it amidst all of the other websites in the world wide web. Search Engine submission is a complicated and yet critical task for the success of your website business, as well as marketing and advertising, which can make the difference between a wonderful Craft website and a wonderful Craft website business!

Cackling Hen has just introduced a special do-it-yourself Manual for Crafters, which is called our 'Marketing Magic Manual'. Presented in plain, easy-to-understand terms, our Marketing Magic Manual can help you figure out the to-do's and not to-do's of marketing your Craft website business, and Cackling Hen is proud to offer a 20% Discount to all Craft Site Directory Members.

Best wishes for a Busy Craft & Holiday Season from Cackling Hen!
Cackling Hen Consulting
http://www.CacklingHenConsulting.com

SECTION 3):*~*: Marketing Your Crafts
Links to some of the best online resources

If are thinking about selling your crafts or you would like to increase your current sales, here is some great information!

Barbara Brabec offers information, articles and resources for beginning and professional crafters who are serious about profiting from their talents. Things you should consider before getting started, legal and financial tips, how to sell through online auctions, and much more.
Visit: http://www.barbarabrabec.com/crafts_marketing.htm

The Crafts Report Online answers many of your frequently asked questions about selling and marketing your crafts. This extensive list of articles covers topics such as starting your craft business, attending your first craft show, setting up your craft show booth, pricing, copyright information, selling wholesale and through consignment shops, accepting credit cards...
Visit: http://www.craftsreport.com/commonfiles/faq-industry.html

This article was previously published in the Craft Site Directory newsletter. It is titled Home Craft Parties: Selling Your Crafts from Home.
Visit: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/May2003.html#section2

Busy Bee Crafts offers extensive information for tole painters and other crafters who are interested in making money at their craft. The article outlines the basics of marketing. It is appropriately titled, Supporting Your Habit.
Visit: http://www.busybee.ns.ca/studio/support.htm

If you are interested in selling your crafts at craft shows and fairs, Craftlink Magazine has printed a very informative article titled Selling at Craft Shows -- Juried Vs Nonjuried Shows -- What's the difference?
Visit: http://www.craftlink.net/back_issues/selling_at_craft_shows.htm

The National Craft Association lists many of the different ways you can market or sell your crafts.
Visit: http://www.craftassoc.com/mktpr.html

MyCraftShow.com features a new article regularly regarding marketing and selling your crafts. The current article is about choosing the right craft show for you.
Visit: http://www.mycraftshow.com/crafters-article.htm

This article discusses marketing your homemade crafts. Selling at crafts show and stores, through word-of-mouth, pricing your crafts...
Visit: http://sdsd.essortment.com/craftsmarketing_mfm.htm

SECTION 4):*~*: Newly Added Freebie Sites
Enjoy these new finds!

Free printable paper craft projects from Magical Kingdom.
Visit: http://www.magicalkingdom.co.uk/craftlisting.htm

Free arts and crafts projects and resources from AbcCrafts.com.
Visit: http://www.abccrafts.com

Eco-Artware.com offers free craft projects from recycled materials.
Visit: http://www.eco-artware.com/crafts/archive.shtml

Find free craft projects for kids at Kid Craft Central
Visit: http://www.kid-craft-central.com

Joann.com Free Projects
Visit: http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=2

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We would like to thank our sponsors! CraftSiteDirectory.com is sponsored in part by:

The Quilter's Husband
http://www.quiltershusband.com

Essential Wholesale
http://www.essentialwholesale.com

Happy Crafting from CraftSiteDirectory.com!

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