September 26, 2012 | Monthly Meet-Up Information & Reminder

Hello Team!

This month we are changing things up and trying our first ever conference call meeting! In person meeting attendance has been low so we’re giving members the opportunity to call in and participate. We’re hoping this will work well even though we have scheduled this meeting to take place at the Fountain City Panera. We’ll assess the call quality and see if we need to do it in a quieter environment in the future.

Here is the link to the meeting reminder.

Here is the link to register for the call. It’s simple and you receive instructions immediately.

Check back here on the blog for links to the meeting handouts too. We’re trying to make the meetings easier to attend whether in person, on-line or via the phone. Please give us your feedback so we know what works or what we should change!

Boost Your Signal, Reach Your Tribe | Workshop with Danielle Nelson of Life Unconstrained

Boost your signal, reach your tribe: a free* web strategy workshop for indiepreneurs

Everyone needs a website. Maybe you’re in the process of getting one; maybe you’ve got one already, and it’s not working as well as you think it should be, or you’re just ready to grow your business and web presence.

But your website isn’t magic! It won’t bring in business by itself. So many folks think that “put up a website” equals “sell product, make money”; it’s the reason there’s such an emphasis on search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO). I’m calling bullshit. I’ll show you how to see through the smoke and mirrors and create a website that works for you and your message.

You’ll learn:

• What web strategy is, why it’s important, and why it should be part of your marketing plan
• The importance of killer content and why you need to give ’em something to talk about
• What honest search engine optimization and search engine marketing are really about, and what to look for if you hire someone to help
• How to breathe new life into your site and make it work for your message

And you’ll leave with a free step-by-step guide for creating practical, effective web strategy (that’s fun, too!), including tools for creating a web-centric marketing plan and the key metrics you should watch for and work with.

A word from the workshop leader, Danielle Nelson of Life Unconstrained.

Hi! I’m Dani. I’m a solar-powered web designer, teacher, and strategist, and I have a passion for helping folks with big ideas and visions that will change the world. I create websites and strategies that help you boost your signal, reach the people you’re meant to reach, and help those you’re meant to help.

* Donations are accepted in appreciation of Dani presenting this workshop.

Details and RSVP

RSVP to the event here.

Updates | Reminders | Feedback Request

DATE CHANGE FOR MONTHLY MEET-UP::

The monthly meet-up will be on Wednesday, March 30^th from 7pm to 9pm. My apologies for another change, but I will be out of town on the 23^rd.

KCHST SPRING SHOW & SALE::

I am having no luck finding a venue for the event that meets the majority of the criteria presented to me via feedback from the Fall Show & Sale. All of the locations that would have been perfect are either no longer available, too expensive or I have not received a call back on. I would like to know what everyone thinks about holding our Show & Sale in Knoxville’s Old City. The location I am considering is next to Remedy Coffee. It is smaller than our past venues. As another {or additional} option, I am waiting to hear back from Remedy Coffee about renting their back room on Saturday, May 14^th. Remedy is not open on Sunday.

Here are the things I need your YES or NO feedback on. Please send a reply with your responses by Wednesday, March 16^th. Majority will rule.

Should we have a one day event- Saturday only?

Should we have a two day event- Saturday and Sunday?

Is the Old City an acceptable location?

Please share any comments you have too!

:: UPCOMING EVENTS ::

EDFINANCIAL SPRING FLING

From Team member Hannah Turpin of Buzzabee::

My husband works at EdFinancial and they are looking for new vendors for their annual Spring Fling event that benefits Bowl For Kids’ Sake. The event is on March 26, 8am-1pm, outside of EdFinancial in the parking lot in Seven Oaks Shopping Center off of Kingston Pike. The booth fee is $25 (donated to Bowl For Kids Sake) and it is for 2 parking spaces with which you can set up anyway (tables, tent, etc.). Set up time is 7:30am. Last year was a very successful turnout of customers with over 40 vendors participating. EdFinancial will advertise it through several public contacts including Knoxville News-Sentinel and the community calendar. If you are interested, please contact Ashley Humphrey (342-5128), ahumphrey@edfinancial.com, and mention that Will referred you.

HOMBERG ART MARKET

From Team member Cynthia of HeadOnTheWall::

Homberg Art Market to be held Sat. April 2nd from 10:00-3:00pm & Sun. April 3rd 12:00pm-5:00pm 2011. Shannon at Davis Studio and I are organizing an outdoor art market. We are looking for artists and crafters, vintage dealers and food vendors. If interested please submit at least 3 photos of your work to hotwproductions@me.com or davisstudio@aim.com. There is limited space, and we are looking for diversity of product and personalities for the event. Please call 865-584-1219 for more information. We have decided to change the date of the inaugural event due to the Southern Market hosting their “Spring Fling” that same weekend. We feel that there will be more people in the area and it will be beneficial to those participating. We have truly finalized our application and can send them out or post them for download.

CREATIVE BUSINESS WORKSHOP

From Team member Lisa of SassyGlassStudio::

Creativity Central {Creative Business Workshop}

I am {finally!} offering a workshop geared toward Etsy sellers, creative business owners and entrepreneurs and anyone else who wants to learn how to make money selling what they create. The workshop is Saturday, March 26 from 9am to 5pm and the fee is $79. Please contact me at lisa@sassyglassstudio.com or 865.406.3870 for details.

http://creativebusinessworkshop.eventbrite.com/

http://creativitycentral.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/creative-business-workshop/

INTERNATIONAL BISCUIT FEST– May 27 & 28, 2011

The first annual International Biscuit Festival was a tremendous success!  Thanks so much to all of you who attended.  We are already in the planning process for next summer and promise a lot more biscuits and a lot more biscuit action.   Please plan on joining us Memorial Day weekend 2011 to fill up your belly!

http://knoxvillemarketsquare.com/biscuit/

Spaces will be about $150. Visit the link and contact info for more information.

Here is an opportunity to be featured in an awesome local blog

A GIRL AND HER SCOUT

From Team member Allison of DoveBirdDesigns::

I posted this in the blog/Facebook discussion, but I thought it might be seen more as its own discussion.
I have a baby blog www.agirlandhercout.blogspot.com that several members of the team have been featured on already. I love to promote local artists on it and have several readers. so… if you are interested, for no cost, just for fun, I would love to feature you and your shop on my blog.
I typically interview the artist, post a few photos of my favorite items from his/her shop, and in the past artists have hosted giveaways from their shop and offered a discount to readers for a certain period of time. This has large creative potential for whatever your needs are. All artists have reported an increase in traffic to their store and several have reported resulting sales.
It’s totally up to you and only something I like to do so no pressure to do anything. you can see past features here http://agirlandherscout.blogspot.com e-mail/convo me if you are interested!  agirlandherscout@gmail.com

Thank you all for being such an awesome part of an amazing Team! Please take a moment to reply to my feedback request for the Spring Show & Sale and I look forward to seeing you at the monthly meet-up! Please let me know if you have something you would like to share with the Team.

February 2011 Meet-Up {Change of Date}

February Monthly Meet-Up will be on the 16th {rather than the 23rd} at the usual time of 7pm at the Panera on Broadway in Fountain City. I had a new Team member ask if we bring samples of our items available in our Etsy shop and I thought that was a great idea so bring something for Show & Tell if you would like.

We’ll chat about what’s going on in our Etsy shops, the Spring Show & Sale and whatever else you would like to discuss.

See you there!

Snow Bird

Monthly Meet-Up | January 26, 2011

It’s time to kick-off the New Year with our first Monthly Meet-Up on January 26th at 7pm at Panera on Broadway in Fountain City {Knoxville}. Come join your fellow creative people to discuss what’s new with your Etsy shop and business, how to improve sales and plans for the Spring Show & Sale. We look forward to seeing you there!