July 15: Working Smarter Not Harder

Buffer

Tweet

We are on our third week of 31 Days of Crochet Blogging. How’s it going for you? Remember you can always go at your own pace – don’t feel overwhelmed – the lessons are posted in the Blog Challenge section so you can access them at anytime. Last weeks lessons can all be found here: Gathering Your Supplies

This is the 15th day of the July challenge – the 3rd week. We will be working on our money maker. Which did you choose to concentrate on this month? Crocheting? Pattern Design? Writing an eBook? Affiliate Marketing? Which ever method you chose you will spend this next week on this project. If it is something new to you take the time to learn about it.

Crochet Schedule:
Creating a schedule for making your products is a good habit to get in to. Mark your calendar to remind you of holidays and seasons. Develop your products and sales around this. i.e. If you know Christmas is coming up, in the fourth quarter you will need to crochet your products starting in September. Be sure to book any Christmas Craft Shows in your area and work out any giveaways with other bloggers.

Writing Schedule: 
If your goal is to write an eBook you need to start out with a map. Make your daily writing goals manageable and stick to the schedule. i.e. If you want to release a book in the second quarter (spring) you need to plan your writing accordingly.

It helps me to outline my book chapters first. From there I outline specific topics and finally I work on each section as it comes up. I don’t do any editing until the end. This helps relieve the stress that comes from working on deadline.

Pattern Design:
If you are a designer then you know that it is important that you develop your designs ahead of time. Looking at most magazines you’ll notice that their editorial calendars go months and even years in advance. It’s best to work a season ahead. It’s summer now so start working on your holiday designs.

I have a friend who is working on her Halloween and Christmas designs. She’s already got the pattern testers set up and soon they will be available for sale. You want them in your shop so that your customers can make them in time for the holiday.

Affiliate Marketing: 
Want to add some affiliate partnerships to your blog? Start looking at places that cater to crochet like JoAnn’s or Craftsy. Find out what is required to sign up, read their tips and start promoting their products. If you have any products that these companies sell a good way to start is to do a product review. Have you taken a class at Craftsy? How was that? Let your readers know if it is worth their money.

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? Be sure to check the “Affiliate Marketing for Crochet Bloggers” to receive the 7-day lessons. It explains in further detail how to integrate affiliate marketing in your crochet blog.

Today’s Assignment: Hook It - Learn your chosen money maker

________________________________________________________________________
Join the 31 Days of Crochet Blogging July 2012, Buy the eBook Hooking for Cash and visit us on Facebook and Twitter. #crochetbusiness
Linking up with the Ultimate Blog Challenge July 2012 – Won’t you Join Us? #blogboost