A Few of Our Current Favorite Resources

The CBL recently hosted an open meeting where we invited fellow business owners and makers to join us for an evening of wine, snacks and lots of resource sharing. It's always great to get perspective from other makers on what they've tried, loved and hated. Funnily enough, a few people kept claiming they had nothing to share, but I knew that everyone has a few apps, books, or whatever they absolutely can't do business without. I'd never heard of at least 75% of the resources people shared. It's so powerful, and necessary, to connect with other small business owners. I've collected some here that are universally helpful for all small business people.

What are your favorite small business resources?

Photos:

• Whitagram - add white or color frames to assorted photo sizes
• A Color Story - photo editing app with filters that enhance colors within photos you've taken
• Pic Tap Go - intuitive photo-editing app that can post images to social media
• Snapseed - mobile photo-editing app with similar features to photoshop.

Operations + Accounting:

• Grasshopper - virtual phone system for entrepreneurs
• Wholesale Matchmaker - wholesale dating service (very limited slots available)
• BenchWorks - inventory/production management for makers and artists
• Ship Station - shipping management

Organization + Planning:

• Evernote - organize everything
• If This Then That - pretty much helps you automate almost anything
• Freed Camp - free project management system
• Follow Up Then - creates super simple email reminders
• Planoly - visually organize and plan posts for Instagram
• Etsy on Sale - helps schedule and plan item renewals
• Instapaper - saves articles in one place for you to peruse at your leisure
• Mapstr - map app that tracks cool stuff and creates sharable maps
• OneTab - saves tabs into list format

Non-App ie Old School Resources:

• The Library - a great resource for books (obvy), research and a quiet space to work. Some libraries even have e-books you can check out onto your Kindle. Yipee!
• Deep Work, by Cal Newport - suggestions to get to the 'real work' part of business
• Clear Solutions - simple, aesthetically pleasing display pieces
• The Printful - on-demand printing and shipping of your designs on t-shirts, posters, etc.

DIY Editorial Style Photo Shoots

Over the last few years, whenever the topic of my website comes up, I’m often asked “Who does your photos?” People are sometimes surprised that I do all* of them in house. First off, let me say that before I started Etta + Billie, I had zero experience with photo shoots. Over the last four years, I’ve come up with the concepts, worked on styling, scouted locations and even taken a few photos myself. I’ve utilized the existing skills of my employees such as photography and photo editing. Though it’s a serious process and takes some planning, I think an in house photo shoot is completely doable and the most cost effective way to get fresh material for your website and other marketing purposes. Plus, it’s kind of fun. Read on for my tips for doing your own editorial style photo shoot.

Why?

Why are you taking these photos? Are you creating images for your website, marketing materials, press materials, or all of the above?
Once you answer these questions, you’ll be able to start planning your photo shoot. My recent shoot was for holiday and for products that I haven’t yet featured on the homepage of my website. The photos will be used to add fresh content, highlight limited edition product and for marketing materials like holiday postcards.

Etta + Billie Holiday Shoot Set Up

What?

What product are you going to shoot? Is this a seasonal shoot? General product shoot?
The answers to these questions will not only influence what product you are actually going to shoot but also where you’ll take them and how they’ll be styled. Need inspiration for styling a shoot? Get yourself over to Pinterest! Months before a photo shoot, I search certain terms like “editorial” and “holiday” to find image inspiration. I look for shoots that flow with my branding. I keep a private board for all my photo finds, organizing them by season. This makes it easy to reference while I’m setting up a shoot and I can share the images with my staff/photographer so we are all on the same page about the “look” I’m trying to achieve. Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can start making a “shot” list and collect objects/materials you think you’ll need.

Note: Be sure to share your shot list with your photographer.  

Setting up holiday photo shoot 2014

When?

When are you going to do the shoot?
The answer to this question really depends on question number 1 and 2. Think about editing time, vendor lead times for marketing materials as well as any press lead times. If you’re shooting Xmas holiday images and you also want to pitch to press, you really need to do your shoot in June (early July at the latest) since national magazines will be finalizing their holiday issues by the end of July.  

Where?

Where will the photoshoot take place? Is there a certain look you are going for?
Some shoots require simple backdrops (see the photo above - taken on the concrete floor of the loading dock the building where my studio is located), others may need specific surfaces such as a marble counter top, bathtub or a leather couch. For the more complex locations, think about friends or family who may have spaces that would work for the look you’re after. I’ve done at least four shoots at friend’s homes. The key to any location is natural light. Other location options: hotel rooms, airbnb’s or your own apartment.

Note: all the shoots I’ve ever done take far longer than I think they will. Be sure to give yourself at least 4-8 hours depending on how many images you want to get. For my holiday shoot last year, it took about 6-7 hours to get about 4-6 usable images. This is especially true if you are not using a professional photographer and are also going to style everything yourself.

Shane Izykowski's photo equipment + the necessary coffee

Who?

Who is going to do the shoot? Are you going to take photos yourself or hire someone? Will you need help styling or setting up your shoot?
If you have a nice DSLR camera (or access to one) and know how to use it, there is no reason you shouldn’t do the photos yourself. Just keep in mind that this will definitely take longer and you’ll probably still need to do all the editing yourself unless you have a VA or a friend who is will to take that on. If you’re like me and have VERY basic camera skills, consider hiring someone or ask a friend that you know has a passion for photography. Through my network, I’ve found some great photographers that were really reasonable priced. Don’t know anyone with mad photo skills? Consider contacting your local community college, art school or university. There may be a student who is willing to work for less so they can build their portfolio. Another way to reduce cost is to share a photographer with a fellow maker.

Note: if you’re hiring a photographer, be sure that you can check out their work in advance and contact references.

Other bits of advice:

• Bring multiple units of each product you're planning to photograph, just in case.
• Bring more props than you think you’ll need.
• Build in time for a break, especially if you get hangry.
• Overestimate how much time you’ll need for each part of the process.
• Refer to your shot list often. This helps keep you on track and you’re less likely to miss something important

I know there is a lot to think about when setting up a photo shoot but I hope this helps you feel a bit more confident about process. You can do it!

*current images on my site are thanks to the very talented sister duo Lydia & Emilie

Top 5 Reasons Why You Need a Business Group

As micro-business owners, we are constantly wearing many hats and working multiple hours by ourselves building our creative empires (ex: my new work bff's are my local coffee shop baristas). All that working solo can really take a toll on you and your business. As you feel more and more isolated, success can feel just slightly out of reach. Here are the top 5 reasons why you need a business group.

1. Support.

Owning your own business can be a lonely experience. Sometimes friends and spouses just don't get it, but your business community will. Having a trusted colleague is incredibly helpful when you need to vent, cry, chat or just talk biz. That kind of support is priceless.

2. Feedback.

A business group is the perfect place to get feedback on your business. Your colleagues will have a fresh perspective on new designs, branding, a new website, new scents, a new way to do things, etc. This can help make the difference between something good and something great - see the photo of my awesome craft show sign above. It wouldn't be so rad without the input of CBL members.

3. Resources.

Other business owners have all sorts of resources that can help make running your business easier. Much like number two on the list, business groups are a great way to get info from a trusted source since the whole purpose is helping each other. Get recommendations about a useful app, a fabulous business book, the inside scoop on a craft show experience, a packaging resource, a solid book keeper recommendation ... the list goes on.

4. Accountability.

As small business owners, it can sometimes be hard to get things done, especially since you have no boss to report to, besides yourself. We procrastinate. We fill our time with maybe-not-so-important to-dos. Life gets in the way. Sometimes all we need is a little nudge from a colleague to get shit done. Accountability can do wonders for checking things off the list.

5. Growth.

Being part of a group will push you and your business to the next level. Getting and giving your insights and support is an incredible way to nurture you and your business. You will feel more confident. You will be able to look at things from a different perspective. All of this makes you a better business person which ultimately helps your business succeed.

How do you join a business group? Google your local Chamber of Commerce, see if there is a local group with shared interests (Green Business, Jewelry), or check out Etsy. Research national organizations that might be a good fit like the Indie Business Network or Ladies Who Launch. Or think about joining a co-working space. Don't be afraid to approach another small business person to talk about starting your own group. That's exactly how CBL started!