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Ongoing - Build A Website With Template Workshop
In two hours, workshop participants learn the procedures common to three website design programs by building their own website. They learn to select a template allowing for maximum personalization. Participants learn from each other how to use each program. Those who bring business images and text on flashdrive or CD benefit even more from the workshop. Sponsored in partnership with Comlinks/WEBC.
Topics:
Small businesses can buy a domain name registration, a website host and, using template software, design their own website as a complete package for an annual upfront payment of 120 to 150 dollars from a number of internet companies. The two companies selected for the workshop allow the prospective package buyer to design and save their website before purchase.
In two hours, each workshop participant will, using the hosting company's software, select a template and upload images and enter text onto two pages. As a third option, they will use a free open source website design program to edit a free open source template after downloading both.
Workshop Evaluations:
On July 24, 2008, the first four participants, Cate Mandigo, a print artist; Kathryn Reinhardt, grant writer; Will Reinhardt, contractor/alternative energy consultant; and John Alsina, retired from the tech industry, all enjoyed their hands-on testing of 3 template editing software programs. Cate Mandigo "very inspiring."
Workshop Facilitator and Curriculum Designer:
Nadia Korths, Crafts Program Coordinator for ANCA since 1997, designs and facilitates lively and informal hands-on workshops. For more information contact her at 518.891.1632 or . Non-profits, NGOs and SBDCs outside of the northeast and northwest sections of the Adirondack North Country interested in co-sponsoring the workshop are welcome. Access to computer terminals for participants to have hands-on experience is essential.
Date: Ongoing. Co-sponsored by Comlinks/WEBC and ANCA.
Fee: $20.00. Includes Packet (20 pages)
Location: Comlinks/WEBC; Cogan Community Building, Saranac Lake or Comlinks/WEBC, Malone. Limited to 4 participants per workshop.
To Register: Contact Comlinks/WEBC, Mary Marshall: 518.483.1261, ext. 1012 or .
Date: TBA - During the month of September. Co-sponsored by Plattsburgh SBDC, ComLinks/WEBC, ACNA and ANCA.
Fee: $20.00. Includes Packet (20 pages)
Location:
TBA - in Plattsburgh at the 24 terminal computer room in Hawkins Hall on the PSUC campus.
To Register: TBA
The Marketing Toolkit Workshop for Gift Shop and Studio Owners in Rural Areas
The Marketing Toolkit Workshop for Gift Shop and Studio Owners in Rural Areas was developed to enable gift shop and studio owners to derive greater benefit from the growing interest in heritage tourism.
Topics:
The workshop will begin by providing participants with a summary of best marketing practices gleaned from gift shops and studios across the Adirondack North Country region. The latter part of the workshop will be devoted to critiques of retail and studio businesses. Participants will be asked to write some ideas, suggestions, and/or observations which will then be provided to the shopowners (2 hours).
Workshop Evaluations:
Since May 2005 over 230 businesses throughout the Adirondack North Country region have benefited from the Marketing Toolkit workshop. Comments from previous workshop participants have ranged from "very informative about marketing yourself and your business" to "liked learning about what successful retailers were doing".
Workshop Facilitator and Designer: Nadia Korths, Crafts Program Coordinator for ANCA since 1997, facilitates lively and informal hands-on workshops. For more information contact: 518.891.1632 or . Non-profits, NGOs and SBDCs interested in co-sponsoring the workshop are welcome.
Date: To be announced. Fee: $20.00. Includes Marketing Toolkit Packet (45 pages).
Location: To be announced.
To Register: Contact Nadia Korths, craft programs coordinator/ANCA at 518.891.1632 or
For Sale: Marketing Toolkit Packet (45 pages). $10. To order, ANCA, 518.891.6200 or . MC/Visa accepted.
How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts
Attendees will learn from each others’ experiences, ideas and insights regarding product suitability for wholesale markets. Many experienced craft fair exhibitors wishing to reduce their attendance at craft shows attend the workshop. The workshop is highly recommended for artisans and food producers planning to attend ANCA’s gift trade show, Buyer Days, for the first time.
Topics:
How to Price Your Work, Jury Process, Booth Design, Preparations for and Procedure at Wholesale Show, Payment Arrangements between Craftsperson and Shopowner, Review of Sample Order Forms, Price Lists, Product Sheets and more. The first hour and a half consists of a question and answer format combined with wholesale terminology and procedure packet review.
Product Review by Peers:
During the last two hours, attendees provide feedback on each other's product regarding suitability for wholesale and marketability.
Workshop Evaluations:
"The opportunity to have your work seen and ’validated’ by peers is nice." "All handouts were great." "It’s good to have experienced wholesalers (as copresenters)".
Workshop Facilitator and Designer:
Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator for ANCA since 1997, facilitates the lively and informal hands-on workshop with Marilyn MacAbee, copresenter, and owner of Adirondack Craft Center since 1998. Korths has presented the workshop to more than 220 businesses in 19 workshops since 2000. Non-profits, NGOs and SBDCs interested in co-sponsoring the workshop are welcome.
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2009.
Time: 10am - 2:30pm
Location: Adirondack Craft Center, Lake Placid
Fee: $35 fee per participant, $50 for couples/partners, $10 deduction for those already signed up for Buyer Days. Includes 45 page How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts Packet.
Bring: lunch and sample product and printed materials.
To Register: Contact Nadia Korths, ANCA Craft Programs Coordinator, at 518.891.1632 or .
For Sale: How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts Packet (45 pages): $10. To order, ANCA, 518.891.6200 or . MC/Visa accepted.
Marketing Small Business Workshop
In class, participants learn by creating, and providing feedback on, their own marketing materials.
Topics:
The participants develop and critique copy for their own business cards and descriptions, sales sheet, print and radio ads, web page, and other materials (2 hours).
The class is one of a series of Core Four courses designed to assist prospective and current businesses offered by . All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Workshop Evaluations:
Since September 2005 over 70 businesses throughout the Northern NY region have benefited from the ComLinks/ANCA partnership. When asked what they liked best, replies have ranged from "sharing of ideas" to "making our own ad".
Workshop Facilitator and Designer:
Nadia Korths, Crafts Program Coordinator for ANCA since 1997, facilitates lively and informal hands-on workshops. For more information contact her at 518.891.1632 or .
Date: Ongoing
Fee: $25.00. Includes Marketing For Small Business Packet (35 pages)
Location: Malone; ComLinks, 343 West Main Street and Saranac Lake; Comlinks, Church Street.
To Register: Contact Comlinks/WEBC, Mary Marshall: 518.483.1261, ext. 1012 or .
Workshop Partnerships
Non-profits, NGOs and SBDCs interested in co-sponsoring the workshop are welcome. In order to provide workshops to as many artisans and retailers as possible, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has partnered with many organizations and businesses; Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC), Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Atlantic - AEOC, Shops at 25 West at Canal Place in Little Falls, Adirondack Community College, City of Oswego Community Development Office, the SBDCs of Watertown and Plattsburgh, NY; WEBC/Comlinks of Malone, NY and WREN of Bethlehem, NH, and others.
Present this page to your chamber or art organization if you believe their members may benefit from the workshops.
To schedule date and location, contact Nadia Korths, ANCA Crafts Program Coordinator, at 518.891.1632 or .
Craft Business Workshops from Other Organizations
, and provide links to other regional and national arts organizations which may provide craft business workshops.
The following are some organizations which provide business workshops for craftspeople and artists.
LARAC
Two sample workshops from 2008; Taking Product Shots and Developing a Portfolio.
Handweaving Museum & Arts Center
Sample workshop from 2007: If you have ever considered turning your creative hobby into a business, this course is a great jump-start. With over 20 years of making a living doing what she loves to do, the instructor will guide you through the basics of getting started. Retail shows, wholesale, consignment, marketing, promotion and creating...what it takes for personal and financial success. Join us for this information- packed one day workshop.
St. Lawrence County Arts Council
The St. Lawrence County Arts Council offers a series of workshops to help artists, musicians, writers and performers become more successful and profitable. The workshops deal with issues like pricing, record keeping, finding new markets, and promoting your work. Executive director Hilary Oak will present four different topics in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Each workshop will provide a variety of practical exercises, visual examples, sample forms, a detailed handout booklet; and ample time for questions. See below for workshop descriptions.
This series of workshops has been supported in part with a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts - Decentralization Program, which is administered in St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson counties by the SLC Arts Council.
To register for any of these workshops contact the SLC Arts Council at (315) 265-6860 or . Each workshop is $25 per person.
Professional Skills for Artists: Creating Your Promotional Materials
To be successful in the arts you have to tell people what you do and how to find you! This workshop will help artists promote themselves and their work by developing effective promotional tools - business cards, brochures, flyers, price lists, bio, and resume - to create a complete promotional packet.
Professional Skills for Artists: Product Development and Pricing
Many artists struggle with how to price and sell their work. This workshop will help artists evaluate and enhance the products and services they offer, and develop a strategy to accurately price their work. We will also discuss, finding new markets, consignment contracts and selling wholesale.
Professional Skills for Artists: Record Keeping and Business Basics
To fairly assess the price an artist should charge for their work, they must have an accurate picture of what it costs to produce it. This workshop will demonstrate how to keep business records to track your arts income and expenses. Other business issues will be discussed, including collecting sales tax, getting a tax ID #, and registering your business name. Watch for new dates in the fall...
Professional Skills for Artists: Designing a Professional Portfolio
An artists' portfolio is an important tool to showcase your work. The style of your portfolio will be different depending on the area of the arts you work in. This workshop will discuss items to include in your portfolio, different ways to present your work, and how to make your portfolio effectively represent you.
Look for small business classes in your local newspapers or google your community college, or visit to find the one closest to you. Most classes are for those new to self-employment and those wishing to learn standard business procedures (could this be you?) but they often offer software and other classes pertinent to growing craft and retail businesses.
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