What’s the secret to building a thriving business?
Understanding and communicating the value of what you do!
As a designer, maker, artist, or craftsperson, what you make has incredible value to the world. People need what you do.
But it’s really easy to downplay, or even disregard, that value. As makers, most of us have to deal with some pretty deep issues surrounding the role we play in the world. We worry that the world doesn’t need more stuff. We worry that we aren’t doing anything worthwhile. We even get tripped up on the word value.
I’ve been there. As a designer and metalsmith, I’ve had more than my fair share of guilt-ridden panic attacks about what I was contributing to the world. I know what it’s like to feel guilty for doing something as “self-indulgent” as making art. I know what it’s like to feel like you aren’t doing anything of value. And I even considered quitting to pursue a more noble and valuable career. (Don’t ask what that was going to be!)
But I didn’t quit.
Instead, I learned to embrace the value of what I provide. I got inside the minds of the people wearing my jewelry and started to see just how much the world needs what I make!
And now I want to help you do the same thing, no matter what you make.
Because what you make is incredibly valuable to the world, and I want to help you see that AND communicate it to your potential customers.
So this June, I’m running a special three week e-course, hosted by myself and Piper Toth of one sydney road, designed to get you feeling more confident about the value you and what you make provides to the world. And not only will you feel more confident, you’ll leave the course with a stronger ability to communicate the value of what you make.
In this course, I’ll guide you through the process of discovering and communicating the value of what you make.
We’ll talk about the importance of art and objects, the limited beliefs that keep us down, and why the stuff you make matters. You’ll be guided through exercises that help you understand the experience your customers have with your products and how your products enrich your customers’ lives. And you’ll discover some of the best ways to communicate that value verbally and visually.
As a member of this course, you’ll get…
Three live calls:
Monday, June 11 – 7 PM Eastern Time
Tuesday, June 19 – 3 PM Eastern Time
Monday, June 25 – 7 PM Eastern TIme
Each call will feature discussion and exercises designed to help you feel more confident about the value your products provide. Each call will last approximately 90 minutes. You’ll be able to submit questions in advance or ask them live, and every call will be recorded so you can listen to them at any time.
Access to a private class site with videos, readings, and exercises to help you further explore the value your products provide.
The opportunity to openly and honestly discuss your fears and doubts in a safe environment (remember, I’ve been there too) and you’ll feel empowered to embrace the true value you provide to the world.
And the best part? You get all of this for just $97.
Ready to get started? Register now.
Each week of the class will focus a different area to help you understand and articulate why your work matters.
In week one, we’ll begin by examining the limited beliefs and negative criticism that cause us to doubt the value of what we do. We’ll also dive into the reasons that art and objects are really important to the world, but why that value can be so hard to articulate.
In week two, we’ll look at what differentiates your stuff, whatever you make, from everything else out there. (Hint: it’s a special combination of purpose and personality.) Most importantly, week two will focus on customer empathy. You’ll get into the mindset of the people experiencing your work to figure out what the true value is to the end user.
And in week three, you’ll work on better communicating the value your work provides through words and visuals. You’ll learn the secret to speaking about your work with pride (by remembering the mindset of the customer, not the maker) and you’ll figure out to better visually communicate that value as well.
By the end of this course, not only should you feel more confident about the value your work provides (and feel good about the prices you need to charge) but you’ll be better able to communicate that to the customer.
Ready to get started? Register now for just $97.
This is a special e-course, so I can’t say if or when I’ll run it again. Which is why I hope you’ll sign up now! (And why the course is such a steal!)
I’m tired of seeing our work undervalued. It’s time that each of us not only understood the value of what we provide, but stood up and expressed that value to the world.
About Your Teachers
Register now for just $97. Class starts on June 11.
FAQs:
When does the class start? What You Maker Matters starts on Monday, June 11 and finishes Saturday, June 30. You’ll be able to download all content and access the course site after the program finishes.
Does it matter what part of the world I’m in? Absolutely not! What You Make Matters is a virtual course, and you can participate from anywhere!
What if I can’t make one of the calls? Calls are the cornerstone of the program, but I also understand that sometimes life gets in the way. If you must miss a call, you’ll have the opportunity to submit questions in advance and listen to the recording afterwards.
Is this course only for jewelers? Absolutely not! While my experience is as a jeweler (though I’ve also designed home decor and accessories) this course is open to anyone, regardless of the type of products you make. I’ve worked with stationery designers, furniture makers, fiber artists, and of course, jewelers! And I’m happy to work with you no matter what product you design, because I believe it all matters!
How is this different from Marketing for Makers or Business by Design? This course isn’t about marketing or the nuts and bolts of your business. Instead, it gets to the heart of what holds so many of us back from really seeing our businesses succeed – the belief that what we make doesn’t matter. If you’ve taken M4M or BBD, you’ll still get a lot out of this course. And, you’ll get a lot out of this course even if you haven’t taken the other classes.
How are payments handled? Payment is securely processed via PayPal and can be made using your PayPal balance or credit card.
What happens after I register for the course? You’ll receive an email from me a few days before class starts to get you started.
Other questions? Email megan@craftmba.com
Ready to get started? Register now for just $97.
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You can also get full access to What You Make Matters (plus lots of other great courses and content) by joining the Honors Program!