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Posts tagged ‘fiction author’

Do You Have A License To Sell?

Retail stores need licenses to sell, but today’s question I hear everyone asking themselves as they get started in their chosen profession is: Do I need a license to sell my craft?
But really, you should first ask yourself — Is my craft taxable?
If you are selling a handmade product vs charging for your talents, then most likely your answer is going to be YES.
You’ll more than likely  need a Sales Tax License. You can obtain a sales tax license through your state department.  A lot of craft shows and vendor establishments will require you to have this licenses before allowing you into their facility.
If you don’t make a lot of sales in a year, don’t sweat it. Most states give you the option of filing your sales tax monthly, quarterly, semi annually, or annually. And now adays, you can fill out the form online or enlist the help of an accounting professional to assist you.
It’s a cake walk, believe me, if I can do it, so can you. If you need help, just give me a shout and I’ll be happy to assist you with it.
Now, let’s go back to talking about retail. What is it? Retail is basically setting up shop in a physical place where your customers come to you. In this case, you will need to check with your local chamber of commerce in the town where your retail shop is located for their policy and regulations of licenses and requirements for retail locations.
And lastly, let’s not forget those online shops like Etsy, Artfire, and eBay. Do you need a license to sell your craft online? Absolutely. You might think because you’re floating in cyberspace that you’re not covered by any state license laws, but it just ain’t so.  You will still need to collect sales tax on all applicable items sold online for the state in which you live.
So for example. I have two shops – one at Etsy and one at Artfire. I live in Pennsylvania. So, I only collect sales tax from customers who purchase that live in the same state as I do.
See how that works?
Imagine how overwhelming it could become if you had to collect sales tax in all 50 states!! And let’s not even think about the hassles of international orders!
So for today, we’ll stick with were we are. Do you have a license to sell?

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Talk Tuesday

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Eaten Any Good Words Lately?

When I was a kid, I would hear the expression, “Eat your words”. Usually, I’d hear this when someone said something about someone that the person didn’t like.
As a grown up, I’ve found a words slipping out, that later I wish I had eaten. Haven’t you?
Words have a profound effect on our society. Whether the words are spoken out loud, or put into writing, they carry a lot of weight. Sometimes, they can be sweet. Sometimes, they’re down right bitter.
How do you want the words about you tasting on someone else’s tongue?
That my friends, leads us into today’s discussion.
The best kind of promotion you can achieve for your shop or yourself is word of mouth. Yep, we’ve all heard about it. We’ve all done it.
I just bought this really cool pink blouse and I can’t wait to tell my friends about it. Been there. Done that. Haven’t you?
So have your customers. They too, will be spreading the word about what cool findings they saw in your shop or what great service they received from you. You’re latest masterpiece might have brought them to tears. They’ll tell someone. Anyone.

you want those words from their mouths to be the sweetest words anyone has ever heard and tasted when they repeat them to someone else. The last thing any small business owner wants is their brand or product becoming bitter in someone’s mouth.
We all have to face it. Many of us have been taught not to gossip, but when you come across something really great, you’ve just got to share it with a friend.

the words spread amongst friends about your handmade talent and items flow sweetly onto the next customer in line, or will the foul smell of a bitter customer plague you with it bad review?

, it is not necessarily words that stir the flavor of review amongst others when it comes to promoting ourselves and our craft. It is, almost always, our actions that come across loudest that attract others to share good and bad experiences with their friends.
In the words of Lance Morrow:
“As they marched, the crowds lining the route broke into applause, a sweet and deeply felt spontaneous pattering that was a sort of communal embrace. Welcome home.”

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What’s Community Got To Do With It?

 

If your serious about writing, then you join a writer’s group. If your even more series about getting published, you attend a writers’ conference. And, if you’re an artist or crafter, you join a group of talented people who share the same interest. There are all types of groups, workshops, and gatherings available to those who are in the pursuit of their craft.
But how does one go in the pursuit of customers? Do you meet customers at conferences? at workshops?
The answer to those questions is probably not. If your going to a writer conference and selling books, then yes you’ll sell to other authors, because let’s face it. If they like to write, they like to read. Just like you. However, if your and artist selling paintings, chances are you’re not going to sell as many paintings to another artist as you are to an art collector in a gallery.  See the difference?
So if you’re getting out there to enhance your craft, that’s great. Keep up the good work. Now, it’s just time for you to step out into the community with a different gait.
What I mean is, you’ve chased down the best conferences, best workshops, and best places to talk shop. Now, you need to do the same thing with the community. It’s more than attending a local PTO meeting at your child’s school or volunteering to be the Den Mom for your son’s cub scout troop. Yes, you will meet people, but are you meeting the right kinds of people?
These are the people who will be your customers. They are people most likely to pay you for the craft your selling. Who are they? Well, that’s for you to figure out, and I’ll help you in another post.
Today though, take a look at what is happening in your community and surrounding areas. Is there anything that inspires you to help, volunteer, or donate your time and craft? Is there any event that you just want to become a part of as an attendee where you can mingle with others and build relationships with potential customers?
As an author, I attend workshops, writer groups, and conference each year in the pursuit of getting published, but more so that I can be a better writer. Along the way, after many years, I’ve developed a network and support group. Some of those in my network are fellow writers, some are potential customers waiting for a new book to hit the shelf, you my blog readers, and my family.
Many times you’ll find me browsing the shelves of a book store alot, or sitting with a cup of tea and my laptop in my studio. Sometimes, I squeeze in a book club around my kiddo’s hetic activity schedules.
As a crafter, I attend parties and gatherings that lets me catch up with old friends and introduce myself to new people. I do this online through social networking and in person. I sell guest books through MRsCHADT, so where do you think I go in the community to get to know others?
That’s right, bridal shows (yes, even though I’m already happily married), craft fairs, card parties, local craft shops weekend demonstrations, and sometimes I drop off little sample product and gifts at hospitals to be included in new mom packages.
What ways can you think of that will help you become apart of the community more and begin your own customer network?
Sometimes, its more than just selling your craft, it’s showing others who you are beyond the studio.

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Talk Tuesday

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Why Sell on eBay?

 

EBay started out as an online auction site for selling virtual anything, and I mean anything. That is until restrictions began to apply.
Today, however, you can set up shop on eBay and sell your craft along with tons of other commerical products and services. It’s just not an online auction anymore thanks to their “buy it now” feature and ability to create your own store front.
So why would you sell your craft on eBay vs/ or along with somewhere else?
Selling on eBay gives you these benefits:
* well known site filled with repeat customers
* listing fees and commission fees for each listing sold
* high traffic area (enhance the repeat customers)
feedback ratings
* eBay bucks (buyer incentive)
* flexibility in product sales
* search engine ranking
I personally have both sold and bought on eBay, ranking from craft supplies, gifts, and a multitude of items. But is it the best place for you?
That’s for you to decide.

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Why Sell on Artsefest?

Artesfest is an online craft show. It features crafters from all over the United States.
Not nearly as popular as Etsy or Art Fire, this site doesn’t rank as high in the search engines, but I did come across it never-the-less.
One of the biggest benefits this site promotes is it’s way of bringing together crafters and buyers in a virtual craft show atmosphere.
Site features:
* Monthly fee for listings
* Limited space with option to purchase more space for photos and listings
* 100,000 unique visitors every month
* Online Craft Show – open 24/ 7
* Inventory Control
* Site Builder
* Domain URL
* SEO
You can read more about Artsfest craft benefits on their page: http://artsefest.com/pages.php?pageid=9
What do you think? Would you sell here?

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Talk Tuesday

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Why Sell On Artfire?

Today we start our series on where to sell your craft.
In all fairness, I thought we’d go alphabetical, starting with Art Fire.
I jumped over and visited their site. And in the words of one of their current sellers (right off one of their pages):
“Where else can you have a custom studio website within a venue that does your SEO, ranks you top in searches, links a Google friendly blog to your studio, provides comprehensive marketing insights & advice for networking your business, teaches you how to photograph, write descriptions, make video commercials, and allows you to promote yourself with live links to other places you sell? Only on ARTFIRE – and these cutting edge Mavericks are always introducing the latest tools, features, tech trends and giving insights that you could apply to other places you sell. They give you the tools AND teach you how to use them – you can’t put a price on that education and you can’t find this anywhere else on the web!” Natalie of Swank and CapriciousAdornments
Art Fire offers sellers a place to sell their craft with no additional commission charges. Just one flat fee per month. Just like a regular website fee, it gives you a place for unlimited listings of your product, a built in blog, and promotional tools.
Key Features of Art Fire:
* One Monthly fee – no commission
* Blog/ Website set up layout for shop
* Personal Domain URL
* Global Shipping Profile
* Multiple Payment Processors
* Analytics
* Vacation Mode
* Rating Feedback System
* Tweet Your Items
* Pod Casts for sellers
* Search Engine Optimization
* Community
If you’re interested in finding out more about setting up a shop on Art fire, you can visit: http://www.artfire.com/groupdeal
If you’re already selling on another venue, Art Fire has this great article on comparing it’s service to others: If You’re From Etsy.
If I’ve left anything out or you’d like to leave a comment of your own experience on Art Fire, please do so!

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Where To Sell Your Crafts Online

The Internet is full of places to shop. Type in any keyword and come up with at least a hundred places where that item can be found.
But where do you go when you’re the seller? What keywords come to mind when looking for a place to sell your special craft?
Automatically, we find places like eBay, Etsy, and Artfire. Yet, there are a few more places out there, aren’t there?
Where to sell your crafts online can be more of a chore of finding a reliable site, than deciding which online shopping site is right for you to set up shop.
Think of it as driving down a street or walking through a mall and seeing an empty shop. The possibility is there, but is it the right place for you to sell your craft?
When seeking a place to sell your craft online, you need to ask yourself the following questions: (just like you would if opening a store front of your local mall.)
1. Is this a good location for me?
2. Is the price to sell (rent, listing fees, etc…) affordable?
3. What benefits does one shop offer that appeals to selling my craft more than the other (comparison shopping).
4. How much traffic is the online site drawing in?
5. What type of promotion does the site offer beside you promoting yourself?
Over the next couple of Talk Tuesdays we’ll be looking at each online venue available to sellers to set up shop and sell their craft online. If I miss an online venue, please let me know and I’ll check it out and post it. Please feel free to express your own experience with these shops: Etsy, Art Fire, Ebay, and Artsfest. (In no particular order).
Where do you sell your craft?

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Where Did They All Come From?

You’ve got this great product you’ve created. You’ve set up shop. Then all of a sudden, you’re flooded with all these people who have come to browse your wares.
WHERE DID THEY ALL COME FROM?
Whenever you are creating a product, a brand, or just setting up shop, the first thing you need to consider is WHO are your customers and WHERE do they come from.
Sounds simple right?
Well, you make dolls and you’re targeting 40 something males. I doubt you’ll sell very many dolls. However, if you target young mothers, doll collectors, and little girls, you might find yourself in business.
You have keep in mind that every product is not going to appeal to every person.
Take your craft and ask yourself these questions: What is that you’re making? Whose it for? Who would most likely buy it? Why would they want it?
Then take it one step further.
What makes your craft (product) different from the rest? Essentially, here you’re asking, “Why would someone buy this off me and not the shop next door?”
Feel free to post your answers in the comment section. So… where did they all come from?  You tell me.

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Bunny Book Page

I’ve been working on some revisions lately for FORGOTTEN REINS, and with it being tax season, I’m elbow deep in taxes and financial statements. Bell’s been getting frustrated with the whole book publishing process. I can understand her feelings. From a child’s point of view things need to run on a short time span, where as us adults understand and can wait the necessary time. She’s been waiting for almost a year now for our middle grade series to get the first book published. And she’s informed me that if I won’t publish it, she’ll just make her own book.

That’s my Bell.

In order to distract her, she’s been using my scrapbook papers and my Cricut to make her own story book pages. Although, I picked out the background paper, the bathtub and bunny are all hers. Who would have thought that a bunny needed to take a bath?

I can’t help wondering if the next page will involve tooth paste or a hair brush, what do you think?

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Make It Monday

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Dotting Your I’s and Crossing Your T’s

Sell Your Craft Online

Week # 6

While you all are pausing and taking a break from writing those love notes in appreciation of Valentine’s day, I thought we’d move forward and talk about the next step of selling your craft online. Need to back up, you’ll find last week’s post here.

If you’re just starting to sell your craft online then there are a few forms you’re going to want to fill out in order to get started.

Already got your shop set-up? No problem, it never hurts to go back and make sure you’ve dotted all your I’s and crossed your T’s.

Selling your craft online give you a broader customer base than just putting a sign up in front of your lawn, for sure. However, just like putting up the sign on a new store front, you’ve got to register and file papers like everyone else.

Whether your writing articles for a magazine in Austria or sending post cards to Japan, the IRS doesn’t really care, just as long as you’ve filed the proper paperwork.

The IRS assumes that if an activity is carried on for profit and makes a profit 3 out of 5 years, that it is indeed a business vs a hobby.

So, basically. These are the forms you need to have filled out to keep yourself legit with the IRS.
Fictitious Name This differs by state so the following link will lead you to business.gov where you can choose your state. You only need to do this if you’re going to do business as a name other than your own. 411 – a bank won’t let you open a business bank account without this registration to prove the name change.

EIN An EIN is your business’s identification number. As a sole proprietor you have the option of using your social security number, but with the high rate of identity thief, it’s highly recommended that you get yourself an EIN for you business. Your EIN will establish who you are, type of business (single, partnership, or corp), and set you apart from other businesses. As a sole proprietor, having an EIN is not only more professional, but smart.
Sales  and Use Tax. If you’re selling a product that requires the collection of sales tax, you’ll need to register for a sales tax number. Many craft fairs require this if you plan to take your craft to the streets. The quickest way to find this is to do a search for Your State Sales Tax. For example in Pennsylvania, you’d go to the PA DEPT OF REVENUE to apply for a sales and use tax licenses.

Employment Tax Think of this as your social security. When you quit your day job and sell your craft online full time, you’re no longer paying in social security and medicare taxes. This is where Self employment taxes come into play. Pay them and your safe for social security, don’t pay them and when you’re over 65 you’ll wish you had. Simply put.

On a side note, looking into a retirement plan whether you sell your craft full time or work for a company is still a smart idea.

You may also want to stop by the IRS Small Business and Self Employment Site and read Publication 1518 and Publication 4591 for tax calendar and responsibilities.

Then you’ll want to check with your state and city to make sure there are not any additional licenses and taxes that you need to handle. Even though you may not be selling directly out of your home or studio, you still want to tag all your bases. Your local chamber of commence should be able to give you the information you need.

It’s easy to turn your passion and talents into a tangible craft to sell, but first protect yourself by making sure you’ve got all those I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

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