I'm so happy to announce our newest e-course, Dream Job! Dream Job is a course for creative business owners. Emma and I developed this course together, we've been working on it since last summer! We cover a wide range of topics (see below) as well as sharing personal advice for aspiring online shop owners, local shop owners, vintage shop owners, handmade shop owners, food business owners and independent musicians. Emma and I poured our hearts into this course and it's filled with stories, things we wish we had known and tons of homework to help you get started! Here's a little info on each session....
Session 1: Branding-Developing a Name, Logo and Style This session covers the importance of developing a solid brand style, creating a pricing model, tips for choosing a name and logo and the technical aspects of branding.
Session 2: Product Development-How to Make an Idea into a Quality Product This session includes tips for developing a new idea, market research, creating prototypes and pricing; as well as ways to streamline production and how to expand on popular products.
Session 3: 10 Tips for Your First 5 Years by Elsie This session includes my top ten personal tips for creating a successful new brand. Everything I talk about in this session comes from my personal experiences in my first five years of owning an independent business.
Session 4: How Social Media and Blogging Can Help Your Business This session outlines all of the social media outlets we use and tips for getting the most impact for your time. It also shares tips for blogging in relation to promoting your small business. There is a lot of homework and practical advice!
Session 5: Press and Promotional Ideas This session outlines how we pursue press for Red Velvet including tips on sending press e-mails. It also includes ten free promotional ideas!
Session 6: Tips for Creating Customer Loyalty This session covers creative ways to create a sense of loyalty among your customers. This session is all about adding personality to your brand!
Session 7: How to Create Collections and Seasonal Workflow In this session I share the stages and steps I go through to create a collection. There is advice for pricing and creating a cohesive product line. I also talk about workflow and share how we stagger our projects throughout the year and prepare for heavy sales seasons.
Session 8: Photography for Businesses: Products, Models & More In this session I talk about creating a styling guide for your brand, lighting, styling models, styling product and tips for creating your first lookbook or catalog. There are also 10 tips for getting started in commercial photography.
Session 9: Be Distinctive: Styling and Creating Displays that fit with your Brand This session includes examples from my styling work and 5 Simple Tips for Creating Distinctive Displays and Brand Styling.
Session 10: Creating and Maintaining Steady Growth for your Business Growth happens slowly and in this session we share how to create and maintain steady growth. This session is focused on how to know when you're ready to go full time and learning to write your first business plan!
Session 11: Nomadic Selling: All about Pop-Up Shops, Festivals, Wholesale and Consignment Opportunities This session focuses on choosing the perfect places to market and sell your products. Emma talks in detail about the pros and cons of each and shares tips for getting your foot in the door!
Session 12: Dream Space: Setting Up a Studio You Love This session includes tips for setting up a functional and stylish workspace that fits your personality and inspires you to work.
Session 13: How to Evolve, Re-Brand and Expand your Business without Losing Your Roots This session tells the story of our re-branding process and gives tips for businesses wanting to evolve and grow without confusing loyal shoppers.
Session 14: Work and Play-Having a Balanced Work AND Personal Life In this session Emma teaches how to cut out things that don't matter and make time for work and the balanced personal life that we all need.
Session 15: Necessary Evils: Hiring, Firing and Copyright Issues This session includes tips for some of the trickiest things in business. Learn to handle these inevitable obstacles!
Session 16: Money: Goals, Budgets and Fundraising Ideas This session includes some great advice for managing business expenses, setting goals and fundraising!
Session 17: Overcoming Troubled Times: Our Personal Story This is the personal story of how we overcame obstacles in our first few years of business. It's encouraging to know that every business faces times like these and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Session 18: Customer Service: How to be a Sweetheart without Getting Stepped On Learn to write a solid return policy and educate your customers so that you have fewer issues. This session is packed with personal advice and stories.
Session 19: When are you Ready to go Full Time? Think you are ready to take the leap and quit your day job? Learn to build a strong support system and prepare for the transition into full time!
Session 20: Staying Inspired: 10 Ways to Collect Inspiration This is one of my favorite sessions. It highlights ten ways that I collect inspiration and keep my creative pencil sharp!
Session 21: Goal Making: Create a 1 year plan with Elsie This session is a step-by-step guide to making goals for the coming year. It's full of examples and stories from my past goal experiences.
Bonus: Tips for Local Boutique Owners
Bonus: Tips for Online Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for Handmade Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for working with Vintage
Bonus: Tips for Food Industry Business Owners
Bonus: Tips for Independent Musicians (written by: Jeremy Larson)
I hope you can join our new course! XO, elsie
Thank you! I am miles away from starting any kind of business but it is something I dream of and I see this being such a powerful resource.
Posted by: Libby | April 12, 2011 at 01:44 PM
i got the course today and have been reading through it while at my not-so-dream job. i am currently breaking from my creative business to reevaluate and "start over" and this e-course it absolutely amazing so far. and, yeah, yeah, i'm breaking the rules and reading it all at once. haha, don't worry i will go back and do the homework. geeze, you girls are tough :)
i highly recommend this course (and i haven't even finished it yet!) great job elsie and emma!
Posted by: elycia | April 12, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Oh my gosh this looks so great, Elsie!
I took Indie Biz 2.0 with you, Jill, and Leigh-Ann and it was seriously one of the best decisions I've ever made! I think I might have to cave and go for this one too, it looks too amazing to pass up!
♥
Posted by: Sarah | April 12, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Ooooh, looks awesome!!!! Putting this on my wish list ;)
Aoife x
http://aoife-blake.com
Posted by: Aoife Blake | April 12, 2011 at 01:49 PM
This is great as I JUST opened my Etsy shop. You have been a great inspiration and these tips will be very helpful.
Thanks!!
xo
Posted by: Amber | April 12, 2011 at 01:51 PM
Yay! This is just what I need! My job has gotten me soo down lately, and I'm working towards making the switch to being self-employed...I can't wait to learn from one of the most inspiring, hardworking girls around! You are so kind to share all your knowledge with us, Els! Thank you! <3
xo. Amy
Posted by: Amy | April 12, 2011 at 01:52 PM
How very exciting! Right now this is just a dream for me, but once things calm down in my life I hope to be working towards making it real.
I think this is going to be my next present to myself, a reward once I get some other things on my To-Do list done. Maybe that will keep me motivated to get the yucky things done.
Posted by: Kelly | April 12, 2011 at 01:52 PM
looks awesome....
but when is the PHOTOGRAPHY e-course coming out?!?
Posted by: valejam | April 12, 2011 at 01:53 PM
I was on the Red Velvet site earlier looking at Rachel's new e-course when I saw this one! I may have to take them both!
Posted by: chelsea | April 12, 2011 at 01:53 PM
it's like you read my mind 4 what i am needing right now!!!
thank you.
Posted by: sue | April 12, 2011 at 01:59 PM
Great Idea!!! I'm pretty sure I was just wishing for this exact thing last week.
Thank-you!!!!
Posted by: Tamara | April 12, 2011 at 02:00 PM
I am really excited about this. I've been enjoying your blog so much since I discovered it this winter. And I am actively contemplating my own business, so your timing couldn't be better. So lovely!
Posted by: carly | April 12, 2011 at 02:01 PM
valejam, we are currently developing a PhotoShop course that will be out soon (this month, most likely!). We plan to develop a photography course as well, but after this class I am taking a break till June for wedding stuff! :))
Thanks for your support & kind words, everyone!
Posted by: elsie | April 12, 2011 at 02:03 PM
Oh WOW! When I heard you were preparing to launch this I really couldn't wait to read all about it. Now it's here and it looks/sounds awesome and just what I need to replenish my 'creative biz flow'. And such a steal at the price! I am SO in! Totally exciting!
Posted by: beka*b | April 12, 2011 at 02:03 PM
I am in! This is such a great idea, and incredibly well intentioned. You are so generous. Can't wait to dive into the course!! xo
Posted by: Allison | April 12, 2011 at 02:05 PM
I just took your Blog LOVE course today, but as I'm planning to set up my own photography business I might have to take this one as well... any discounts for repeat customers? :D The course sounds great!!!
Xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries | April 12, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Gabby, This course is a completely different course and the first of it's kind through Red Velvet! Even though I contributed to Indie Biz last year I can't give discounts to all the students (I don't even have those records). However, this class is suuuper afforable, so I hope you choose to take it anyway! XO!! :) Elsie
Posted by: elsie | April 12, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Loving the sound of this. I have my major Univerisyt deadline next week. I'll be handing in my collection of 6 outfits. (I'm a Fashion Design student). And this is gonna be my lil treat to myself to help get the ball rolling, and keep me occupied should job opportunities be slow once I graduate.
Thanks for brightening my day girls. :)
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Hannah | April 12, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Woohoo! Excellent timing! I'm so excited to check out this course, Elsie! I loved your recent blog e-course and this one looks just as great!
xo Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | April 12, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I am so excited for this e-course!! You and Emma are such huge inspirations to me, and I can't wait to read all of your personal business stories and tips. Thanks you so much for creating this course!! xx
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | April 12, 2011 at 02:19 PM