Table of Contents

I. SO YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT MAKING MONEY WITH YOUR HOBBY. 1. Making Your Secret Dream Come True. Today's Artisans and Craftspeople. From Hobby to Home Business. So You're Making Money-Now What? Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs. How to Succeed in Your Own Business. 2. Brave New World: Know What You Do Best and Do It. Define Your Dream. It's Your Life. Discover Your Passion. One Crafter's Story. Tips for Choosing a Business. Refining Your Business Focus. What's Your Mission? 3. Going for the Goal. Hats, Hats, Hats. Do You Have What It Takes? Focus on What You Want. Be the Master of Your Fate. Keep Goals Flexible. II. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? 4. Make Contact: Doing Your Market Research. What Is Market Research? Market Research Types, Methods, and Techniques. Getting Started on Market Research. 5. The Real Deal: Setting Yourself Up as a Legitimate Business. Choosing the Legal Form of Your Business. Sole Proprietorship. Corporation. Forming a Corporation. Selecting a Corporate Name. Getting a U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN). IRS Information. State Regulations and Fees. What's an Offshore Company? 6. The Basics of Running Your Ongoing Business. A Typical Business Plan Outline. How Do I Do This? More Suggestions and Strategies. 7. Using a Computer to Lighten Your Business Load. If You're Buying a Computer. Computer Software. Use Your Computer for Improving Communications. Use Your Computer for Business Research. Use Your Computer for Market Research. Use Your Computer for Marketing. Use Your Computer to Make Money with Your Hobby. 8. Placing Value on Your Intellectual Property. What Intellectual Property Means for You. Trade Name Registration. Copyrights. Trademarks. Patents. Industrial Design Registration. Plant Breeders' Rights. How Important Is Registering Intellectual Property? Protecting Your Rights and the Rights of Others. Tips on Infringement. Making Competitive Products and Product Lines. III. LEGAL AND FINANCIAL STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW. 9. How It Works: Can I Run My Business from Home? The Zoning Laws. Building Codes. Permits and Licenses. Government Regulations and Your Business. Protect Your Safety. Home Business Boom! 10. Uncle Sam and You. The Sales Tax Number Plays a Dual Role. Sales Tax Tips. The Deal on Business Deductions. Business Use of Your Home. Business Deductions. Keeping Records. 11. Protect Thyself: Insurance. Why You Need Insurance. Cause-of-Loss Insurance. Business Income Insurance. Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability. Liability Insurance. Business Owner's Policy (BOP). Health Insurance: Key Decision Factors for Small Business. 12. Keeping Financial Records. Accounting 101. Setting Up an Accounting System. Inventory. Payroll Accounting. Income and Expenses: Profit and Loss. Monitoring Three Key Financial Statements. Banking Concerns. Accepting Credit Card Payment. 13. Money Matters. Researching Start-Up Costs. Start-Up and Operating Budgets. Tips on Reducing Your Business Costs. Where to Find the Money You Need. Your Guide to E-Commerce. 14. Control Issues: Government Regulation of What You Produce. The Consumer Product Safety Act. Labels for Textiles, Fabrics, Fibers, and Yarn or Wool Products. Food and the Gift Basket Industry. Commercial Use Issues. Personal Care Products and Herbal Remedies (or Aromatherapy). Food Products for Resale or Catering. The Federal Trade Commission and Mail Orders. The Value of Disclaimers. 15. Bringing in the Pros. Finding the Professionals You Need. Selecting an Attorney. Working with Your Attorney. Selecting the Right Accounting Services. IV. GEARING UP FOR PROFIT. 16. Tricks of the Wholesale Buying Trade. Wholesale Buying. Wholesale Suppliers. Shopping a Trade Show. 17. Setting Up Shop: The World of Manufacturing. Your Work Area: Focus on Efficiency. Planning Your Work Space. Manufacturing Tips. Open-to-Buy: A Business Buying Plan. 18. Time Is Money: Understanding the Value of Your Time. How Much Are You Worth Per Hour? Your Product's Real Cost and Pricing. What to Charge for Freelance Work. Maximizing Your Time. Service Businesses: The Need to Please. 19. Playing the Pricing Game. Pricing Strategies. Pricing Policy. Unit Cost Per Item. Costing Terms. Determining Costs. Market-Based Pricing. Product Pricing Formulas. Retail Pricing. Deceptive Pricing. V. WHERE DO I START SELLING MY PRODUCT LINE? 20. Selling at Art and Craft Shows and Fairs. Choosing the Right Art and Craft Show. Selling at Art and Craft Shows. Dealing with Show Applications. Getting Started Selling at Shows. How Do I Find Art and Craft Shows? 21. Batteries Not Included: Preparing to Sell at Professionally Promoted Shows. Display with Pizzazz. Getting Organized: Craft Show Checklist. Surviving the Show. The Exhibitors' Golden Rule. 22. Other Sales Outlets. Selling in Craft Malls. Craft Mall Research. Selling on Consignment. 23. Selling Through Private Venues. Home Shows and Seasonal Boutiques. Artisans' Open House or Studio Tour. Planning a Group Event. Make-It/Take-It Craft Parties or Classes. Follow-Up Pays. 24. Am I Ready for Selling Wholesale? Timing Is Everything. Trade Show Marketing. Wholesale Biz Tips. Using a Rep. Selling Direct. The Mail Approach. 25. More Ways to Make Money with Your Hobby. Making Money Selling How-To Information. A Dozen Mistakes That You Don't Want to Make. 26. Should I Open a Retail Store? The Store. Location, Location, Location. The Sales Team. Why Retail Arts and Crafts Products? Researching the Product Mix. Store Layout and Design. Advertising and Promotion. Retail Resources. VI. MARKETING STRATEGIES THAT WILL HELP YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS. 27. The Big Marketing Secret. Getting Attention. Your Silent Sales Partners. How to Reach Your Target Market. Believe in Yourself. 28. Effective Local Marketing on a Shoestring. Don't Overlook Opportunities. The Business-Builder Marketing Approach. The Four Marketing Keywords. 29. Put the Internet to Work for You. Web Site Start-Up. Web Site Marketing. Domain Name Game. E-Mail Rules. 30. Staying Ahead of Your Competition. Is Your Comfort Zone a Rut? Keep Creative Thinking Alive. Plan for Profits. What Are Fads and Trends? Product Life Cycle. The Challenge of Change. APPENDIXES. Appendix A: Resources. Appendix B: Glossary of Art and Craft Industry Terms. Index.

Promotional Information

How often do you hear from loved ones that you should sell the great little gift baskets you put together for the holidays? Or maybe you can take a piece of scrap wood and turn it into a beautiful treasure-- something your next door neighbor would love to buy from you. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Money with Your Hobby" is a great way to get all the information you need to turn your hobby into a money-making venture. This book also includes information on manufacturing, shipping costs, handling taxes and using the Internet as a sales tool.

About the Author

BARBARA ARENA is a craft designer, author, crafts business educator, and veteran entrepreneur who has sold her products at craft shows and craft malls and wholesaled to retail shops. She joined the National Craft Association (NCA) in 1983 and has been its Managing Director since 1994.