Sell Your Craft Online
The past few weeks have been a steep learning curve, with many of us spending more time on-line than we ever imagined possible.
Although physical shops and galleries remain closed, many independent businesses are still reaching customers online, and while the route to recovery remains uncertain, there has never been a better time for your online presence to sparkle.
Craft NI has therefore created a series of five FREE training sessions for NI Makers, selected to help Sell Your Craft Online with limited time and resources. If you’ve ever wondered about having an on-line shop, this programme will help you select a platform and get going. Whether you’re starting from scratch, or you already have a shop front in place, you’ll need good quality photographsand/or video content and this programme will show you how to do that without hiring a professional. Backed up with training in free online marketing and SEO these sessions will help you feel confident in how you use the story of your brand and your creative process and to sell your work online.
The sessions will be delivered via Zoom. Please use this link to register and we will email you the Zoom details beforehand.
Please check you have received the link BEFORE the session starts, and email info@craftni.org if you need help.
2pm Thursday 4 June
Yeshen Venema: Introduction to online retail platforms and Squarespace Masterclass
Yeshen Venema is an established product photographer specialising in the design and craft sector. He has worked for the Crafts Council UK, New Designers, Etsy and Not on the High Street.
In this session Yeshen gives an overview of the main online selling platforms including Shopify and Squarespace. Yeshen is a Squarespace authorised trainer although many of the issues he will cover will be applicable across the main selling platforms.
By the end of the session, makers setting up online retail for the first time will get an overview of the pros and cons of the main platforms and options for starting out. Makers already selling online will also benefit from advice on organising content, selecting product ranges and planning with their audiences in mind.
2pm Thursday 11 June
Yeshen Venema: Product Photography
Yeshen Venema is an established product photographer specialising in the design and craft sector. He has worked for the Crafts Council UK, New Designers, Etsy and Not on the High Street.
In his second session, Yeshen Venema explains the uses of product and lifestyle photography, and how to create your own shots. He will cover:
- Using cutouts
- Lifestyle v product photography
- Using sets and creating a mood
- Group shots
- Making and Using props
- Backgrounds
- Tips for jewellery and reflective products
- Dos and Don’ts
- The five photos your website needs