enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

BUSINESSGOALS

This is my first full year where the shop and business is my main job. My only job. That's so exciting and also overwhelming. I need to kick things into gear. I thought a lot about what my sales goal should be and how much money I should try to earn but then realized that the number is not really as important as what I do to work towards the number. Setting a financial goal is lame if I don't figure out what goes into making the money.

And so I have four business goals that will hopefully keep me productive and make this a positive year with growth over last year.

50PRODUCTS

That sounds like a lot right now. I figure I released about 25 in 2010 if you don't count the different colors of items. So that means double the ideas have to happen in 2011. On the bright side though – I don't have a wedding to plan or a cross country move to make. It still should be interesting though. Get thinking, elise.

CRAFTFAIR

This just has to happen. I need to find one another one and see how it goes.

EXPENSES

Obviously one way to make more money is to spend less money. I need to do giant orders for things like packaging supplies and paper so I don't end up dashing to Office Depot a few times a month. I got a resale license to purchase wholesale in July so this entire year I will be able to save on raw materials. I really need to do more research and make a few large investments at once.

BIGminibook

Of all the online workshops I have run, last fall's BIG mini felt the most solid and content rich. I think there is good stuff there that would make a good e-book. My dream though is to have it printed in a glossy real book. So internet – I am throwing this out there : Anyone want to help me publish a book? I don't know where to start so I am starting with the intent. I am considering using Blurb, but I think I need guidance from a real publisher, editor and author. This is a big goal, I know, but I would just love to see it happen.

And that's it. Four goals for the year. I am planning on setting smaller monthly goals in addition to these starting in February.

Happy almost 2011. I need to get to work. And good news for the first goal : two new products will be in the shop Monday morning.

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26 responses to “four business goals for 2011.”

  1. Alyssa Byron Avatar
    Alyssa Byron

    i dont comment much….but i read everyday…and i am inspired beyond belief…..and i love what you do…..and i envy what you do…..and im so happy i can read along and learn from you. Thanks for all you share, for one creative person to another 🙂 God Bless

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  2. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Sounds great.. You go girl!!! Right here backing you up…

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  3. Tanya Avatar
    Tanya

    Check out http://www.lulu.com, they have different packages to pick from, and if I remember correctly, they have editors to help, etc.

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  4. Dani Avatar

    Can’t wait to see your new projects! Inspiring post as usual… thanks Elise!

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  5. Rachelle Avatar

    Good luck with your business in 2011! I’m sure you’ll be looking back at the end of next year and be amazed by everything you’ve accomplished.

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  6. Verna Avatar

    Sounds like an exciting 2011, good luck to you on that!
    If you haven’t already, check out the San Diego North Park Craft Mafia (http://sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.blogspot.com/) they do a holiday craft show every year, hold monthly craft nights, and generally throw in more shows during the year.
    I wish I could have gone to your last craft show, hopefully I’ll see you at your next one!

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  7. Sarah Avatar

    While I cannot offer assistance with publishing, I can offer testamonials, if you need/want that kind of thing. I am sure others would also be happy to write out a quick thought/review on your classes, too. Also, I am hoping you offer another online class – I always come away with so much 🙂

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  8. desiree Avatar

    Awesome goals. I love the book idea. 🙂

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  9. tate Avatar

    have you checked out http://www.lulu.com? they make it very easy and inexpensive, plus you can have both hard copies and e-books that they will promote for you… maybe a good starting place?

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  10. Sandi Keene Avatar

    Wow, those are some awesome goals! I know you can do it, Elise! I can’t wait to see where you end up. Fly, Elise, fly!

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  11. Lauren Avatar

    Don’t forget the ebook!
    even though I personally prefer to hold a lovely paper product in my hand, offering this idea as an ebook is going to widen your audience of buyers!

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  12. Caroline Avatar

    I used Blurb this year for my first publishing venture. I enjoyed it. I am happy to chat with you more about it. Plus you can limit the preview as much as you like. But if you let people preview every page, it is a great ebook on an iPad.

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  13. Meg Avatar

    Try lulu.com It’s a good place if you want to publish a book. You get an ISBN number and everything when you print from there. People can also purchase your book directly from your “store” on lulu. Lulu has really great quality books, too. I printed my thesis with it!

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  14. Chris Avatar

    A book! That will be SOOO awesome! Good luck with all of your 2011 goals!

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  15. Guin Avatar

    You are going to rock 2011!
    Is there any special reason that you want to self-publish? I understand the control is nice but you may want to shop that thing around to brick-and-mortar publishers. The worst they can say is no and they’d do the marketing and distribution to widen your appeal to a broader audience than what you already have. It’s worth a shot!

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  16. Jennifer Smith-Sloane Avatar

    These are great goals for 2011! You have such an amazing bit of creativity and I know that you will do great in 2011!

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  17. elise blaha Avatar

    Thank you – and no, I dont want to self publish – I would LOVE to have a publisher, I just have no idea how to do it.

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  18. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks for the advice!

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  19. elise blaha Avatar

    I have not heard of them! Thank you!

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  20. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks for the link!

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  21. elise blaha Avatar
  22. Lucy Avatar
    Lucy

    I’m a long time reader but only an occasional commenter. I don’t have any real connections to publishers, but have taken some good courses and thought I might be able to give you some ideas. If you really want to see what kind of interest a publisher would have in your book, you need to start with an agent. You might start with LiteraryMarketPlace.com, which is basically a catalog of all the literary agents and their specialties. You’ll probably have to subscribe to get the info you really need, but you can purchase a week’s subscription for $20.
    Additionally, I would recommend getting in touch with some other craft bloggers who’ve had books publish (I’m thinking Amy Karol, Alicia Paulson, Amanda Blake Soule). They’d probably have some good ideas of how to get started.
    I hope that was helpful!

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  23. elise blaha Avatar
  24. christen krumm Avatar

    oh my gosh. i would love to help in any way possible. i can… edit… 🙂
    xo,
    christen
    thekrumms@gmail.com

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  25. Suzanne Avatar

    oh exciting! congrats on a fun and challenging new year! I am so excited for my twentyeleven goal-making as well!

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  26. Pamela. Avatar

    A book would be wonderful. Good luck with your goals.

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