Warning - I’ve had a bunch of different ideas for articles since my last post and I’m going to do a brain dump in this one and try to make something coherent out of my thoughts.
The Questions
So today I asked a question of the people that follow me on Twitter Do you consider the crafts you sell a hobby or a business? The result - about half and half. So let me back up and tell you why I asked the question. A couple of days ago I asked my peeps on Twitter If I put together a 90 minute audio interview with a top Etsy seller would you pay $9 for it? Most of the people responded no, I was surprised actually. I couldn’t figure out why people wouldn’t be interested.
Business or Hobby?
I got responses like I can just just read the forums for free or That’s too much money for an interview. I’m sure every one of the respondents that said no had purchased tons of music for a lot more money - so why didn’t people see the value of a top craft seller sharing what they had learned about selling crafts online. Finally I realized why, I think like a businessman not a hobbyist. Nothing against hobbyist it’s just a different perspective. You see what I realize is that top sellers are doing something that most craft sellers aren’t. If I got just one idea that improved my sales what would the lifetime value of that information be worth? I know it’s a lot more than $9. The other thing I think about is that the time it would take me to find this info (if I could even find it) my time is worth more than $9. To the hobbyist, selling is a way to pay for more supplies and clear shelves for more creations it’s not about being in business. Loma Prieta Pottery summed up how I think about art It’s a hobby that I run like a business - more income than expenses, pay attention to marketing & sales, preserve the creative and fun aspects. BTW I am going to do artist interviews anyway 
Who Died and Made Me God?
I’m sure there are some of you that are thinking what an arrogant (insert the expletive of your choice). That’s OK, it’s just a different perspective. Story number two. About a month after I launched my blog and Twitter account I got a message from someone who asked me what my qualifications were to give artists advice. I should have just ignored it but I said I had a degree in photography, I’d been selling my art at craft shows, craft malls, eBay and my own site for the last 29 years and I’ve created an internet business that allowed my wife to retire. I got a response back that my blog wasn’t very professional looking and I didn’t even have my credentials on the site. I responded that I hadn’t added an ‘about me’ page because I had been focusing on good content instead but needed to add that. She then posted a message to the few people that follow her to watch out for me and not take any advice from me since I didn’t have the credentials to be a coach. What the (also insert the expletive of your choice here). So here’s the lesson folks - the only people that have the right to judge whether anyone’s advice is valid is you and me. You see many of you have way more knowledge than most artists, you should be teaching, you don’t need a certification to help others. Here’s another question to ponder - who certified the certifiers to certify? So why aren’t you teaching? If you want real inspiration for why you should be leading read Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us - it get’s my highest recommendation. And if the good karma aspect of teaching isn’t enough to motivate you how about the fact that there are a lot of people that are looking to learn a new skill to make some extra money. The information you have in your head is worth gold to them and they’re willing to pay you for it.
End of Rant
OK that’s it, I’m tired and it’s late so I’ll end there. Go out and teach someone what you know.
Update
I thought I elaborate a bit more on the interview. I’ve been listening to audio interviews for a long time so I think my perception is different than I believe most of you are interpreting. I’m not talking about a Barbara Walters type interview where I get people to cry and plug there next movie. It’s now obvious that the wording I should use is audio training. It would be me and another artist talking about the lessons we have both learned about about running online art businesses. It would be tricks tips, techniques that just about anyone selling online could benefit from. When it’s available I’d offer a ten minute or so preview and the audio would also come with a complete transcript. All of my products come with a 100% complete refund for any reason and my audios would be no exception. That being said I don’t pretend to believe that everyone will want or need this. Heck if I asked my peeps on Twitter whether they’d spend $9 on an Etsy tips guide most would say no, yet every day several people do want it and do buy it. Lesson here is just because you don’t get unanimous sport for a project doesn’t mean it won’t succeed.
Also several people said they doubted this artist did exactly what they did so they wouldn’t be interested. I’d ask you to reconsider this thinking, I have learned so much from people that don’t do anything similar to what i do. Just because the product they offer isn’t the same doesn’t mean that the mechanics to make a sale aren’t all the same. I hope that clarifies some things. Also this isn’t just about me hawking my next product, it’s really about investing in your education regardless as to whether it’s from me or anywhere else.