Tools of the Trades Conference (Day Three)

The annual Tools of the Trades hybrid conference focuses on connecting artisans and makers to business resources in Philadelphia and beyond. This three-day event provides a concentrated period for creative learning to help craft-focused businesses accelerate growth and find success however they choose to define it.

Tools of the Trades delivers a variety of programming and materials – lectures, resource directories, and a collaborative event  –  to address the needs voiced by our creatives running small businesses. The conference strives to emphasize approachability, affordability, and a supportive environment where everyone can come together and no question goes unanswered.

Friday, March 22nd: Day Three Program (In-Person Only, NextFab, 1800 N. American St., Philadelphia)
12:00 Noon – Kickoff Lunch & Remarks

1:00 PM – Price your Work for a Profit Workshop: Jessica Abel, Autonomous Creative

1:00 PM – Getting into Galleries, Retailers, and Wholesalers Workshop: Zindzi Harley, Zindzine

1:00 PM – Product Photography Workshop: Tatiana Mullin, As Seen By T

1:00 PM – Sales for Introverts Workshop: Anna Solomon, NextFab and Emily Edelstein, CraftNOW

2:30 PM – Coffee Break

3:00 PM – Build Your Marketing Plan Workshop: Kim Robinson, 3pts

3:00 PM – Getting into Galleries, Retailers, and Wholesalers Workshop: Zindzi Harley, Zindzine

3:00 PM – Taxes for Creatives Workshop: Amy Smith, Philly Tax Prep for Artists

3:00 PM – Setting up Your E-Commerce Site Workshop

4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – CraftNOW Trunk Show & Networking Happy Hour

Presentation Descriptions:

1:00 PM – Price your Work for a Profit Workshop: Jessica Abel, Autonomous Creative
You’ve probably heard lots of conflicting advice about pricing your products or services: Keep it affordable for your audience. Use a complicated formula to work out your costs, then add a percentage. “Charge what you’re worth.” 🙄

In this active, hands-on (and in-person!) workshop, Jessica Abel will introduce you to a completely new way to approach pricing. And you’ll get a powerful free worksheet that will do all the math for you. During this 60-90-minute session, Jessica will workshop 2 – 3 business models with attendees. She will suggest options for increasing revenue, improving the demand for your products or services, and the overall strategy for your business. Through discussion and Q&A, participants will walk away with real-time tools for strategic decisions and building a business that supports them in more ways than one.”

1:00 PM – Getting into Galleries, Retailers, and Wholesalers Workshop: Zindzi Harley, Zindzine
How do you get your products or artwork into galleries, retail stores, wholesale markets, or just generally expand your selling avenues?

In this workshop, learn hands-on how to take your brand or artist statement and transform it into a powerful pitch for entering new markets like galleries, wholesale, or retail. We’ll help you transform this into the building blocks you need to enter a new market, whether it be exhibiting for the first time, approaching wholesale or retailing, or gaining representation in a gallery. Walk away with a pitch (and the confidence!) you need to present your business, product, or artwork. Participants will be asked to bring a draft brand or artist statement to this workshop and determine what goal they want to achieve.

1:00 PM – Product Photography Workshop: Tatiana Mullin, As Seen By T
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the basics of how to take beautiful product photos – perfect for your website, social media, and selling online. Staging different setups to enhance your products, our expert instructor Tatiana Mullin will demonstrate effective lighting, visual storytelling elements, and backdrops. She’ll review the types of shots needed for your website, Instagram, and print. After discussing the basics, participants are invited to stage their products on one of the pre-staged setups and practice taking their shots.

Participants will be asked to bring a few items/products and a camera or smartphone to apply their new photo-taking techniques!

1:00 PM – Sales for Introverts Workshop: Anna Solomon, NextFab and Emily Edelstein, CraftNOW
Sell smart, not loud! During this workshop, we’ll guide you on how to craft impactful sales strategies tailored to the introvert’s strengths. Ditch the draining small talk and learn how to leverage your thoughtful nature, deep listening skills, and passion for your craft to close deals and build meaningful connections.

We’ll discuss different strategies to navigate conversations authentically while building your confidence. Learn to tell your story and showcase your work in a way that resonates deeply, and sell without selling out. Navigate sales conversations authentically and build lasting relationships, while making the most of online and offline spaces.

By the end of this workshop equipped with actionable strategies to confidently turn your passion into profit, the introvert way!

3:00 PM – Build Your Marketing Plan Workshop: Kim Robinson, 3pts
In this workshop participants will be taught an intuitive framework to develop and execute a marketing plan that helps their creative business grow.

3:00 PM – Getting into Galleries, Retailers, and Wholesalers Workshop: Zindzi Harley, Zindzine
This workshop will help you position your product and/or brand to be attractive to new customer segments: gallery owners, store owners, or wholesalers. In this hands-on workshop, practice how to develop an elevator pitch and understand your specific ask. By the end of this workshop, you will have a personal outline for your sales pitch and action plan, so you feel confident in approaching local businesses, galleries, and wholesales.

3:00 PM – Taxes for Creatives Workshop: Amy Smith, Philly Tax Prep for Artists
Many creatives like us struggle with deciphering tax codes and navigating deductions. But fear not, this workshop is designed to demystify the tax maze and equip you with the knowledge and tools to conquer your tax returns with confidence. Amy Smith is a consultant, bookkeeper, and tax preparer, who specifically works with creatives for tax preparation. She’ll cover topics such as Plus 1099-NEC, Schedule C, Philadelphia-specific taxes, New BOI regulations (New Business I), New plus 1099-K from Venmo, PayPal, etc.

Designed and led by Amy Smith, a working artist with expertise in bookkeeping, budgeting, tax preparation, and financial management, this workshop is designed to help you prepare for filing your taxes, with or without the help of a paid preparer. Smith will provide an overview of tax issues affecting artists, including income and expense tracking, business deductions, entity types, and how to handle grant income and fiscal sponsorship. This workshop is appropriate for artists working in any genre and at any point in their careers.

3:00 PM – Setting up Your E-commerce Site Workshop
Ready to revamp your website and watch your business flourish? Join this hands-on and in-depth workshop for a step-by-step journey through successful website redesign or creation. No matter your technical expertise, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to build a website that attracts leads, boosts sales and reflects your brand’s true potential. We’ll review wire-framing your website vision, learning SEO secrets, and creating content that converts. The instructor will talk through all the pieces you’ll need to have a clear vision for your website, aligned with your business goals, possess the skills to use free and budget-friendly web design tools, and develop an actionable plan for ongoing website improvement and optimization.