The Merriweather Council Podcast

After several longer episodes this season, today's episode is your classic Merriweather Council Podcast episode: short, sweet and to the point! There's a little bit of tough love, and it's absolutely realistically accomplishable! If you haven't done this yet, it's time! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/58 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Viral Instagram Content with @hopebroidery Oh, Instagram! What a tangled web you have got us all wrapped up in! You have heard me chat about Instagram on Merriweather Council podcast before, and today’s episode is just another stab at trying to make sense of ye olde Instagram! On today’s episode I’m chatting with Hope Brasfield of @hopebroidery about her experience going viral, creating content, using Instagram stories, social strategy and more! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/57 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Have you heard Taylor Swift's newest album? Even if you haven't heard it in full, i'm sure you've heard some of it through radio or Instagram, and at bare minimum I'm willing to bet you knew she had a new album out as of november. Something tells me that even if you don't follow her, you have heard about this album a some point in the past 6 months. It got a lot of buzz. And there are a lot of reasons for that. In this episode, I am chatting with Kimber Casteel of Kim Art Designs, a fellow embroidery artist and big-time T. Swift fan (Swifty.) For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/56 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast  

effective product listing pages In my time working with handmade business owners and Etsy sellers, I've done hundreds of personalized website and shop critiques. I've noticed something really important that I'm going to share with you today. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/55 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Whacky holidays to celebrate on social media Unless you live under a very large boulder, you have most likely noticed over the past few years there has been a surge in the popularity of whacky holidays. Both domestic and international holidays seem to be taking place every single day. Of course, some are more popular than others. It’s no surprise these popular ones tend to be the ones with social media mass appeal. And that’s what we are chatting about in today’s episode! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/54 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Money Mindset It was lovely to have this discussion with Laura Weldy of The Well Supported Woman for today's episode all about money mindset. I learned a lot and I think you will, too! Before we got to recording the actual episode for you, Laura asked me what my own money mindset was like these days. I said I felt pretty secure in my money mindset - and that is true, for what I considered "money mindset." But in our discussion, I came to realize there was a lot more to this mindset than I had accounted for. It really got me thinking. This is a massive topic, so we of course were only able to skim the surface BUT, I hope this inspires you to think on it deeper for yourself or even begin discussions about it where you can! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/53 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

A Pep Talk for Entrepreneurs Today's episode of The Merriweather Council podcast is a plain and simple pep talk. Because we could all use one from time to time. No matter how many successes you’ve had in your business, you’re going to feel like a sad sack of potatoes some days. It’s inevitable. It sucks, but at least it’s normal. I’m hoping that on those days you can pull this episode up, have another listen and feel a little bit better. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/52 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

setting money goals When it comes to setting and reaching goals, there is no shortage of tips and best practices. From planning to setting to accomplishing, there are some significant general "steps" to take. But sometimes there is information missing; key insights that could inform what goal you set to begin with. It should come as no surprise that setting the wrong goal to begin with will result in feeling like a failure when it is not accomplished. In order to set yourself up for success in achieving your goals, it's important to set the right goal to begin with. That's what today's episode is about. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/51 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

In part two of my candid chat with Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber, we are speaking about finding your own voice and developing it over time in your work. Stacie has so much experience trying new things which gives her a lot of insight to speak with. I'm excited for you to hear this episode on the podcast today. If you missed the first part of our convo catch up on it here. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/50 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Recording season three of the podcast was a huge treat for me. I got to speak to several brilliant and inspiring people. Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the interview I did with Kara of Kara's Vineyard Wedding and the crazy-helpful episode I recorded with Amy Northard. Today I'm excited to share yet another jam-packed conversation with you! This very special two part episode features Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber. It's going to resonate with so so many of you, I just know it. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/49 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Why shopify is the best If you've been around Merriweather world a little while, you will know that there are a few things I am devoted to passing on to you. One of which is the advice to get your own site up and running. (Don't depend on marketplace sites solely, forever.) The other is that I wholeheartedly recommend you use Shopify to make that happen. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/48 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

in 2006 Time magazine named YOU the person of the year. Did you know? How cool is that?! Well, Time magazine is cool but I'm naming you the person of this episode. In this episode I'm talking to and about you! Seriously, it's all about you. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/47 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

If you are nodding along and thinking, "hell yes, I feel that" about being proactive in your business, then you'll definitely want to join us inside of The Council! Interested? Get the details here For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/46 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast  

Tax reform and small businesses Nothing sends a shiver down my spine quite the same way thinking about taxes does. I know many of you feel the same way. Taxes are overwhelming to begin with, and just when we thought we understood what applied to us at least, BAM, changed it. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/45 For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Misunderstood Etsy Policies I genuinely hope EVERY SINGLE ETSY SELLER listens to this episode. If you are an Etsy seller, and you know other Etsy sellers, please share the link to this episode with them. (Please note: at the time of recording and publishing, all the information in this episode is accurate.) For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/44   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast   Disclaimer: *This content is published by The Merriweather Council. The Merriweather Council is not affiliated with Etsy Inc. Etsy is a trademark of Etsy Inc. We write about Etsy, from our own experiences, not for Etsy.

In this episode you will hear Kara and I discuss why she decided to start a podcast, how podcasts can help makers and what her podcast has done for her and her business. We also spoke about Kara's love for Pinterest, the idea of casting a net and the numbers behind podcasting. Kara also shared some information on starting a podcast and how she did it for herself. Be sure to listen for Kara's tips for podcasting and the questions she thinks you should ask yourself before starting a podcast if you are now considering it! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/43   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast

Welcome to season 3 of The Merriweather Council Podcast! At the start of every season, I like to reintroduce myself and The Merriweather Council as a whole. Since I have done that twice already, but still wanted to do it in some way again, I'm giving you a fuller explanation of my ideal world vision and how you are a part of it to kick season three off. In this episode, you'll hear me explain my ideal version of the world and how the people in it operate specifically when it comes to matters of art and design and craft. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/42   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast  

Hey remember when Etsy went ahead and opened the ability for sellers to upload an extra five additional images to each listing? That made a total of ten images available on any listing! So cool right? Well it was, until people starting getting nutty with themselves. Let's be sure you didn't get carried away - far away - from what you want to be doing with your listings and the photos within them! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/157   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast  

Today's episode is a slow down and chill session. I know you need one. If you don't need it now, you will at some point in the next 8 weeks so here it is. Come back to it as needed! For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast  

I'm so excited to share this episode with you! Not only have I reunited with Jen in podcast form (some of you will remember She Percolates!) but we are sharing insights on influencer marketing. For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/   For more free handmade business advice, visit merriweathercouncilblog.com/podcast