SEMINARS

Content marketing has two primary objectives. During phase 1 and 2, the objective is lead nurturing. In phases 3, 4, and 5 the objective is to generate new customers from your content. Josh Sutherland will explain the five phases, the objectives, and how to get started or improve your content marketing. www.sewandvacmedia.com

What is your goal for Quilt Market? Is it reasonable? How will you make it happen? Market is all about meeting people while here, then maximizing those relationships once you go home. Learn how to network from a master networker. www.alwaysexpectmoore.com

Do you want to take your teaching "on the road"?  Linda Hahn will discuss expectations, contracts, proposals, travel hints and tips, cancellations, supply lists, shipping, students, and teaching other people's work, as well as issues that arise prior to, en route, or upon arrival. There's a LOT of information in this presentation. Questions from students are welcome! www.froghollowdesigns.com

Effective customer-focused selling is not pushy, rude, sleazy, or manipulative. It is the best customer service tool at your command. This fun interactive workshop focuses on practical and proven customer service and sales strategies that can be brought back to your shop and used immediately. The focus is not on theory but on easy-to-understand strategies, tips, and tricks to boost your store's sales while providing exceptional service. It's about how to create a customer-focused sales culture. www.whizbangtraining.com

Facebook has its own AI (artificial intelligence) to find the best performing ads. Josh Sutherland will walk you through how to use Dynamic Creative Testing so you can take advantage of Facebook's AI and create high-performing ads that bring in revenue consistently. www.sewandvacmedia.com

New customers are the lifeblood of any retail business. But as big brands get more and more sophisticated, getting new customers gets harder, and more expensive, UNLESS you know what to do. In this fun engaging program learn a simple, inexpensive, and incredibly effective way to get customers in your store for almost nothing. Learn how to use the humble gift certificate to bring in a flood of new customers, how to turn those pesky donation requests into hyper-loyal new customers, how to partner with other local businesses to get their customers into your store, and much, much more in this information-packed session! www.whizbangtraining.com

Marketing can be so... overwhelming. What works? What doesn't? And... it's all SO expensive! How can you make heads or tails of it? Who has the time? Jessica Drain provides six simple actionable steps you can take over the next year, one every two months, to skyrocket your marketing game and revenue. www.sewtites.com

Uncover the power of AI (artificial intelligence) for your quilting business. Rachel Goodlad simplifies AI, providing actionable steps to revolutionize your operations. www.facebook.com/rachelgoodlad

We all enter into contracts. Law Proffessor Elizabeth Townsend Gard breaks down the parts and explains how they work? In anticipation of the Just Wanna Contract for Makers book (due out in early 2024), she gives you a preview of the nuts and bolts of contracts for artists, crafters, and of course, quilters. (No materials fee, but you can pre-order the book if you want). www.law.tulane.edu/faculty/full-time/elizabeth-townsend-gard

A tidal wave of change has swept over the retail industry in the last decade. The biggest drivers of retail success are no longer location, location, location... They are originality, authenticity, adaptability, and creativity. The top independent retailers are finding ways to take the best of traditional brick and mortar stores and add today's game-changing technology to design businesses that deliver amazing customer experiences and generate massive revenue. They are giving customers many ways to connect, engage, and buy from their brand, including, but not limited to, shopping in a physical store. www.whizbangtraining.com

Partnering with another company is a powerful way to reach a new audience, offer your audience something new, and maximize your own potential. Regardless of your role in the quilting industry, hear all about collaborations that can drive profits. You could find your next collaboration partner sitting in the room! www.alwaysexpectmoore.com

Are you a quilt shop owner struggling to turn a profit? Do you often wonder, My Accountant Says I Made Money. Where Is It? Discover how to optimize your inventory to increase sales and improve your bottom line. Don't let financial struggles hold you back from creating the business of your dreams. www.retailprofitmakers.com

Connect with your customers like never before. Rachel Goodlad will guide you through the nuances of this powerful sales strategy, from setting up your first live sale to engaging viewers and converting them into loyal customers. Discover the potential of live selling and watch your sales skyrocket. www.facebook.com/rachelgoodlad

According to industry data, less than 50% of self-described quilters are Generation X or younger. Yet, according to the financial magazines over the past few years, these younger generations are eager to get into crafting. So why aren't there more in the quilting industry? Why have they chosen other crafts? What do we, as an industry, need to do to attract this growing demographic. In this seminar we will examine (1) How did we get to where we are? What historical trends led to the Quilting industry having to play "catch up"? (2) What barriers do we face as an industry in attracting younger quilters? (3) How can we minimize barriers, so we can attract younger quilters and promote long-term growth? www.globalartisans.shop

Easily run a pattern bundle with multiple designers without overwhelming yourself and your team. Learn the steps for setting it up, managing it, promote it, as well as setting up the product and affiliate payments. This is a great way to earn extra $$ and partner with others for more exposure. www.patchworkposse.com

Thinking of quitting your day job to work in the quilt industry on a professional basis? Are you ready to work hard? Do you have a fall back plan?  Linda Hahn will talk money, diversification, outlay, and more. She will share her successes and failures over 15+ years, as she provides hints and tips on how diversification can provide continuing income. www.froghollowdesigns.com

Data and analytics can be tricky to interpret. What's important and where do you find it? Dive into Google analytics, POS (point of sale) data, and the back end of your social channels to capture important KPIs (key performance indicators), to help you really understand what the numbers are telling you, in order to level up your marketing. Leave this session knowing exactly what to look for, where to find it, and how to use that data to create more targeted social media and newsletter campaigns. www.stitchcraftmarketing.com

Join Rachel Goodlad to understand how AI (artificial intelligence) can personalize the shopping experience for your customers, boosting online sales with intelligent product recommendations. www.facebook.com/rachelgoodlad

Discover valuable strategies and practical tips from Stitchcraft Marketing to effectively collaborate with influencers, find user generated content, and build a community with your social media channels, to help your shop thrive with increased brand visibility and sales. www.stitchcraftmarketing.com

We think of social media as posting online, but we can also look at all of the areas that social media touches a business—the website, ADA accommodations (Americans with Disabilities Act), influencer regulations, COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule) for those under 13, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), hiring practices, and so much more. This is for any business that engages online and wants to stay on the right side of the law. (No materials fee, but you can pre-order the book at a discount.) www.law.tulane.edu

If you are not using Facebook/Instagram shops you are leaving money on the table. Learn how to properly set up your shop and tag products in your posts and videos. www.sewandvacmedia.com

Explore beyond Amazon with Rachel Goodlad's guidance. Tap into new marketplaces and reach more customers than ever before. www.facebook.com/rachelgoodlad

Whether you're a large brick and mortar shop, online shop, or a small entity, there are several ways to buy fabric more efficiently. Terri Sontra will cover budgeting, projecting your needs, inventory control, and how to utilize your sales reps to their fullest. www.purplemoosedesigns.com

After 42 years in the quilting industry, most of those years going to and putting on Escapes (retreats), Angotti is ready to tell how you can put on a retreat that fits your business. There will be some note taking, questions answered, and facts presented. Bring your questions, a pad and pen, and get excited about retreats that work for you. www.charlotteangotti.com

Don't discount that fabric! Make a plan to sell it at a premium price. Teresa Coenen will show how to increase your profit margin by making plans for your fabric afterlife using a planning tool that also results in an increased customer base. www.stitchintree.com

It takes more than knowing how to use a sewing or quilting machine to effectively sell it. Jared Hire will address specific challenges a sewing machine shop faces and how to create systems and strategies that have been proven to work in local sewing machine stores. www.hirecommunications.net

Have you thought about hosting a retreat but didn't know where to start? Terri Sontra will cover the things you need to consider and the things to avoid. Reward your best customers, have a captive audience for classes and demos, or just have fun...all while earning some $$$! www.purplemoosedesigns.com

ChatGPT4 has been all over the news lately as a revolutionary AI (artificial intelligence) tool in business and marketing. How will AI impact the quilt industry and how can you harness the latest tools to gain insight and efficiencies in your marketing strategy. Leanne Pressly will review ChatGPT use cases, explain how to create images using Midjourney, and introduce other emergent tools in the AI landscape. www.stitchcraftmarketing.com

You can have the best products displayed beautifully surrounded by well planned samples and kits. That won't matter if you don't have the best trained staff to sell and support them! Learn the Elite 8 “plays” to excel in today’s retail market and take the skills back to coach your staff. Learn what it means to be a CUSTOMER and use tools to build a community that keeps coming back, spending money, and sharing their positive experiences. www.johannafox.com