Here we go! #MeetTheMakerWeek has officially launched for the 4th year in a row! The challenge officially kicks off on the 2nd December and aims to be a week full of designers, makers, crafters and small creative businesses telling the world about their wonderful businesses. By posting the prompts so far ahead of the challenge, it gives you plenty of time to think about what you want to say and plan ahead should you want to.
This is the official list of prompts for 2019, and you can interpret them anyway you wish, but if you need a little extra help, don't worry, I've sorted that too! I don't want to be scaring anyone off, especially those feeling nervous about doing their first challenge, don't worry! I've got your back!
If you'd like a little more guidance, there are helpful questions on the free downloadable planner sheet to help you plan your content and also explains a little more about what each of the prompts could me! There's a little info about useful apps and a list of key things to remember. Wanna grab the planner? Simply click the image and it will take you to a page where you can download the planner for freeee! Keep it for later or print right away. Easy peasey!
Need a little more guidance? Here's my notes on each of the prompts:
Your elevator pitch - Has someone ever asked you what it is you do and you were completely off guard and didn't really know what to say? This has happened to me so many times and I end up belittling my business and down playing it. So this is an opportunity to really nail the answer to the question 'so, what do you do?' Think about what you make, or if it's a service, what do you provide? What do you want to do? What's your aim etc. Be confident. Don't play it down. You've got this.
Range, collection or make - This is your chance to expand on certain aspects of yesterdays elevator pitch. Do you have a new range you want to talk about in depth? Or a collection you haven't really promoted? Is it seasonal? Who is it for? What inspired it? Do you get any frequent FAQ's about your products? Answer them! Talking about our work can feel icky at time but today is an excuse to go wild. Tell us everything, we want to know all about your makes!
Behind the scenes - Forget the Insta perfect workspaces we want to see how it really is! Kitchen table, sofa, dedicated space, or close up process shots, it's all completely valid! Going behind the scenes is so fascinating for so many people and it gives others (perhaps your potential customers) a chance to see where the magic is made. Do you have any special processes? Interesting tools? Special glazes? A trusty sewing machine, favourite paints etc. What may seem simple and mundane to you, is new, exciting and interesting to someone who isn't in your industry.
Where else - This is all about where people can find you outside of Instagram. Are you on Facebook? Do you have an online shop? Perhaps you've got a newsletter? Or maybe people can come see you in person at a local market? What is the benefit to them coming to find you outside of Instagram? Why should they sign up to your newsletter? Why should they come and see you at your next market? What are you taking with you? Give them a reason to track you down outside of the app.
Audience interaction - This is all about giving people a reason to interact with your brand. Make them feel involved. Perhaps you've been trying to make a decision about a new range and need opinions? Ask! Perhaps you need help sourcing something? Ask! Ask a question, ask for feedback, vote for favourites, create a poll or polls on stories, ask for help, make a quiz, find a way to allow people to interact with your brand. Remember to reply to any comments!
Shopping small - Now, more than ever we need to encourage our friends and family to shop small. What does it mean to you when someone places an order with you? How does it make you feel? How does it benefit you as a small business? What are the benefits to the customer? What can you do for them that the likes of Amazon can't do? Show off some more of your amazing makes or get together with friends and promote each other. Share the love and shout out other small businesses! We're all in this together!
I hope that's helped a little but if you have any other questions please put them to the Hey There Maker Community, a group that I run over on Facebook! It's a safe place to ask questions about anything challenge related or being a maker in general! It's a place where we can help each other succeed. Because after all, whose better to answer questions on small business and making than small businesses and makers themselves? Be sure to answer the questions when applying otherwise I can't let you in. Don't worry, it's not a test! It's simply to keep the spambot accounts out! Like the idea of that? Click here to join!
The important bits recap:
- Prompts released 20th November - they're out now!
- Challenge begins on the 2nd December and ends on the 7th December
- Download the FREE planner
- Keep a look out for a small business giveaway!
- Join the Facebook Community Group
- Join in, network, support each other and most of all, have fun!