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Workshops are a great way to create a steady source of income as a creative. They come in all shapes and sizes, and the best news is, you can start today! Here are 5 easy steps you can take towards getting your workshop off the ground.
Think of non-traditional venues. Don’t pay for a venue if you don’t have to. Most small and local businesses are happy to offer a little bit of space if they think you can bring in more people to their business.
Create a list of venues/locations/local businesses that might be interested in hosting your workshop. Do you know someone who works at a local coffee shop? Is there a craft store that already holds workshops? Is there enough room in the local brewery to host one?
Will it cost me? The venue may require you to give them a certain amount per ticket sale, or they may just be happy with the extra traffic that you bring into the space. Ideally, it will be a win-win situation where you don’t have to front any money and the business owner is content.
Show up to the venue with a full description of the workshop you are proposing, a full list of materials, the amount of time the workshop will take, pricing, maximum class size, and ideas for multiple classes. Offer to make posters for the event.
Remember, you want to be easy to work with. The best case scenario is that they want you to come back to teach more workshops!
Make posters. I would recommend using Canva (it’s free!) to create your flyers. Print and post your flyers in the venue (with permission, of course) and around town. Most coffee shops and some small businesses have a “Community Board” for upcoming events.
Digital marketing checklist: Create a Facebook event, Create a Dabble event (great, if you have ongoing classes), Create an Eventbrite, and don't forget to email your mailing list.
This craft should be something you are an expert in. Break it down step by step as you are doing a practice one, and write it down. Make sure that every major step you take is noted, so that your students are able to follow you along.
Practice speaking and work at the same time, because you will be working with the class step by step.
Invite a few fiends over. Offer a discounted class to cover the cost of your materials. Make it a fun environment by offering snacks with some wine. Prepare a list of questions, and ask for feedback at the end or individually.
Here are six feedback questions to get you started:
Initially, research other workshops in your area. Utilize Dabble, and Facebook for research. Even ask the venue you are working with what the normal price range for workshops at their venue. You don't want to scare away any potential customers!
Price accordingly. More time = more value. If it just an afternoon workshop, I would recommend staying under $50 to start. Make sure you have a minimum number of customers required. Ie. If you price your class at $30 for a 2 hour workshop, and your cost of materials is $10/student, then the minimum number of students could be 3, which guarantees you $60, or $30/hour. Once you gain a following and start selling out workshops on a regular basis, raise your prices by 10%.
Amanda Roper (AR): Please describe Smile Everyday and the classes you teach.
Gwynn Olds (GO): Smile Everyday is ... a question I am still trying to answer!! When I first went full-time freelance I described it as a Personalized Design and Hand Lettering Shop. This is still true but I have since incorporated workshops as well now that they are a big part of my business. Otherwise, I mostly work with small businesses for custom doormats, chalkboard designs, etc. I have a small shop of products on my website and Etsy selling doormats, shadow boxes, bags and more. I also design a lot of custom invitations, hand-lettered envelopes, place cards, signage, and a variety of other requested items for couples and people planning weddings or events.
The three workshops I teach right now all have a small focus on hand lettering but in different mediums/materials and are great for all levels!
Intro to Creative Hand Lettering - You'll learn the basics of how to take your own handwriting and turn it into faux calligraphy. You'll also learn about the three font styles, techniques on how to make them your own, and how to mix the styles and add embellishments!
Chalk Lettering + Illustration - You’ll learn how to draw letters in various styles, how to plan and design your chalk phrase, and add embellishments and dimensions!
Make Beautiful Envelopes | Creative Snail Mail - You’ll learn different lettering styles, designs/embellishments and how to use your Lettermate to make beautiful, fun, and elegant envelopes!
AR: See Gwynn's glowing reviews and her upcoming classes here.
AR: How long have you been teaching workshops with Smile Everyday?
GO: Since February of 2019 so about 9 months.
AR: Why did you start?
GO: When I started practicing and learning more about Hand Lettering, I was working at Paper Source and they were also looking for a new teacher for their creative lettering workshop. I taught there for about 2 years and left to focus on my own business. I was really excited by the idea of writing and creating my own curriculum and exploring what these workshops could become given full creative control.
AR: How often do you teach?
GO: I teach about 1-2 times a week. Most classes are at River North Workshop in the back of Birdsall Co. I recently started teaching a series of workshops at Anythink Library in Thorton and have one scheduled this December at Jackalope Arts in the Stanley Market.
AR: What is your typical class size range?
GO: Usually 4-10 people
AR: What do you like about teaching workshops?
GO: I love that I get to meet and connect with new people in real life and not just through social media! I am very much a people person so it also gets me out of my home office into the world. The ability to create my own schedule allows me much more flexibility to work on other passion projects or jobs for clients.
AR: Where can people find your workshops? Why do you use this platform(s)?
GO: My workshops can be found on Dabble! I started working with them because Alicia, the owner of River North Workshop has partnered with them. I love Dabble, they are extremely helpful, quick to respond and have multiple marketing options.
AR: How do you promote your workshops?
GO: Dabble promotes them which is where most people hear about them. I also promote them through my website, Instagram, Facebook and River North Workshop promotes them through their website.
AR: Do workshops contribute a significant amount to your overall income?
GO: Yes, they do, especially now that I am teaching 3 different classes at a few locations!
AR: Has anything unexpected come from teaching workshops? (I.e. clients, new friends, etc.)
GO: Yes, I have met a couple of new clients, mostly couples who are looking for custom wedding invitations, hand-lettered envelopes/place cards, and day-of signage. I have also made partnerships with vendors around the city for events coming this winter and early next year!
AR: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start teaching a workshop?
GO: Being nervous before a workshop is normal and healthy. I take those nerves and turn them into positive energy and excitement and students feed off that energy. It’s also best to start with a subject you already have some knowledge about but I am always taking classes online and in-person on hand lettering because the more you know the more you’ll be able to help your students!
AR: Anything else you would like to share?
GO: I didn’t know going into freelance and starting my own business that workshops would be something I love the most about my job! So wherever you are in your business or if you are thinking about teaching workshops and are having doubts, push those doubts aside and put yourself out there!!
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Special thank you to Gwynn Olds to the interview and the lovely photos. You can see more of Gwynn's work on her website here. Learn more about her upcoming classes here.
