Whether youβre a complete beginner on Etsy, or want to scale your handmade business to multi-6 figures, the βHow To Be A Handmade Bossβ podcast gives you actionable advice and workshop style full length episodes to grow your handmade business on Etsy and beyond. We get it. Starting or growing a handmade business can be really overwhelming, and sometimes you feel like you have an expensive hobby rather than a profitable business. If you have questions like βHow can I make sales in my business ...
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Steph Cole Lewis Podcasts
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#93 - βYour niche is your flag - plant it, own it, and never deviate.β
39:19
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39:19Right. Meet Gemma from Wild & Gem β archaeologist-turned-jeweller capturing real bits of the outdoors and turning them into wearable moments. πΏβ¨ In this chat we get practical, not precious: β’ πΈ iPhone photos that actually sell β no fancy kit, just light and intention β’ π― Your niche is your flag β plant it, own it, stick to it β’ π¬ Shout your standouβ¦
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#92 - How To Post Consistently (Even When Youβve Got Kids, Orders, and No Brain Space Left)
19:07
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19:07If youβre spinning plates, drowning in orders, and trying to post on Instagram while reheating your tea for the fourth time - this episodeβs for you. Steph shares her real-life four-step system to stay consistent on social media even when life feels chaotic. No 5am alarms. No βjust push throughβ advice. Just a simple rhythm that actually works - esβ¦
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#91 - How To Fix Your βNo One Sees My Postsβ Problem (Without Spending a Penny)
12:10
12:10
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12:10If youβve ever hit βpostβ on Instagram and heard cricketsβ¦ this oneβs for you. In this episode, Steph breaks down a simple 15-minute visibility routine thatβll wake your account back up and get your posts seen again β without spending a penny on ads. Youβll learn exactly what to do before, during, and after you post so the algorithm knows youβre alβ¦
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#90 - How To Stop Spending 2 Hours On a Post That Gets 12 Views
12:52
12:52
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12:52If youβve ever found yourself spending hours in Canva, tweaking fonts and colours, only to post something that getsβ¦ crickets - this episode is for you. Iβm walking you through a simple, six-step workflow to create scroll-stopping social posts in 20 minutes or less - that actually lead to sales. Youβll learn how to: β¨ Pin down the exact buyer momenβ¦
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#89 - Struggling to Charge What Youβre Worth? Letβs Talk.
15:04
15:04
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15:04Are you secretly undercharging for your handmade products or terrified to raise your prices in case sales dry up? In this episode, Steph gets real about why so many makers struggle to charge what theyβre worth. Youβll learn how self-esteem and pricing are deeply connected, why handmade buyers want to pay more, and how undercharging keeps you stuck β¦
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#88 - How to Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers in Just One Weekend
13:33
13:33
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13:33What if by Sunday night you could have 100 new subscribers on your list - real people who love your products and want to hear from you? In this episode, Steph walks you through her simple, no-tech, no-stress method to build your email list this weekend. Forget funnels, websites, or overthinking every detail. Youβll learn: β¨ How to pick a freebie thβ¦
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#87 - Why Handmade Sellers Who Skip Email Marketing Leave Thousands on the Table
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16:24
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16:24Imagine waking up to new orders before youβve even posted on Instagram or checked your Etsy stats. Sounds dreamy, right? Thatβs exactly what happens when your emails do the work while you sleep. In this episode, Steph dives into why skipping email marketing is one of the biggest (and most common) mistakes handmade sellers make and how even a list oβ¦
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#86 - From Origami to Etsy: How Gillian Turned Paper into Profitable Jewellery
35:48
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35:48What do you do when chronic illness forces you to give up the craft you love? If youβre Gillian, you reinvent everything and end up with a jewellery business as unique as the pages itβs made from. π In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Steph sits down with HBSA student Gillian, the creative mind behind Paper2Pearls, to talk about the unexpecβ¦
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#85 - From Stuck to Sold-Out: Real HBSA Student Success Stories You Need to Hear
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12:52
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12:52Ever wondered if the Handmade Business Success Academy actually works? In this episode, youβll hear straight from HBSA students whoβve gone from stuck, overwhelmed, and doubting themselves - to confident, consistent handmade business owners. They share how the Academy helped them: π‘ Find focus and stop βthrowing spaghetti at the wallβ π Boost conveβ¦
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#84 - Why More Etsy Listings Wonβt Fix Your Sales Problem
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13:43Think slow sales mean you need to add more products? Think again. In this episode, Iβm busting one of the biggest myths in the handmade world: that more listings = more sales. Spoiler alert - itβs not about quantity. Itβs about quality, clarity, and conversion. Weβll talk about: β
Why uploading random new products could actually be hurting your shoβ¦
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#83 - Here's why your Etsy shop is stuck.
21:11
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21:11Are you working harder than ever, but your sales graph justβ¦ wonβt budge? π© Youβre not lazy. Youβre not failing. You might just be stuck in what I call the Plateau of Busywork and it happens to almost every handmade seller at some point. In this episode, Iβll walk you through how to: β Spot the 3 most common plateau signs π Understand why your to-dβ¦
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#82 - Etsyβs 2025 Updates Explained: What Handmade Sellers Need to Know
19:03
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19:03Etsy just dropped a whole bunch of updates for 2025 and if youβre feeling a bit lost in the jargon, donβt panic. Iβve got you. π In this episode, Iβm breaking it all down plain and simple: β Whatβs actually changed β What you need to know as a handmade seller β And which updates will genuinely help you save time, reduce stress, and grow your shop tβ¦
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#81 - Why Your Etsy Listings Arenβt Selling (and Whatβs Really Going On)
19:43
19:43
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19:43Youβve poured time into your products, uploaded them to Etsy, and maybe youβre even getting some traffic and a few favouritesβ¦ but sales? Crickets. π¬ In todayβs episode, weβre unpacking the real reason why your Etsy listings arenβt converting and no, itβs not just the algorithm. Iβm breaking down the 3 essential layers of a high-converting listing:β¦
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#80 - 20 Niche Etsy Ideas with High Demand and Low Competition
22:16
22:16
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22:16If youβve been scratching your head wondering what to sell or how to stand out on Etsy in 2026, this episode is your treasure map. π― Iβm sharing 20 real Etsy niche ideas that are high in demand, low in competition, and full of opportunity - perfect for handmade sellers who want to stop blending in and start carving out their own corner of the markeβ¦
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#79 - Is Your Shop Holiday-Ready? Take This 5-Minute Check (Handmade Sellers)
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15:00π Are you really ready for the Christmas rush... or just hoping itβll all come together in time? In this episode, Iβm walking you through a super quick 5-point checklist thatβll help you give your handmade shop a festive glow-up without the stress. Weβre talking banners, giftable products, delivery cut-off clarity, festive upsells, and simple holidβ¦
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#78 - Stop Comparing Your Handmade Business to Others (and Do This Instead)
12:34
12:34
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12:34Ever find yourself doomscrolling through Instagram wondering why that handmade shop has more sales, more followers, or just seems further ahead? In this episode, weβre flipping the comparison trap on its head. Youβll learn how to: Spot the βhighlight reelβ trap before it derails your momentum Turn jealousy into a learning tool (without copying a siβ¦
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#77 - From Fresh Flowers to Thriving Wreath Business: Claire's Handmade Journey
26:09
26:09
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26:09Running a handmade business isnβt always a straight line and todayβs guest, Claire, proves it beautifully. πΈ After starting with fresh flowers and even pedalling around town on a trike (yes, really!), Claire found her passion and success in creating stunning artificial wreaths and arrangements through her business Jamesia Blooms. In this episode, sβ¦
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#76 - Instagram Not Converting? Hereβs Why (+ How to Fix It as a Handmade Seller)
8:55
8:55
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8:55Posting consistently on Instagram but still not getting sales? In this episode, Iβm breaking down the three biggest reasons your content isnβt converting and how to fix it. Youβll discover: Why likes and views donβt always mean product interest How to guide your followers from scrolling to shopping A simple content plan that works without eating upβ¦
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#75 - Instagram Reels That Sell: Step-by-Step for Handmade Sellers
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12:03
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12:03If your Reels are getting crickets (or youβre too nervous to even post one π«£), this episode is for you. Iβm walking you through my simple step-by-step Reels formula made specifically for handmade sellers - no dancing, no lip syncing, no pointing at floating bubbles. Just clear, doable tips to help you finally feel confident on camera and actually gβ¦
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#74 - Etsyβs Latest Earnings: What It Really Means for Your Shop (And How to Respond)
13:20
13:20
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13:20Feeling like your Etsy sales have dipped recently? Youβre not imagining it and Etsyβs Q2 2025 earnings report confirms it. In this episode, I break down exactly whatβs going on behind the scenes at Etsy, why sales are down platform-wide, and what it means for you as a handmade business owner. Weβll talk about rising fees, buyer hesitation, and Etsyβ¦
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#73 - How to Market Your Handmade Products on Instagram (Step-by-Step Free Training for 2025)
14:20
14:20
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14:20Sick of posting on Instagram and getting crickets? This episode is your full, step-by-step training on how to turn your handmade Instagram into a sales-driving machine - without feeling salesy or spending all day online. Steph breaks down the exact strategy that handmade business owners need in 2025, including: What to post (and why!) using the 4 Vβ¦
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#72 - 15 Autumn Trends for 2025 Handmade Sellers Need to Know
9:53
9:53
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9:53π Want to get ahead with your autumn product ideas and boost your handmade sales this season? In this trend-packed episode, Iβm breaking down 15 of the biggest autumn trends set to dominate in 2025... with real, practical examples you can turn into products today. From modern rustic to miniature scenes, dupe-it-yourself decor to cosy accessories, Iβ¦
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#71 - Proven Etsy Listing Tips to Boost Your Sales and Get Found in Search
29:14
29:14
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29:14Struggling to get sales on Etsy? In this episode of How to Be a Handmade Boss, Steph shares 5 powerful tips to help your Etsy listings get found, get clicked, and get bought. Whether youβre brand new to selling handmade products online or youβve been on Etsy for a while with little traction, this episode will show you exactly how to optimise your Eβ¦
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#70 - Building a Brand Around What You Actually Love: Franβs Story
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24:12In this feel-good episode of How To Be A Handmade Boss, Iβm joined by the lovely Fran from Born to Shop Designs β and weβre diving into how she turned hobbies like gardening, crafting and music into a heart-led clothing brand that connects people through what they love. We chat about navigating business pivots, building a brand that feels like you,β¦
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#69 - Why Some Makers Stay Stuck (and How to Finally Move Forward)
15:59
15:59
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15:59Feel like your handmade business is stuck in the same place month after month - no matter how hard you try? π© In this episode, weβre getting honest about why so many makers hit a plateau (even when theyβre doing βall the right thingsβ)β¦ and what to do if thatβs you right now. Youβll learn: πΈ The illusion of growth that keeps you treading water πΈ Thβ¦
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#68 - Understanding the Seasons of Your Handmade Business (And How to Thrive in Each One)
12:32
12:32
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12:32Ever feel like your business is all over the place? One minute youβre buzzing with ideas, and the nextβ¦ totally burnt out? Youβre not doing anything wrong - youβre just in a different season of business. In this uplifting episode, Iβm walking you through the 4 natural seasons your handmade business cycles through - winter, spring, summer and autumnβ¦
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#67 - Day 5 Affirmation: Abundance & Repeatable Success
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8:34
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8:34Welcome to Day 5, the final episode in this affirmation series! Today, weβre focusing on abundance and repeatable success because thriving in your handmade business isnβt just a lucky break, itβs the result of aligned action, consistency, and belief in your own power. These affirmations will help you step into the role of CEO with confidence, embraβ¦
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#66 - Day 4 Affirmation: Embracing Visibility & Magnetic Energy
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8:26
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8:26Welcome to Day 4 of our affirmation series! Today weβre diving into visibility... showing up, shining bright, and calling in your dream customers with confidence and authenticity. These affirmations will help you shake off self-doubt, embrace your unique voice, and remind you that every post, story, and conversation is planting seeds of connection β¦
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#65 - Day 3 Affirmation: Selling with Ease and Authenticity
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8:53
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8:53Welcome to Day 3 of our 5-day Affirmation Series, created to help you stay focused, inspired β¨, and energised as you move through the Sellathon. Today, weβre leaning into ease, authenticity, and creating a shop experience that feels as good to run as it does to buy from. These affirmations will help you release pressure, build genuine connections, β¦
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#64 - Day 2 Affirmation: Believing in Your Products and Your Worth
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9:02Welcome to Day 2 of our 5-day Affirmation Series, designed to help you stay positive, motivated β¨, and focused as you build momentum during the Sellathon. Today, weβre focusing on something so many makers struggle with: truly believing in the value of your products and in your worth as a business owner, creative, and CEO of your handmade brand. Theβ¦
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#63 - Day 1 Affirmation: Stepping Into Your Power as a Handmade Business Owner
8:58
8:58
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8:58Welcome to Day 1 of our affirmation series! This episode is your gentle reminder that you already have everything you need to succeed in your handmade business. Together, weβll ground ourselves, release fear, and focus on the small but mighty actions that create momentum and growth. Whether youβre listening in the car, on a walk, or while wrapping β¦
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#62 - The Truth About Etsy Policies (And How to Stay Out of Trouble)
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10:17
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10:17Ever had a listing randomly vanish from Etsy with no explanation? π³ Or maybe youβve heard whispers about copyright crackdowns and policy changes that left you wondering if your shop is truly βsafeβ? π«£ In this episode, Iβm breaking down exactly how Etsyβs policies work in 2025 and how you can protect your handmade business without losing sleep or seβ¦
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#61 - The Real Reason You're Not Getting Sales (And It's Not What You Think)
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14:40π© Youβre posting on socials, updating your Etsy listings, and maybe even running the occasional sale... but still not seeing consistent orders? Letβs clear this up once and for all. In this episode, Steph breaks down the real reason youβre not getting sales and no, itβs not the algorithm, your branding, or even your prices. Itβs your messaging and β¦
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#60 - Etsy's Algorithm Change (Etsy Q Score) + Etsyβs Q1 Results: What Handmade Sellers Need to Know
15:04
15:04
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15:04Etsy just dropped their Q1 2025 financial reportβ¦ and thereβs more to it than just numbers. In this episode, Iβm breaking down what the latest earnings reveal about where Etsy is heading, how itβs affecting sellers like you, and the big changes to Etsyβs search algorithm - including the now-official Q Score. If youβve ever felt in the dark about hoβ¦
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#59 - How Handmade Sellers Are Making Β£1k in Just 7 Days (Without a Huge Audience)
17:07
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17:07π§ If youβve ever thought βI just need more followers to start making decent sales,β this episode is your wake-up call. Meet Sam and Lydia - two handmade business owners using the same platform, same tools, even similar products. But one made over Β£1k in just 5 daysβ¦ with less than 400 followers. The difference? Lydia had a plan. π In this episode, β¦
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#58 - Why Your Sales Are Inconsistent (And How to Fix It for Good)
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16:35
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16:35π’ Feel like your sales are on a constant rollercoaster? One week youβre rushed off your feet with orders, the nextβ¦ total crickets? Youβre not alone β and the good news? Itβs completely fixable. In this episode, weβre breaking down why your sales feel so up and down β and spoiler alert: itβs not your product, pricing, or even your views. Itβs your β¦
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#57 - How the Threads Algorithm REALLY Works (And What to Do About It)
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10:18If youβve been posting on Threads and wondering why some posts take off while others flop... youβre not alone. In this episode, Iβm breaking down exactly how the Threads algorithm works (spoiler: itβs NOT just a copy of Instagramβs). Weβll chat about what Threads looks for when deciding what to show people, the role of engagement (and what kind of β¦
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#56 - How Jen Turned Her Craft Hobby Into a Real Business β The Honest Journey of Indy Bee Crafts
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32:50In this uplifting episode, Iβm chatting with the lovely Jen from Indy Bee Crafts, one of our Handmade Business Success Academy (HBSA) students, about her real and raw journey from craft hobbyist to small business owner. Jen opens up about: π How she found the confidence to start selling π What helped her go from βI canβt do thisβ to βthis is actualβ¦
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#55 - Cracking the Code: How the Facebook Group Algorithm Really Works
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11:13π Ever feel like youβre shouting into the void in your Facebook group? Youβre not alone... and itβs not your fault. ποΈ In this episode, we break down exactly how the Facebook group algorithm works in 2025, and why your posts might not be getting the traction they deserve. π Hereβs what we cover: β’ Why even your most valuable posts might get buried β¦
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#54 - How the Pinterest Algorithm Really Works (and How to Use It to Boost Sales)
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10:42Welcome back to How to Be a Handmade Boss! If youβve been sleeping on Pinterest, itβs time to wake up because this visual search engine is a goldmine for handmade business owners who want consistent, long-term traffic and sales. In this episode, Iβm breaking down exactly how the Pinterest algorithm works and how you can make it work for you and unlβ¦
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53 - How the Instagram Algorithm Really Works in 2025 (for Handmade Business Owners)
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13:19
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13:19Hey handmade boss π Feeling like youβre doing all the right things on Instagram but still not getting the reach or engagement you hoped for? Youβre not alone β and youβre definitely not doing anything wrong π In this episode, Iβm lifting the lid on how the Instagram algorithm actually works in 2025... in simple, no-fluff terms, just for makers likeβ¦
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#52 How the Facebook page algorithm works
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15:57π Unlock the secrets to Facebook success for your handmade business! Are you pouring your heart into your Facebook business page only to be met with silence? π This episode of the podcast dives deep into the Facebook page algorithm, specifically for handmade businesses like yours. Learn why your posts aren't reaching your audience (it's not you, itβ¦
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#51 - REAL TALK Does the HBSA actually work?
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13:25π In this episode we hear directly from students of the HBSA about their experiences and whether the course has worked for them. β’ Karen tells us how the course has helped her with marketing and identifying her target audience, as well as achieving a better work-life balance β’ Pash highlights the expertise within the HBSA and emphasises the value oβ¦
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#50 - 'The perfect journey' for our HBSA Student Heather
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46:07π 'The perfect journey' for Heather and we want it to be for you too! π¬ Steph chats with Heather, the creator of Arthur's Knitting Business, about knitting, teaching, and entrepreneurship.... Heather's business focuses on providing kits and educational resources to help people learn to knit. π§Ά She's on a mission to remove the misconception that kniβ¦
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#49 The beginners guide to Pinterest for handmade business owners
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28:12π€ Have you always wanted to know how to use Pinterest effectively for your handmade business? π₯³ We've got the answers, join Steph for an in-depth guide on how to use Pinterest to benefit a handmade business. π This episode covers everything you need to know including setting up a Pinterest business account, creating effective pins, optimising your β¦
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#48 - How to keep going when you're not seeing results - AMA (Ask Me Anything)
21:26
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21:26π Welcome back to the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast! π In this episode, we tackle a common struggle for many handmade business owners: staying motivated to complete those essential but less enjoyable tasks, like bookkeeping, PR activities, and business development. β Join me as I answer a listener's question from Soul Seed Jewellery about shiftβ¦
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π Welcome to the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast! In this episode, we're diving into the transformative power of affirmations for your handmade business. If you've been feeling stuck or unmotivated, this episode is for you! Don't worry it's not too woo-woo. πββοΈ Join us as we guide you through a series of affirmations created to boost your creatiβ¦
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#46 - Learn how HBSA student Laura turned her passion into a business
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28:27π Welcome back to another episode of the How To Be A Handmade Boss podcast! π¨ In this episode, I chat with HBSA student and fantasy artist Laura, from The Daydream Emporium, who draws inspiration from the beauty of nature and the quirky creatures that inhabit it. We discuss Laura's creative journey, her unique approach to art, and how she turned heβ¦
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#45 - Marketing has changed since 2020. Here's what's working now (backed by research)
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15:26π± Marketing as we used to know it has changed! If you've noticed a decline in sales or you're struggling to connect with your audience, this episode is for you! ποΈ Steph discusses how the pandemic has change the shopping habits of our customers and why understanding your target audience is more crucial than ever. She highlights the importance of noβ¦
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#44 - The Communication Game: Should You Speak with 'We' or 'I'?
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20:18π©΅ In this episode Handmade Bosses founder, Steph, dives into the great "I vs. We" debate that many handmade business owners face. β Should you present your brand as a solo handmade business or as a team? Steph shares talks about the pros and cons of using "I" versus "we," helping you decide which approach aligns best with your business. Join Steph β¦
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