Maybe you were lucky enough to find a way to make money out of your passion for scrapbooking, and even launched your own scrapbooking business. But now you find yourself wondering how to make extra money from your scrapbooking. One of the best and easiest ways to supplement your scrapbooking business is by offering scrapbooking lessons.
How can you start your own scrapbooking classes? A good way to begin supplementing your scrapbooking business is by organizing small home parties where you can invite friends, family members, and co-workers. This is a wonderful way to ease into teaching. If you’re a little nervous about the idea of teaching, remember that a home party is basically just a small gathering of friends. Focus on your love for your scrapbooking have confidence in your skills, and the rest will follow.
At your home party, ensure that your guests have a memorable experience by making the lesson as pleasurable as possible. Prepare well, provide light refreshments, and send your guests off with a completed scrapbook pages, or some sort of sample or party favor. You can bet that if your guests have a good time and enjoyed the experience of scrapbooking with you, they will tell their friends, and positive word of mouth will begin to spread.
If you feel comfortable teaching at a professional level, you may want to seek out your local community college. Many community colleges offer noncredit scrapbooking classes that are always in need of instructors. Teaching part time is an excellent way to supplement your income. Be aware that to get this type of teaching position you will have to demonstrate significant knowledge and experience in your field. If you are a novice in scrapbooking, the chances of getting hired for this type of position is slim.
Teaching at a local college is not only a good way to make extra money, it also allows for an excellent opportunity to network and make contacts. When telling your students about your expertise and background, mention your scrapbooking business. This type of exposure is invaluable because you are targeting a room full of individuals who have a deep interest in scrapbooking.
Teaching at the college level will also force you to become better at scrapbooking. This is a benefit of teaching that is invaluable. You will undoubtedly improve at scrapbooking in the process of teaching. Teaching at a local community college may also serve to boost your scrapbooking business by designating you with the unofficial title of ‘expert’ in scrapbooking. Where do people often go to seek expert advice on a very specialized topic? Most people will seek out colleges, of course. People who are interested in scrapbooking may begin to seek you out because of your status as a professional college instructor.
Another way to supplement your scrapbookinging business by offering scrapbooking lessons is to visit your local scrapbooking store or hobby shop. As a professional scrapbooking person, you are probably already very familiar with these types of businesses. If you haven’t done so already, introduce yourself to the store management. Explain that you operate your own scrapbooking business. Be well prepared with professional business cards and, if possible, a portfolio or a sample of your work. The more professional your presentation is, the better your chances of landing an opportunity to teach.
If the store does not offer a class or workshop in scrapbooking, offer to design a workshop. Many of the workshops featured at local hobby shops are run by volunteers. If you are truly interested in using teaching as a valuable networking tool for your scrapbooking business, you should be willing to volunteer your time. Most of these classes are run on a short-term basis (most only meeting once or twice), so you won’t necessarily have to spend a great deal of time teaching these workshops. Remember to be prepared with business cards and your portfolio during these workshops.