Struggling with Marketing? Here’s the Solution.
Posted on Jan 22, 2025Many craft club owners find themselves stuck on one big challenge: marketing.
The thought of promoting your arts and crafts classes to lots of parents, creating ads, or maintaining social media can feel overwhelming. But what if there was a simpler way?
Natalie, a craft club owner outside Washington, D.C., discovered the secret: go where the kids are.
Schools are the perfect place to start a kids’ craft club because the kids, the parents, and the trust are already there.
Natalie shares:
- The school distributed my flyer for free.
- I didn’t have to spend time or money on marketing.
- Parents signed their kids up, and
- I got paid upfront!
It’s a win-win.
By focusing on schools, Natalie built a flexible, rewarding business that fits seamlessly into her life:
"It really is a dream. I never thought I could make money while having fun. But this is all you need when you have a family—the flexibility to work around your life. You can crank it up when you want or scale back when you need a break. If I can do it, anyone can do it!"
Ready to simplify your marketing and start a business that brings joy to both you and the kids you teach?
Let’s dive into how you can make it happen.
The Benefits of Teaching at Schools
1. Convenience for Parents
Parents love after-school programs because they extend the school day by an hour or more.
Natalie explains:
“Parents didn’t have to pick their kids up and drive them somewhere else. It was convenient, extended their day, and was cheaper than traditional childcare. Plus, the kids were having a blast!”
2. Marketing Simplified
Schools often help distribute flyers, email families, or post information on social media.
Natalie recalls:
“The school distributed my flyer for free! I didn’t pay for paper, copies, or social media posts. This took marketing completely off my plate.”
3. Get Paid Upfront and Cover Costs as You Go
A major advantage of offering craft classes at schools is getting registration and tuition fees upfront for the entire term.
This means there’s no financial risk upfront—you only purchase supplies after you’ve been paid.
Natalie explains:
“When parents register, they register for the whole session. I get all the money upfront, then I use a portion of that money to buy the supplies I need. There’s no upfront investment, and with nowhere to go but up, I started with very low risk!”
Simplify Your Teaching
One of the keys to Natalie’s success is the Creative Crafting Club (CCC) curriculum, which provides done-for-you lesson plans that are simple, adaptable, and fun for kids.
"The curriculum is a lifesaver," Natalie explains. "It’s easy to tailor to your style or the skill level of the class. For beginners, you can use it exactly as is—just print it and go!"
The CCC curriculum saves time and eliminates decision fatigue:
"As creatives, we have a thousand ideas in our heads. It’s hard to choose just one, and that can be stressful. With the CCC curriculum, you don’t have to brainstorm or second-guess—it’s all ready for you. Plus, it uses recyclable materials, so your costs stay low."
For Natalie, the flexibility to adapt lesson plans to her students’ needs or align with seasonal themes is a huge bonus:
"One week, I can turn a project into a Halloween-themed activity; the next, it’s all about winter crafts. It’s so versatile!"
A Consistent Income Model
Natalie teaches 4 classes per week, 46 students per week in total, charging $25 per student for a 1.5-hour class. This means:
- Weekly income: $1150 (46 students × $25) for only 6 hours of work per week!
- Thats $4600 per month!
Natalie’s approach ensures predictable income while minimizing financial stress:
“Since parents pay upfront, I don’t have to worry about chasing payments or unexpected costs. It’s a win-win!”
How to Get Started with Schools
1. Overcome Your Fear and Just Start
If the idea of teaching at schools feels intimidating, Natalie has a message for you:
“If I can do it, anyone can do it. But to overcome that fear, you actually need to DO IT.
What I love about the CCC Academy is it helps you plan a launch, and you can even do a soft launch with your family and friends to get your feet wet. For me, I try to get students first before I do the work. Doing the class makes you the money.”
When Natalie is nervous, she uses simple strategies like creating a flyer and getting it out to schools. She adds:
“I still get scared when offering something new, but I remind myself that taking that first step is all it takes to get started.”
2. Manage Registrations Online
Setting up an online system for registrations is essential and you could use WebHub for this. Natalie explains:
“Once you set it up, it’s all done for you. Parents can click one button, complete the form, and pay. Automations send confirmation emails and reminders 24 hours before each class. You can even use a QR code or a link on your flyer to make it easy.”
For beginners, she suggests keeping it simple:
“I started with a Google form linked to a payment provider. It doesn’t have to be complicated.”
3. Get the Right Insurance or Permits
Check your local school board regulations to see what’s required. Natalie shares her experience:
“I went to my home insurance provider and added a business policy for liability insurance. It cost me $200-$300 for the whole year, and it took just an hour to get it done!”
4. Make Supplies and Cleanup Stress-Free
Start with what you have and keep it simple:
- Transport: “I used an old beach wagon from my garage. It worked perfectly!”
- Cleanup: “I used painting sheets for a few dollars to cover tables. After class, I’d dispose of them or fold reusable tarps at home.”
Natalie also enlists the kids to help:
“It’s not your job to clean up everything! I reward kids with the final piece of their craft after they show me a clean workspace. Playing music also makes cleanup fun.”
Finally, she emphasizes building relationships:
“Always leave the classroom cleaner than you found it. Custodians love me for it. I even give them small holiday gifts to show my appreciation.”
Advice for Beginners
- Start Small: A soft launch with family and friends can build confidence.
- Engage with Schools: Natalie suggests, “If you’re too scared to reach out, sign up for the school’s emails, go to their events, and attend fundraisers. Get a sense of the culture before introducing yourself.”
- Build Connections:
“Even if you’re not ready to offer your club yet, start making introductions. The more comfortable you get with the school, the easier it will be.” - Push Through Fear:
“If fear is holding you back, jump right in. If you’re part of CCC Academy, you already have the resources. Now go get the students!”
The Bottom Line
Starting a craft program at schools is not only financially low-risk but also incredibly rewarding. With no upfront investment, registration fees paid in advance, and built-in trust with parents, schools provide the perfect foundation for success.
As Natalie sums it up:
"Wherever there are kids is a great place to start. If I can do it, anyone can do it!"
Are you ready to create a flexible, fun, and profitable business? Start where the kids are—start at schools!
Inside the CCC Academy you'll get access to our Getting Into Schools Success Path, a proven method for getting your foot in the door at the RIGHT schools in your area, to set you up for success.
Click here to join the waitlist and be the first to know when the doors open for enrollment.