The Hobbycraft store in Southend-on-Sea is celebrating the launch of Hobbycraft Plus this October; a unique UK subscription service that provides growing craft businesses or dedicated crafters, a great-value package which delivers cost savings alongside targeted support and advice, to help small businesses flourish.
Crafting has boomed over the years therefore to meet customer demand and to support the UK’s cohort of passionate professional crafters, Hobbycraft Plus is a new paid-for subscription service (cost is £80 per year and delivers value of over £170*) which includes:
Annual 15% discount on the Hobbycraft range in-store and online (exclusions apply)**
Upgrade to FREE next day delivery on orders over £25
3 FREE seminars focused on helping you grow your business
Access to bulk product and packaging.
Quarterly seasonal newsletter
Hobbycraft is also giving Hobbycraft Plus subscribers the chance to win a £500 Hobbycraft gift card. Subscribers simply need to sign up to Hobbycraft Plus before 31st December 2022 to be entered into the prize draw***.
Store Manager, Gina Ford, comments: “We are delighted to be supporting local craft businesses with this new scheme. We get so many entrepreneurial crafters walking through our doors looking for ways to grow their business. The service works out at under £7 a month and through the seminars, and discounts available, we look forward to helping the crafting community in Southend-on-Sea expand.”
The team at Hobbycraft have a simple mission for Hobbycraft Plus which includes:
Reducing costs for would-be craft professionals, via the always-on 15% discount – both in store and online
Making pro-crafters’ lives easier – via fast, free product delivery to anywhere in the UK
Supporting crafters to make their business a success – via expert-led seminars
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To help shape the new platform, Hobbycraft Plus has been built in collaboration with craft business customers and key third-party businesses within the crafting community, to ensure the best service possible for would-be professional crafters. These collaborators include Folksy (a marketplace that sells handmade products) and Pedddle (directory enabling quick sign up and easy access to over 180 handmade markets).
The third partner is Untld Project, an independent craft business focused agency who are partnering with Hobbycraft to offer independent businesses marketing and PR support. They have
co-developed and will host the independent business seminars for Hobbycraft Plus subscribers. Members will receive three sessions of their choice for free as part of their Hobbycraft Plus subscription and be able to book on to additional sessions at a cost of £30. The seminar programme includes:
Introduction to PR (1.5 hours): Customers will learn all things PR – from the type of coverage they should expect, how to achieve it and demystify how to get their products or services on the pages of magazines.
How to promote a small business on social media (1.5 hours): This seminar will re-introduce customers to the social media platforms we all know and love, but with the small business owner in mind, so they can ensure they are making minimal effort with maximum results when it comes to promoting their brand.
Introduction to marketing a small business (1.5 hours): In this session, the host will delve into the world of marketing and show how to share your brand with the world without relying on social media – from newsletters and SEO to blog writing.
Customer service with a smile (1.5 hours): From focusing on the positives, to setting up a fool proof customer escalations process, this workshop will teach you everything they need to know about how to wear your customer service hat with a smile.
TikTok for small business (1.5 hours): During this session, the host will deep dive into the fastest growing social media platform, show how TikTok shop works and demonstrate how you can even get paid for posting videos.
Folksy and Pedddle are teaming up with Hobbycraft to host free business focused webinars for Hobbycraft Plus subscribers:
How to sell on a marketplace with Folksy (1 hour): A run through on what selling on a marketplace entails and what it can offer an independent seller. It will showcase the fees involved and what this includes, as well what you can do to support your selling page.
How to streamline how and where you sell in person markets with Pedddle (1 hour): A run through of the benefits of listing on Pedddle – the simple way to get booked onto popular in-person markets. Linking to over 180 market organisers, this provides a simple and easy way to ensure you are booked in and ready to trade.
To find out more information please visit the Hobbycraft store at 85 London Road, London Road Retail Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1PA, or visit the Hobbycraft website at www.hobbycraft.co.uk. Opening hours include 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-7pm Saturday and 10.30am-4.30pm Sunday.
