- Craftsy - Whats your craft?

Do you miss art class from school?
Have you had the desire to make something, instead of buy it ?
Are you intimidated by projects?
Would you rather support local business then buying something from a chain?
Are you tired of cooking microwavable meals?
Do you not enjoy listening to people rant when YouTubing DIY projects? Do you want to experience, shorter and more professional videos?
Do you want to make someone a gift that is from the heart?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Craftsy.com is a site that could offer you great utility. This multi-function service, supply site has lessons from some of the best cooks and crafters around the globe. They take impossible seeming projects and put everything together in easy kits and lessons.

www.Craftsy.com

Their main area's of focus are:

 

SEWING & QUILTING

CAKE & COOKING

YARN & FIBER ARTS

ART & PHOTO

HOME & GARDEN

MORE (Jewlery and paper crafts)

 



 

Hands full? Just a bit.... But Craftsy is trying to be the one stop shop for everything craft related.

Lofty goals for a company that is in a competitive/growing space, but they have a solid platform with very motivated users. With so many different segments of users, craftsy needs to deliver relavent messages to its user base while building awareness of the brand.

 

Competition?  Just a bit....

• Michaels: Started a partnership with CreativeBug to deliver their online DIY content.
• This content is sold in lesson form
• Have brick and mortar locations
• More info about the partnership

• CreativeBug -
• Crushing content and partnerships

• Hobby Lobby: Has a database of DIY PDF's and videos
  
  
  • This content is given for free
  • Have brick and mortar locations

• Esty -
• Online marketplace for craft goods and supplies.
• Not currently selling services

• Pinterest and YouTube
• Offer free alternatives

• CraftU
• Online class offerings just like Creative Bug and Craftsy
• Little to no social media presence

 

 

 This competition is forcing the players to get creative in differentiating themselves and below are some examples of Creative bug doing just that with live demo's and product partnerships...

Craftsy should take notice of CreativeBug's social media campaigne and try to come up with some partnerships of their own. They offer users a very diverse services, and those different segments all have opportunities for teaming up with strong brands that could help build the brands awareness and Network.

Craftsy needs to continue to differentiate themselves from that free content and distinguish themselves a more premium way to learn. They have been able to do this already by connecting themselves, with professional cooks and crafters. These relationships are what make the brand appealing, but when there is free information available to consumers you would have to consider it a threat to the company.

Has anyone used any of these before? and have any thoughts on the companies?

I'm signed up now and going to give it a try.... (Follow-up to come)