I’d like to recommend to you a resource that has really helped me wrap my brain around the seemingly black hole of computer tech.  Lynda.com is an instructional video library with courses available on pretty much any computer-related topic.  The videos make complex topics so easy to understand – and the subscription price is only $25/month (with NO contract!).  I’ve been using these online courses for nearly a year now.  I’ve learned so many amazing new skills that have helped me take my business to the next level, including: 

•  Twitter and Facebook for business marketing
• Product photography
• Podcasting
• Using Quicken to manage business and personal finances 
• HTML/XTML and CSS
• Website design fundamentals
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Acrobat
• Search engine optimization for websites
• Print color management

There is so much information waiting to be consumed!  Hey, you can’t learn everything you need to know in a day or even a year.  Just take it one step at a time.  Instead of going to a million different websites to learn a technical skill, watch a training video from beginning to end, then move on to the next course.  I promise, you will not regret it.  The more time you spend developing your technical skills, the more your art-based business will grow.

Lynda.com

Ali takes a moment to reflect on 3 years as an indepdendent business owner.

INDIE 5 was a video collaboration channel on YouTube (2008-2009) featuring Etsy artists with advice on crafting and promotion.  If you’re into DIY, a new business owner, or you just like watching videos, you should definitely check it out!