In this Craft Industry Alliance membership Review, we’ll explore whether this membership is worth the money for craft professionals and learners.
As a craft lover and professional, I find valuable knowledge pane news about the craft industry online. YouTube is beneficial in this regard. But it contains promotional pitches, poor-quality content, and questionable knowledge. What else can you expect from these free resources?
I then started searching to find all in one community for learning related to craft and other creative activities. I found the Craft Industry Alliance to be a good solution for many things related to the handmade and innovative industry.
Let’s Jump Right in!
If you are looking for a TLDR version of this review, here it is:
TLDR Skillshare review
“Craft Industry Alliance Membership—compared to other craft communities—is worth it for craft professionals looking for an at-your-own-pace learning experience. CIA’s membership gives you unlimited access to industry news, expert advice, and courses. “
Pros of Craft Industry Alliance membership
- Networking Opportunities to connect with craft professionals and industry experts
- Access to unique craft resources like courses, webinars, articles, etc
- Exclusive Discounts and Offers
- In-depth coverage of craft industry news
- Jobs + Opportunities facility
- Legal and Business Advice for handmade businesses and other Etsy sellers
Read More: Best Wholesale Suppliers For Etsy Sellers
Cons of Craft Industry Alliance Membership:
- Geographical Limitations The organization is US-based and focused only on the US craft industry; if you live outside countries like the UK, this potentially limits members learning resources’ applicability or relevance.
- Membership Renewal Obligations: CIA’s membership requires periodic renewal, and members may feel obligated to continue their membership even if they are not actively utilizing the benefits.
What is the Craft Industry Alliance
Craft Industry Alliance is the trade association for craft industry professionals. This association was founded in 2015 by two craft professionals, Kristin Link and Abby Glassenberg.
Craft Industry Alliance is a good source for craft and handmade industry news and trends. Further, it connects its 2000+ members with other industry experts. Craft Industry Alliance paid membership is good for you if you want to grow your craft business and crafts skills to the next level.
We’ll discuss one by one what you’ll get in the membership.
Business Resources:
Craft Industry Alliance provides its members with a sound library of content related to craft niche businesses. This covers all aspects, whether related to legal matters or marketing and successful promotion of small businesses.
Below is the list of significant categories of Craft Industry Alliance Members: Get
- Accounting and Banking
- Blogging
- Business planning
- Communication
- Craft Conferences and Trade Shows
- Contracts
- Copyright and Legal Issues
- Ethics
- Health and Fitness
- Hiring and Managing Employees
- Insurance
- Manufacturing and Wholesale
- Market Research
- Monetization and Diversification
- Networking
- Outsourcing
- Photography and Video
- Press and Public Relations
- Selling Products
- Social Media
- Sourcing Products
- Time Management
- Website and Mobile
Read More: Craft (Handmade) Industry Statistics
A community for Craft Professionals
Monthly Craft Business Roundtable
Craft Industry Alliance provides its 2000+ members with a monthly virtual roundtable. Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of each month at 2 pm Eastern. In this roundtable, members find an opportunity to discuss their issues and get good advice from fellow members and industry experts.
Facebook Group
A member-only private Facebook group where 2000+ group members share their issues and opinions with fellow group members and find valuable tips and insights.
Master Mind Group
Craft Industry Alliance allows its members to meet online twice a month. Members can share their craft ideas, business plans, goals, etc., with fellow members.
Jobs + Opportunities
This is another excellent feature craft industry alliance members get with the membership. Members list jobs to hire or services or products they offer.
Monthly Webinars
One of the good features of this membership is monthly webinars from different industry experts. Experts from various fields like marketing, legal, product development, etc., share their thoughts and insights with the members.
Read More: How To Find Best Selling Products On Etsy
In-depth Courses
This is another cool feature of Industry Alliance membership. Members get deep-dive courses related to the craft industry. These courses contain short videos, transcripts, articles, and other downloadable assets.
Below is a list of courses included in the membership
- Goal Setting for Craft Businesses
- 5 Legal Essentials for Craft Businesses
- Insurance for Your Craft Business
- Photo Editing With Your Phone
- Create Professional Graphics Using Canva
- Tailwind for Pinterest
- Tailwind for Instagram
- Email Marketing Fundamentals
- How to Teach a Hands-On Craft Class
- Getting Started with Automated Email Marketing
Note: If you are an Amazon or Etsy seller and want custom products manufactured or handcrafted from scratch, then look no further than Customcy
Discounts on Business Essentials
Craft Industry Alliance membership also includes various kinds of discounts for its members. These discounts are related to
- Insurance
- Softwares
- Events(free tickets and discounts on classes)
- Shipping
- Health care coverage
- Travel
- Subscription
- Office Supplies
- Pro Tools
Read More: How To Sell Vintage Items On Etsy
Podcast Episodes
Along with other features, You can find good craft industry business ideas and advice in a podcast from the Craft Industry Alliance website. This is a free feature; even without a membership, anyone can access 230 podcast episodes.
The host of these podcast episodes is Abby Glassenberg, who is also the President of the Craft Industry Alliance. Abby Glassenberg invited different craft and creative industry experts to share how they successfully established their craft businesses, what they like, etc.
How much does a Craft Industry Alliance Membership cost?
Craft Industry Alliance Membership has different pricing plans for individuals and businesses with gross earnings up to $500,000.
Indidtual plans include
- Six-Month Subscription: $79 for small businesses with solo-entrepreneurs
- Yearly Subscription: $119 for small businesses with solo-entrepreneurs
Corporate plans for business with gross earnings up to $500,000
- Small Corp: $260 for companies with gross revenues up to $500,000 per year, five user profiles
- Midsize Corp: $490 for businesses with gross earnings between $500,000 and $1 million per year, ten user profiles
- Enterprise Corp: $998 for companies with gross earnings over $1 million per year, 15 user profiles.
Read More: How To Make Money As An Etsy Affiliate In 2024
Conclusion
So that’s it for my Craft Industry Alliance Membership Review.
Now, I want to hear from you about the Craft Industry Alliance.
What do you like about it?
What do you think they need to improve?
Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.