Just a reminder that TODAY is that last day to email us your trademark and copyright questions to be answered by legal veteran Scott Schwartz. You can also post them in the comments here.

Hey there Bakers! We have an exciting opportunity. Over the past few years, as the rise of Internet artist and designer portfolios, we have also seen the rise of copyright infringement and what we might want to call “copycat” art. We have seen friends’ work taken and reused by large retailers for profit without permission. So how do you go about protecting yourself from falling victim on this great big place called the Internet? Well, we wanted to get you the best advice possible, so we teamed up with legal veteran, Scott Schwartz who hails from major law firm Cozen O’Connor.

Scott has agreed to answer selected questions regarding protecting your work, dealing with copyright issues, and what to do when you find  someone using your work (Scott calls that infringement). So, email us your questions or put them in the comments on this post and he will answer them in an upcoming post.

Scott reminds us that his responses should only be read as general legal comments about copyright and trademark law and they are not a replacement for attorney advice from an attorney that you hire and that is familiar with all of the facts and circumstances of your situation. Scott is really looking forward to responding to the selected questions but his answers do not create an attorney/client relationship.

Here is some more information about Scott:

Scott has a practice focused on all aspects of  trademark, copyright and unfair competition law and related  litigation. He represents clients in a wide range of industries and  at different stages of their corporate development helping them  identify and protect their intellectual property rights and assets.  Scott routinely counsels clients on branding issues such as clearing  and registering their trademarks and addressing enforcement issues. Scott joined Cozen O’Connor’s Philadelphia office in June 2002 and  is a member of the Intellectual Property Department. Before joining Cozen O’Connor, Scott was in-house counsel at Intel Corporation for  more than three and a half years as a senior attorney responsible  for implementing and managing global trademark enforcement and  protection strategies for marks including the Pentium® and Intel  Inside® trademarks. He also served as an associate at the  intellectual property law firm Woodcock Washburn. He is a regular speaker on the topic of trademark and copyright law. In addition to appearing on local news programs discussing issues  from the iPhone trademark to the Wal-Mart “Smiley Face”, Scott has spoken at multiple International Trademark Association programs and  CLE courses put on by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Associate of Corporate Counsel. He has been quoted on intellectual property issues in BrandWeek, Best’s Review, and California Lawyer Magazine. In addition, Scott previously chaired the U.S. Legislation and Regulations Subcommittee  and New Regulations Subcommittee of the International Trademark  Association. Scott is an adjunct professor at Drexel University in the  Entertainment & Arts Management Program of the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design where he teaches Copyrights and Trademarks for  Entertainment & the Arts. Scott also proudly serves as a board  member of Federation Early Learning Services. Scott received his bachelor of arts degree from American University and his law degree from the University of Buffalo School of Law. He  is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, D.C. Scott is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild, having  appeared in his youth in various commercials as well as more  recently in an independent film.

image credit: sergey komarov

Interns are so incredibly essential for start-ups, whether you need a spare hand to ship product or are desiring a human body to bounce ideas off of. Yet sometimes the wrong intern can be detrimental to your business — and you’d be better off without one. Here’s how to avoid making the mistake of choosing the wrong intern — and finding the best!:

1. Know your needs. Sure, managing someone else sounds glamorous, but the truth is — some people aren’t cut out for the job. Take a good look at yourself and your skill set. If you’re not great with managing people, you’ll need a self-starter who doesn’t mind motivating him/herself. On the flip side, if you love being involved daily, your intern will need to be prepared for a give/take relationship.

2. Pay attention to details. Spelling error in a cover letter? Poor formatting of a resume? Sure, you can’t judge a book by a cover, but you can judge it by its grammar… We all know that some people are very good workers and just plain horrible at spelling. That’s fine and totally acceptable, but when it comes to applying for a job, even if you stink at spelling, someone should review your resume or the least they could do is Spell Check. Otherwise, how do I know you’re not going to overlook important details in my business?

3. Commit. Having an intern deserves quite a bit of attention, so be sure to carve out some time in your schedule to find the right fit. If you can’t devote a few hours in your day to finding someone, how will you set aside time to manage them?

4. Check referrals. It may take an extra half hour, but if you’re serious about an applicant, follow up with their referrals. It’s always good to get a feel for the person you’ll be working with — and the best way to do that is to ask around.

5. Be honest. Tell the intern how much he or she will be working on a weekly or daily basis. Be realistic about these hours and the workload, and don’t try to make your place of business seem like a day at the park. Even if you aren’t paying them, it’s still work. Tell them what they can expect up front.

6. Don’t assume. Interns are usually young, mostly either college students or just out of college. Don’t assume that they know the terminology or the way you do things right off the bat. Remember, this is usually their first experience working in “the real world” so be sure to offer them the proper training and walk through everything. If you want things done a certain way, show them how to do it that way from the get-go.

7. Challenge your intern. Interns are working with you to learn. If you have an intern stuff envelopes all day, what is really being taught other than how to get a paper cut on every finger? Challenge your intern with some more advanced tasks to keep the excitement and interest.

8. Refer, recommend, or hire. Once your intern is done working for you, offer him or her a nice referral letter or Linked In recommendation to bolster their resume. Remember that this person helped you out (probably with no pay) so it’s time to pay it forward and help your intern take the next step in his or her career. Or, if it was working out very well and you have an opening — offer the job!

image credit: lomokev

With spring right around the corner, it’s officially trade show season. Whether you’re an artisan, designer or blogger, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of trade show coverage already — and the best is yet to come!

There are billions of benefits to trade shows, but if you’re not prepared, they can feel seriously overwhelming. Here are BAKERY’s Trade Show Survival Tips, fresh from the oven!:

1. Plan
Seriously, do it. If you plan to showcase your wares at a trade show, you’d better have the show’s website bookmarked and frequent it often. Not only will you score some great information (hotel discounts, airfare rates and parking details), but you’ll get the inside scoop on the floor plan, booth regulations and your fellow attendees/participants. Familiarize yourself with as much as you can to avoid last minute surprises.

2. Think
Do your brainstorming months before your show, as procrastination is a recipe for disaster. If you’re showcasing products, do you want to offer giveaways, treats and/or product freebies? If you’re attending, which spots are must-have hits for you? Devise a plan early on and take the necessary actions to prepare for your plan.

3. Fuel
Give yourself the energy and focus to get through trade shows, as they can tend to be incredibly draining on the mind and body. Whether your choice vice is coffee, energy bars or yoga, be sure to arrive with plenty of it in tow.

4. Smile
Enjoy yourself, and be friendly. This is a no-brainer, but when dozens of people are crammed into tiny spaces, we tend to release our claws. Keep your attitude in check and stay calm — it will be over soon enough.

5. Follow Up
When all is said and done, retreat back to your hotel room (or home!) and debrief from the day immediately. You’ll pick up ideas for next year’s show, great blog coverage and exciting new contacts that may be lost in the mix if you wait days to put it to paper. Don’t forget to send follow-up emails to everyone who you make contacts with, just to say “it was nice to meet you.” Post-show networking is the best part of the show!

Above all, have fun. Trade shows are exciting (especially with coffee)!

image credit: maria lamar

I heard on NPR last week that 80% of children under the age of 18 have never touched a postage stamp. Insane, right? Sadly, I’m not super surprised. With email and social networks taking center stage in today’s world, snail mail has become a bit of a lost art.

What isn’t a lost art? E-mail. Believe it or not, e-etiquette does exist, and if you’re not familiar with it, it’s high time to brush up on the art:

1. Introduction
Hi, hello, howdy — however you say it, get a name to go with it. Everyone knows that ‘to whom it may concern’ is lame, but even more lame = no name. See? It rhymes. Write it down.

2. Kick-Off
Right off the bat, state your intention. A lot of people like to kick off an email with a funny anecdote. Instead, get right to the point and save the funny for later.

3. Keep it Simple
I’m a big fan of using an initial email for nothing more than to request further communication. Let’s say, for instance, you’re approaching a potential advertising partnership. Rather than catching someone off guard with an extensive proposal in an initial email, why not simply introduce the basis of your idea, then write something like “If you’re at all interested, let me know; I’d be happy to send a more formal proposal.” You’re not only giving them the option to request more information, but you’re also putting the ball back into your court, allowing for an opportunity to show that you’re organized and follow through with your requests.

4. Call to Action
End the e-mail with the next step, whether it’s a request for an e-mail back for additional information, or a simple “I’ll be in touch in a few days to follow up.” Never leave your recipient guessing re: what happens now.

5. P.S.
Here’s your chance to get fun. Now that you’ve said everything you need to say, send over a compliment or funny anecdote, or talk about this hideous snow. Whatev.

Got it? Good. Now send me a practice email and I’ll grade you.

Kidding. Sort of.

A note from Jaime:

Before you hit “Send”, it’s important to check the things that people make mistakes with most often when sending out emails. A nice rule of thumb I like to use is check your “ETA”, or:

Email (are the right people on this email?)
To: (did you address is to the right person?)
Attachments (are your attachments actually attached?)

Here at BAKERY, Jaime and I always have our eyes and ears open for fantastic marketing ideas. Naturally, this one from our friend Martha at UNIFORM caught our eye. Martha sent an e-newsletter announcing the following details a few weeks ago:

“I’m really excited to tell you about a collaborative project I’ve been working on with photographer Jenifer Altman. Jenifer, who primarily uses Polaroid photography in her work, has photographed a special RED version of one of my gossamer scarves.

We are offering the scarf and an 8″ x 8″ print of her Polaroid photograph, along with a new year card with words of inspiration as a limited edition set.  20% of the sales from this set will be sent to the RED cross for their work in Haiti.”

Smart, right? Here’s the breakdown of why we love this idea:

1. Collaboration
Anything with the words “collaborate” involved are winners in our book. Partly because yes, we’re a collaboration, but also because it’s a smart way to reach other audiences rather than your own.

2. Social Responsibility
By donating 20% of sales to Haiti, there’s a level of social responsibility here that is a fantastic way to get people involved to rally toward a good cause. Not only is this good for the world in general, but it’s a great way of positioning your business as one that cares for the greater good.

3. Cross-Promo
It can be said that creatives run in creative circles, so by creating a partnership between an organic clothing label and a Polaroid photographer, you’ve got a formula for a stellar cross-promotional opportunity.

Why not take a cue from Martha and Jenifer and brainstorm ways to reach new audiences in your business? Good luck!

image credit: flickr, jereitman

“There is a difference between being arrogant about yourself as a person and being confident that your work has some value. The first is unattractive, the second is healthy and natural. Some people respond to the one as if it were the other. Don’t confuse them. Marketing is not bragging, and touting one’s wares is not evil. The baker in the medieval town square must holler ‘fresh rolls’ if he hopes to feed the townfolk.”

–Jeffrey Zeldman, Zeldman.com

That's me, Joy of Oh Joy!, and Jaime (who is offering an inappropriate gesture because I made her dress up and pose for the camera and she hates that)

So. Jaime and I took a bit of a mini-trip to Salt Lake City last week, to meet and interact with a few of our favorite bloggers and inspirations behind BAKERY, Design Milk and Design for Mankind. While we ventured to the Altitude Design Summit to speak to our fellow peers re: the business of blogging, we ended up learning a thing or two ourselves (imagine that!)

See the list of speakers, and see more roundups and linkage at Apartment Therapy, Mint, Design Crush, Petit Elefant, and Mackin Ink.

Of course, we couldn’t wait to head home and share these tips with you, my dear bakers. The round-up?:

• “Nothing is handed to you. No one receives anything unless asked. Those people speaking at conferences? They’ve asked to be there. The bloggers receiving hot shot sponsors? Yep, they asked. They pitched, they asked, and they asked again.” — Maggie Mason, Mighty Girl (who also has the most luscious red hair in the entire world)
• And another gem from Maggie: “Use your blog as a marketing tool for what you really want to do.”
• Sponsored posts should be written by the sponsors like it’s ad space. And you should charge at least 3 times what you charge for ad space because of the value.
• “You must embrace the Twitter!!!” — OK, that was me who said that.
• Propose a trade with a couple of sponsors if you’re just starting to put ads on your site. It will make your site look like you already have established advertisers.
• “Great ads are like jewelry on your website” and “there is no good excuse for ugly” — Jean, NOTCOT
• People don’t hate ads, they hate irrelevant ones.
• Don’t pursue an idea just because you think it will be lucrative. Don’t blog with the intention of making money.
• “At our ad agency, websites are already considered ‘Old Media.’” — Jeroen Bours (he created the “Priceless” campaign for MasterCard
• Jaime learned that blogs are about being personal. She is starting to contemplate how she can be more personal in her business. Or, maybe it’s not about business at all, and more about pleasure.

We are already excited for next year. Will YOU be there?

image credit: jereitman2

So. You’re an artist, and you have a website with a complete portfolio, whether it’s through Behance, Carbonmade or whatever else you kids are doing these days. If you’re really into your artwork, you might even have a blog (which you should). But don’t start there. The key to gaining an online presence is wayyy bigger than having a simple blog address. It’s time to learn how to own your blog (yep, I said own!).

The best way to that? Get out there. Really. Get out there. Put your art, your name and your website address on anything and everything. Start with this list of over 120 websites for artists to become a part of!).

Ready? Go forth and present yourself!

image credit: anna betts

Great news, bakers! Holly Neitzel, an accounting goddess and Accounting SPOT writer is joining us today to share some helpful techniques to learning the ropes of accounting. I can’t wait to use these tips for myself, as I’m one of those horrible business owners that doesn’t have an accountant. Eek!
Introducing, Holly’s 10 Tips to DIY Accounting for Indie Business!:

1) Know the very basic.
It might go without saying…but then again it might not.
Income – Expenses = Profit

2) Separate your business funds from your personal funds.
Bank, PayPal & credit cards. The books are SO much easier to balance when there are only related transactions to deal with.

3) Downloading detail is your friend.
Etsy, PayPal and probably your bank and credit cards have the option to download transaction detail in to excel and/or QuickBooks. USE THIS OPTION! The less data entry you have to do, the more time and accuracy you gain.

4) Keep your paper (and computer files) organized.
You don’t need to enter your transactions in to an accounting program daily. But, if you keep all the information organized in between entry points, entry will go much smoother.

5) Accounting software: Start simple…& free.
Start with the free versions and work your way up as your business grows. Some of the options I endorse (and work closely with, so feel free to contact me if you have questions):
Spreadsheets HERE
QuickBooks HERE
Outright HERE

6) Use the Schedule C as a guide for your expense categories.
It is not the end-all, be-all of expense categories, but it is a great starting point. Use these categories and then add in your own subcategories as necessary for your business. View HERE

7) Reconcile your accounts.
Doing this assures you know what is coming and going from your bank/PayPal accounts.

Don’t do your bookkeeping FOR the IRS.
Many owners do their bookkeeping ‘for’ the tax man. This is backwards. You do your bookkeeping for YOU and as a result, can easily share the required info with the tax man.

9) When in doubt, research the answer.
Just be sure you are using a reliable resource when doing your research. Some that I use often are:
The QuickBooks Community Forum (answers to many questions beyond just QB) HERE
The Small Business Administration HERE
Business.Gov HERE

10) Review and use.
After taking the time to create accurate financial reports, be sure to USE them! Financial reports are the basis of sound business decisions. Knowing the health of your business allows you to make good choices for your business’ future.