Woodcraft · Local Store Tools
What are you building today?
Two planners in one place. Each one asks a few questions, then hands back an ordered plan with the store guide each step came from linked beside it. Pick the one that matches the job in front of you.
Everything in both planners comes from store documents — the Facebook-Only Playbook and Photo & Video Guide on the marketing side, the Tiered Education Program guide and Educational Rework Study on the education side. Nothing here is invented.
Woodcraft · Local Store Marketing
A few questions. Then the plan.
An interactive local marketing plan development tool, specifically for Facebook marketing. Answer one question at a time and you will get your steps in order, with the section of the store guides they came from next to each one — click any of those to read the source. Written for someone who has never run a Facebook post before.
Why this is Facebook only
Facebook is treated here as the store's single local marketing platform. Other social platforms do have a place, but the differences between them, and their use and value, go beyond localized brand. The goal of this plan is local brand awareness, and Facebook is the simplest platform for that: its Event tools and community building offer the strongest local marketing value for store-specific promotion.
Each platform should be treated differently. Their algorithms reward creators differently, the user demographics are different, why people are on one platform rather than another is different, and the content that generally succeeds is different. Content made for Facebook may not perform well elsewhere, and there are reasons why that happens — so this is not a plan to copy and paste onto another platform.
The audience skew works in your favor. Facebook's core user base skews older than other platforms, and Feed and In-Stream placements skew older still. The serious hobbyist and specialist segments are the ones who spend, and they are the ones most reliably reachable here.
In-store signage, counter cards, sales flyers and anything done at corporate level reach customers already standing in your building, or build awareness at a broader level. This plan exists to increase brand awareness, and ultimately revenue, at your specific location.
The honest caveat. Running on one platform is a legitimate choice, and for this customer base a defensible one — but it concentrates your marketing into an asset you do not own. Keep at least two Page admins and two Group admins, capture attendee names and phone numbers at the door, keep the woodcraft.com store page current, and review annually whether the constraint still makes sense.
Facebook Playbook, introduction and scope; §2.2; §16
From the store guides. Section numbers match the printed documents.
Build a better educational experience
Pick the tier, answer a handful of questions, and get a to-do list you can actually run a session from. Every rule here comes from the Tiered Education Program guide and the Educational Rework Study.
- Tier
- 1 · Promise
- 2 · Size
- 3 · Price
- 4 · Proof
- 5 · Next step
- 6 · Promote
- Build
What kind of offering is this?
Place the idea in the lowest tier that can honestly deliver its promise. A Demo, a Class and a Workshop should never be mistaken for one another — duration, price, cohort size, takeaway and labor tell customers and stores which is which.
Not sure? Run the fast classification test
Start at the lowest tier that can deliver the promise, then move it up if any of these are true.
Name it, then promise something observable
Duration and capacity
These two numbers decide the tier more than anything else. If you can't fit the promise inside them, the offering belongs one tier up.
Price it against what it actually costs
Full session cost is instructor pay + store labor + materials + outside fees. Divide by conservative paid enrollment, not your target. If the math doesn't work inside the ceiling, simplify the content, raise safe capacity, find vendor support, or move it to another tier.
Takeaway and learning check
The takeaway is what leaves the building. The learning check is how you know the promise landed — a visible action or result, not a feeling.
Where does this send them?
Demos feed Classes. Classes feed Workshops. Workshops feed niche offerings and the maker community. An offering with no next step is a dead end in the ladder.
Fill the room
Every Demo, Class and Workshop gets a Facebook Event. Organic first, then a small boost worth one or two seats.
Check capacity and cost before committing: one or two seats of budget only makes sense if there are seats left to sell.
Untitled offering
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A deeper look
The standards behind every prompt above, pulled from the Tiered Education Program guide and the Educational Rework Study.
01Tier definitions & decision rules
One program, three distinct jobs. Each tier feeds the next: Demos feed Classes, Classes feed Workshops. The result is a clearer promise to customers and a more repeatable operating model for stores.
| Stage | Format | Customer promise | Primary outcome | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover | Demo | “I can see how this works.” | Low-friction visit, confidence, product showcase, curiosity | Class registration or a small relevant purchase |
| Practice | Class | “I can do this technique.” | Guided repetition and a defined skill or small project | Workshop enrollment or a focused project basket |
| Build | Workshop | “I can continue on my own.” | Sustained practice, feedback, finished build or starter capability | Next-level niche workshop, tool system, maker community |
| Dimension | Tier 1 · Demo | Tier 2 · Class | Tier 3 · Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Spark interest; remove friction | Build one skill or simple project | Create capability through depth and coaching |
| Duration | 30 min maximum | 2 hrs maximum | 2–6 hrs per day; target 4 |
| Price | Free (opt. $5 same-day credit) | $50 target, materials in | $150–250 |
| Capacity | No formal cap | 15–20 | 10 |
| Hands-on | Watch, ask, inspect; optional micro-try | Structured practice or small make-and-take | Sustained build, practice and feedback |
| Takeaway | 1–3 tips, checklist, buying confidence | Defined skill or small project | Finished project and/or beginner tool-and-skill system |
| Store effort | Minimal setup, one presenter, low consumables | Standard kit, stations, lead + helper as risk requires | Dedicated benches, prep, instructor + assistant |
| Cadence | Weekly or event-driven — always during high-traffic times | Weekly core calendar; repeat proven subjects | Bi-monthly; fewer, distinctive offerings |
| Success signal | Attendance, engagement, next-step action | Fill rate, completion, confidence, conversion | Completion, capability, referral, repeat learning |
Where the Rework Study and the program guide differ — Demo length, Workshop ceiling, Class cap — the numbers above follow the Rework Study.
02The fast classification test
Place an idea in the lowest tier that can honestly deliver its promised outcome. Move it upward when any of these are true:
- Attendees must practice repeatedly or receive individual correction to succeed.
- Setup, consumables, equipment turnover or cleanup cannot fit the lower-tier time window.
- The project requires drying, curing, glue-up, multiple machining steps, or work across days.
- The learning promise includes independent beginner capability, a substantial build, or a take-home tool system.
Not a Demo when…
Every attendee must machine a part, repeated coaching is essential, or cleanup pushes total operating time past the window.
Not a Class when…
The outcome needs more than two hours, extensive milling or glue cure, sustained one-to-one correction, or a substantial take-home tool kit.
Portfolio mix
Start with a broad base of Demos, a dependable core of repeatable Classes, and a narrow set of signature Workshops. Set the exact mix during a pilot using demand, instructor capacity, equipment constraints and economics — don't impose a systemwide ratio without store-level evidence.
03The 12-field syllabus standard
Every offering uses the same core fields. Detail grows by tier, but the customer outcome, safety boundaries, material plan, itinerary, price and next step should never be ambiguous.
| Field | What the syllabus must specify |
|---|---|
| 1 · Offering identity | Title, tier, skill level, category, store, instructor, date, duration |
| 2 · Customer promise | One sentence beginning “By the end, attendees will be able to…” |
| 3 · Prerequisites | Prior experience, age/accessibility requirements, clothing/PPE, what to bring |
| 4 · Capacity | Minimum to run, target, hard maximum, the constraint that sets the cap, wait list |
| 5 · Itinerary | Timed blocks: welcome, safety, instruction, practice/build, questions, close |
| 6 · Materials & equipment | Per-attendee consumables, shared tools, PPE, fixtures, prep work, take-home items |
| 7 · Staffing | Lead instructor, assistant trigger, setup/cleanup minutes, certification needed |
| 8 · Pricing | Tuition, included value, reservation/cancellation rule, material allowance, margin check |
| 9 · Learning check | A visible action or result proving the stated outcome was reached |
| 10 · Retail & progression | Relevant product zone, optional bundle, next course, follow-up communication |
| 11 · Safety & accessibility | Risk controls, emergency stop, accommodations, alternate participation path |
| 12 · Post-session review | Attendance, no-shows, completion, incidents, feedback, conversion, instructor notes |
04Pricing check & instructor pay
Before publishing a fee, calculate the full session cost, divide by conservative paid enrollment, then compare with the tier ceiling and the value the customer receives.
+ outside fees + prep/cleanup burden
break-even seat = session cost ÷ conservative paid enrollment
Standards
- Instructor pay: $25–30 per hour, plus an agreed setup fee where applicable.
- Classes: targeted at $50 with materials included. If cost exceeds that, examine duration, complexity, material cost and instructor pay — and consider whether it's really a Workshop.
- Workshops: $150–250. Above that, the workshop is probably too complex; explore multi-day or leveled offerings (101, 102) instead.
- Demos: free, or a $5 reservation deposit redeemable the same day.
If the economics don't work inside the ceiling: simplify the content, increase safe capacity, find vendor support, or move the concept to a different format.
05Instructor, safety & store readiness
Safety is part of the curriculum, not a disclaimer. Each syllabus documents hazards, controls, PPE, supervision ratios, machine access, participant eligibility, emergency stop, material handling, ventilation and cleanup. Established Woodcraft and manufacturer requirements always govern — this does not replace them.
| Role | Minimum capability |
|---|---|
| Demo presenter | Operates the tool/process safely, explains three takeaways simply, manages questions, resets the area quickly |
| Class instructor | Teaches the full technique, observes 15–20 learners, corrects common errors, manages stations, finishes on time |
| Workshop instructor | Deep subject competence, coaching skill, risk awareness, milestone control, judgment to adapt without compromising outcomes |
Safety by design
- Use demonstration-only formats when a large group can't safely rotate through equipment inside the time window.
- Pre-machine or pre-stage components when it preserves the objective and removes low-value risk or waiting.
- State the stop-work signal at the start; empower any instructor or assistant to pause the session.
- Offer an alternate observation or non-powered activity for accessibility or comfort.
Store readiness checklist
- The offering fits its tier's duration, price, capacity, takeaway and labor definition.
- The promise is observable and the itinerary leaves enough practice or question time to deliver it.
- Safety review covers PPE, age, instructor qualification, sightlines, emergency stop, cleanup, store traffic.
- Capacity is based on the real constraint: equipment, benches, instructor span, ventilation, noise or egress.
- Materials are standardized, in stock, portioned, labeled and costed at conservative enrollment.
- The instructor has a complete sample, a reset plan, and a backup for equipment or material failure.
- The next learning step is scheduled or interest can be captured; the merchandise connection is useful and optional.
- There is a minimum-to-run rule, cancellation process, attendee communication and post-session review owner.
06Naming & the description formula
The title is the first thing people see and the thing that decides whether they read further. Use names that signal action and level. Avoid overly clever titles that hide the outcome, and advanced-sounding language on beginner sessions.
- Demo: “Sharpening in 3 Steps”
- Class: “Preserve Your Tools: Sharpening Basics”
- Workshop: “Build a Leather + Wood Stool”
Customer-facing description formula
and leave with [clear takeaway]. Designed for [skill level].
[Materials/tools] are included. Your next step is [progression].
07Marketing playbook
Organic
- Create a Facebook Event for every Demo, Class and Workshop.
- Post to tease it ahead of the event.
- Share the event into local Facebook groups.
Paid
- Boost the event with a budget equal to 1–2 tickets.
- Weigh capacity and other expenses first — a 1–2 ticket budget only pays off if there are seats left to sell.
Paid ad audience setup
- Deselect Advantage+ audience.
- Choose People you choose through targeting.
- Under Audience details, set the most likely demographic for that boost — age and driving distance are the important variables.
- Narrow further by interest under Detailed targeting.
In-store merchandising
- Place the demonstrated product and finished samples where attendees can inspect them without blocking traffic.
- Use “Learn it here” shelf markers or QR links to the next local session; keep messaging specific to the skill.
- Build Good / Better / Best options only when the instructor can explain the tradeoffs neutrally.
- For Classes and Workshops, prepare a project continuation list: required, useful next, later upgrade.
- Avoid forcing a purchase at the close. Credibility and successful use are the longer-term retail advantage.
08Calendar architecture
Build monthly calendars around customer pathways rather than unrelated topics. A Demo previews or de-risks a nearby Class; a Class prepares customers for a selective Workshop. Repeat proven core offerings often enough that staff can recommend a next date with confidence.
| Timing | Discovery event | Paid progression | Retail / relationship action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Demo: Finish Rescue Clinic | Class: Flawless Finishes | Register for class; explore prep/finish zone |
| Week 2 | Demo: Sharpening in 3 Steps | Class: Sharpening Basics Lab | Register; select a system after seeing options |
| Week 3 | Demo: Carving Knife Control | Class: Carving Cuts Sampler | Qualify interest for next month's Workshop |
| Week 4 | Demo: Read the Grain | Workshop: Spoon Carving Launch | Beginner capability + continued practice pathway |
09Measurement & the Scale / Revise / Retire call
| Dimension | Measures | Decision question |
|---|---|---|
| Demand | Registrations, attendance, fill rate, waitlist, no-show rate | Does the customer want this topic, time and tier? |
| Learning | Completion, observed skill check, confidence before/after | Did the promised capability actually improve? |
| Experience | Recommendation intent, comments, accessibility issues, return intent | Was it useful, welcoming and worth the commitment? |
| Operations | Setup/cleanup time, instructor hours, station delays, incidents | Can a store execute this consistently and safely? |
| Economics | Tuition, materials, labor, refunds, contribution | Does the format work inside its price ceiling? |
| Progression | Next-tier registrations, repeat attendance, opt-in follow-up | Is education building a customer journey? |
| Retail | Relevant category activity where measurable; bundle uptake | Does learning improve confident, appropriate purchasing? |
Review cadence
- Before launch: instructor dry-run, timing test, material-cost check, safety review, customer-description review.
- After each first run: record actual timing, bottlenecks, material variance, questions, incidents and near misses, attendee learning results.
- After three runs: Scale, Revise or Retire.
10Sample offerings by tier
Demos
| Concept | Promise / content | Natural next step |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpening in 3 Steps | Flatten, establish the edge, hone; show before/after cut quality | Sharpening Basics Class |
| Finish Rescue Clinic | Diagnose blotching, dust nibs, runs and adhesion issues on sample boards | Flawless Finishes Class |
| Track Saw vs. Table Saw | Compare cut setup, accuracy, dust control and best-fit use cases | Breaking Down Sheet Goods Class |
| Five Router Bit Profiles | Show the visible result of five common profiles on labeled samples | Router Confidence Class |
| Dust Collection Quick Wins | Hose routing, blast gates, fittings and simple airflow fixes | Small-Shop Workflow Class |
| Hidden Uses for a Card Scraper | Surface cleanup, glue removal, localized leveling | Hand-Tool Surface Prep Class |
Classes
| Concept | Outcome | Price | Fed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpening Basics Lab | Raise and remove a burr at prepared stations; practice on a chisel | $25 | Demo: Sharpening in 3 Steps |
| Flawless Finishes: Sample Board | Apply and compare wipe-on, brush-on and gel approaches | $45 | Demo: Finish Rescue Clinic |
| Router Confidence | Set depth, control feed direction, cut a clean edge profile | $30 | Demo: Five Router Bit Profiles |
| Hand-Cut Joinery Sampler | Saw and pare one guided half-lap or housing joint | $49 | Demo: Saw Setup |
| Small-Shop Layout Lab | Map workflow, power, dust and mobile storage on a scaled plan | $29 | Demo: Dust Collection Quick Wins |
| Turn a Pen: Fast Start | Complete a standardized pen with prepped blanks and station rotation | $60 | Demo: Lathe Setup |
Workshops
| Concept | Scope | Price | Included value option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Spoon Carving Launch | Two sessions; grain reading, safe cuts, shaping, refinement, care | $149 | Carving knife + stropping supplies where sourcing supports it |
| Hand-Cut Dovetail Box | Full-day or two-part build: layout, sawing, paring, fitting, assembly | $149 | Project parts + layout reference |
| First Bowl on the Lathe | Four-hour coached turning sequence, prepared blanks, dedicated stations | $149 | Finished bowl; no take-home lathe tools required |
| Furniture Repair Intensive | Diagnosis, joint repair, clamping, color touch-up, surface recovery | $119 | Repair sample + curated consumables kit |
| Build Your First Hand-Tool Kit | Multi-session: measure, mark, saw, chisel, sharpen, make a small tote | $149 | Selected entry tools if procurement keeps economics viable |
| Stained Glass Panel | Stained glass basics while completing a panel | $175 | Completed panel |
Prices and material allowances are planning examples, not mandates. Final pricing should reflect local instructor cost, store labor, materials, capacity and market demand. This tool does not replace Woodcraft or manufacturer safety requirements.

