Creative Inspiration and Professional Development
1. ARTrepreneur {enrollment will not open up again for at least another six months}
2. Six Weeks to a Creative Business {enrollment will not open up for at least another four months}
Enrollment will end tonight at 10pm EST, so if you’re interested, make sure you sign up before then!
P.S. If you’re already enrolled, I’m soooooooooooooooo excited to start working with you this week! Yay for successful creative businesses!
{Personal Image}
We’re nearing the end of the third week in January.
This is the point where I notice less people at the gym, because they’re starting to give up on their goals—their New Year’s resolutions.
They’re starting to realize that the goals they set weren’t realistic, they didn’t realize how tough it would be to make the change, or they don’t care enough about losing 15 pounds before bathing suit season to wake up an hour earlier.
This is also the point where I notice people not following through on their business plans. They started out the New Year strong and have tapered off.
Making changes isn’t easy. That’s just the truth. So, when you decide that you’re going to work on your business for an hour after dinner at least three nights a week, you might realize that it isn’t as easy as just making that decision. Stuff comes up.
Scientists disagree on how long it takes to form a habit, but it usually takes at least 30 days. Once you’ve done something for a month, it becomes easier to keep doing it, because you start to do it more on autopilot. Before this time, most of us have slip ups. These slip ups determine whose going to make it and who won’t. The people who make big changes learn from their slip ups, they understand that making mistakes along the way is part of the process, and they keep moving forward.
We all have triggers that keep us from our goals. I just started learning some new knitting techniques, and I’m really excited about them. I also have some episodes of Grey’s Anatomy sitting in the queue of my Tivo. I love to watch/listen to Grey’s Anatomy and knit. I don’t feel as bad about watching television when I do something else along with it—like knitting.
This is a trigger for me. I could be knitting and watching Grey’s instead of working and writing this post. I have to plan for that trigger. I have a rule about it. I’m not allowed to watch and knit until at least 5:45 pm. My husband usually doesn’t get home from work until 6:30 pm, so that gives me time to watch one episode and knit while fast forwarding through the commercials. I don’t get to do it every day, but having that rule in place keeps me from playing couch potato girl.
Today, I spent an hour talking with Mayi Carles from heartmade. We were catching up, talking about our recent launches, and making plans for 2012. That hour inspired me, gave me new ideas, and will help me hold myself accountable. If I tell someone I’m going to do something, I’m more likely to do it. When I feel inspired because I’m around like-minded people, I’m more likely to stay motivated.
One way you can do this is by joining a community like ARTrepreneur {enrollment closes January 30th}. You’d be surrounded by people who want the same things you want, who are willing to tell you their secrets and failures, and who want to see you succeed. That’s one of the things that I love about it.
My mom was my first creative business inspiration, and she’s a big part of why I do what I do.
Since, I’m launching a new program, Six Weeks to a Creative Business, and relaunching ARTrepreneur, I thought I’d share one of the big reasons I wound up where I am today.
Settle in with a handful of popcorn or a cup of tea {it’s really not that long}, and enjoy:
And, do you like today’s background? It’s a bunch of hanging ribbons!
If you’re not ready to join ARTrepreneur, but you need help getting your creative business up and running, check out this new ecourse: Six Weeks to a Creative Business. If you do join ARTrepreneur, you get access to this course for FREE. Just sayin’.
{Personal Image}
You have a product that you’re proud of and want to sell. You tell your friends and family members, and they all hope that you’re just going through a phase. In a condescending tone, your mother asks, “Do you really think you could make a living selling YOUR paintings?” Instead of throwing a tantrum like a two-year-old, you take a deep breath, plaster on a smile, and try to explain that people actually do make a living by selling their art.
You spend hours taking pictures. You realize your pictures suck–they’re too dark and blurry, and the polka-dot background completely distracts from your products. You read your camera manual and learn some tips on lighting and macro photography. You spend another few hours retaking pictures. They’re much better than the first batch, especially after you edit them.
You try your very best to write product descriptions that don’t sound too pushy and salesy. You attempt to write in your own voice to make them sound unique, because that’s what everyone says you should do, even though you don’t really know what that even means.
You bite your lip and start to sweat as you put a $15 price on a product that took you three hours to make, because you really want to sell something. {If this is you, raise your damn prices!}
You upload your products on Etsy…and you wait…and you wait. You check your shop every 3 minutes hoping that someone has favorited one of your items or actually purchased something.
Then, you think, “Maybe I’m not good at this. Maybe I’m crazy to think people would actually want to buy my stuff. Maybe I should give up.” That’s when you reach for the wine bottle and have a glass or two or three and hope that no one asks, “So how’s that little online art business of yours going?”
Even if you have a unique product, magazine-worthy product photos, and well-written product descriptions, you still have to bring people into your shop. You need a marketing plan. Now, watch the video below:
The first is a blatant way for me to sell one of my products. Buy my digital guide, Marketing for Creatives: How to Spread Your Message and Boost Your Sales, and learn how to market your stuff. {See how I’m marketing to you right now?}
The second is a basic way to start a marketing plan. Follow these steps:
1. List six places {blogs, websites, online magazines, print publications} where you would like to see your work featured or you would like to be featured.
2. Assign each of those places to one month over the next six months. Example: February: Design*Sponge, March: Oh My! Handmade Goodness, April: Real Simple, May: Decor8, June: Creature Comforts, July: Artful Blogging.
3. For each month, concentrate on getting your product featured on that site or in that publication. Learn what you need to do to submit your work and submit it.
Note: Your work may not get featured in that month. For instance, you might submit work to a print publication that doesn’t get featured until six months down the road. That’s okay. It’s just important to focus on getting these features.
Announcement: ARTreprenuer {the membership site that helps you turn your creative dreams into reality} will be open for signup January 16th-January 31st. I’ll be offering a special discount for email newsletter subscribers on January 16th. Want to be on the list? Sign up below:
{Personal Image}
What would it mean for you to have a business that revolves around your lifestyle? What would it mean for you to have a business that revolves around your strengths, your creativity, and your passion?
Can you imagine filling your day with creativity, passion, and self-care while profiting and producing meaningful products and services?
ARTrepreneurs treat their businesses like businesses—not like hobbies. They let their creativity and passion lead them to make unique products and services that add something beautiful to the world. They focus their businesses on their strengths, and they don’t apologize for their prices. They love what they do, and they don’t buy into the idea of the starving artist.
ARTrepreneurs know how much they make. They know how much their materials cost. They know how much they need to price their products to make a profit. They keep these numbers organized, because they know it’s important to keep track of how much is going out and how much is coming in. You can’t know if you’re profiting without this information.
Most creative entrepreneurs don’t have to spend a lot of money when they first start their businesses and this is a really good thing. But, you do have to be willing to invest in your business when necessary. And, when I say invest in your business, I don’t just mean money—I also mean time. For example, if you don’t know how to take magazine-worthy product photos, you’ve got to invest the time {and probably a little bit of money} to make it happen.
ARTrepreneurs know what goals they are striving to reach. They know how much money they want to make, and they know what steps they need to take to start reaching these goals. They plan on success.
ARTrepreneurs understand that they have to put time and money into branding their businesses. They know that all the details matter. They also know that each aspect of their business should relate to their brand—the packaging, shop banner, blog design, and email signature should be cohesive.
ARTrepreneurs know that they need multiple revenue streams, because one could dry up. They know that it’s best to sell their products in different stores and online. They know that more than one product line encourages multiple purchases and repeat customers.
If you’re striving to be an ARTrepreneur, you’re in luck. ARTreprenuer {the membership site} will be open for signup January 16th-January 31st. I’ll be offering a special discount for email newsletter subscribers on January 16th. Want to be on the list? Sign up below:
{Personal Image}
I thought it would be nice to take some time and review what we have learned from ARTreprenuer this past year – because as you may know, 2011 is almost over. Many of you are probably busy toiling away in your studios, making gifts for last minute shoppers to buy and give, but you should carve out some time before January 1 to think about what you’ve accomplished and what you could’ve done better this past year.
So grab your driving goggles, your Sunday scarf and rev your engine! Now is the time to get your business shined up and car wash fresh for the road ahead. Highway 2012, here we come.
Here is what you should think about for 2012 if you have been putting it off…
You haven’t done this yet? What are you waiting for? The new year? It is almost upon us and we have given you lots of resources to get this going, so, let’s go! Don’t forget to set a schedule and brainstorm some topics ahead of time, keep your audience engaged and aware of you!
Get your photos up to snuff with one of the free photo editors.
Get your copy right! Make your listings appealing to read! Don’t forget to link back! Need the footnotes? Get them here.
The new year is the perfect time to sit down and really think about what worked and what did not this past year. Think about what caught on and what didn’t. How are you going to build your brand up through cohesion in 2012?
Make the most of your association with Etsy. If you have an Etsy storefront, you want to check these tips out. Brilliant, obvious and sometimes strange, here is what I have learned.
Think about what you’d like to change about your niche, take what is being done and twist it. Evaluate your niche, check out the competition, what are they doing? How can you do it differently? And may I say, you know all the times this past week you’ve said “I wish I had…” or “next year…” those might be some of the things that need twisting.
Making connections within the community may be the single greatest thing you do for your business in the new year! Get involved! Simple, fun and easy way to get your feet in the water: the #omhg weekly twitter chat!
You’ve been thinking about it – we know you have! Maybe the new year is the perfect time to start fresh with your prices? Still wondering if you can raise ‘em? Ask yourself some questions…
Ahh, time, so little of it and so many things to do! Such a problem, isn’t it? ARTreprenuer has offered up some great tricks for time saving! We’ve got Mayi’s calendars and, don’t forget that photo editing trick I told you about. I think this alone is worth the investment in a program that has this feature.
Are people having a serious love fest with your products or services yet? If not, you may need to pull out these tried and true fascination triggers. Don’t want to end up like Godiva did that one time… * shiver *
It may seem like a lot to do, but hey, we all know that January will be filled with dust balls rolling through our shops as the world takes a tiny break from retail overload. You want to be on top of your game for when they come back!
About the Author: Hello! I’m Danielle, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Administrative Assistant and summer intern and blog updater at The Merriweather Council. I enjoy sipping iced lattes, listening to boy band music, watching crime solving TV shows and putting things in hoops. I am often covered in little bits of thread and fabric but, well, ‘I want it that way’ 
{Personal Image}
No matter what niche you are in, your competitors are doing many of the same things. Similar products, similar offerings, similar styling, similar marketing… you get the picture. And maybe you don’t like what seems to be trendy in your niche, but you are doing it because, well, it is trendy.
What do you see happening in your niche, among your competition, that you really don’t like? How can you do it differently?
In April’s latest creative tutorial for ARTreprenuer she discusses how to “brand twist” {concept originally from Julie from Brand Twist} the things you do in your business to stand out against the competition – do the same things, but differently and more in favor of building your unique brand. When we get to the part where we need to think of how we can do things differently, and then draw a blank, April suggests that we look outside the box, outside of our niches.
Best way to get your brain outside the box? Think of your all time most favorite brand … it is hopefully outside of your niche.
April made changes to the way that she does her video posts on her blog after thinking about how her favorite brand does their window displays and how they create ambiance in their stores.
If you ever start to feel stagnant or invisible in your niche, it can be super helpful and informative to think about how businesses you love, even if totally unrelated, do things and think about how you can apply that to your own brand.
About the Author: Hello! I’m Danielle, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Administrative Assistant and summer intern and blog updater at The Merriweather Council. I enjoy sipping iced lattes, listening to boy band music, watching crime solving TV shows and putting things in hoops. I am often covered in little bits of thread and fabric but, well, ‘I want it that way’
Mayi’s shop critiques on ARTreprenuer are helpful to everyone, not just the member whose shop is being critiqued and I wanted to bring you some more takeaways from those super brilliant and generously in depth crits that Mayi gives monthly! Thanks Mayi!
Consider purchasing a font to use for your graphics and branding – it will be more unique and professional looking.
If your avatar is a photo of you, make sure you look kind, approachable and trustworthy. No one wants to buy from a grumpypants mcgee.
Make sure your shop banner represents your brand and the overall look and feel of your shop!
To make the most of Etsy’s new relevancy feature, product titles should include descriptive references like color, style, size and don’t forget the obvious, what is it? Necklace? Bracelet? Add that first! This approach will help you rank better for SEO as well – both on and off etsy.
Use your shop announcement as a sort of bulletin board – list upcoming events, other places to find you, any shipping delays, and contact info!
Show the item in context, it helps get buyers excited about your work and they can begin to picture it being part of their life! Lifestyle photos are great for catching the attention of bloggers and editors!
Make them as bright and as crisp as possible! Don’t all too much “fluff” aka don’t use too many props. Allow your product to pop in whatever kind of photo you take!
Use close up shots to show details, fabric texture and any hardware or special markings.
Gather round while we beat a dead horse will you? Use all 14 tags!! You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times!
If you accept custom work, add that to your product descriptions, tell people how to contact you about that and use your ready-mades to promote custom projects!
Do some of your items go together in someway? Link from one to the other in the product description!
Make it easy to read and comprehend! This is important stuff! You want to make it simple to read and easy to digest, after all, you do want people to actually read it right?
About the Author: Hello! I’m Danielle, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Administrative Assistant and summer intern and blog updater at The Merriweather Council. I enjoy sipping iced lattes, listening to boy band music, watching crime solving TV shows and putting things in hoops. I am often covered in little bits of thread and fabric but, well, ‘I want it that way’
Photoshop is an expensive product – really expensive – and honestly, I probably wouldn’t have it had I not gotten a student discount to purchase it. It’s a really great program though and it is definitely worth the investment if you can make it, but, you probably don’t need to.
Most photo editing products and programs have most of the same features Photoshop does. The features we creative entrepreneurs and Etsy sellers would use most definitely exist across the board. Brightness and contrast tools, cropping tools and color adjustment tools will appear on any photo editor. These are the basics, Photoshop has these and then some… but in my experience, the average person doesn’t utilize half the tools Photoshop offers.
April Bern posted a list of free or low cost Photoshop alternatives to ARTrepreneur and I want to share some of these with you so you can stop making excuses about not being able to achieve good quality photos. If you have a halfway decent camera and one of these programs, you simply need to sit down and mess around with it for a few hours and you should be able to make some serious progress.
First up, Picnik. Many of you have probably heard of Picnik – they offer a free editor as well as a premium editor for $24.95 a year. That’s a little more than 2 bucks a month! Think of all the money you’ll bring in once your photos are looking top notch and it’s barely an investment.
Next, there’s Gimp. Gimp is a free downloadable program that is very similar to PhotoShop – it offers a lot of the same tools and a similar set up. It’s free. Did I mention it is free? It’s free.
Another option is Photoshop Elements, a program you can purchase for less than $80 and install on your computer. It’s made by the same people who make Photoshop, it’s just not as in depth but, rest assured, it will have everything you need.
It is important to note that Photoshop is the industry standard, you won’t need all the bells and whistles that it takes to make Mariah Carey look like she is 15, so you probably don’t need to go all out and purchase Photoshop. These alternatives will suit you just fine, and if you happen to grow out of one or don’t jive with it, try another! Lots of options!
About the Author: Hello! I’m Danielle, the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Administrative Assistant and summer intern and blog updater at The Merriweather Council. I enjoy sipping iced lattes, listening to boy band music, watching crime solving TV shows and putting things in hoops. I am often covered in little bits of thread and fabric but, well, ‘I want it that way’
© 2012 Blacksburg Belle. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Designed by 