In November of 2010, I wrote a really popular article for heartmade: Does Your Creative Business Have a Higher Purpose. It was featured by Etsy and sparked over 60 comments!
I hope you read that article {and if you didn’t, you can check it out now}, because I thought I’d follow up that article with a fun worksheet {print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper or cardstock–you must have Adobe Reader to open}.
You need to have a big idea behind your creative business.
This should be something that your customers can easily remember and tell others about. It should also be the backbone of your business and help you make business decisions. For instance, if your big idea is that you want to make trendy jewelry affordable, you wouldn’t make pieces that you’d have to charge lots of money for.
Something I’ve found during a lot of my consulting sessions is that creative entrepreneurs tend to have over-complicated big ideas. And, this is NOT good. Why? Your customers, readers, and fans won’t be able to remember it and pass it along. Plus, simplified big ideas tend to evoke curiosity.
This worksheet is meant to help you break down your big idea into something simpler. And, simple doesn’t mean dumbed down!
First, fill out the big idea box. Second, break down your big idea into 1-3 main ideas/words. Third, simplify your big idea. Let me give you a couple examples:
1. Big Idea: I teach people who suffer from lots of stress and anxiety how to use relaxation techniques, yoga, and meditation to help them relax. Main Ideas/Words: Stress, Relax. Simplify: I help overwhelmed people relax.
2. Big Idea: I make eco-friendly bracelets, rings, and necklaces for brides who are looking for inexpensive jewelry options. Main Ideas/Words: Eco-Friendly, Jewelry, Inexpensive. Simplify: I make affordable jewelry for eco-conscious brides.
When you tell someone your big idea in a simple way, it’s more likely that they’ll remember it. Plus, it’s usually a conversation starter. I know I’d be more interested in asking questions if someone said, “I help overwhelmed people relax,” then if she said, “I teach people who suffer from lots of stress and anxiety how to use relaxation techniques, yoga, and mediation to help them relax.” The first one peaks my curiosity whereas the second one falls flat.
April, thanks for the worksheets. What is great about this and the one for your newsletter folks is these are fun and I am much more likely to post this proudly for anyone to see. This makes me more accountable.
Hope you get to feeling better!
That’s really sweet Erika! Thanks for your feedback. I’m in that place right now where I’m trying to decide whether I should do more or less or these–and it definitely helps to hear that they’re appreciated 🙂
this sounds very familiar. I work in a museum, and even though our big idea isn’t too short, the mission statement is way too long! Sorry to say, I can’t download the pdf file, even though I have adobe photoshop elements. But I get the big idea! And wanted to tell you my Saturday Strategy Session are going along nicely. On Worksheet 2. Thanks for them! {:-D
Does “I make cute paper goods and gifts” count as my idea? Maybe I don’t really have a focus… I don’t know. I’m a little lost. I make cute crafts. Because its fun. I don’t know what my BIG IDEA really is.
Really like this, April. I was running a business before I had laid any groundwork, so I have been working on business plans and mission statements–Ugh! Necessary, I suppose, but I’m getting totally bogged down in the language! Also, as a special educator in my previous life, I am huge proponent of visual organizers, which your worksheet is. I can already see that your worksheet, and your examples,are going to be a huge help to me. Thanks so much!
Also, as a special educator in my previous life, I am huge proponent of visual organizers, which your worksheet is. Sorry to say, I can’t download the pdf file, even though I have adobe photoshop elements. Hope you get to feeling better!
Hey Angelia. Adobe photoshop elements won’t open it—you’ve got to have Adobe Reader.