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Why You Need a Keep-Me-On-Track Buddy

- April 18, 2011 | by April -

{Photograph by Teri H Hoover}

Want a successful creative business? Take action every day to make it happen.

Want to set yourself up for success? Pair up with somebody who knows the ins and outs of running a creative business and can give you a swift kick in the pants when you need it.

I don’t know about you, but if I know there’s someone counting on me, I’m more likely to follow through. I wake up every morning extra early to go to the gym with my husband before he leaves for work. I probably wouldn’t get up and work out regularly if he wasn’t there. We do it together which makes it more fun and it holds us both accountable.

That’s why you need a partner in crime.

Don’t just pick someone willy-nilly. Consider these things first:

1. Is the person as motivated as you?

If you pick an accountability partner who doesn’t take her creative business seriously, it won’t work. And, you’ll probably end up frustrated. Instead, look for someone who’s in the same place as you and has similar goals.

2. Does the person sell in the same way?

Does the person also sell on Etsy? Does the person also sell on her own website? These are two different animals with two different sets of pros and cons. You want the person that you pick to understand what you do. Basically, if you sell on Etsy, you want to find someone who also sells on Etsy, because she’ll understand your struggles and be able to provide constructive feedback.

3. Do your personalities mesh?

If things go well, you might end up creating a long-term friendship with this person. Get to the know the person before you ask if she wants to be your accountability buddy. Interact with her on social media, read and comment on her blog, exchange a couple emails.

It’s kinda like dating. You wouldn’t just ask somebody to marry you without spending time together first.

Now, that you’ve got your person in mind, take a risk and ask.

Once you’ve found someone on the same path that you mesh well with, ask her if she’d like to exchange emails and talk on Skype {it’s free!} to give each other feedback, bounce ideas off of each other, and discuss goals.

Make a plan.

Once you get a yes and do your happy dance, make a plan or else it probably won’t happen. You could talk once a month on Skype to discuss your goals and give each other 10 minute critiques, and then follow up each week via email. Figure out what works for you, and schedule it immediately.

Each time you get constructive feedback, make some improvements.

I recommend getting an accountability buddy as extra credit in my latest course, How to Write Product Descriptions that Sell. This is a class that I put together for ARTrepreneur, but if you’re not a member, you can get access here.

7 Comments · Filed Under: ARTrepreneur, Creative Business Development

Comments

  1. Erika says

    April 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I was telling a CPA friend about ARTrepreneur when she brought up us “working” together. She has a couple hundred sales on etsy and a fun blog so I knew she would be a great partner in crime! It has been great to get feedback and accountability.

    Thank you again, April, for the blogging program. I have sent out two newsletters and the list is growing. The last one had a link to your marketing program as my thanks.

    Reply
    • April says

      April 19, 2011 at 8:47 am

      Love that Erika. Thanks for sharing.

      Yay for sending out newsletters…I promise it will pay off! And, thank you so much for linking to me in your newsletter.

      Reply
  2. Erin Giles says

    April 18, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    April,

    What a great idea:)! I love how you said that its like dating…so true! Its an ongoing relationship that you need to make sure will last and that you “mesh” well together!

    Reply
    • April says

      April 19, 2011 at 8:50 am

      Thanks for stopping by Erin! I’m glad you like the idea–and you definitely need to pick your partner wisely 🙂

      Reply
  3. Tracey Rediker says

    April 19, 2011 at 7:41 am

    funny, i tried it during that Etsy Holiday Bootcamp. I picked someone randomly who was also participating. We barely talked and it was not helpful at all. Maybe this new person could get me to workout too…

    Reply
    • April says

      April 19, 2011 at 8:53 am

      It can be a disaster and frustrating if you don’t pick someone wisely. I know there are certain people who I’ve built solid relationships with in this niche that I can count on to respond to me quickly and give me constructive feedback–and I treasure those relationships! You just need to find the right person who’s also motivated like you Tracey.

      Reply
  4. Lisa says

    April 19, 2011 at 9:04 am

    I’ve been thinking about this for awhile, but I am-was- intimated- but you are my wise leader, so I’ll it try out 🙂 Hopefully it’ll work out!

    Reply

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