{These are my “I mean business” glitter pumps.}
Do you have a blog that looks like a hot mess? A smushed banner, a cluttered sidebar, and an unprofessional theme because you didn’t want to spring for the $40 professional one.
Are your product photos cringe-worthy? Harsh shadows, horrible artificial lighting, blurriness.
Do you have business cards that you printed off your computer and cut yourself?
Are you using a blurry picture of yourself that was taken by a drunk friend at bar for your about page on your website?
Ready for some tough love? Cause, I’m talking to you.
On Monday, I blogged about the need for streamlined branding after I watched a video by the lovely Mayi Carles—but I forgot to talk about the big picture.
It’s not just about using 1-3 fonts and colors. It’s about running a professional creative business.
If you want people to spend their money on your products or services, you’ve got to get it together. You have to be willing to learn how to take amazing product photos or you need to hire someone to do it. You have to stop pretending that it’s okay that your website looks like a 5-year-old planned it. You need to stop overlooking the product descriptions that you hastily wrote 5 months ago in order to quickly get your product up on Etsy in hopes that it would sell.
The internet has made running creative businesses much easier, because it gives us all an opportunity to sell our stuff without shelling out lots of money to start things up. BUT, and this is a big BUT, you still have to invest lots of time and some money if you want a long-term, successful creative biz. There’s just no getting around it.
I urge you to get rid of the crap. You know it stinks.
Instead of making excuses, fix it.
If you need to make your blog look more professional and coding and html make you queasy, take Laura Roeder’s Zero to Blog course or hire someone to do it for you.
If your product descriptions suck, rewrite them.
As Marie Forleo likes to say, “Everything is figure-out-able.” You can figure most stuff out by Googling it. Come on. There’s no room for excuses if you REALLY want to build a profitable business.
I’m not saying that you need to get everything perfect. Nobody’s perfect. But, you do need to be professional. You need to be willing to invest lots of time and some money in your business. That’s just the truth.
That’s an awesome kick-in-the-butt post this morning! You’re so right on everything! If a website looks like my sister could have make it (and she barely know how to use Microsoft Word), I won’t buy anything cuz it feels like it’s an unprofessional business. If the pictures of your products are ugly, it may look like your products are ugly… When someone start a business, it’s normal not to have a lot of money to invest for a web designer or professional photos but Marie Forleo is right when she says that everything is figure out able… everything can be googled!
Thanks for stopping by and adding to the conversation 🙂
Yeah, I think you have two choices when you need to fix something: 1. Learn how to do it yourself 2. Hire someone to do it for you. If you don’t have the money to hire someone, you gotta learn how to do it. Once you do learn how to do it and you’ve got a rocking biz, you can hand off some of that stuff that you don’t enjoy doing.
I love your frankness. “I urge you to get rid of the crap. You know it stinks.”
And I seriously think my Mom owns a pair of those shoes. My parents still go dancing. I walk around in bare feet and my 65 year old mom is rocking the heels.
That’s too funny! I love my glitter pumps 🙂 but I can’t wear them for more than a few hours!
YIKES! Whenever I read stuff like this it worries me that some people probably perceive my store/blog as crappy. After all, what one person thinks is crap another person thinks is perfectly acceptable. It’s hard to know! Maybe it’s best to have a friend who can be honest with you about such things. We’ll never please everyone & that’s sort of a bitter pill, but I agree it’s important to put your best foot forward no matter what.
Hey Nickie! Before you get down on yourself, let me clarify. I’m talking about the stuff that you already know is crap. You know what I mean? For instance, at one point I had these horrible product photos and I knew they weren’t good. I just hoped that people would buy anyways. They were crap. I knew it. I just wanted to pretend otherwise.
You’re definitely not going to please everyone–and you shouldn’t try. If you put together something you’re proud of, then that’s all that matters. I’m just saying–don’t put out the stuff that you know isn’t any good.
Congrats on the blog changes! Little changes but great results, still fresh and clean.
I posted here on Monday about the changes I’m doing on my blog because I wanted to take my business more seriously and make it a success. So life said “You need time to do that” and by the end of that day I was fired. I think this is a good sign and I’m embracing this moment with all my heart.
I’m going to crochet and knit like crazy 🙂
Thanks Marta! We’re definitely not done with the blog changes–we’ve got more coming.
Oh my gosh…I’m sorry you were fired! But, it sounds like it might turn out to be a good thing for you. I wish you the absolute best 🙂
Thank you, April! You’re very kind.
This is the kick in the a** that I needed to read this morning. I know that my product photos are crap & my descriptions are ho-hum at best. I’ve had these things on my to-do list for a bit now & I’m running out of legit excuses. Its time to ask for help & to get moving. Thanks for this fantastic post!
Yay Danielle! Make those photos a priority–because that will definitely increase your sales! No more excuse 😉
I am so there with you! I knew from the moment that I started selling that it was not just about the jewelry…it was about selling the story and the story is wrapped up in a package tied with a bow. I went out and immediately designed packaging with my signature chocolate silk ribbon embossed in copper with my logo and name, created clear labels with copper embossing with my logo for packages and other things. I am constantly refining it and thinking like a customer. My new line of pendants is getting a makeover in terms of the packaging and branding. There are so many resources like you say that it is unforgiveable to not use them. My new favorite is Moo cards. Writing engaging copy for descriptions or web pages, etc is so key to creating the experience. Because it is not just about the pretty things that I make and sell, it is about telling the story of the client who becomes part of my story. Thank you for this reminder… and even if your branding was smelling like a rose at one time, all flowers fade, and you still need to make sure that there isn’t a better sweet smelling way to do things!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Thanks for sharing that Erin. I think that’ll give others ideas on how to think beyond the product–because it is so important to think beyond the product. I love how you mentioned “story.” Story evokes emotion which leads to sales.
Sing it Sista’.
(Hides head in shame – I forgot about my awful product descriptions. Please add that to my prior laundry list of crap to fix.) Didn’t you have a kick ass product description worksheet product around here….(runs off to buy). Thanks again! (mwah)
Hahaha! But, good for you for taking action 🙂 That’s awesome!
OK – I’m writing a new product description right now with your ‘writing product descriptions’ recording and its awesome! So many things I forget to even consider. Thank you!
Yay! Thanks, Liberty. I’m so glad it’s helpful. Let me know when you’ve got one of those product descriptions up and I’ll take a look at it and give ya some feedback…only if ya want 🙂
I got one done.
http://blog.libertysyarn.com/products-page/yarn-coop/yarn-co_op-may/
Its tough because its a yarn but the color is a surprise.
I’m confused when I read this product description {maybe it’s something you do monthly? but as a new customer it isn’t clear}, because I don’t understand why you aren’t showing pictures of it. This would make me extremely wary of buying something, especially yarn–because there are so many colors of blue. I love how you tell your customers what products the yarn is the best for and who should buy it. I also enjoy knowing that you use recycled paper labels. You also do a good job of creating a sense of urgency, because you’re raising the prices soon.
Can I just say how much I LOVEEEEEEEE your “I mean business glittery bumps”. It’s like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on fire + with a rocking business 🙂
I need a pair for sure. Hope they make them in size 5 🙂
Hahaha…they are pretty great aren’t they? I bet you can find something similar in size 5 🙂
OMG! I love this post. In taking your aggressive stance on this, I’d love to shove this straight up my BFF’s nose! We’re in the midst of starting a business on Etsy, and this post sooooo applies to her. She makes an excellent product, don’t get me wrong, but everything after that is where it falls apart. The photos, the descriptions, everything.
I’ve held off on our “re-launch” simply because I’m taking the time to not only create great inventory, but to showcase my products properly and give my customers the respect I want them to show my product.
Because that’s what it all comes down to. Respect for your own products and customers earns respect.
Hey Monique. I definitely agree that it’s about the entire package–and respect. I’d love for you to let us know when you relaunch things 🙂
WOW! April… you really know how to take risks. In a good way 😉
It’s pretty courageous to put yourself out there and take responsibility for your own mistakes and shortcomings. Its invigorating to see such honesty and humility.
PLUS – the site looks tres chic. Love the seafoam green – it really makes those shoes sparkle at the top!
Can’t wait to see it develop more…
Thanks Jessica. I’m glad you like the green–it’s one of my favorite colors!
Awesome post, April! The Marie Forleo quote hit home for me. Gently reminding ourselves that everything is figure-out-able helps us to calm down and prepare to take action.
Go you on the makeover! Fresh+Fun feel to it..Come to think of it, it’s you, in blog form!
Thanks Elizabeth…I definitely think that Zoe helped me capture the look I’m trying to go for. We’ve still got some changes to make, but it’s feeling so much better to me already.