Let Your Creative Flair Pathe Your Path.
March 7, 2017 by ThySista
Filed under Business, Opinion, Tech/Internet, Weekly Columns
(ThySistas.com) Do you have a creative pursuit under your belt? Creativity is important for us all many of ways. It improves our mental health and provices a level of satisfaction unlike anything else. But, why not take your creativity to the next level? If you’ve always wanted to handle business yourself, pursuing your creativity may be what you need. There’s no denying that it can be hard to get a creative business off the ground. For a while, you may not make enough money to give up the day job. But, what’s to say you won’t get there eventually? As with any business, the key is to go about it the right way!
AN ORIGINAL IDEA
You won’t go far unless you have an original idea. Many people want to make a living from their crafts, so you need to stand apart from
the crowd. In truth, though, ideas rarely fall into our laps. Start on the right footing by getting an idea of what’s already out there. How else can you develop an idea with an edge? Search sites like Etsy to get a sense of what people are already doing. Take note, too, of how successful each seller is. Then, turn your attention to your product. Take inspiration from what you’ve seen and decide what you could offer that’s different!
PERFECT YOUR CRAFT
Selling what you make puts pressure on quality. When making for yourself, the odd snag or stray piece of glue isn’t important. But, your customers are going to expect top quality items. How can you achieve that? Practice, of course. Before you start selling, you need to know that you can produce good quality pieces at a fast pace. Practice by making things for friends and family members. Try to time how long it takes, too. The faster you can work, the more money you stand to make.
DEVELOP A BRAND
Once you’re ready to start selling, it’s important you develop a brand. Alongside your original idea, this is what will set you apart. The good news is, you can use your creativity here, too. Design yourself a logo and then create Etsy banners to go on your page. Bear in mind that you need to use the same design throughout your business pages. Continuity is important, especially when you’re starting out. The more people who recognize your brand, the better. Try for a design that shows what you do in some way. And, make sure it’s eye-catching!
BUILD AN AUDIENCE
Your audience is what will take your craft from hobby to business. So, start building your audience as soon as possible! This is the hardest part about starting out, but it’s essential. The best way to build a creative audience is to get your creations out in the world. Word of mouth can go far. Give freebies to friends and family and ask them to wear them as much as possible! Then, make sure people can find you when they hear about what you do!
Staff Writer; Sherry Day
