Do you want to know how to succeed as a creative entrepreneur? Well, there’s much more to it than I could possibly cover in one post—but, the most important step is making an out-freaking-standing product.
It’s no longer acceptable to make “good” products. The internet has made it super simple to sell handmade products, so there are hundreds of thousands of people doing it. That means you have to stand out.
And, the first step in standing out is making rocking products.
It’s easy to get caught up in learning how to market your products, how to take better photos, stocking your online store, blogging about your products…I could go on and on and on. But, if you don’t start with an amazing product, all the other stuff doesn’t really matter.
If you’ve got a “good” product, you’ll probably still sell your stuff, but you’re not going to create a wave of repeat buyers and referrals.
I’ve been working on my first big online course for creative entrepreneurs, and it would be really easy to put together a “good” course. Something that customers would appreciate, enjoy, and get information from, but how likely will those people be to buy my next online course? Maybe some would. However, if I make my first online course out-freaking-standing, I can guarantee that those customers will be extremely happy with the experience and much more likely to buy from me again. Plus, they’re more likely to tell their peers about my stuff.
No matter what you make, it’s easy to get caught up in a rush to sell it. Don’t.
Now, this can get tricky, because your inner critic will probably always tell you that your stuff isn’t good enough. Don’t listen to those thoughts.
Instead, focus on how you feel about your product. Your heart will know when it’s ready to sell.
If you feel excited, proud, and maybe a little nervous, you’re ready. There’s always room for improvement—and that’s not what this about. You don’t want to put it off, hoping for perfection, because that could take forever.
When you’ve completed a product, ask yourself:
1. Is this something my target market will love? If not, how can I make it better?
2. Is this something I’m proud of? Will I still be proud of it in six months?
3. Will my customer be so happy with this product that she becomes a repeat customer? Will she tell her friends about it?
Think about the handmade products that you’ve bought or received that make your heart sing. What is it about those products that give you that feeling? You want to produce the same feeling in your customers when they open your package. The last thing you want them to feel is disappointment—and that happens when you care more about making a few dollars than about the product.
April Bowles-Olin
April Bowles-Olin helps creative entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality through her website, Blacksburg Belle, where she writes about marketing, blogging, and increasing business success. She uses her background in psychology to help creatives reach their goals, take charge of their inner critics, and build businesses around their dream lifestyles. April fell in love with art the day her mother handed her a box of brightly colored crayons, and believes that living your truth, creating daily, and loving fully leads to happiness. You can connect with April on twitter @blacksburgbelle.
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