Today’s guest post focuses on different ways you can effectively market yourself as a fledgling (or more experienced) creative small business owner. Linda shares her tips on putting yourself and your work out there whether you’re a maker, web designer, poet, blogger, musician or any other type of artist or creator. I hope you find the suggestions useful in helping you grow your business.
How Do I Get Noticed?
Sure, we have all heard the stories of the starving artist being “accidentally” discovered by the right person at the right time. But, this is the exception rather than the rule. Because you can’t bank on the possibility of going viral, you’ll have to put some work into getting your creative endeavors into the public eye.
Today, the Keep It Creative blog touches on a few of the finer points of marketing yourself.
Network
Networking is one of the most important things that any new business owner can do. In addition to current friends and business acquaintances, there’s no shame in reaching back into your past to contact your old high school and college buddies. You never know when someone can give you a business boost. If you’ve lost touch, use a specialized search engine to type in their name, school, and the year you graduated. As an added bonus, you can even find other friends and possibly even former educators with whom to reconnect.
Share your resume
Your resume does not have to be a stuffy one-page introduction to yourself. As a maker or artist, you can get creative. Your resume could be anything from photos of your artwork to samples of your writing or designs. If you need to share your resume, try using a PDF editor, which gives you some flexibility to create in whatever program you want and then edit, download, and share when you’re ready.
Create videos
Short-form video is a relative newcomer in the world of online marketing thanks to TikTok and now Facebook Reels. But, these 15 to 60-second blasts can do wonders for you as a creator. Don’t be shy about getting yourself on film, even if it means creating a hyper-lapse video of your latest project.
Get organized
While people won’t see what’s going on behind the scenes with your business, you can bet your buttons they will see the after-effects of not being organized. According to the productivity Center at Calendar, being organized helps you present your business in its best light, ensures a smooth operation, and leads to better customer service and productivity.
Find your niche
A niche is simply a specialization. But, more than just being an expert in an area, your artistic and creative niche helps you stand out. To choose your specific niche, start by looking at what makes you happy and where you are most passionate.
Establish your social media following
Social media matters more than you might think. Even if you’ve tried to hold off on going “mainstream,” having a solid social media presence is one of the best ways to get attention. While Facebook continues to be the number one platform, artists should also look for those that showcase visuals. The Artwork Archive says all artists should have an Instagram account, but you should also pay closer attention to more specialized platforms, such as DeviantArt.
Pay for ads
There is no shame in paying for advertisements. Although you want to be discovered organically, keep in mind that all of the social media ads, commercials, and billboards you see were paid for by a business. Paid advertising (when done online, it’s known as PPC) is great for starter businesses, and it can help you capture your audience and expand your reach.
Even if you have a niche that no one else is in, it’s not always easy to get your work noticed. But, the tips above, from utilizing paid advertising to networking and sharing your resume can help you stand up and stand out. Once you build your following, stay engaged by using your social media. No matter how big you grow, remember to never lose sight of the reason you create in the first place; otherwise, you may lose your edge.
If you want to keep up with everything that Laura is doing, you don’t have to travel to England. Bookmark the blog for updates.
Final words…
Thanks to Linda Chase, who can be found at lindac@ablehire.org for today’s guest post which is full of great tips for small business owners looking to get themselves noticed. The tip about using video particularly interested me as it’s something I’ve not tried before but I’m always impressed those I see on Instagram and it’s definitely something I would like to give a go in the future.
Keeping it creative 