By Naomi Johnson
Most creatives are not passionate about sales, marketing, accounting, and networking. Still, statistics show that careers in creative fields can produce earnings well above the median U.S. salary. With a little focus and training, creatives like fashionistas, artists, and fiction writers can promote themselves, gain an audience, and allow their passion to flourish as a fulfilling vocation.
Stay Active in Relevant Communities
Many artistic types enjoy isolation, and off-hours and late nights may make connecting with others sporadic. Only spending time with those of your same craft can become counterproductive because you can end up competing in the same space. The more you can network in other circles, the quicker you can find fans to do much of the work of promoting your brand.
Stay a vocal member of alumni organizations since many professionals favor connections with others of their alma mater. Online and local professional communities work to connect entrepreneurs and businesses to others with complementary skills. Luncheons or meetups often give an excellent opportunity to share how your products can help companies increase their value.
Study and Apply Sales and Marketing Techniques
Determine your audience so you market to the right people. Sign up for courses that teach how to sell without being pushy or desperate. Self-promotion through marketing leads the right people to you. Build social skills and understand human psychology to understand what makes people want to buy.
Learn public speaking skills and get on video-sharing platforms to talk about what you do and teach others. Capable instruction makes you an authority and naturally leads decision-makers to consider hiring you for higher-tier projects. Podcasting can be a foray that allows you to interview others around your niche and attract interest. Plus, interviewing others can land you interviews on other shows.
Social media marketing is effective in creating a community and brand. Put out fresh samples and comment on recent events. Push to get engagement with polls and questions. For example, you might start a project and solicit ideas on how to develop it.
Start a Business Entity
Find an underserved market that wants to pay for your offerings. Keep an eye open for what businesses and wealthy people have a taste for to get top dollar for your work. Create a website and logo as soon as possible and secure a few related domain names to maintain ownership of whatever verbiage takes off with your target crowd.
Forming an LLC is best done before your work explodes. Once you have your first big break, you don’t want to be in a rush and waste time establishing a company. A formation service typically costs much less than high lawyer fees; online reviews of formation businesses such as Legal Zoom LLC help you to see which service best fits your needs. For instance, certain companies offer additional business services. With an LLC, you’re protected with limited liability to protect personal assets, and you create tax benefits. If you decide to change the structure, an established entity minimizes documentation headaches later.
Promote Others Brands
Draw followers by supporting others and curating what your fans would appreciate. Collaborate with other artists for valuable connections. As an example, a writer might connect with an artist for a webcomic or visual novel. Fashion designers and makeup artists could team up for a fashion show.
Creatives can get notice and succeed in business with practical self-promotion tips. Continually improve your business acumen while steadily honing your craft to stay on a winning path.
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