Before I get into the nitty gritty of this post, I should point out that I am currently on vacation, albeit at the tale end. I’m not able to get away much so my family and I really look forward to that down time. Ours is a road trip and we move around a lot…so the decision to take my iPad and laptop is a no brainer. Hours in the car while heading through several states gives me the opportunity to make use of that time…but I am also sure to stop and enjoy the moment. However, something about seeing new things and connecting with people along the way gives me much inspiration and food for thought.
While I’ve been away the emails keep coming. New products being launched. New sellers in the market. The latest and greatest product is “now here”! The design industry is huge and growing still. As someone who provides design assets and artist’s tools I am constantly having to think of new ideas. It can be challenging but I don’t mind. I enjoy what I do. And if I’m being honest, seeing other creators with their new products actually inspires me to create more new work of my own. The issue with all of this is, how do I not get my own work drowned out in a sea of other design products? How do I stay above an oversaturated market?
To be fair, these are questions most creators ask themselves. We launch a new product, it may become a big hit for a time. Once it’s been out a while, the wow factor fizzles out as the next new thing hits the market. This is all normal. Yes, the really good products never lose their allure, but the initial wow factor does dwindle out to some degree. That’s just how it is.
So again, how do I try and stay above a saturated market? Well for one I am constantly immersing myself in it. I know there are other, more experienced and popular creators out there. I also know there are more that are up and coming. Regardless, they have their style and I have mine. So even though (in a sense) we are all competing with each other it does seem that a lot of us are trying to be unique. Yes, there are certainly times when products cross over. Sometimes we creators get the same ideas at the same time and that can’t be helped. However, there are others who will ride the coattails of a popular product by creating a copycat. It’s unfortunate but again, that’s just how it is.
For me, immersing myself in the market tells me what products there are too many and too little of…and what products don’t yet exist at all. That’s the place I try to create my new products from. What’s the market lacking? How can I fill that void a little? I am continually thinking and working towards new ideas. And yet at the same time, I also know the importance of taking a break to recharge. This can be hard but you can’t stay creative by burning yourself out. Pumping out a mediocre new product (just to stay relevant) may feel good initially and you may even make some sales, but in the end buyers know the difference. It’s your reputation on the line, so tread carefully. The more experienced sellers are popular for a reason, they really put a lot of thought into the product they’re creating. That’s how they stay above the fray.
Now I should tell you that even I have trouble sticking to my own advice sometimes, at least initially. Yes, I too have to fight the urge to launch a new product as often as possible and I quickly remind myself that isn’t the type of creator I want to be. So I take a step back and reassess. It’s about quality, not quantity. Sure, some buyers have lower standards and aren’t as picky. That’s OK, there are plenty of sellers they can choose from if that’s what they want. However, I don’t want to be known as mediocre. I’m not saying that I am yet on par with the more talented and experienced creators out there, but I am saying that’s where I want to be.
The bottom line is; you can stay aware of your market while still staying true to your own ideas and creativity. Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing and think that’s what you should be doing too. The best way to keep your head above water and an oversaturated market is to think out of the box a little. It may take some time to get your groove (and feel comfortable with it) but you will…and you’ll be a better creator for it.
Feel free to say hi in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Until then…
