This January marked one year in business for Sofydoll so I thought it was time to reflect on how I do things. What different, better choices can I be making for myself? How can I help others more while being more successful myself?
Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled I have made it this far, but am in no way ‘there’ yet in terms of what I would consider a steady, successful business. My following is growing, my sales are getting better and I’m really enjoying what I do. It’s great to wake up everyday excited to work on my art, my products and engage with followers. But let’s be honest, having a financially sustainable business takes time. I’m certainly not able yet to live on my business income alone, especially when most of what I earn goes back into it. Fortunately though, I’ve learned from my mistakes so I am able to (mostly) make smart choices. It’s important to me to be successful — but I didn’t start Sofydoll to become a millionaire.
I realize that sounds weird, but it’s true. I’ve done the whole graphic design career thing (while still raising a family) and though I didn’t become rich off my career, it allowed me put food on the table and a roof over my head. I’ve struggled like most and am not in any place where I can retire to a life of leisure. The truth is, I’ve just learned to live more simply…and thankfully gotten smarter with money. That combination at least allows me to balance my time so I’m able to create quality work. Pumping out crappy products at a speedy pace (just to make a buck) doesn’t interest me.
I want my work to be high quality and to be a help to others in their own endeavors.
The reason I mention all of this is to give you a backdrop of how and why I make certain choices in my business now. Trying to keep a positive attitude and envision how things could be allows me to push myself to keep up with that vision. In my first year of business, I worked to get my social media following up and more engagement across the board. I built a website, opened up accounts on various art forums and applied to open shops on several marketplaces (after first getting denied in some cases) where I knew I would get more traction. I watched what others were doing, took the time to get better at my own craft (I’m always trying to improve), and invested money when/where able.
Now that I’m in my second year, I am rethinking some things. Having the chance to see what does well and where it does well, I can now make even smarter choices… choices that work for ME and my business.
— For one, I no longer put strong attention to marketplaces that don’t treat me fairly:
Yes, I’ll keep a shop on a marketplace but if they can’t support me then I have no incentive to support them. The proof is in the pudding as the ones that don’t support me don’t bring in a lot of sales anyway. I’ve had products that I’ll sell only a few of on one marketplace (that doesn’t promote my work) compared to that same product making upwards of 80 sales on another marketplace (that does promote my work). One of the bigger marketplaces I have a shop on brings in less sales than my own website, which gets a heck of a lot less traffic than theirs. I’m appreciative to have shops where I do and I don’t expect special treatment, just fairness. However, when a marketplace doesn’t fairly promote their sellers, it shows in the lack of sales as compared to marketplaces that DO promote you.
All this means I am now more strategic where and when I upload new products. The marketplaces that help promote my products are now the first to get my main focus and support. That being said, even with the marketplaces that DO support me I feel like we can both do better. Every marketplace has their favorites and you have to work hard to get to that place…but if I am being truly honest, I know I have more growing to do before I get to that point. So I continue to work at it and hopefully our business relationship grows to be successful for all. Part of making adjustments in what I do is also recognizing where I can be better.
— Not throwing my money at every “boost your income” mini-course that comes up on my feed:
I spent a lot of money on courses my first year, some were informative but most were not. So I choose carefully now. No more getting grabbed by the ‘everything you need to get your business to grow’ ads that show up on my timeline or in my email. If I see one that interests me, I will save it for the future. A few weeks later I’ll go back to it and if it’s something that’s needed at that time, I may partake. Most times, I never need to.
— Balancing my time better:
The time has come for me to venture into new areas of my field. This is a little scary at first, but imperative if I want to grow my business. However, I still need to keep at making an income so I also have to get existing products out in the market. This means knowing how to balance my time between creating, selling and learning. The best way to do this is to have a schedule.
I try to put out two products a month. That doesn’t sound like much but I take time to create my products so they’re of the best quality. Then I take almost equal amounts of time to do the presentation. A product can be great but if you don’t present it well then you can forget about it selling…especially on marketplaces where you are competing with so many others. I can’t tell you how many times I have purchased a Procreate brushset where the presentation was so nice and yet the product was just meh. I have the opposite problem, my products are meticulously created but I still need work in best presenting them.
This means now my schedule is often that once I put a new product out, I then focus on the business side of things. Writing in my blog, tweaking my website (I’m currently working on a new look), creating ads, etc. Then I get to working on my art (to engage on social media) and finally finding new ways to branch out. It’s a balancing act but at the moment, it works for me.
— Connecting with customers:
I have always been customer service oriented so this isn’t too hard for me but now I take more time to reach out to my supporters and followers. I actually find it fun and enjoy meeting such creative folks. Getting involved with the art community is a great way to get support too. So I’m sure to take some time now to do that. It doesn’t always have to be work, work, work to get your business to a more successful place.
— Looking forward:
As I mentioned above, I have been looking at new ways to branch out in my field. I have lots of ideas and things I want to do but sometimes have a hard time pinning one thing down. It helps to research what people are looking for. What is something that the market needs but doesn’t have. This also helps me not get stuck in a creative rut because that can easily happen. It can also overwhelm you, which is another way to get stuck in a rut…so again, balance is key.
Another thing I am doing is working on some promotional products for my business. It seemed silly to do in my first year but now I feel it works. Some may call that a ‘fake it ‘till I make it’ attitude and maybe it is but again, if I want to be successful I have to see myself as successful.
As I always say, it’s much more proactive to see yourself where you want to be, and put yourself out there while you work towards that goal.
So this is the place I’m at right now; Working hard and putting my energy where I know I will get results. Giving support to business relationships where I get a return on my efforts. Being smart as to where I invest my money. Making sure to always keep creating, staying open minded and…plugging away!
If you have any thoughts on changes you’re making to keep your own business going, I’d love to hear from them in the comments!
Until then…
