I have heard SO many creative entrepreneurs (soap makers, body care products, bike parts, running gears…) say how they are NO good at marketing.
I understand the fear that’s behind this…rejection.
Somewhere along the line in our creative ventures someone told us “What the heck is that you’re making? That looks kinda silly!” or “That’s cute, but I don’t think anyone will buy it.”
Our creative confidence was dashed on the rocks of hopes & dreams.
Creative people are very different from the rest of the world.
First, we don’t really feel like we fit in anywhere. (Like an alien on a strange and unknown planet.)
We are sensitive – to everything! (…people’s words, too many noises in the room, cold/hot, the almost invisible seam in the toe of your socks.)
And we create! That’s what we do.
Famous creatives – Salvador Dali, MC Escher, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates,
We creatives are a special breed, no doubt.
We are the dreamers of the world.
We can easily escape into the studio and create – for hours, days even!
We make beautiful, glorious, one-of-a kind original masterpieces.
And, we (I can say this because I was one of them) convince ourselves that we can make one hell of a product, but marketing is just not our thing.
Now, I put myself in this category because I’ve been creating since I can remember – puppets out of oatmeal boxes, charcoal drawings, bridal veils, baby clothes, artisan chocolate, natural body care products. (Yes, I actually have made all these things.)
I’m also a marketer.
It’s what I went to college for, it’s what I LOVE creating almost more than crocheted scarves.
But, there was a time when I threw myself into a project and thought, it looks great, but I’m not good at marketing my stuff.
Whaaaaa?
Wait!
I’m a marketer – this should be easy.
I had to separate myself from my craft (well, my craft of making a tangible product) and my craft of creating really good marketing copy and content.
I had to jump into my mind – yeah, that one filled with self-doubt – and tear myself away. (Imagine the proverbial slap to the face with the “snap out of it” comment!)
See, we, as creatives, have convinced ourselves that marketing (which really means that selling thing) feels gross. That no one on earth would really pay what we make anyway…oh I know, I’ll give it away!
Ahhh!
Death of a business.
But,
Marketing is really easy if you do this…
Write copy and speak from your heart!
That is NOT sales-y!
If you think about WHY you started making in the first place, what comes to mind?
It’s filled with emotion! It’s surrounded by energy!
Okay, grab your journal! This will be your Creative’s Marketing Journal! (I should make a product out of that idea!)
Write about it! Spill it all out onto the page!
- Write about WHY you love making what you make. (The purpose of your work.)
- Who enjoys it?
- What have people told you when they get their hands on your creation?
- What conversations have you had at the farmer’s market, craft fair, trade show, industry event?
- What did people say?
Use these words in your marketing.
See, you don’t have to try to “make something up” or craft words that don’t feel natural to you.
The best marketing, the best type of copy, comes from what other people are saying about you and your product.
And, it comes from your heart.
Tell the truth! Dig deep into your soul and pour it out onto the page. Write about what it means to you that you can make these special creations for people.
Then, when it’s on the page and you hit publish, say these words..
“I AM a Marketer!”
P.S. If you like what you read in my blog, sign up for the Content Strategy Checklist and you’ll get regular messages, tips, and strategies from me on marketing, content creation, and having fun getting your business out into the world. CLICK THIS IMAGE to get your download of the Content Strategy Checklist!
