It seems like every day we hear about more and more things we “should” be doing to grow our businesses.
We’re supposed to be engaging with people in all kinds of ways. Saying “yes” to everything.
Blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, publishing newsletters, emailing, and re-listing / updating online storefronts.
Frantically promoting our jewelry all over the place.
But no matter how much of this stuff we do, we always feel like we’re running behind and that we “should” be doing more.
I invite you to step off that crazy train and try a different approach.
This is something that works very well for me:
- I skip the business-building activities that feel difficult or that I just don’t like to do.
- Instead, I choose to do only the business-building things that come easily to me and are fun for me.
- And I really throw myself into those fun ones, giving them everything I’ve got.
An example of two of my choices here:
Currently I’m not on Facebook. I had an account there briefly a few years ago, but I found that it just didn’t resonate with me then.
Since I wasn’t enjoying it, I closed my account there. (I may experiment with it again someday, though.)
However, publishing a newsletter is something I LOVE to do, and it comes easily to me.
I’ve been publishing my Jewelry Business Success News ezine regularly since March 2004.
Every issue is a joy for me to create, and I completely throw myself into it, giving it everything I’ve got.
By focusing on just a few of the business activities I love to do, it’s all fun and exciting – and everything grows.
But when I try to do everything I “should” be doing, I feel overwhelmed and tired – and I don’t do any of it very well.
(In fact, I wind up procrastinating – and then feeling guilty for not doing the things I dislike!)
So how about you?
I encourage you to try cutting out the business-building activities you find difficult or un-fun.
Instead, try focusing on just a few of the business-building activities that feel easy, and that you really enjoy – and totally throw yourself into them with all your heart.
I bet you’ll be amazed at the difference in your results – and in how you feel about the “business” side of your jewelry business!
What business-building activities do you dislike doing?
And which fun ones would you enjoy doing with all your heart?
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I found out I really enjoy shows, although it is alot of work. I found out leaving my jewelry at stores for commission has hardly ever paid off, unless you do not have to pay monthly fees. So I don’t do a lot of that. I enjoy “open houses” at people’s homes. Just a few hours and the pay is great. I’ve decided to also NOT feel bad because I do not do Facebook or any social networking either. I don’t have a smartphone, mine is still a studpid phone. So I don’t feel bad (yet) about not having all those fancy apps that might help my business.
Hi Rena,
As always, you hit on the perfect subject for us! I remember working my tail off marketing myself on FB…and all I did was spend hours a day “doing” what I thought would spur a sales surge in my online shop. Uh-huh…the only thing that surged was wasted time when I could have been designing! haha. I did make some friends, which was the upside, but other than that? It became one of my “un-fun” things. And “tweeting”? I’m sorry, but I don’t call it “Chatty” Cat’s for nothing! 140 characters? Really? And not one sale from announcing a big sale or new work on my site.
We love your newsletter, and I look forward to every single one. They are chock full of useful ideas…no fluff! I’ve been making jewelry for almost 20 years, and I still learn new things when I read your newsletter. I’m grateful it’s one of your “fun” things for you!
Cheers,
Cat
What a welcome article-I sometimes wake up at night thinking that I should be doing XYZ and the word ‘should’ is a big tip off.
For instance, I have had a website(with a blog) for about 4 years and I didn’t really want either but felt I’ should ‘.Well, what a pain-my husband takes and loads the photos under protest,but insisting he wants to (!!!)Then the descriptions and eliminating items after shows(everything I do is one of a kind)And the blogging made me feel like a self indulgent /self important twit.
So about 4 months ago I decide to use the site to show what I have done , to administer my e-mail list and as a calendar.Happy Days!
I think that it is wonderful to read about ideas and advice, but you need to know yourself and your business-how much time do you want to spend on it is a good place to start.How much return on that time are you going to get in terms of money ,satisfaction and enjoyment? When is enough, enough?
Rena, I can tell you love what you are doing- and I think our customers can also tell if what we are doing is a labour of love or a task.And if you are not loving what you are doing(most of the time) then stop doing it, there are easier and more profitable ways to earn a living!
Tracy
Aside from making jewelry, I love taking and editing the photos. I think I’m getting better at the photos. Listing items for sale and promoting them are a necessary nuisance so I limit the marketing aspect to almost minimal. My facebook links to twitter so I rarely go on twitter (which I’m not fond of). I love posting my jewelry images on a few social networks and facebook pages just for the feedback and interaction they generate, not necessarily for sales. I have however, had some sales through posting on a few jewelry business-type fb pages (large companies, like suppliers, only. I never post on the wall of individuals like me unless I’m invited.) I’ve always loved writing so I’m trying to get better at blogging. I don’t believe I try very hard to market myself and would probably be more “successful” if I did but I hate it, so I don’t. I do have to say Rena, that If it weren’t for reading your book (Social Networking, Sell Your Jewelry Online) I would be doing a lot less and making no money at all.
Rena,
always an important topic, work-life balance and prioritizing what to do for your business. I always struggle with wanting to participate in tons of online webshops (Etsy, Artfire, etc) but the key is, as you said, to focus your efforts and secondly, to put your efforts into activities that give you a return. Always try and measure your results (if you’re spending money on advertising, or doing giveaways, etc) and determine if your time is well spent.
i am so glad that i just came across this article! as someone whose business is just starting out, i have been feeling totally overwhelmed by the “shoulds” and i think you hit the nail on the head with this. since my business is still in its beginning stages, a lot of what i’ve been doing, is learning what works and what is fun, but this makes me feel better about not wanting to (or be able to!) do EVERYTHING. thanks
Its true, I found this very quickly as well. You just can’t do everything, You need to focus. Things are a lot less hectic since I started to follow this.
Good subject! I have finally given up on doing market tables. In our small area there is only one that was close by to do and I’ve decided that it is a waste of time. I have no idea what to do next. The one store I had good sales at has gone out of business. I’m left with probably having to do online sales. Most likely on Facebook! My preference would be for customers to see my work in person and NOT online so I am currently thinking about my next step.
Thanks for another great article Rena. I often feel overwhelmed with the marketing aspect of the business. I am active on Facebook and made lots of friends I actually also have met and am meeting up with in real life, but sales-wise it hasn’t been that successful yet – I think it takes a lot of time. My page is connected to Twitter and only occasionally I use Twitter on its own. I have collected some interesting followers through my posts – often music or cat related, because I try to mix things up in my status updates and I happen to love cats, comedy and cool music. I also write a monthly newsletter and my subscribers get an insight to my studio and they also often receive discounts. Currently I have spent a lot of time improving my website – it’s an ongoing thing really – because I am not sure if I want to have a separate Etsy/Folksy shop as that would add to the workload and would make administration of it all more complicated. Also both sites are over saturated with jewellery designers.
I have noticed that I love showing my jewellery in my home or the customer’s home and just spend time with customers and focus on what they like, want or need, but am not keen on craft fairs. I have yet to find a good craft fair with the target audience that appreciates my wares. Ordinary table top type fairs don’t seem to work for me (so far).I also show my work on Flickr and take part in a few forums – but they are mostly craft related so I don’t really reach customers, but get a lot of support, which is also valuable. I would love to go down the personal gift shopping route where customers come to my “studio” regularly or I visit them as I think it’s much more fun and focused. There are so many other networking out there but there’s just not the time and marketing takes a lot of time. I think key to sales is also simply having customers recommending you.
Thank you so much for being the “voice of reason” in this whole marketing, social networking, blog, on-line store,facebook…craziness. I am not very technical and really not into the whole networking thing. My jewelry is basically a hobby – not a business. I sell at craft shows which I have found I absolutely love to do. I sell also to friends, family & co-workers. My whole “business” is low key and I am happy with it as it is. For a while I was feeling like I “should” do the whole networking, on-line store etc. thing, but finally decided it was not for me and I am happy with my decision.
Thank you so much for addressing this topic and making those of us who are not trying to do it all, feel like it is O.K.
I love blogging and facebook, so they are the “fun” parts for me.
When I started my jewelry business I knew I would have to “get out there” and attend networking events. I dreaded them, but now love them, and through them I have made some great new supportive friends who have also become customers.
Orders from networking with other women now makes up a significant part of my bespoke order
Following through to this article was an absolute “meant to be.” My marketing focus this year is to simplify my web site while adding even more product. I hate doing Facebook and Twitter, and haven’t updated my blog in 2 years, but I love working on the website.
I’m inspired seeing your newly revised blog. I’ll revisit often while trying to rework my pages. Clean, uncluttered, easy navigation, and easy to find products to buy; that’s my goal. Thanks for “giving me permission” to not Facebook!
I’m glad to hear everyone’s fun business-building activities, as well as the un-fun ones you’re glad to release. Since we can’t do it all, I feel relieved to focus intensely on just the ones that resonate with me.
And Bev, I think you’ll have fun uncluttering your website. I always enjoy the “unburdening” of getting rid of un-needed items – whether it’s real items in my house or virtual items on my site!
And if it helps in your website makeover, one guiding principle for me is:
What you decide leave out is as important to the design as what you decide to include.
Hi Rena,
Super advice, thank you. I am still trying to do it all and it is slowly driving me crazy. I love writing and designing jewelry but social media is at times trying, is it really helping? There are many days I miss the craft shows and talking face to face with people, maybe someday I’ll go back…
Best wishes, Jennifer
Rena you are amazing! Reading your newsletters and keeping up with your site has helped me tremendously over the years. I have actually started my countdown to my last day of my full time office job to start working on my business full time and I couldn’t be happier. It is a scary thing but exciting all the same. It got to the point that I just can’t handle my full time professional job and now a growing full time jewelry business. I attribute my ability to do this to the information I have learned from your sites and also by taking part in the handmaderesults courses that you recommended in your newsletter last year. I can’t thank you enough
I’m so happy to hear how much this post has resonated with all of you – thank you for letting me know!
And Melissa – I’m so honored to have had a small part in your success! And so very thrilled that everyone’s shared ideas and tips here over the years have helped you forge your success.
How exciting to be on your “final countdown” to your full-time jewelry business! I wish you all the best – it sounds like you have a fantastic year ahead of you, taking your jewelry to the next level!
We’re all cheering you on!
Rena,
This is such a timely article for me. You know I’ve been reading your blogs and attached to your web site for quite awhile now. Your book Social Networking..that I bought was great help. And I have come a long way.
Yet, I always feel I have to compete with these younger folks who are much easy with FB and Twittter and all that. There are times when I feel so over whelmed.
I like to write my blog and picture taking, editing are also fun for me. Craft shows are fun but very demanding.
But I just have to remind myself to take it easy and not deviate from what I really love to do – that is making jewelry .
Dita
http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
http://www.alankarshilpa.etsy.com
Thanks to Rena and to all of you for your comments. You’ll never know how much they mean to me. I struggle with social media,not being a fan of Facebook or Twitter. It’s so hard to keep up with and to filter out a lot of unimportant nonsense. I’ve started to post on Pinterest just to get feedback. I don’t want to get into shipping and handling if someone wants to buy a piece. What I love to do is home jewelry parties and have had a lot of success with Rena’s suggestion and article “Jewelry Party in a Basket”. Some friends are more successful than others with this also. So I try to focus on them and to give them more jewelry incentives the more they sell and the more baskets they do.