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How to Get Discovered: Tips for New and Rising Artists
By Derek Goodman
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| Photo via Pexels |
Connect With Marketing Professionals
Certain professionals and agencies can help you get your work in front of others and fast-track your route to success. You can remain an independent artist and still get help from people who have experience in marketing creatives, both online and offline. For example, MarketingNewAuthors.com offers a variety of marketing services of self-published authors!
Market Yourself on Social Media
Social media offers robust opportunities for creatives to market themselves and connect with their target audience. Be sure to maintain active social media accounts for your brand and use these pages to share a behind-the-scenes peek at your creative process. You may also want to invest in paid social media ads to drive more traffic to your website. For example, Facebook advertising is great for targeting highly-specific audiences with your content. Take advantage of a free Facebook ads maker to create eye-catching content for your campaign. Simply choose a Facebook ad template you like and customize it with your own logo, fonts, colors, and other branding elements.
Establish Yourself as a Business
While you might be just one person trying to get noticed in the art scene, it’s crucial that you treat your artistic venture as a business. Taking the perspective of a business owner will offer valuable financial benefits, growth potential, and increased motivation to achieve success.
Mailchimp explains that you will need to navigate a couple of steps as you establish yourself as a formal business. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll need to choose a business structure. Your business structure will determine your level of personal liability, how you pay taxes, and other important details regarding your business flexibility. Research your business entity options. Once you’ve chosen the right structure for your art business, take advantage of online business formation services so you can file your formation documents without hiring a lawyer.
Set Up a Creative Space in Your Home
Creating a dedicated creative space in your home will make it easier to see your creative work as more of a business than a hobby. Plus, you’ll find it much easier to focus on your craft without the distractions of home life hovering around you. EmptyEasel.com suggests repurposing outbuildings or unused space in your home, like a garage, basement, or guest bedroom, where you can set up your equipment and supplies. Just be sure to keep track of any updates you make to your home in the process. Should you sell your home in the future, these records will help your home appraiser secure a higher value for your home!
Join Artist Communities
Artist communities have a lot to offer up-and-coming creatives. These communities create space for artists to interact, share ideas, and promote each other. They’re an opportunity to network and find mentors. You might even come across someone who wants to fund your next project or work with you on collaborative work. At the very least, being part of an artist community will provide invaluable support as you get your business off the ground!
Trying to break into the creative industry takes a lot of hard work and determination. Treat your creative career as a business, learn how to promote yourself on social media, and connect with professionals and other artists for help getting eyes on your brand. Eventually, all of your hard work will pay off and you’ll finally get the recognition you’re looking for!
Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He'd always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site, "Inbizability," (www.inbizability.com) to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.
Small businesses tend to relocate more often than larger enterprises. And whether you're upgrading your office space, moving to a better spot in town, or relocating for any other reason, it's crucial to prepare diligently beforehand and make smart decisions throughout the process.
Relocating can be challenging for smaller companies because there are many logistics involved, not to mention endless interruptions. Maintaining productivity and moving your team toward its goals must be a priority during the transition There is a way to plan and execute a business move that minimizes downtime, profit loss, and client problems.
Modify Your Legal Structure
When moving your company to a new state, you'll need to adjust your legal structure. Each state issues different rules and regulations for establishing a corporation, so you'll need to ensure you and your team understand the necessary steps for establishing your business entity the right way.
Also, consider hiring an online service to take care of your formation. Search "start corporation" to connect with top-notch, affordable services.
Make A Detailed Plan
The ultimate goal of any business relocation is to transition seamlessly without losing any productivity or profit. Doing so requires you to develop a detailed plan for every possible task and scenario.
Make sure there is a timeline for when everything will take place and a guide for how you will accomplish each task. Also, do your research and estimate the costs of the move to create a reliable budget.
You'll also want to determine which team members will be responsible for which duties. Delegate tasks according to each employee's skills and availability, and put the plan on paper.
Further, consider any loose ends your business needs to close before moving out of your current office. And decide when and how to share the news of the relocation with your clients, investors, and other relevant parties.
Write Out Your Inventory
Every asset is valuable, meaning you should treat everything in your office as inventory. Any object you're taking with you to the new location should be detailed on a spreadsheet so that your team's planning and packing process is as easy as possible. You don't want to get to your new location only to realize you're missing several critical items, such as:
- Machinery, computers, printers, and other equipment
- Desks, chairs, tables, and other furniture
- Files, documents, storage cabinets, and data CDs
Consider Replacements
As you're going over inventory, consider any equipment or other items that are due for a replacement. Undertaking a business relocation is often the ideal time to replace outdated or worn-out equipment. Plus, if a piece of equipment is approaching the end of its lifespan, consider the toil transportation might take on it.
Hire Professional Movers
If you're like most other companies, you will benefit from hiring a professional moving company. The earlier you start researching available movers and locking in dates, the smoother your transition will be.
Professional movers have the necessary skills, knowledge, and equipment to safely and securely transport all of your items to your new office. And your team can focus on regular business operations in the meantime.
Understanding the Timeline
We mentioned how important it is to create a timeline for your relocation. But for your timeline to be effective, it must be specific and flexible for unexpected occurrences. For instance, a solid timeline will detail how much of your company can function at full capacity during the transition and whether or not there will be periods when operations must cease.
Also, consider how many days, weeks, or months you will need for opening your new location after moving. And determine which team members will need to stay behind to pack up the old office and the ones who will need to start preparing the new one.
No matter how much you prepare, your business is bound to deal with a range of challenges during your relocation. However, devising a detailed plan and modifying it as necessary will help you sidestep many obstacles along the way and set the stage for a smooth transition. Keep the advice above in mind and continue learning other strategies for moving your company while fostering productivity and growth.
Christopher Haymon has written an article on how challenging it is to relocate a small business, and what small businesses can do to minimize disruptions during the move. A marketing manager by day, Christopher Haymon created the Adulting Digest blog to use his financial knowledge to help others learn to conquer debt and reach for financial freedom.
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Actionable Tips for Balancing a Freelance Writing Career and Your EducationBy Derek Goodman
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| Image via UNSPLASH |
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever began freelancing. And out of all the freelancing careers, writing remains a profitable and in-demand option among the many possible freelance sectors.
One of the best aspects of freelance writing is the ability to work anywhere, on your schedule. This flexibility is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractors for students. If you're trying to balance your education with a budding freelance writing career, here are a few things you should know.
Invest in Editing Software and Services
As a writer, you're not an editor, but you do need to self-edit your work. Some of the most profitable freelance writing gigs will require you to send in polished work that needs little to no editing. Thus, editing software will become your best friend.
You should consider using two types of editing software together. Begin with the HemingwayApp, which is free. This will check for passive voice, adverb use, and reading level. Then, copy and paste your work into Grammarly. If you want to write professionally, you should splurge on Grammarly Premium. This will check for a comprehensive (and ever-evolving) range of writing errors.
Remember, you still need to read your work after using your editing software. While powerful tools, artificial intelligence (AI) doesn't always get human speech correct. Also, pay attention to the mistakes you make and actively work on addressing them.
Last but not least, consider working with professionals who help you edit and polish your work. For example, MarketingNewAuthors.com offers proofreading and editing services that can strengthen your work and polish it to a shine.
Schedule Your Freelancing Time
Being in charge of your schedule doesn't only mean you can work whenever or wherever you want. It also means you're solely in control of your deadlines. Consider using a physical studentplanner or scheduling app. You can feel free to change your freelancing schedule from week to week, but it's essential to stick to it. Make notes on project deadlines and ensure you've scheduled enough time to complete them. You'll also find it helpful to check your schedule before taking on new projects so you don't overwhelm yourself and end up suffering from burnout.
Learn Basic Digital Marketing
Learning the basics of digital marketing can significantly increase your chances of attracting clients. HubSpot Academy offers free digital marketing certification courses you can take advantage of. Besides the general digital marketing course, you may also want to take SEO, inbound marketing, and content marketing courses.
Consider Forming an LLC
Consider forming a limited liability company (LLC) to protect yourself and your new business. There are numerous advantages of forming an LLC. Rocket Lawyer notes that the most important benefit is it limits your personal liability for the company, meaning your business going into debt won't affect your personal finances or credit score. Additional benefits include more flexibility, tax advantages, and less paperwork to fill out.
Each state has its own rules and regulations around forming an LLC, so be sure to do your research on what's required in your state before moving forward. Skip the hefty lawyer fees and file your paperwork yourself. If you don't feel confident in filing this paperwork, consider a formation service instead.
Prioritize Getting Paid
To ensure your efforts aren’t all for naught, it’s imperative that you receive timely payments for completed work. Ideally, this should be squared away at the onset of taking on a client’s project; however, it’s also wise to get into the habit of running invoices on a set schedule. If you’re not ready to shell out for accounting software, start with an invoice maker that offers free online templates and generation. You can customize your invoices as needed, and then promptly send them on to customers.
Find a Balance Between Your Writing Career and Education
More people than ever are turning to freelancing as their career of choice. It can be challenging to balance your writing career and education, but the above tips—from investing in editing software to having an invoicing system—can help.
Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He'd always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site, "Inbizability," (www.inbizability.com) to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.
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5 Steps For Turning Your Hobby Into A BusinessBy Derek Goodman
Editor's Note: Some authors decide to go beyond simply writing articles or books to become "authorpreneurs" —writers who turn their writing into a business by offering products and services based on their written works. Derek Goodman offers some tips to get you started on your journey.
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| Photo by Andrea Piacquadio |
Have you ever thought about turning your hobby into a profitable small business in Iowa City, IA, or online? You may have a pastime that easily becomes a brick-and-mortar store, or perhaps you've already toyed with selling goods and services online. Converting your hobby into something professional will take time, hard work, and patience.
Remember that many people engage in hobbies as distractions from responsibilities such as work, family care, and chores. Some people are happy doing what they love for work, while others prefer to keep their favorite pastimes as outlets for stress and creativity. If you're the type of person who loves the challenge of entrepreneurship, turning your hobby into a business is a great place to start. Consider these steps as you begin the process.
1. Find Your Platform
You may wish to set up your website to enable e-commerce or you might start a brick-and-mortar store—or you might want to do a little bit of both. It's important to know who you're selling to as well as where this type of customer may buy items they're searching for. For example, consider a person who wishes to sell homemade soup on an e-commerce platform. His or her best bet for consistent sales is a customer-to-customer sales platform such as Etsy, Amazon, or Squarespace. This person could make a plan to select a platform, set rates, and upload pictures of his or her soap.
2. Brainstorm About Your Brand
Building a brand involves creating a business name, a logo, and a narrative that speaks to your customer base. Consider working with a writer from MarketingNewAuthors.com to create engaging and descriptive marketing content that showcases your brand. It's important for your brand to reflect professionalism as well as integrity.
3. Establish Your Social Media Before You Launch
Digital marketing can be a valuable tool for those just starting out—but how do you sell to people when they don't know who you are? This is where social media comes in. Try establishing your website as well as starting Facebook groups, gaining Instagram followers, and putting out TikTok videos to get the word out about your brand before you even launch.
4. Complete Your Legal Paperwork
According to the IRS, there are several steps you'll need to take to legitimize your new small business. For example, are you registering your entity as an LLC? Do you know how to file your taxes at the end of the year? How will you pay the freelancers you may hire to build your website, design your logo, or write content for your social media? While these questions may seem intimidating at first, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with these processes (and get answers) for yourself now rather than later. You can find many of the templates and documents that you'll need online.
5. Develop A Budget
You may have not had to track your expenses for your hobby thus far, but now you should. You'll have to keep track of your spending and report the amount of money you make to the IRS at the end of every tax year. Be sure to pick accounting software that can link with your tax program if you plan to do your business taxes by yourself.
These five steps should start you in the right direction if you wish to turn your hobby into a business. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't immediately take off. Many profitable companies have experienced a slow, steady path to success!
Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He'd always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site, "Inbizability," (www.inbizability.com) to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.
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