My 5 Second Rule for Small Business Owners
It's difficult to turn your life into a business without any idea of how to do it, so here are my top five tips for small business owners.
1. Don't go it alone- Join a community. There is no point in trying to launch your own business if you don't have the support of people who are just as passionate about your idea as you are. Form part of an online group, get on Twitter and start talking to like minded people, start trade shows or events with local businesses that share similar interests and goals- the list is endless!
2. Know your numbers. There is no such thing as a sure thing. Whether you are just starting out or have been successfully running your own business for years, part of the job is knowing what you are capable of according to real figures. We all dream about that big deal that will transform our business, but it's not always a reality and keeping track of what you can realistically handle will help you to plan for the future and make decisions based on fact rather than fantasy.
3. Be prepared to change direction. No idea is set in stone and sometimes new strategies, strategies that could have had devastating effects on your business a year or two ago, might now be exactly what you need to get you on the right path. Be open minded to new ideas but don't let it affect your determination if you don't think they are right for you.
4. Make your customers feel special. Your customers are the life blood of your business and making them feel like they are part of something special is important. If you can create a community that shares a sense of belonging and connection with your brand, you will have customers that want to come back again and again, as well as recommend you to their friends.
5. Be your own boss- Celebrate yourself! If your business is going well there's no reason not to celebrate it. You've worked hard and succeeded in something that isn't easy so reward yourself with a treat or even just buying a nice new outfit.
In the big picture of your business, you are the sole person who will make it grow and if you do it well you'll never need to look for another job! I hope these tips help you on your way!
Posted by Bec Crew at 3:45 PM 0 comments Links to this post
The previous year was my first time running a successful Etsy store, and I'm now well aware that it can be quite difficult. It wasn't easy for me when I first set up shop last year but because I did all the work myself, I was able to move forward when others had failed. I had my own artwork to sell, but it helped me get the hang of things when I also stocked some other people's artwork. After all, it was a start and my way to build a client base.
The concept of social commerce has been around since the days of Facebook, but Etsy is an example of how that trend is emerging in a physical format as well. By opening up your shop and inviting other people to sell their wares with you, you not only give yourself more products to offer on your store but also allow creators who are just starting out to have their products seen by a larger community base.
Everyone wants exposure for their business, and that's what social commerce does for you. You not only get to sell more products but you also gain a larger customer base. As Etsy continues to grow, it's no surprise that more niche markets are being catered for and there is a growing need for businesses such as this one.
Social commerce isn't just about selling products though; it's about sharing the success that you had in your business with others. It gives artists and designers a chance to showcase their talents, meeting up with other people in their community and learning from each other. By promoting other people's artwork and using it on your own store, you're giving them exposure and getting more people to check out your site. You can also feature other people's artwork within your own home page or blog on your website to help drive traffic as well.
As a blogger, I sometimes find that blogging is a struggle because I've got so much ahead of me when it comes to creating new content, but when you have a shop full of similar products, the content doesn't have to be exciting anymore- you don't need to write about how much you love making your designs; all you need is the thumbnail image and title for each product. However, if you've got a store full of similar products, do try to make your titles unique otherwise you might end up with a list of similar sounding product descriptions. Don't be afraid to write some personal information about the process as well- it will make your products feel more personal and will help your readers become interested in not only what you're selling but who you are as well.
Using other people's merchandise could open doors for them to become clients of yours too. If readers read all about the process that you went through while making your designs and they fall in love with your products and want something similar but done in their own style, they might come to you looking for work too. Instead of your readers telling other people about the design that they love, they can now show off their own creations to potential visitors.
Social commerce is a great way of building a business and keeping up to date with new trends. It also makes your regular job-related activities easier because you're not always finding time to create content for your blog or website- you're too busy making more products for your store.
Conclusion
Doing social commerce with at least one other creator will help your business grow and teach you how to manage your time. It's a great way of promoting other people's work, not only in the niche market that they're in but also online. By inviting others to sell their products on Etsy, you're helping each other out by providing a larger audience base while getting exposure yourself at the same time.
Posted by Bec Crew at 8:30 AM 1 comment Links to this post
I'm sure most of us have seen a few second hand shops in our lives, whether it be at our local shopping centre or somewhere along the side of the road as we walk through town.