With a new year brings (hopefully) a new zest for life … and business!
This year, we vow, we will live bigger, shine brighter, make more, spend less, reinvent, redesign.
But, of course, that’s a lot to ask of ourselves. So in 2012, why not reach out for help when you need it? There are so many resources out there for small businesses – so many it can be pretty overwhelming to sift through it all and find exactly what you need to know.
Oh My! Handmade Goodness has grown into a wonderful resource for creative entrepreneurs – full of inspiration, useful tips, and support. Jessika, the contributors, and readers are bursting with practical know-how.
Personally, I’d love to tap into that knowledge base with a few requests. Here’s a few things I’d love to see on OMHG in 2012:
1. Marketing – Building a Press Kit
A huge part of growing your business is getting your name and products out there. This can be pretty daunting, and I will admit that 2011 was not my strongest year in this regard!
To help improve my marketing plan in 2012, I would love to see some practical posts on putting together Press Kits – both how to craft a digital press kit to send to digital publications AND how to put together an amazing attention-grabbing hard copy kit to send to magazines and newspapers. Having an online business and being involved in the online/blog community, it can be easy to forget that there are so many people out there who don’t source products on Pinterest, don’t make a habit of browsing Etsy, and don’t read online magazines. I want to reach those customers this year and I would love some help!
2. Photography – Using a Light Box
One of my goals for 2012 is to improve my product photography by investing in or building a light box. I rely a lot on natural light for my product photos and, especially in the winter, this can be really challenging. I often set a photography date or deadline for myself only to be derailed by grey or rainy days.
I would love to see a post on building your own light box / lighting set up, advice on what to look for when building a small home photography set up and tips on how to successfully take photos using the equipment. Actually, a whole series on product photography, lighting, photo styling, etc, etc, would be awesome!
3. Networking – Sharing Knowledge
One of my daily reads, Yes and Yes, a blog full of inspiration, travel and amazing true stories, runs a monthly piece called “Network of Nice”. Essentially, readers write in asking for help/advice or offering help with something they are an expert on. From finding friends in new cities, to learning about following a career path – it’s an exchange of knowledge and a way to connect.
I think it would be amazing to have an OMHG Knowledge Swap. You want to know where to buy a custom stamp for your business or how to simplify your shipping process or what the best accounting software is. Chances are your fellow OMHG’ers have the answer to that! Not sure how this one would work – as a monthly post or a twitter hashtag or…? But it sure would be a help!
Now it’s YOUR turn!
So, we’d love to know, what would YOU like to see on OMHG this year? Any specific topics you wish we would cover this year to help you and your business? Tell us in the comments.
Hey! I Know How To Do That!
Are you an expert at building light boxes? Have a great tip for maintaining work-life balance? Want to share your favourite artisan with the world? Tell us about it!
If you have knowledge you’d love to share with the OMHG community, contact Jessika with your Guest Post pitch.
Happy 2012! Let’s make it a great one!
Special thanks to Mandy Crandell of Something Monumental for use of her photo!
