I know marketing is something that many creative people shy away from. They feel like it’s slimy, inauthentic and pushy. But the good news is that you don’t have to impersonate the ShamWow guy to be an effective marketer!
Currently my boyfriend Neil and I are working on a documentary about the handmade community called Make It Happen. It’s about how people are able to quit their (soul sucking) day jobs and pursue their dreams of starting their own creative businesses. To say it’s been inspiring is a huge understatement! Our minds have been blown by the stories of struggle, determination and success. I feel incredibly grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to bring them to life and inspire others.
I think one of the most interesting things we have discovered is how the people we interview feel about marketing. Some consider themselves true artists and don’t resonate with the business side of things at all, while others call themselves entrepreneurs who just happen to be artistic. It’s very interesting to see the difference and many times their approach to marketing is very similar.
One of our interviews was with a woman who owns a thriving silk screening business. She makes t-shirts, prints, and screens her photography on sheets of wood. A big part of her business is selling at craft shows and markets across Canada. She is a total pro and everything from her website, booth display, hangtags is polished and consistent. Plus she has a sweet, quirky personality and customers love her.
But does she consider herself a good marketer? No! She told me, “I’m not good at marketing. I have no idea how to do it. I just commutate things that I think my customers want to know. I try to connect with them and understand what they want.”
Ha! I couldn’t help but let out a giggle because this is EXACTLY what marketing is. It’s so simple, but people make it complicated or think it has to be negative. If you can just communicate and connect with your customer as well as give them what they want, I’d say you are a damn good marketer!!
Customers respond to authenticity and truthfulness. Don’t you? We respond well to marketing messages that feel honest and genuine because it feels like someone is trying to help us instead of scam us. If you have this mindset when you are figuring out your own marketing, your success will be so much greater AND you’ll feel good about it. Your may not even realize you are marketing!
This is the final week of our Indiegogo campaign, so please make sure you check out our trailer. For as little as $5, you can help spread the message that it is possible to do what you love and embrace your creativity. Never settle and keep going for your dreams. It’s so worth it!
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