Help me with business things
This topic has been on my mind for a long time. Finally writing to you, my fellow artists, creators, and makers. To the ones that have been struggling to come through. I hope this chapter will encourage you.
Some of you have DM-ed me asking how I did it. How did I find the energy to create art, post daily yet still have excess to maintain a website, build an online tutorial platform, starting a community?
I‘ve got to say, what you viewed on Instagram is just a snippet of my life. But I spent much time with God and my people. There’s also a community of creatives that helped me in the business things so that I can mindfully create floral art for you.
Here are some pointers and the people behind that helped me in this business. The mention of their names or brand is not sponsored, this post is entirely based on my individual experiences.
✦ AUDIT YOUR BRAND
I know this sounds taboo for many starters because you do not want to be confused by your own inner calling. Yet I have to say, my creative journey has never been so clear since meeting Vina @blomedesign.co
While, I was struggling in the mid-season with how to bring SLC to the next level, considering to engage a professional to finish my website. I decided to meet Vina. Best day of my SLC journey! She gave me so much clarity about what my brand is about and how far I can go with SLC. What you saw on my website were the guidance and words of this woman who shares the same faith.
I am very grateful for her professionalism. Her vision intertwined with mine. It was as if she had Heaven access to the dreams for SLC. I can keep writing about Vina because I am truly blessed by her sincerely.
✦ Visual STRATEGY
Well, this came a little late for me partly because I assumed my photos look okay as long as there are likes. Besides, I was thinking how bad can I be if I already love taking photos. Well, 14 months later, I was wrong. I begin to overthink and struggle on getting a good photo for the post. Until I met Sandra @sandrachaudesign
Love her sharing about having a strong visual presence. If only I had known her before I ran out of savings, I would start on her course and engaged her expertise sooner. Fortunately, she shares openly on her IG live and a 3-day introduction to Level Up Brand Imagery was a step up for SLC. I learn so much in one sitting and I want to keep going; made a pact to myself to invest in her Visual Collaborative soon.
✦ SCHEDULE YOUR POST
Please ORGANIZE YOUR POST! Especially if you want freedom of time! This was first on my list when I started SLC. @planoly played an important part in my business. I did not want to be thinking too hard about what to post daily. So, batch-creating content is the healthiest way to get my IG running while I set time for other things.
Just think about all that jazz we have to do - from the post, stories, reels, and dance?! If you can keep up with all that while having a good life. I salute. While for me, my priority is free time to take life at a slower pace.
There are many different schedulers doing the same. I personally prefer @planoly for its aesthetics and simplicity. Easy to load, clear directions, and it’s’ available on both mobile and desktop.
Facebook started the Meta business planner, you can use it to schedule your post. If you are savvy with FB, go try it now! And tell me how it works because it doesn’t work on me. LOL
✦ DO NOT RELY ON ADS
Ads killed all my vibe. I got into the habit of just boosting almost every post. Yes, I got the views, the likes, and some followers (maybe some sales) but it totally killed my sanity because all I was focused on was trying too hard to get the number of likes into a post.
It has been two months of being ads-free on SLC! I carry a new perspective to build my presence and audience organically. Yes, it is much slower but it gives me a healthy mind to think wisely and the sanity to create more florals!
Through ads, I have no idea what is the ROI. Now I spend more happy moments engaging with real people. Building my network outside of Instagram! Word of mouth (WOM) marketing is still the best language for advertising. People grow with people. Feed your inner values, not the outward validation.
A similar pain point is the giveaway contest. Dearest upcoming collaborators, please refrain from free giveaways because it is bringing harm to our (small) creative community. I’ll love to share my thoughts about this on the topic – “How do we stop pricing ourselves too low.” Interested?
✦ SAVE YOUR DRAFTS, USE THEM LATER
I love drafts! Okay, my phone is bursting with SLC work but thank God Instagram came up with a draft feature, and I was maximizing it. Don’t delete your drafts, keep them and find them useful later. It does not have to be perfect. Any post done is better than your procrastination on how fine it looks. Believe in your uniqueness! Every person is different! No two reels are the same even if its a viral sound.
if you’re not comfortable showing your face, you don’t have to.
On another matter, don’t be worried about over-sharing/ over-posting. This weariness only exists if you’re worried about what others may think of you. Creators need to stand firm and be confident in who they are and becoming. So let loose and just be you!
Having said that, if you’re not comfortable showing your face, you don’t have to. I tried and then I agreed that I don’t have to follow the trend. However, if you’re someone that’s completely raw on-screen, keep at it! Because it inspires me!
Comment if you want more such insights into my small business. I hope you’ll be brave to ask for help and just bring questions to the table. Someone who has been there will be very delighted to answer your doubts. If you need advice, there are truly many represented. Find someone who speaks to you, at the right time and season you’re in. Remember that you don’t have to walk this alone. An artist can still be an artist, leaving the business of things to the experts. You don’t have to self-taught yourself everything. #justsaying
Lastly but MOST important point, if you’re a faith artist, the best source of help we can receive is from our Heavenly Father. Seek first His Kingdom and ALL these business things will be added unto you. Stay at His feet, He will move the mountains around you. Talk to Him about your business struggles, make sure you bring along a notebook to take the minutes. God’s ideas are brilliant. He trends far ahead of anyone (including Mosseri announcements). I know because whenever an idea drops on me, it is usually swift and easy. There’s no striving at all. The writing or painting just come through so gently; like the fresh wind of God’s anointing.
The more I seek you
The more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love youI wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming
BRANDING: @blomedesign.co | VISUAL STRATEGY: @sandrachaudesign | IG PLANNER: @planoly |. CANDLES (kept me calm): @FITV
