When I first tuned into CreativeLIVE on May 1st to watch April Bowles-Olin’s workshop on blogging I thought it would be just that: a workshop about writing a blog. I thought I could watch a bit of it and go on with my work. How wrong I was! Before I knew it I spent the next three days completely glued to my computer, unable to stop taking notes. In case you are not familiar with CreativeLIVE it’s like a healthy enlightening replacement for bingeing on TV shows and movies. (Like eating celery sticks instead of chips for a snack.) And for me it has been the source of some major life-altering information over the past few months. April’s course was no exception. It turned out to be so much more than just a blogging workshop! It’s a content rich mega-course about running a creative business. I learned so much and was motivated to take immediate action. Starting with re-designing my entire website! Yes, just that tiny little adjustment! So welcome to my freshly refurbished site! Make yourself at home and please don’t mind the smell of fresh paint and some building materials still lying around… It’s all gradually coming together! Apart from the “tiny” project of making a new website here are some other cool changes I am implementing inspired by April and CreativeLIVE:
It’s not a business if there is no income
First and foremost I have recognized that if I want to start a business I better not postpone the actual selling of my work. So the online portfolio has transformed into a gallery shop that will be offering visitors the possibility to collect art ranging from original pieces to postcards. This is an exciting and a little scary (but mainly exciting) major change.
What you say & how you say it
April talked a lot about distinguishing our unique voice: why it is important to stay true to who we are and to use the mediums that are most suitable to communicate our message. It suddenly dawned on me that in my attempts to “do things properly” I had neglected my voice, my stories and my sense of humor – deeming them “unprofessional”. This is a mistake I am actively rectifying. I also realized with a sense of mild dread that I might need to start making videos… As my work is all about travel and unusual places then video would really be the best medium to talk about it. I love video blogs and I love video making (heck, I’ve done about 4 years worth of film-making classes, it would be a shame to waste it, really!). The only thing that has been holding me back is my blasted camera-shy introverted self! But I shall beat that fear of looking into the camera because I know that you are going to love videos from Fiji!
Commitment is easy when you do what you love [Tweet This]
Listening to April’s wise words about what different social media platforms have to offer to creatives I finally realized: I need to be on Instagram! I don’t know why it took me so long to get into it, but I absolutely love it now. I am usually really bad at keeping a regular schedule with anything (like writing blog posts for example!) And spending time on social media sites often feels like a chore. Going on Instagram feels like taking a pleasant visual break from everything else. Plus it offers an outlet for all those photos I love taking with my phone when on the road. It’s a pretty perfect match. I will be posting regularly during my trip (internet situation permitting) so you know where to look for a daily dose of wanderlust. This post is part of the “What #BelleLive Taught Me” blog tour inspired by April Bowles-Olin. To continue your journey please visit: How Entering a Contest Literally Changed My Life by Red Scorpio Handmade. And in case you did not hop over from Sage Grayson’s blog post about Keepin’ It Real in Business and Life then I strongly suggest you read that as well, it’s full of great advice. They were both part of the front row audience during the live course and it is a great honor to introduce their posts for this blog tour! For the full list of participants please visit Jo Cavagnis.
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“It’s not a business if there is no income.” HELLO!!!! Wow, did this ever hit me like a ton of bricks in a sack full of cement! I keep talking about my business, but the truth is, I’ve only made $400 and that was in January! Like, for real? Yeah! For real! I guess I need to stop postponing things and get my butt moving. I need to sell sell sell, or I might as well call it a hobby…Thanks!
Wow Renay, I am so humbled to see that my words managed to hit the nail on the head for you! What is the first thing you are going to do for your business to be more like a business?
lovin your fantastic artistic style and modern looking blog, fab! Your message was clear and I loved it, it’s true, monetize…. why do we try to stop ourselves from that?
I love it ALL!!! Your site is beautiful — clean and crisp and so inviting! And your blog post really stood out to me! I have to say, the point that you made about “It’s not a business if there is no income” both scared and excited me! I’m working so hard on finding my voice and doing my site that I’m not getting product out there. I’m so excited to follow your work and your growth and to continue to learn from you. Thank you for sharing your creativity and wisdom here. I look forward to more! :-)
Oh thank you Michael for stopping by and for your kind feedback! It’s so empowering to know that we are not alone in the beginner stage of business and the support of people like you is priceless!
Well, it looks as though you’ve learned your lesson, well ;) and so, did I, hopefully! It was a great, great webinar and now I really like your post about it!!! I hope things keep going great and I ‘m glad I joined your insiders’ cricle, so I can keep track of your progress!
Thank you Maria, I am working on the new Insiders update as we speak!
My blog is the only “job” I’ve ever loved, so you are so right. It’s easy to be committed when you love what you do!
“Commitment is easy when you do what you love” is so very true …I watched April’s workshop twice ..the live one which was around 2.30 am here in Australia..and my husband thought i was more than crazy… I watched it again when creative live rebroadcasted it later on the day . I learned so much from her and i love how you have incorporated her advises into your lovely blog. The video blogging part sounds like so much fun!!!
Wow Deepa, that takes real motivation to stay up so late, regardless of the level of crazy your husband thinks you are! Thank you for your kind words.
I wasn’t able to watch the entire thing, but, like you, I was glued to the computer when I WAS watching. Fabulous info! And yes–do it!!–sign up for Instagram!! :D And did you say videos from FIJI?! How lucky are you?!!
Thank you Ricki. Yes, pretty lucky! For the longest time I was struggling with my restless traveler syndrome, thinking I needed to be in one place to make art. Hint: that did not make me very happy. So I made the decision to combine the two things that make me feel I’m truly alive. Let’s see how it works out!
I love video blogs too. That would be interesting to see in the future. Your quote about commitment is so true. Keep it up. Just so you know, there is an upcoming Creative Live about Instragram next week. I cannot wait to attend that one. I know nothing about instagram.
Thank you for sharing your blog and passion for your art.
I am coming from the New Blogger group on Facebook enjoying the Blog tour. There really is too much to share from April. She is amazing. I enjoyed reading your blog because it is so conversational. Great job! If you want, you can check my blog out at http://www.timecapsule.com/blog. We love to receive comments and shares about our decorative Baby and Wedding Time Capsules as well.
I learned a lot from April about ways to help our business through our blog, so my husband was very understanding that I was watching Creative Live for several hours, to help us advance our lives and business.
Best of Luck to you,
Marcie Norton
@NewTimeCapsule
http://www.timecapsule.com
Marcie, thank you for stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment! I have been signed up for the Instagram marketing course for ages, can’t wait to see what I learn!
I’ll definitely go check out your blog as well!
I love that it’s not a business unless you’re making money. Otherwise, it’s just an expensive hobby, right?
Beautiful blog! Now get on those Fiji videos!!
xo
K
Thank you Kris! I still know quite a few people who believe that making art and selling art do not go together. Don’t even get me started on that one ;)
Hahahaha it used to bug me that my IRL friends don’t read my blog, but then I finally realized, they just weren’t my target market. Then it reversed, and it would start bugging me when they “liked” my FB just because we’re friends….hahaha.
And yes! Get in front of that camera girl…I love seeing the faces of my favorite bloggers. And videos from Fiji? HECK YEAH! :)
Hehe thanks Amanda! I still sometimes wish my friends would at least “like” my posts a bit more enthusiastically. Oh well! But yes I am very excited about the videos as well! 2 more weeks until I go to Fiji!
When I went to see my accountant at tax time this year I showed her my art-making expenses and told her that I was making art my business… she told me that unless I could show an income in the next year, the IRS thinks of my art-making as a hobby. I am absolutely on the same boat: scary or not, we have to sell the work to have a this be a business!!
Consu I dream of the time when I will have an accountant! At the moment I don’t even have a proper business account. I have decided as Laura said in her blog that done is better than perfect and to start before I’m ready. I really hope it will work!
I too love the quote “Commitment is easy when you do what you love”. Write about things you are interested in and don’t force yourself to write about things because you “should”.
Blogging outwards is key! For the longest time, I was my only reader, but now that other people are reading my blog, I need to be speaking to them and opening up.
Great post!!
Thank you Richelle! I learned very quickly that my “real life” friends were not my ideal readers (the biggest clue was that they didn’t read my blog, hehe). At first it seemed impossible to not talk to the void when writing without knowing who my audience would be. But I am now realizing that even without many readers we can direct the writing to our “perfect audience” – the people we want in our tribe. Suddenly being authentic comes a lot easier because my ideal reader (even if imaginary at first) will not judge me for being myself.
I love the ‘Commitment is easy when you do what you love’ I entered a bit of a no mans land with my blog when my sister decided she didn’t want to do the blog design as planned. I tried uploading my illustrations and found i hated posting them and deleted them, then thought about doing a drawing a day challenge but felt stressed at the thought. So now I am just posting about life in Italy until I can decide what else to do and am amazed at how much inspiration that seems to give me…it’s also an excuse to improve my photography!! :D
Jo, I have been building my blog since October and have been through several mind sets and directions in that time. Thanks to CreativeLIVE I am finally starting to find my focus and hone in on the true goals. I know all too well what it’s like to go through ideas and tactics that simply don’t work but only dispel motivation. I think it’s a great idea for you to write about life in Italy and I am very interested to read about it! I will be blogging about my travels too. Our big challenge will be to blog outwards and build audience, not just talk to ourselves.