Lisa Meehan from mamagourds says
My goal is to make more concrete goals! Really! I have oodles of love for what I do, so much so that I tend to procrastinate doing the business side of my business. When you wear all the hats it can be so challenging to stay focused.
I did want to pass on a tip that has been very beneficial to me, and that is to get out there to art fairs, festivals, farmer's markets, school events, etc., ANYTHING. I started small at a tiny farmers market, and continued to apply to bigger and better venues. This is a terrific way to build up an audience. Just promoting myself within Etsy sometimes seems like a weird feedback loop; going to shows and having lots of cards to pass out can bring lots of new people in. You also get to have feedback right away as to which items attract attention, and which ones are complete duds.
Starting at small venues helps you learn without having to fork out the big bucks.
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I hear you about staying focused! It can be quite difficult. By brainstorming about your larger goals this early in the year, we are hoping you'll be able to isolate some small steps to take towards those larger goals, without getting so overwhelmed by a never ending list of to-do's.
I also love all this talk of craft fairs and local markets. While not technically on Etsy, I believe it all connects, and that building your brand presence locally can really help your business overall, on and offline. Get out there!
