creative talk: designing the product

photo by carina skrobecki photography

In previous posts about small businesses, I talked about figuring out your direction and your audience, and in this one, I want to focus on product.

I'm not necessarily talking just about physical product-- a blog can be a product, a photography business can be a product-- in this I'm talking about the exact thing you will offer.

A little harsh reality: no matter how much great marketing or buzz or audience you have, if your product isn't what people are looking for, or has problems with it, they aren't going to buy it or subscribe to it, or work with it. It's a simple as that.

When I first started making bags, I realized that the quality of the product was a big deal. I started using smaller rivets for my leather straps but quickly realized that the larger rivets, (while not as a pretty), were necessary for the bag. I've also changed my leather because I found another kind that worked better for me and the customer. I've also had some interactions with vendors I sell to that were hard to hear, but in the end, have helped me develop a better product.

Making these little changes is key. They aren't huge overhauls, just small tweaks. You could approach a blog or any business the same way. Get feedback regarding your business. What works? What doesn't? Find your brutally honest but loving friend (doesn't everyone have someone like this?) who will give you a critique you can work with. And to make it clear-- I'm not talking the random commenter or customer that you can't ever please-- I'm talking about someone who cares about you and your business and wants you to succeed.

Find the changes that need to be done, and then follow through with them. It may be hard, or frustrating, but creating something that people are drawn to and love will be the core of your business.

Do you have people who can offer you critiques about your ideas? If you aren't sure you have the right person, try connecting with other small business owners on social media. Build a rapport and see if they can be the one to offer advice.

xo, erika

read previous creative talk posts: honing your idea | figuring out your audience

friday favorites

The husband and I are headed to New Orleans next week and although I've been to Atlanta (for like a day), this is my first time to the South. We're excited to explore and to eat-- and I need your suggestions! Where should we go? What can we not miss? We'll be gone for five days.

Some of my favorite stuff from the internet from this week:

>> jonesin' for likes-- an incredible post about creating boundaries about the web.

>> I have a ridiculously huge rhubarb plant and rhubarb-lemon bundt cake and rhubarb pie sound like perfect uses of it.

>> have you guys heard of Alt? I have been taking their free classes and I highly recommend. (It's on my bucket list to go to their full conference.)

>> I confess, I love me some NPR and I remember first hearing about the girls getting kidnapped in Nigeria but then the Nigerian government said they were returned... which somehow was a lie and they really are not home. So join me for praying for their return. I love this post about that.

>> I love to read. You know that. So although this book list is for moms, I think a lot of these would work for any book worm.

>> such a beautiful post about endings leading to new beginnings

Also, if you are local, the Moorea Seal store is opening in Belltown! I am so over-the-moon thrilled for her and her team! The launch party is from 6 to 9 p.m. and the first attendees get a little gift. :)

happy weekend friends!

xo, erika

creative talk: who is your audience?

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Yesterday I wrote about asking yourself hard questions when you have an idea. My next business-y tip is in that same vein: It's another question, specifically regarding who your audience is. 

I make a lot of things, and a lot of times I make things or do things just for me. It doesn’t matter if anyone else likes them, although I do confess to wanting people to like what I do, just for selfish reasons. However, when I make something for my shop, I know that I need to think about who my audience is, and whether she would like what I’m doing.

Not sure if you know who your audience is? That’s ok — make them up and then, direct your efforts toward them. 

For instance, when I make my bags, I have a very specific woman in my mind. I know where she likes to shop, what music she listens to, what inspires her and so when I am designing, I am thinking about what she likes. 

What's easy for me, however, is that I have decided that I, too, am my customer and in that way, my audience is some one who is a lot like me. She likes simple, non-flashy, classic prints. She likes to be stylish and unique. She wants to buy handmade things on Etsy or in flea markets-- she doesn't want what everyone else has, but at the same time, she wants something that she'll love for a long time; she doesn't love one-time trends. She loves music that makes her feel good and long-winded coffee dates with friends and I can imagine her putting books in her tote bag and notes from her friends in her purse. This is the woman I have dreamed up in my mind that I design for. 

A lot of companies do this. They have names, even, for their personas and they talk about them as if they were a person. 

"What would Sue want? Where does she shop? How can we serve her better?" 

Putting a name or a personality to your customer or reader is not weird, but a solid marketing tactic that can really help you figure out your direction and go after it. 

And even better is if that person is similar to you. Like I wrote in a previous post, you want to feel passionate about what you do, and if you like what your audience likes, it makes it all the more easier. 

this post is the second in a series about creative business. read the previous one about asking yourself hard questions here and feel free to tell me what I should cover in the comments. 

xo, erika

creative talk -- part one

You know what I've realized lately?

There are a lot of creative people out there and a lot of good ideas.

However, a lot of creative people are like me: They feel crippled by the thought of starting something. I've been having more conversations with people who have ideas -- for a blog, for a shop, for whatever -- and I thought that maybe some of you would want to know a few of the things I've shared with them.

Step one: ask questions

Maybe you had a flash of inspiration in the shower or while walking your dog and the idea has become like a song stuck in your head. Maybe you wonder if there's anything to that idea.

I think there could be, which is why, I say, step one: ask questions.

1. What is this idea? Describe it in detail, whether it's an idea for a book or an etsy shop)

2. Where did it come from -- have I seen it before? Make sure you're not repeating any idea or somehow copying someone or something. Decide if your idea is original.

3. Why does it excite me? Do you honestly love this idea? If you're going to pursue it, you need passion to back it up.

4. Who else would like it? If you want an idea to fly, you'll need supporters. Unfortunately things that only we like don't usually go as far.

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Answer these questions in full detail -- really get down to the nitty gritty. Journal about it, pray about it and once you think you have a bit of a handle on it, go to someone and tell them about it and listen to what they say.

I think the thing that has helped me more than anything with my etsy shop and blog is that I have a few people that I know I can come to with crazy ideas or problems and they will listen and think through things with. I trust their advice. However, I know that if I don't come to them with some things thought out beforehand, they won't be able to help.

When I first started my etsy shop, I made headbands. I liked making headbands, but I failed to ask myself question number three: Does this excite me. Honestly, I never liked wearing headbands, so why would I make them for others? If you're going to go after something, you need to like it as much as -- or even more than -- anyone else.

Currently I make bags and purses, but I've had requests to make other things, like iPad cases. The thing is, I don't own an iPad and I don't get excited about iPad cases, so even though there's a market for them, it's not something I make.

These sort of question-answer tasks are super helpful when you're trying to figure out where to start -- and it's honestly something I wish I knew well before I embarked on the whole blog-shop thing.

Have questions for me? Want me to cover something? Let me know in the comments, or shoot me an email. I'll be sharing more about other topics this week and I'd love input. :)

xo, erika

gifts for mom

I am not a mom but the thing is, I have a really great Mom. And I think if you met her, you would think she was pretty great, too. 

She's also one of those moms that usually just asks for practical things for Mother's Day; I think a lot of moms do that but I think on Mother's Day, you shouldn't get her the new garden hose or the new pair of socks, get her something that spoils her, just a little bit. 

A few of my picks for moms:

1. bottle vase by dahlhouse on Brika. Honestly if you're looking for a beautiful gift, go to Brika. It's a curated site of handmade goods and you cannot go wrong with anything. (full disclosure: you can find my bags here, too!)

2. limonata studs at Ann Taylor. These are so summery and sweet-- like lemonade for every day!

3. punjammies by The International Princess Project. Gorgeous lounge pants made by survivors of human trafficking in India. Also, right now, if you tweet #hopeformoms with an encouraging message, a dollar will be donated to the Princess Project and the encouraging tweet will be read to a survivor. (read more about that here!)

4. pressed flower phone case by With Lavender + Lace on Moorea Seal. This is actually a pre-order for this case, but I think even if the gift came a bit late, it would be appreciated. 

5. frehiwot scarf by fashionABLE. Beautiful loomed scarves made by Ethiopian women, who receive fair wages and business coaching. 

6. collar necklace by Akola Project. A fun statement necklace that comes in a variety of colors. Made in Uganda (which hits close to my heart) by women who receive sustainable, living wages.