If you're a creative, you're likely highly passionate about your craft and what you do. From fashion design to art and crafts, creatives are used to exploring different ways of expressing their passions and vision. However, there's no point in being brilliantly talented if you don't get noticed and no one knows your work exists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 50,000 consider themselves creatives of some sort. In order to stand out amongst all these amazing artists, you need to be focused on getting discovered to make a living off your passion.
In the article below, we share the best advice to get your work in front of as many eyes as possible. Let's get into it.
Getting Started
If you're confused about how to get started, never fear. Remember, it’s all about having a plan of action to get started and implementing it from there.
Have a Plan of Action
The best way to achieve success is to have a definitive roadmap to get to where you want to go. Creating a business plan is the best way to do this and grow your creative business. A good business plan should detail factors like business description, selling strategies, business structure, funding options, and financial projections. Once you have your business plan detailed, you will be all set to follow it to success.
Don't forget to constantly add to your business plan any changes in strategies you may want to make. You can also add new information and ideas to your project to build a master list of strategies and approaches for your creative business. You will then be able to reflect on this plan whenever you need direction or input. This can be invaluable when you face roadblocks or struggles along the way.
Build a Network
Networking is crucial to any business, particularly in the creative industry. This is because so much of this industry is based on who you know and your network of contacts. Attend local art and design events in your area or sign up for local business chapters and entrepreneurship events. This will help you meet professionals in your industry who may be able to increase your exposure, thus increasing your chances of getting discovered.
Start Sharing to Get Noticed
It can be daunting to put your work out there and start sharing your work. However, you need to get comfortable with putting yourself out there because it's the only way people can learn about your work. You can start small by sharing something of your work every day. Whether it is a work in progress, a picture of your studio, or even some new materials and tools you've recently invested in, this is a great way to let your audience in on your process.
It will also show people how much you know and share your wealth of knowledge. The sooner you establish yourself as an expert in your field, the easier it will be to convince people to buy your work. You can share elements of your process on socials or on your personal website.
Showcasing Your Work
Once you've set up the basics of your business, it's time to start focusing on the work itself. Following are the main factors to keep in mind when it comes to your work, personal style, and portfolio.
Establish Your Style
Before anything else, try to find and establish your own unique work style. Knowing who you are as a creative will help you position your work within a niche, which will help you stand out amongst the competition. When figuring out your style, try to detail how you will tell your story to the world. How are you going to frame your background? How will you share your various accomplishments and stylistic choices with the world? Gaining clarity on these questions will help others understand your work better and identify it over time.
Build a Strong Portfolio
If you're a creative, your work needs to speak for itself. This is arguably more important than your CV or list of accomplishments. Thus, it will be critical to build a solid portfolio that speaks to your many skills and talents. Have your portfolio always available for perusing by setting up a personal website. This will let people browse your works, read your description and story for each piece, and buy works online. This will reduce your effort in seeking out buyers and making selling arrangements.
When setting up your portfolio, include as many details as possible. Ideally, you want to include information on the medium, materials, and process. You could also add some images of the work in progress so people have more context into the time and commitment that went into its creation. Don't forget to watermark any original images you use on your site so they cannot be reproduced or recirculated!
Update Your Work
As you keep working on different projects, you will likely have a long list of older works. Some of these may need to be updated or worked on to fit in with the rest of your portfolio. Similarly, you may need to update your resume to include your most recent skills and accomplishments. A PDF editor tool can make this task easier, allowing you to edit your existing resume PDF. Simply upload your file online, make the necessary changes, and then you'll be able to download and share your resume!
Ready for your next big break? If you've been focused on the creation process, it's time to diversify and begin getting your work out there and get noticed. Not only will this help you connect to your audience and other creators, but it will also enable you to make a living off your work!
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