I think one of my tips is to try not to fall into the trap of doing it the “same way” someone else does… Like, I often want to jump on a new product or method of producing art so I *have* to buy the right equipment and get allllll the things so I can create the new product, but a lot of time I’m spending extra money that could be saved. Sometimes it really is cheaper to see if there’s a service out there that can make the product for you. Sure, your baseline is higher, but it’s a good way to test the market without spending loads on equipment straight up. Or just wait!! Focus on building up what you have and creating good systems to make that work instead of diving into the new product high. Also, try to make do with what you have… and I honestly say that to myself because too often I’m replacing a serviceable item with something new because *aesthetics*….
Precovid, I used to put away 30-40% of my income away. At the end, we had to pay out a bunch and still had leftover. It was like a end of year bonus that my hubby and I could splurge on a vacation or car (literally the last precovid year, we were able to get him a much needed new(er) car with my leftover tax money and money from selling his car). It was amazing!
Being an artist, the commission pieces are so stressful, but making them work for YOU is key. Making sure you can use that commission towards future products and services. I'm working on that currently, but it's still stressful overall haha
So true! Glad I'm not the only one that's paid for expensive courses and not set the time aside. I am however good at setting money aside...but it all goes in my Disney trip fund : )
I have made the same mistake with courses! I haven’t gotten through them all but kept on buying another🤦♀️! Thank you for your tips! They are super helpful! 💖💖💖
This was very good advice. My advice to someone just starting out is to know your worth don’t lower your prices just to get a sale. Because they don’t go around telling Gucci or Louis Vuitton that the prices are too high.
Great tips Emily, I love how you worked out that your passion is creating characters. It can be so hard to know what path to go down, and I feel like as creative people we get excited by so many things. I love the advice that you can change your mind too! 🙌 Starla Moore has loads of free videos on her channel about SEO and Etsy which I've found really helpful, SEO feels a bit mysterious 😅 but I have a bit more of an understanding of it now.
Setting boundaries is so important and remember to be firm with them because you will have customers who push back. I've had ridiculous requests (someone asked me to paint a mural on the side of a 32 ft long bus after seeing my small paintings) and I've also had requests to do more reasonable things that I knew would take more time and cost me more than it was worth. I said no to both because I paint to make myself happy, not to please other people. Also, be fair to yourself. Don't set high expectations of yourself, don't drop prices because you think your product isn't worth as much, don't forget to pay yourself (don't just funnel all the money back into the business), and don't forget to forgive yourself for your mistakes. We all make them, and we all hopefully learn from them.
This is the happiest I have seen you in your videos.... it's like getting the old Emily back. I hope this is real and you are feeling more upbeat !!! Enjoy the enforced isolation xxx
Thanks for sharing! I have to definitely implement some of those (making time for improving my art, saving money each month for taxes, etc) and I really appreciate your honesty and sharing these with us. Have an amazing day!
Great advice, especially about diversifying marketing streams, is a mailing list easy to set up? Maybe its something I should look into, or I would love a video if you have any more tips for setting one up!😍💪🧡
HI Emily, I follow you for a while. Lovely video as always. I’ve got a question for you and hope you’ve got the time to answer me. You mention that you enjoy the most doing character drawings but you’ve made products heavily based on text and you realised that it’s not the place where your heart is. What would you do if you realised after some time that those products sell much better than the character drawings?
Do you recommend Monzo in particular for small business banking? I feel a bit wary about online-only banks, where I can't just walk into a branch and talk to someone face to face if I had any problems, having money frozen out of nowhere worries me too. Great tips! I definitely need to write down the things I enjoy most and want to make/sell the most, not listen to what products and styles family keep telling me to focus on. Setting a day for learning isn't something I had considered before, instead I fall down a rabbit hole of researching and learning when I randomly get the urge to know more 😆
I love monzo but I've never had my money frozen. I have had problems, something and they have been extremely competent and helpful customer service wise, they very thoroughly and clearly helped me with my problem.
I think one of my tips is to try not to fall into the trap of doing it the “same way” someone else does… Like, I often want to jump on a new product or method of producing art so I *have* to buy the right equipment and get allllll the things so I can create the new product, but a lot of time I’m spending extra money that could be saved. Sometimes it really is cheaper to see if there’s a service out there that can make the product for you. Sure, your baseline is higher, but it’s a good way to test the market without spending loads on equipment straight up. Or just wait!! Focus on building up what you have and creating good systems to make that work instead of diving into the new product high. Also, try to make do with what you have… and I honestly say that to myself because too often I’m replacing a serviceable item with something new because *aesthetics*….
Precovid, I used to put away 30-40% of my income away. At the end, we had to pay out a bunch and still had leftover. It was like a end of year bonus that my hubby and I could splurge on a vacation or car (literally the last precovid year, we were able to get him a much needed new(er) car with my leftover tax money and money from selling his car). It was amazing!
Being an artist, the commission pieces are so stressful, but making them work for YOU is key. Making sure you can use that commission towards future products and services. I'm working on that currently, but it's still stressful overall haha
So true! Glad I'm not the only one that's paid for expensive courses and not set the time aside. I am however good at setting money aside...but it all goes in my Disney trip fund : )
My biggest tip for anyone starting out... Know. Your. Worth! Self-doubt is one of the biggest business killers. Don't compare your prices to others.
I have made the same mistake with courses! I haven’t gotten through them all but kept on buying another🤦♀️! Thank you for your tips! They are super helpful! 💖💖💖
This was very good advice. My advice to someone just starting out is to know your worth don’t lower your prices just to get a sale. Because they don’t go around telling Gucci or Louis Vuitton that the prices are too high.
Great tips Emily, I love how you worked out that your passion is creating characters. It can be so hard to know what path to go down, and I feel like as creative people we get excited by so many things. I love the advice that you can change your mind too! 🙌 Starla Moore has loads of free videos on her channel about SEO and Etsy which I've found really helpful, SEO feels a bit mysterious 😅 but I have a bit more of an understanding of it now.
Setting boundaries is so important and remember to be firm with them because you will have customers who push back. I've had ridiculous requests (someone asked me to paint a mural on the side of a 32 ft long bus after seeing my small paintings) and I've also had requests to do more reasonable things that I knew would take more time and cost me more than it was worth. I said no to both because I paint to make myself happy, not to please other people. Also, be fair to yourself. Don't set high expectations of yourself, don't drop prices because you think your product isn't worth as much, don't forget to pay yourself (don't just funnel all the money back into the business), and don't forget to forgive yourself for your mistakes. We all make them, and we all hopefully learn from them.
Your advices are really useful. Thanks for sharing with us
Absolutely loved this! So helpful and so relatable. I’ve done the same thing with courses 😳 I keep thinking ‘when I’m less busy’ …..never happens!
Love your energy and positivity ☺️☺️☺️ been a fan for a long time, very informative and helpful! 🤍
Really good tips Emily! I've been running a music business for 2 years and I agree with all of your tips! 👏🏼
This is the happiest I have seen you in your videos.... it's like getting the old Emily back. I hope this is real and you are feeling more upbeat !!! Enjoy the enforced isolation xxx
Thanks for sharing! I have to definitely implement some of those (making time for improving my art, saving money each month for taxes, etc) and I really appreciate your honesty and sharing these with us. Have an amazing day!
Ty you so much very helpful!
Great Video!! Awesome handy tips! thank you! 💜👐💚
Awesome and super helpful!!😁👍🏾
I find that my yes has more value because I say no to some things ☺️really enjoyed this video, Emily! I’m saving the rest for later though!!
Great advice, especially about diversifying marketing streams, is a mailing list easy to set up? Maybe its something I should look into, or I would love a video if you have any more tips for setting one up!😍💪🧡
HI Emily, I follow you for a while. Lovely video as always. I’ve got a question for you and hope you’ve got the time to answer me. You mention that you enjoy the most doing character drawings but you’ve made products heavily based on text and you realised that it’s not the place where your heart is. What would you do if you realised after some time that those products sell much better than the character drawings?
Thank you so much for the good advice ❤️❤️❤️
You are my inspiration!
This was so helpful thank you so much
Do you recommend Monzo in particular for small business banking? I feel a bit wary about online-only banks, where I can't just walk into a branch and talk to someone face to face if I had any problems, having money frozen out of nowhere worries me too.
Great tips! I definitely need to write down the things I enjoy most and want to make/sell the most, not listen to what products and styles family keep telling me to focus on. Setting a day for learning isn't something I had considered before, instead I fall down a rabbit hole of researching and learning when I randomly get the urge to know more 😆
I love monzo but I've never had my money frozen. I have had problems, something and they have been extremely competent and helpful customer service wise, they very thoroughly and clearly helped me with my problem.
Wow 🤓🤓🤓 💖🔆🤪