I Can Make Millions for a Huge Company, But I Can't Market Myself (and how you can learn from me)
- Britney Smitley
- Oct 24, 2018
- 3 min read
Sitting across from a friend, enjoying adult conversation as our children played, I lamented the "curse of being a creative". Not that it really sucks being creative, but a lot of us tend to have our nose in everything! She nodded, agreed, and even offered encouragement, as a fellow creative she is able to relate. It is a blessing to be able to get into everything and have flexibility in life.
But worse than having issues finding one little area to commit to, I am terrible at marketing myself. Like, I can't market myself! This wouldn't be so bad if I didn't make a large company millions of dollars during my time there. I knew how to market our product, I knew how to draw and keep customers. I made sure we treated people well and made them feel special, and it paid off! We were extremely successful and we were the #2 profitable business in the country for our market and product....
But I hated that big corporate world. And for making so much money for a company, I received very little pay.
The job served its purpose while I worked my way through college, however I couldn't wait to get out of that world and start working for myself...
But that is where I seem to be running into plenty of problems.
Working for yourself doesn't pay much. Like, at all if you don't know how to get things going.
So, why is this a problem for me? (And so many other creatives?)
1. I can't see myself as a product.
Instead of selling a product someone else makes, I have to sell not only my product (whether that is a service, song, or writing), but MYSELF. More than the product in the beginning, there's me. What makes ME different? What makes what I do comparable or better than those who do the same? How can I make myself stand out?
These are the things we need to pin down in order to make progress in our business.
2. I am sensitive about my art.
I don't know about any other people out there making stuff with your brain, hands, and heart, but a lot of ME goes into the things I make, so I want paid! The problem is, you can be the most talented (whatever - fill in the blank) but if no one knows who you are, or what is so special about your craft, then your business will never grow.
This means you should give some of it away, and even take less pay than you'd like.
Offer music classes on the cheap in the beginning.
Paint a community mural for free.
Go to open mic nights and say yes to a gig even if the pay isn't great.
Start a blog, submit your work to publications for free, build a following before you release the novel that you poured your heart and soul into.
Word of mouth, social media shares, and your name in print...
All of these things make a huge difference.
3. I suck at consistency.
There is a difference between having many passions and talents, and being scattered and unorganized. I am not saying that you have to pick one niche and stick to that, but whatever you do, do it consistently. Write daily, teach weekly, do a gig once a month...
keep a habit of showing up.
I have struggled in the past by going all in then backing off because I think I should stick to one little thing, while neglecting the other things I do. I write, preach and sing. I am also a birth worker and a teacher.
The most variable thing I do is writing, but that is where I am drawn to the most for a career (because it doesn't matter what I am doing in the moment, I can always write about it).
Maybe all you do is write... write often, even if you only are interested in being a journalist. Find multiple publications to write for, network, and get around those in your chosen field.
I have found that many of us in the "arts" can spread ourselves in many directions, whether we choose to or not, the only thing that matters is that it is done consistently.
I may never make millions, but I have found that the journey through this life has given me plenty of things to write about. And plenty of things to share. So...
I guess I could be more successful if I just stopped waiting for inspiration and just start sharing.
I am a sucker for self help! Check out this book if you're a woman (I'm sure men can enjoy the advice, too) looking to glean wisdom from successful women in business.
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