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As I was putting together my painting to do list last night, I realized that I have been putting the cart before the horse in my business: I have been doing things a little backwards. I found this error in the time that I spend networking versus creating. So I decided to reevaluate my time spent in each task.
I found that I spend a disproportionate amount of time networking. I am a social person, so it is not surprising that I would fall into the habit of spending an imbalanced time networking to creating.
Is this the right choice?
As an online retailer it is very important to build a positive reputation, to make connections, and to make your name and product visible. This should be done both online and offline and involves talking with people. It involves trying to find ways to make meaningful and authentic contributions to the lives of others and to seek out their advice in areas of business that you might want some. You have to create a brand and a positive environment to couch our product in. It is through these connections and environment that sales are possible.
It is equally important to be creating in a business - especially in the handmade and art world. You have to make time to brainstorm, to draft, to execute projects. For me this means that I need to explore the world and talk with people about what their needs are in the household. I have to do research on what colors are popular in home decor. I need to do sketches of new designs and think about what colors I would like to paint them. And then it is time to paint.
Separately, networking and creating have limited rewards. If you only network you can meet new people but you will quickly run out of product and find yourself scrabbling to create more. If you only create you will have product, but not a solid following and as a result fewer sales. We have to find a balance of networking to creating. If you do not have the amount of product to support the volume of networking that you are doing people may want to shop, but you could be sold out!
I am going to be busy exploring these balances over the next month. I know right now that I need to put more time into creating to balance my business. So I am off to paint!
Have you found a networking - creating balance in your business?
