Love Your Business: Guest Post #1


All month long join me here as I welcome amazing contributors with one thing in common
we love our business {blog/shop/etc} and we want you to love yours too!


Hello Just Lovely Things readers!  I'm Laura, the designer behind Roots & Feathers and Violet Bella, and I run a blog where I talk daily about life, art and everything in between.  Im honored to be here talking with you about the 'identity' of your business.  Our generation is full to the brim of budding artists and bloggers.  So how do you even stand a chance at standing out from the rest?  I think this is one of the most important parts of your business, your brand and image.  As much as we would love for our work to speak for itself, its so easy to get lost in the sea of artists if you dont have a consistency that people will remember.  Something that if someone saw your work out of context, they would still know it was you.  I dont know what the answer is for you personally, but I can tell you what works for me.  Of course each business is different and just as unique as you yourself are, so keep that in mind.  I think far too often people model their business or blog directly from someone else, and then lose themselves in the process.  I recently read something that said 'the only way to stand out is to always be different'.



This brings me to the first factor to consider.  To stay true to yourself.  Make sure your purpose for creating is because it comes from deep within yourself.  If you are creating from your heart, and not just because you saw something on pinterest and wanted to try it out, you'll know you are being authentic to yourself.  If you need to make a list or draw pictures of what speaks to you on a soul level then do so.  See what you can incorporate into your business that truly feels this way.  Beyond just objects or ideas, think of colors too.  Imagine the entire vision.  There are lots wonderful people out there who can help you bring your vision together technically if you feel you cant do it yourself.  




Once you are ready to start building your business, the next step is to get yourself out there.  Social media has made it very simple to do so.  My blog has been a great source for my business and allows me to connect on a more personal level to my customers and others as well.  The way you blog is a very personal choice.  I started my blog as a daily documentation of life and starting my business, something to look back on one day.  I never imagined it would have grown to what it is today.  Its been a slow and steady growth, which in my opinion is the best kind.  I personally have chosen to continue to be open and honest about life as my blog has grown, to an extent of course.  But some of the most popular blogs out there rarely talk about anything personal.  I think you should sit down and figure out exactly why you want to blog.  And dont let yourself get caught up in numbers of followers and comments, that is not what it is all about.  I would much rather have 100 authentically interested readers then 1,000 readers just there for a giveaway, always.  I have made some of the dearest friends through my blog, because of my openess.  It has become so much more than a marketing tool or a daily diary.  Another pleasure from it is being able to support other artists I believe in.  Remember the golden rule: you get what you give.  


Basically in the online world we live in today, our business identity goes so much further than what you put on your business cards.  Its up to you whether you want to make it personal or not, but no matter what, I think consistency and quality are oh so important.  In your designs, your photographs, your content and in who you are.  Another thing to remember when you are starting out, is that these things sometimes take time.  Allow yourself that time and space to get it right.



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14 comments:

  1. I'm having a hell of a time trying to create a brand for my self. This is very useful. Thanks! Hope one day I can stick with one idea for my identity.

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  2. This is SO awesome! Thank you so much! I feel so encouraged :)
    xoxo

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  3. Oh I really enjoyed reading this. I needed to read this tonight! Very helpful, thank you so much for sharing. You have a beautiful shop.

    xoxo

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  4. This is a great article. I've been a fan of Laura's for over a year now. Her tips are so helpful, and she clearly knows what's she's talking about. Thanks for posting!

    :) Sabrina

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  5. laura, you leave this beautiful and sacred trail wherever you go. i feel like you are my warrioress-sister and i always get a little misty-eyed reading about you and your work. you truly are courageous and open and that is part of the miracle of your business...the storms have only made you shine more strongly and soulfully than ever. i hope and pray that this year is filled with blessing and exquisite surprises. xo.

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  6. This is such an awesome, inspirational post! I'm not a business owner (yet!) but even as a blogger I worry that maybe I'm doing too much of what other bloggers are doing. I only just started (in January) but Im already realizing which posts of mine are just dull and over done and which are actually different, interesting, and are genuinely coming from me and my interests. It's just so neat that people can tell so easily when you are being genuine and when you are loving what you do!

    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  7. Thanks so much for your insight! Being a small business owner I think I have just gone through the "I can do it" phase where I needed to show people I can create anything and everything but got kind of burnt out in the process. As of the first of this year I decided to pick what I love & stick to it. If special custom orders come up-great I am not going to try & create everything under the sun just for a sale. I'm staying true to what I love to do!

    www.papercutzmidland.etsy.com

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  8. I am just starting out as well, so I am still getting my sea legs. Thank you so much for this wonderful advice! You put it in terms that just clicked.

    Fondly,
    Jess

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  9. she is amazing. and this post is just great. i love it.

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  10. Great inspiration and encouragement Laura! You are spot on with everything you said. I have always loved how you pull together your brand seamlessly. I look up to you in so many ways my friend! <3

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  11. I loved this! It was SO encouraging! Laura, you're a fabulous writer! Thank you for sharing your insight! =)

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  12. Wonderfully encouraging. Came over from Laura's blog, looking forward to seeing more.
    Catherine Denton

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  13. just started my blog this month & this series is amazing, looking forward to all the business tips!


    www.princesslyvintagely.com

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  14. Thank you, Laura! If I may copy rain's sentiment: "you leave this beautiful and sacred trail wherever you go." TRUE. You rock.

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