Double up for fun and profit
When you’re in business for yourself there’re going to be ups and downs. It’s the nature of the beast. Crafting and implementing your marketing plan will go a long way in helping to avoid the notorious feast or famine syndrome, but none the less, there are still times when you can’t seem to buy a gig.
So, what’s a creative to do? Double up. Or, even triple up. Look for ways to generate multiple streams of income. For instance, I do three things - graphic design, writing and marketing consulting. When a design scene is lean, writing and consulting fill the gap and vise versa.
The trick here is to avoid the trap of boxing yourself into “I’m a designer,” “I’m a copywriter,” or “I’m a photographer,” thinking. Odds are, you’ve more talent than you give yourself credit for. With a wee bit of creative thinking you can come up with ways to either adapt what you do to generate additional income or do something completely different.
Maybe you’re a copywriter. Have you considered stringing together some nouns and verbs and write an article for a magazine? A graphic designer might consider whipping up some delightful designs and start a CafePress shop. Same goes for photographers. Perhaps some of your imaginative images would look just peachy on a coffee mug or mouse pad. And then there’s always stock photography for all those out-takes sitting on your hard drive.
Another idea (that I’m currently working on behind the scenes) is to create marketing materials that generate some dough rather than just costing you. Information products - reports, e-books and such - can not only help to position you as an expert but can also rake in some coin for you. As a matter of fact, well-known copywriter and author, Bob Bly, recently wrote the book on it – The White Paper Marketing Handbook. It’s a good one to pick up to get you on your way. Another one is Fred Gleeck’s, Selling Information.
It takes some time and effort, but it can really pay off in the long run. Go a little whacky and spread your wings. It can make that long walk to the mailbox a whole lot more fun when the checks outnumber the bills.
So, what’s a creative to do? Double up. Or, even triple up. Look for ways to generate multiple streams of income. For instance, I do three things - graphic design, writing and marketing consulting. When a design scene is lean, writing and consulting fill the gap and vise versa.
The trick here is to avoid the trap of boxing yourself into “I’m a designer,” “I’m a copywriter,” or “I’m a photographer,” thinking. Odds are, you’ve more talent than you give yourself credit for. With a wee bit of creative thinking you can come up with ways to either adapt what you do to generate additional income or do something completely different.
Maybe you’re a copywriter. Have you considered stringing together some nouns and verbs and write an article for a magazine? A graphic designer might consider whipping up some delightful designs and start a CafePress shop. Same goes for photographers. Perhaps some of your imaginative images would look just peachy on a coffee mug or mouse pad. And then there’s always stock photography for all those out-takes sitting on your hard drive.
Another idea (that I’m currently working on behind the scenes) is to create marketing materials that generate some dough rather than just costing you. Information products - reports, e-books and such - can not only help to position you as an expert but can also rake in some coin for you. As a matter of fact, well-known copywriter and author, Bob Bly, recently wrote the book on it – The White Paper Marketing Handbook. It’s a good one to pick up to get you on your way. Another one is Fred Gleeck’s, Selling Information.
It takes some time and effort, but it can really pay off in the long run. Go a little whacky and spread your wings. It can make that long walk to the mailbox a whole lot more fun when the checks outnumber the bills.
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