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It’s time to flip the idea that all goals are a single, one-time event, or the final destination of the journey. 👀🙈
Instead, let’s recognize that some goals can be seen as a process that allows you to make improvements and optimize for continuous wins. ✅
After all, isn’t it better to take what’s working and use it to consistently achieve results?
That’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode of the Revenue Ready Creative podcast.
I'll introduce you to the Continuous Goal Mapping Framework which is being used by artists just like you to reach their goals over and over again.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
When you work with me to create your Revenue Ready Plan, you might identify Etsy as a good passive-income option for the future you envision.
Or it might already be part of your revenue mix and you’re looking for ways to optimize what you already have.
Passive income gives you what you’ve been looking for all along – consistent, predictable revenue that gives you more STABILITY and general ABILITY to pour time into the creative work and people you love.
There are many passive income options out there (Check out Episode 23).
As you’ll hear in today’s interview episode with Jacqueline Butler, Jacqueline has put in the work and is now harvesting the fruits of her labor.
Jacqueline Butler is an Etsy Online Business Coach who teaches her students how to make profitable passive income by selling digital downloads on Etsy.
She is a Top 0.1% Etsy Star Seller with over 90,000 sales and 5,500 5-star reviews, as well as the host of a Top 100 Business Podcast called Passive Profits on Etsy.
Find her at https://jacqueline-butler.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinebutler.co/
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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Are you struggling to balance creativity with financial success?
Do you like the sound of passive income but don’t know how or where to start?
Do you dream of consistent income year round, not just during market and festival season?
Feeling like there isn’t enough time to start something new in your creative business?
Then this episode is for you!
Today, we’ll dig into 7 ways to add passive income into your art business.
But if you really want to add additional revenue into your business, I encourage you to keep an open mind with this list. And here’s why. It’s very easy to talk yourself out of an idea or an option that will require additional effort and energy. You’re plate is already pretty full, so adding to it might not seem like a good idea...
That said, it’s about the investment of time now that has the potential to pay off later. You’re planting seeds that will require attention and watering before they root and start to grow into a bounty that you can harvest. Give yourself a chance to REAP LATER what you sow now.
Cheers!! 😍
Heather
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Having a mission and a vision statement can be a powerful tool for the impact you want to make in the world.
From an personal perspective, both give you something to fall back on when you need a reminder of your "Why."
For other people, like customers and future employees, your mission and vision statements can provide clarity and direction. People can get on board when they see that what you're doing aligns with them personally.
Join me in this episode as I share two powerful experiences that transformed how I think of a Mission and a Vision Statement as tools for articulating purpose.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Need some guidance for reviewing your Q4 sales, communications, and overall efforts?
Fourth quarter is the busiest sales time of year for big box and small retailers alike. Many artists, crafters, makers, and designers find themselves overwhelmed by all of the activity, last minute sales and commissions, not to mention personal obligations that come in October, November, and December.
You might recall this topic from Episode 05. Get Organized in Your Business with this Sales Tracking Process for Creatives.
In Episode 05, I outline a sales tracking process you can use every quarter to review your sales from the previous quarter.
In today's episode, use the same process to review your efforts in the previous quarter — the decisions you made, the energy you put into your communications with your fanbase. It's also a chance to see what’s worth repeating or stopping as you move forward!
Next steps:
Listen to Episode 05. Get Organized in Your Business with this Sales Tracking Process for Creatives. -
A common challenge we all experience with New Year's goal setting is figuring out how to sustain that energy and intention beyond the start of the year.
You’ve seen those ads or memes about the new exercise bike or treadmill blending in with the furniture, being used as a clothes rack because over time, those exercise goals either change or fade away.
Today, let’s talk about your plan for making your new years goals stick.
You’ve got the goals, the intentions, the vision.
Now lets get you a follow through plan and sustain your current level of enthusiasm at the start of the year over the next twelve months.
Referenced in this episode:
1. Join the Community for support and accountability in 2025! bit.ly/ArtBusinessCommunity
2. Listen to Episode 3: 8 Guiding Principles for Brave Creative Work
3. Introduction to Chelsi Jo Moore's Time Blocking Method
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Hearing or reading about economic trends and predictions might cause you to think a little differently about how you’re doing things in your business. And how to prepare for uncertainty and change...
After all, if you’re a commercial artist, designer, or creative business owner, get this – your customers are part of the economic trends you’re hearing about.
So today I’m going over some of some buyer trends that are predicted for 2025 that might apply to you depending on where you are in the world – or more importantly, where your customers are in the world...
I’ll break down my interpretation of what they mean and give you some actionable insights for your business in the new year.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book.Listen to Episode 04. How to Use AI to Increase Productivity as a Self-Employed Artist, Designer, or Creative Business Owner. -
A new year is on the horizon. Pretty soon you’ll be starting a new semester of learning, testing, and growing in your creative business. But before that semester begins, let’s kick off this episode with a Pop quiz!
Question: A self-employed artist wants to earn more in the year ahead. Should she:
Have a revenue-ready plan that will lead to higher earning potentialAsses the areas in which she wants to grow to see what’s working and what is notRaise her prices for services, product offerings and artworkStop doing things that take energy but don’t increase revenueAll of the above.That’s right, it’s E. All of the above!
Today we’re talking about earning more in 2025. I know you’re ready for it. I know you’re here for this. So let’s get into it.
particularly overwhelming. There are a lot of overlapping priorities.
You’re wrapping up work, business, project commitments, commissions... You’re trying to make sales while gearing up for a new year with a desire to do things differently in your business.
On top of all of that, you might have family commitments that require your attention – whether you’re keeping young children occupied while they’re out of school, caring for older parents who need extra support.
Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, with young adult children coming back home and you’re hosting them. There are expectations and dynamics to navigate.
End-of-year to-do's can cause a lot of stress.
In today's episode, I'm providing you with strategies to help you turn overwhelm and anxiety into productivity and presence.
(Not presents... but that would be pretty cool, right?)
Tune in and see how you can move through any overwhelm you might be experiencing this week, to a more productive and peaceful place.
Next Steps:
Reach out to Heather to make a custom Revenue Ready Plan you'll stick to, today! Simply email [email protected] to get started.Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Calling all workaholics! For creative small business owners, the end of year rush is particularly overwhelming. There are a lot of overlapping priorities.
You’re wrapping up work, business, project commitments, commissions... You’re trying to make sales while gearing up for a new year with a desire to do things differently in your business.
On top of all of that, you might have family commitments that require your attention – whether you’re keeping young children occupied while they’re out of school, caring for older parents who need extra support.
Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, with young adult children coming back home and you’re hosting them. There are expectations and dynamics to navigate.
End-of-year to-do's can cause a lot of stress.
In today's episode, I'm providing you with strategies to help you turn overwhelm and anxiety into productivity and presence.
(Not presents... but that would be pretty cool, right?)
Tune in and see how you can move through any overwhelm you might be experiencing this week, to a more productive and peaceful place.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Today’s episode is the second in the series, and it’s all about the customer’s point of view.
If you're ready for more commission sales in 2025, then put on your customer hat (maybe it’s a fuzzy red and white hat for the holidays) and think about the custom commission process from the buyer’s point of view.
Here's the common challenges with this. As sellers, it doesn’t always come naturally to see your own business from your customer’s point of view.
In this episode, I walk through the customer's search and decision-making process when it comes to commissioning custom art and design.
From there, I give you guidance for what you need to share with prospects through your website, social, blog, email, etc. to get them primed for their purchase.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Okay, here’s a common scenario:
Someone out of the blue contacts you or stops by your booth at an art fair. They’re curious about how much it might cost if they hired you to make something for them. They want to know what the cost of a commission is.
So what do you say?
While it might be tempting to give them a solid number up front, doing so might actually limit you in the long run.
Or worse, it might cause them to ghost you if they’re making a quick decision off of limited information.
In this two-episode series, we’re talking about what it takes to get quality information out of a prospect without overwhelming them.
In the next episode (Episode 16), the second part of the series, we’ll discuss the appropriate level of detail and information you should share with prospective buyers upfront to make their decision-making process easier.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
If you're curious about what it takes to start and maintain a paid membership community as part of your business offerings, today I’m chatting with just the gal for you.
Since 2004, Christine Mighion has been hand crafting each piece of jewelry in her Northern Indiana studio. Using gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones, her line is a balanced vision of organic and modern. Imperfections and irregularities that mimic the course of nature greatly inspire Christine. Her jewelry has been featured in numerous national and international fashion and lifestyle magazines including Lucky, Shape, Vogue, and The Knot.
To serve her community of fellow jewelry artists, Christine launched the Slowmade Podcast in November 2023 and the Slowmade Collective later the following year. Through engaging conversations and shared experiences, the Slowmade Podcast and Collective provides a space for learning and growth, helping jewelry artists navigate the challenges and triumphs of building meaningful, sustainable businesses.Find Christine Mighion online here:https://christinemighion.comhttps://slowmadepodcast.comhttps://instagram.com/christinemighion
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Welcome back to class. Today, we’re talking about ONE KEY THING that’s absolutely essential to successful planning.
All of the best planning in the world can go straight out the window if this one thing isn’t there.
I’ve experienced it. You’ve experienced it. So let’s talk about the difference between having this one critical piece in place and not.
With your best work, creative projects, sales, commissions, and opportunities ahead of you, this is one topic you won’t want to miss.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Raise your hand if you have a clearly defined budget and a strategy for investing in yourself as a small business owner in the year ahead.
I don’t see a lot of hands up. Let me rephrase...
Raise your hand if you’re not quite sure what to budget for, business-wise, or where to make minor shifts and adjustments to invest in yourself and your creative business.
Okay, more hands are up now.
When it comes to business budgeting, most people keep on keeping on with what they’re doing without making time for this type of assessment.
However, budget planning is for anyone and everyone. It doesn’t matter how much income or revenue is flowing through your business, large or small.
Think of a budget as a wishlist. And what a perfect time of year for creating a wishlist.
Start by thinking really BIG and expansive. Then get down to the nitty gritty numbers to figure out what’s essential and where to start.
For example, your 2025 wishlist might include heavy duty equipment. Okay, great. What’s that going to cost? Is that something you can plan for?
Or if your 2025 wishlist sounds anything like mine, there are mostly small budget items that are more about deciding to use different digital tools.
This is a great time of year to put a business budget together.
Here’s why:
Budgeting now gives you a chance to invest in yourself and your business in a smart way because there’s typically money to be saved through Black Friday and Cyber Monday discountsTypically before people start their annual planning and strategic plans for the year aheadYour budget gives you a baseline to make more realistic goals for the year aheadBasically tells you what essentials / must haves need to be in place to operate and function as ideally as possibleI’ll walk you through what’s on my list and why. This is sure to inspire you, so take notes and get your 2025 business budget going!
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
When you’re in business for yourself, wearing so many hats, doing everything yourself or delegating to a few reliable individuals, everything depends on your energy, your focus, your drive, and your ability to create.
Creative small businesses ask a lot of their creator.
Which is why we’re diving into one of the biggest contributors to distraction, lack of focus, underlying stress, and overstimulation according to many, many studies.
We’re talking about the clutter and distractions that are begging for your attention – demanding attention constantly. We’re also talking about the different types of junk drawers you can clean out in order to be ready for abundance.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Let’s say it’s Monday morning and you open your inbox to find not one, not two, but three emails from customers who want to hire you for a commission of original artwork. What do you do?
Do you know how to get those new customers from their commission inquiry email all the way through your process to the final product?
Is there a customer service or communication layer built into your creation process that keeps clients informed along the way? Are you keeping communication in mind to instill THEIR trust and confidence in the process? Do your clients have a sense of when their piece will be ready and available for them to take home?
Today, we’re talking about the client, customer, and commission communications that will set you apart from amateur to professional.
I’m sharing a model I use almost every day in the management of creative projects with my team. It’s a great model to use for your client communications, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
You’re in a creative field so chances are, you have many skills and talents that you’ve turned into income at one point or another. Freelance work doesn’t scare you. You’re up for the challenge. You’re a creative professional in a gig economy, and you’re not alone.
A few questions for you to consider:
Do you ever find yourself so excited or overwhelmed with ideas for what you want to make or do NEXT that you’re just paralyzed? Are all of the options and possibilities for HOW you can put your creativity and talent to use making your head swirl?Do you start something new only to find yourself quitting or jumping to the next shiny thing?Are you planting seeds that you HOPE will grow but wonder how you’ll find time to water them all?Are you feeling anxious about everything that you need or want to do?Is your blood pressure higher than normal?Are you unsure of WHAT to do today? Tomorrow?Are you overwhelmed with balancing multiple projects and initiatives at the same time?Do you feel yourself in busy mode, but not sure what it ALL adds up to?If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, then today’s episode is for you.
The truth is, bouncing from gig to project to new series to another gig and then a new project can be exhilarating.
But the unpredictable and inconsistent nature of some gig, freelance, and creative work can also feel like a feast or famine rollercoaster. One month you’re up, the next you’re down and worried what the future looks like.
If you were to look into a crystal ball, and let’s say you have one right in front of you, what would it tell you about your ROE? Your “return on effort.”
That's what we're talking about in this episode so get your Sharpie and spiral-bound notebook ready for your crystal ball ROE exercise.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Whether you’re an artist, crafter, designer, or graphic designer, being "Revenue Ready" is essential for consistent sales and business growth.
In this episode, we’re diving into the most critical areas for any creative business owner to have in place in order to ready for that next sale and to get sales consistently.
I’m going over some key points and recommendations to help you achieve that outcome, including:
Attitude and openness to being in service of othersClarity on your revenue streams and what you offerAudience awareness to know the in's and out's of who your target buyer isConnection to your audience to nurture and grow your fanbaseA means by which to receive and fulfill ordersYour homework: Choose which of these five recommendations for revenue readiness are lacking or require your attention. Spend time digging into this area using the guidance and tips in this episode.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Today we’re talking about the surprising truth about happiness and purpose through lessons from the book, “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier,” written by Arther C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey.
If you have a vision for your life but believe there are barriers keeping you from achieving a more satisfied and happy outlook, this is the episode for you.
Links to the book and workbook are below. I encourage you to order both and put in the work to respond to the prompts. You have the power to get yourself closer to your definition of happiness.
Book: "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier" by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah WinfreyWorkbook for Build the Life You WantHow to Support Artists and Arts Organizations that were impacted by Hurricane Helene
NC Arts Disaster Relief FundNext Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book. -
Welcome to Episode 6!
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Episode 5 which is called, “Get Organized in Your Business with this Sales Tracking Process for Creatives,” that’s a great episode to listen to BEFORE you get into Episode 6.
Episode 5 is highly tactical. I lay out how you can prepare for your end of month or end of quarter sales review and what you can do to get started with your quarterly and monthly sales numbers, what they mean to you now and what that means for Q4.
Today’s Episode carries that observing and documenting review exercise one step further. Today you get to hear about a simple framework–an acronym–you can use as you look at things like monthly and quarterly sales reviews.
You can also use this framework for decision-making in projects, planning head, planning for a pivot or change in your art business. This framework is not unique to my teaching. It was developed by strategist and U.S. Air Force Colonel John Boyd several decades ago as a practical concept designed to function as the foundation of rational thinking in confusing or chaotic situations.
I’m getting into this topic in my interview with Chris Anderson, former law-enforcement officer turned jewelry maker, inventor, metalsmith, and founder of the metalsmith collective. Chris shares how he transferred skills learned in law enforcement to his business as a jewelry maker, then how he pivoted what he was making in order to turn followers into customers, and how he uses this decision-making framework, this acronym, to make decisions.
Next Steps:
Find more information at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com.Buy a copy of the book "Let Your Creativity Work for You: How to Turn Artwork into Opportunity" by Heather Allen, MGIM-MBA at www.HeatherAllenOnline.com/book.To learn more about Chris Anderson, visitWebsite: www.lionpunchforge.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lionpunchforge/ - Visa fler
