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20 Useful Things to Do for Your Business When Uninspired

by Carolina Gonzalez.
(La Laguna, Tenerife)

 

Creation has its unique flows – sometimes you are burning with ideas and wishing the day was 100 hours long so you keep making and making. . . and sometimes, well, you’re a blank space.

When the tide of creativity goes low, I see a lot of artists that get really frustrated – this is actually the worst attitude you can have on this situation.

First of all, because it is natural to flow that way; second, because it is really unproductive.

There is nothing wrong in being uninspired: every artist needs to reset and refresh ideas regularly, and that is just mental hygiene.

The first thing to do when uninspired is to avoid insisting against the flow, and to accept that moment as something necessary and even desirable. But, how to make the most of that time?

I have heard artists complain a lot of times that they do not have time to do the business side of creation; well, this is exactly the right time!

Here’s a list of 20 things that you can do during that uninspired times that will keep your business permanently updated:

• Clean your studio and redecorate it – paint the walls, throw away / give away stuff, create inspiring vignettes;
• Create a new business card / a new banner / a new avatar / new price tags;
• Revise all your profiles on your shop, blog, website and social networking sites;
• Revise your blog, updating broken links and removing useless posts;
• Join a new group / social network;
• Make inventory of your shop items and revise each item;
• Read a few business / marketing articles and note down every idea that can be applied to your business;
• Create a brochure, make a few photocopies and hand them down or add them to your shop orders;
• Make promos for your business;
• Make samples of your products to be added to your shop orders;
• Start a business journal;
• Make 10 new friends in your social networks;
• Start an ezine, or submit work to an existing one;
• Write a few blog posts and schedule them;
• Revise your shop listings and update tags, pictures and descriptions;
• Make products for a holiday months in advance;
• Send discount cards to your ten best customers;
• Write a business plan;
• Make a special sale and advertise it;
• Start a blog contest, a giveaway or any kind of community activity.

These ideas are not written in any particular order, and of course you shouldn’t choose more than one per day, but I’m sure there is at least one thing you can do today to make your business better. Good luck!!!

Carolina Gonzalez,
Latin Rootworker
The Hoodoo Shop Blog

Comments:

Flowing with downtime
by: Rena

Thank you so much for sharing these great ideas, Carolina.

It’s so easy to feel guilty when our creative side needs some downtime, even though it’s a natural part of the creativity cycle!

These 20 things to do when uninspired are wonderful ways to take small steps forward in a different way.

I see one of your ideas above that especially resonates for me right now. I’m looking forward to doing it for awhile this afternoon! :o)

When uninspired buy new beads?
by: Regina

Great post, love the list. I will keep it around. I am going through one of those periods right now. Do you know the two things that perks me right back and gets me creative? … sales of my jewelry and new beads freshly bought. Thank you.

perfect
by: pat barden

man–that is perfect–everything that needs to be done–in one spot.
its also a great list o’ things to do just to get organized and get things moving–

Mindless Cloning
by: Chris Dec Jewelry.com

When my creativity is sleeping, I find it a perfect time to make SEVERAL pairs of my best selling earrings so there is a surplus to restock stores, web site inventory, etc. I am not designing, creating, or even thinking. Just cloning sure sales.

Thanks
by: Janet

That was a great article. Thank U.

You Will Surge With The Urge Again
by: Maryanne Murphy

Thank you for your very well written article.

I agree with you, that creativity comes in cycles. I’m old enough to understand that, but for younger people, trust me you’re not going to run dry. Thank goodness that we do ebb and flow.

When I’m in a creative frenzy I work up to 20 hours a day for more than a week. I don’t know if I run dry or am just plain exhausted, but I do know when this outpouring of creativity has run its course that’s exactly the time to move over to the left side side of my brain – in what is actually a business.

Railing against that-I make jewelry because of my deep passion-addiction-creative expression-etc., I have difficulty admitting that my beautiful creations are for sale. And that’s the business side, because the reality is, if you put a price tag on it, you’re now in business.

Right now I’m hungrily gobbling up all the information my little brain can hold, remember,cross reference, put into action, etc.

That’s how I came upon Rena’s FANTASTIC website and newsletter. I’m hooked. The wonderful thing about having creative down time is theirs SO MUCH that (this article) needs to be done to keep your business afloat. Now you have time to do it…and don’t worry, the creative urge WILL again come upon you.

The Best Website for Jewellers
by: Lisa

I just want to say that the suggestions and articles on this site are the best I have found anywhere on the web. Thank you again for your time in helping out your fellow jewellery designers/creators. Cheers!

Rena Rocks Again
by: Elizabeth

This is great advice. Clear, practical and energizing. These are the things that Rena is made of. You did it again, Renameister!

Many Thanks, Rena
by: BeaJae

For having this wonderful website. I am just starting out in the jewelry business and I can’t believe how much there is to learn. I told my DH that I feel like I’m back at school! Your site has helped me so much and I find myself printing everything out for reference later. I might just end up with several volumes of Rena Books!