Setting-up an Online Pottery Business
This week, I'll touch upon some fundamental aspects we should grasp before we start on the journey of setting up an online business.
Have you ever Googled- How to set up an online pottery business?
If you did, you'd most likely seen results like- 'create your own eCommerce store and promote it'.
Simple isn't it?
And if you are more tech-savvy, you may use AI to get slightly better answers. Here's what I got- define your niche, create your pottery, setup workspace, photograph your products, build your online presence, market your business, provide excellent customer service and stay consistent.
There! that's your blueprint for creating an online pottery business. Easy!
While most of these steps have to be followed, they completely overlook the more difficult questions of where and how to begin.And in my opinion, there's an even more important question that needs to be addressed first and foremost- WHY? Why do you want to start a pottery business?
And if your answer is- simply to make money, it's worth considering that there are much easier, simpler, less tedious and time consuming ways of making money!
For this reason it's important to understand your why. And this applies not just to potters but to anyone trying to turn their passion to business.
If one of your reasons is that you love making pots and would want to do it for the rest of your life- then I can offer some guidance on how to go about doing this (join me for the FREE live webinar). But remember, the moment you try to monetise your passion, it will take some of the joy out of creating. Because now you are not just a potter bent over a table in your basement or your shed or the corner of a spare room, molding a lump of clay to your heart's content, you are also the marketer, the influencer, the story teller, the copy writer, the photographer, the accountant, the website developer, the customer service. You are everything, at least at the beginning!
So the fact is that you have to be passionate not just about the craft but also about the business and have a strong 'why' you want to do this. This is not to dissuade from following your passion and turning it into a business that supports you, but to help you go in with open eyes. Like any new business, setting up a pottery business will take a lot of time and effort to get started.
Once you are clear on your why, it'll help you stay in the game long enough to get the desired results. Your "why" is your inner compass, guiding you through tough times and keeping you focused on what really matters. It's what gives your business meaning and keeps you motivated when things get tough. So, take some time to figure out your "why" – it'll make all the difference in your journey!
And only once we have a clear why, we start looking at the where and how to start.
Creativity is a gift, and it's our responsibility to cultivate it. If we choose to, we can turn it into a fulfilling creative lifestyle that supports our craft, our life, and our loved ones. Having an abundant sustainable creative business is entirely achievable,especially in today's age where we have access to platforms that connect us to millions of people. And honestly, you don't even need a million people, you only need a few who appreciate your journey and are eager to support your art.
If you are curious to know more about starting an online pottery business, join me for a free live session this Thursday, 11PM SGT
I'll guide you through the essential mindset shifts and practical steps needed to kickstart your journey of turning your passion into a thriving business. We'll dive into not only the foundational mindset required but also the nitty-gritty details that will set you on the path towards building a sustainable and successful business.
Hope to see you there!
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