What are 5 tips for getting started?
Wouldn't it be great to know if there was a way to confirm that every idea would be a success?
I am often asked about how I know a product is going to sell or how to find the audience to sell to and I keep landing on the thought that it all develops as you do it. The first part is starting. As a major fan of Mel Robbins, she kicks me in the pants continuously to jump out and try new things, and I want to pass that to you. The moment we start thinking about it and getting in the weeds, we are holding ourselves back. We need to start at the beginning and move forward. Here are 5 steps to get started from where ever you are. These are the steps I use when I am thinking up a new product.
Brain Dump: It doesn't have to be pretty, you don't need a program to do this, in fact it seems it works best with a pencil and a paper- write down all your ideas. No idea is bad, just let it land on the paper and get it off your brain. This allows more space to move into the following steps. Here are some things to consider: product ideas, artwork ideas, where are you going to sell your products, does it solve a problem (don't get stuck on this- it can be to add beauty to their wall if it is an art print.)
Now after you have done a big ol' brain dump. Walk away. Go do a load of laundry and the dishes and let your mind rest. See what comes up. What ideas are still calling to you? Those are the ones to go deeper with.
Research: Now that you have identified a few ideas that you are pumped about- do some research, again, Google is an amazing tool, as is Pinterest. This isn't about finding people to imitate. This is about looking at how people are walking the walk.
I am currently in product development mode for an idea I am super pumped about. It is using artwork with a laser machine my husband has. I don't have a lot of places to look but I am starting with looking at prices people use for laser art and materials. This will help me in the end, when I move past prototyping my product.
Success does leave clues. This is also a good time to think about your values. Do you want to keep your manufacturing in your own country? Do you want to hire someone to help you navigate? Are you going to make it yourself? Knowing these things will help you research how to get the product made.
Samples: The only way to know if you like the product you want to create is to get or make a sample. For somethings, like a greeting card, it can be as easy as printing out the card on at home printer. See what your art looks like off the screen.
With my laser art idea, the only way I could know what this was going to look like was to use the laser and make the art. It worked. I decided to paint it and push the design further… I still like it. I am now ready to go into the next phase.
Feedback: This step is so hard. It's sweaty and vulnerable, but it can also be rewarding and encouraging.
So, I shared my laser art with a core group of friends, they all loved it. Some suggested different materials, some asked about the time spent to paint it, others suggested using the concept, but for ornaments (always holiday, am I right? LOL) etc. etc. This is all so VALUABLE! And still, I have only spent the money on the materials to create the sample, but I love it. Using this feedback I am going to go back and create a couple ornaments to see how they turn out. I am also going to do some research on painting the wood first to see what happens there.
Make sure you are asking feedback from people who understand the process, sometimes your mom is not the best answer, lol. Asking other artists or makers can be really rewarding and a great way to build a friendship. Plus, they understand costs and samples and will give solid advice.
Make the product: The next step is to make the product. This can be the hardest part! There is a financial investment and sometimes that can feel overwhelming. I suggest starting small so you can see how the product sells. I have been told that you need to keep an item in your line for a year to really see how it sells and how people respond to it. If you are getting no response- how are you sharing your product? People only know you are selling something if you show them.