Business

The Importance of Creativity in Business

Creativity allows us to view and solve problems more openly and with innovation. More specifically, creativity skills are a key factor in having a successful life as they foster self-esteem and self-worth, and contribute to self-efficacy. Creativity also draws on individual skills and resources such as motivation and drive. Additionally, with the uncertainty of COVID-19, as well as the future, creativity may be more important now than ever before. Having a creative mindset toward your business or the company for which you work may make the difference between success and failure in these volatile times. While typically practical people, business owners can survive this economic hardship — and those to come — with out-of-the-box thinking, and perhaps even discover ways to grow.


Why is being creative so important?

  1. Fast Problem-Solving Skills

    For something to be innovative, there are two requirements: It must be novel and useful. Once an idea is possible, innovation tends to be an easier challenge for more players to achieve. Creativity is the novel step of being the first to identify that something might be possible in the first place. But innovation is the action of putting things into practical reality, despite challenges and resistance, rather than just contemplating. While creativity is crucial to generate ideas that are both unique and original, they’re not always inherently useful. Innovative solutions can’t exist, however, without a component of creativity.

  2. Allows for Innovation

    For something to be innovative, there are two requirements: It must be novel and useful. Once an idea is possible, innovation tends to be an easier challenge for more players to achieve. Creativity is the novel step of being the first to identify that something might be possible in the first place. But innovation is the action of putting things into practical reality, despite challenges and resistance, rather than just contemplating. While creativity is crucial to generate ideas that are both unique and original, they’re not always inherently useful. Innovative solutions can’t exist, however, without a component of creativity.

  3. Necessary for Growth

    One of the main hindrances to a business’s growth is cognitive fixedness, or the idea that there’s only one way to interpret or approach a situation or challenge. Building a creative workplace environment would be the first step to mitigate this issue. Business leaders must understand their workplace environment and company culture in order to foster a creative work environment. 

  4. Boosts Productivity

    Another benefit of creativity and innovation in business is that it helps in boosting productivity. Through coming up with creative ideas, individuals get to work on new exciting projects, which can be an incentive towards doing their best and achieving great things. Business creativity encourages people to give healthy feedback and foster collaboration, it also helps workers feel more appreciated since they get to test their limits and come up with something new.


How to develop a creative mindset?

  1. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks

    Taking risks within the workplace encourages innovation, learning opportunities and advantages. Innovation and development of a company cannot happen if you will not accept the risk that your undertaking might fail. The level of risk may be lessened, however, if you make all possible calculations and evaluate which option is best before proceeding to the next step.

  2. Foster Collaboration

    With the onset of rapid growth in the corporate world, challenges have also increased. Tackling it is not an easy task, and in order to do that, you will need collaboration in the workplace. Collaboration allows quick adaptability and enhances performance. A diverse workforce will have individuals with varying thought processes and to promote collaboration, you need to respect everyone’s perspective. Another great way to enhance collaboration is to partner with a media production company who can give you a fresh perspective based on their experience, and help develop content that will allow for business growth!

  3. Maintain an Open Mind

    Maintaining an open mind set goes hand in hand with taking risks. Having an open mindset means being objective when you approach new things, listening to other points of view, and being willing to admit what you don't know. Expand yourself to be more willing to accept new ideas and step outside of your comfort zone.

  4. Encourage Failure

    Mistakes can be some of the most helpful catalysts for growth and learning, both in life and in the workplace. However, many people fear failure, which can hold them back from taking risks or trying new things. Employees are most productive and creative when they aren't afraid of failing or making mistakes at work.

  5. Keep an Active Lifestyle

    Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps make people happier, less anxious, more resilient and better equipped to problem-solve in the face of hardship. Imagining and creating give us a sense of purpose and allows for individuals to be more mentally and physically stimulated. This will all eventually result in a more productive and efficient workplace. 


Conclusion

Creativity and innovation are extremely important skills whether you’re a job seeker, employer, or aspiring entrepreneur. It is proven that maintaining a creative mindset can be of help in all aspects of life, not just the workplace. Creativity encourages mental and physical stimulation and allows for individuals to be more free with their decisions.

Written by: Rena Wu

Are you able to recall the last time that you were creative? Comment below, we want to hear your responses!

If you’re wanting to learn more about business, media, and music production, we are developing a course called Producer Launch that will take you from beginner, all the way to knowing how to become a successful producer for a living!

Sign up here to be notified when it launches for an exclusive 50% off!

 
 
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11 Tips to Go From Artist to Entrepreneur

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Artist | \ˈär-tist\ | noun

  1. a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination

Entrepreneur | \ahn-truh-pruh-nur\ | noun

  1. a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

 

If you're reading this article, the chances are that you're familiar with the first definition above. Through countless studio hours, sleepless nights, and work-in-progresses, you've lived it. What you're looking to learn more about is the second definition. Luckily, as an artist, you're no stranger to taking initiative and risks, which are cornerstones of entrepreneurship, as described above. Below, you'll find 11 tips that will detail how to take the reins on your creative talents to build a long-term, prosperous career as an artist.

 

1) DEFINE YOURSELF 

When starting out in the creative arena, it's essential to understand fully who you are as a creator and how you'll relay your identity to your audience. What drives you to create? What experiences got you to where you are today? Ask yourself the tough questions to help you determine the kind of art you'll produce and how it will link back to your identity as an artist. 

It's also crucial to clearly define yourself as an entrepreneur when getting started in the art industry. Making and distributing business cards with your name alongside the title of "artist" is a sure-fire way to get your name and creations in the public eye. 

2) CREATE AND CURATE YOUR COLLECTION

After some introspection, it's time to do what you do best: create meaningful art pieces that resonate with the public. Consider selling small collections of your art to show consistency in your work and help you determine what's selling in the ever-changing art market. This way, you can build on past collections that garnered positive attention to reach more people, helping you grow. 

3) MAKE A WEBSITE

Although it can be immensely beneficial to make an Instagram account for your art, social media isn't enough. Building a website, an extension of you as an artist, is crucial in every creative industry. If done effectively, your site will give your audience insight into what you make and who you are. A hub with artist statements, a regularly updated blog, and most importantly, your portfolio will help you make a name for yourself in the art business.

Interested in building a site complete with a blog just like this one? Contact us; Jony Studios can help you bring your artistic endeavors to new heights with our website building services. 

 

4) ESTABLISH YOUR TARGET MARKET

Ensuring your art reaches its intended audience is imperative when building your career as an artist. Figure out who's buying your art, how much they typically spend, and how often they buy. Also, note how many people champion your art without buying it. Don't underestimate the power of individuals invested in your art, even if they aren't spending their money. This way, you can use your effort to display your art where the public will appreciate it. The best way to find your target audience is to let your audience find you. Display your art wherever and whenever you can so it can reach large groups of people at one time. Every time your art is on display, there's a possibility that your next client will be amongst one of the viewers.

5) PRICE ACCORDINGLY

As an entrepreneur, you must understand your art's intrinsic value and quantify it into a price. This can be difficult as art is defined by much more than its price tag. However, many artists have gone through this very struggle and developed formulaic methods to price their work. The main elements to consider are:

  • Cost of materials

  • Cost of overhead (studio rent, utilities, maintenance, etc.)

  • Cost of labor

  • Markup (recommended amounts range from 10-20%)

 

6) SEEK OUT YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES

Sitting around and waiting for exhibits to come to town will do you no good as an artist wanting to break through in the industry. Reach out to local galleries to have your art displayed, submit articles to various art blogs and journals, or host an open studio day. You could even get in touch with interior designers and have your art featured in hotels, office buildings, and restaurants. Time spent hoping an opportunity will present itself is time you could spend creating your own.


7) NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

If you show your customers that you value them, they’ll make an effort to see the value in your art. Give exclusive offers to people signed up to your mailing list or release special edition art collections to new customers. Even just interacting with your audience in the comments section of a blog post shows them you care and that you’re worth investing in, not only with their money but unwavering support. 

8) BUILD MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

Surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference when starting as an entrepreneur for your art. Building connections with local journalists and art collectors can ensure that the public will know about your art whenever you wish to display it. Even by helping others out, you may be exposed to new opportunities to have your work featured or be interviewed by the press. The bottom line is to expand your network, not only to make the most sales but to have a support system of people in your niche to help you when you’re down and to amplify your success when you’re up. 

9) STAY ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES

Although finance and art may seem like opposite ends of the career spectrum, keeping your records organized will save you countless future headaches. Staying on top of your expenses and revenues can help you budget effectively when buying materials or renting out studio space. Many websites even offer webinars specifically for artists trying to navigate the world of finance. If you can spend less time stressing about money, you can spend more time crafting art pieces. 

10) MAKE A BUSINESS PLAN

You must set realistic goals if you want a long-term, prosperous career as an artist. After doing so, develop systems you can implement daily to help complete your objectives. Asking yourself questions like “What percentage of my art should I sell to be profitable?” will help you determine how many hours you’ll spend in the studio every day. For example, if you want 50% of your art to be purchased, you’ll need to make double the amount you hope to sell. Make your business plan, follow it, then tweak it accordingly to ensure your goals are still relevant and attainable.

 11) STAY CONSISTENT

Begone with the stereotypes of the carefree artist. If you decide you want to make a business out of your art, you need to remain dedicated even when the chips are down. When your exposure is low, create an opportunity to generate buzz around your work. If you didn’t meet your expected sales for the first quarter, calculate the additional revenue you need to earn across the next three to diffuse the loss. Some customers may not even buy an art piece until years after they see it since it may take that long for them to realize they connected with it. It’s always better to take a step back and re-evaluate your approach than quit. 

 

CONCLUSION

Deciding to get serious about your art can seem like a daunting decision, but by no means does it have to be. Building connections, creating impactful pieces, and making opportunities for yourself are all ways you can steadily elevate your art business. With these 11 tips in your arsenal, we hope you realize creative success can be yours. 

Still looking for more help to kickstart your creative career? Maybe you’ve already found your footing but want some assistance fine-tuning your approach. Wherever you are in your art-trepeneurial journey, Jony Studios can help. Our services range from brand consulting to website development to SEO. We’d love to help you be the best art entrepreneur you can be!

Written by Midhat Mujaddid


Are you going to try any of these techniques with your art business? Do you know an artist who could use some of these tips? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re wanting to learn more about business, media, and music production, we are developing a course called Producer Launch that will take you from beginner, all the way to knowing how to become a successful producer for a living!

Sign up here to be notified when it launches for an exclusive 50% off!

 
 
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Why Personal Branding is Important

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There’s just no escaping it; branding is everywhere. Of course, you’ve heard of Nike, Apple, and Tesla, but there’s another type of branding on the rise: personal branding. While there seems to be another marketing trend every new moon, personal branding is here to stay and can take your business to new heights if approached correctly. So, what is personal branding anyway? Why is it so important? How can you start developing your own? Read on to learn more.

WHAT IS PERSONAL BRANDING?

Think of some of the biggest brands you know. Chances are they’ve clearly established their beliefs, values, goals, and purpose to their target audience. Now take that idea and turn inward. That’s how you should be approaching your personal brand. Rather than focusing solely on the products or services you provide, personal branding refers to your public persona and how you communicate with your target market. Looking for more on personal branding? Watch this 5-minute personal branding rundown.

PERSONAL BRANDING EXAMPLES

Let’s take Elon Musk for example. While he’s best known for his innovative work with Tesla and SpaceX you can’t ignore the outlandish stunts that have made him a public figure in his own right. By bending societal norms in his personal life as a visionary albeit eccentric individual, Musk is associated with his brands that push the limits of what humanity is capable of.

Want to see more personal brands in action? Check out this list of 18 personal brands done right.

 WHY IS PERSONAL BRANDING IMPORTANT?

As credible information is getting diluted with sensationalist content, personal branding is now more critical than ever. Communicated by the EAT algorithm used for SEO, sharing your expertise with an audience allows you to be perceived as the go-to authority in your arena. In turn, you gain the trust of your target market, who will come back to your company anytime you release new products or offer unique expertise. Just by putting a face to your company via your personal brand, your recommendations may be 92% more trustworthy than recommendations from your company as a whole.

HOW WILL BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND BENEFIT YOU?

If curated effectively, your personal brand will be memorable and tell the world that they should choose you over your competitors. By putting your best traits and strengths out for your audience, you’ll be exposed to new niche opportunities relevant to your most substantial assets. Through these unique experiences, you’ll also be able to build relationships with well-known brands in your industry.

By taking the reins and building your own personal brand, you control your public perception. Rather than allowing mystique and possible misinformation to dictate your persona, which is becoming increasingly frequent in the age of social media, you can consciously present yourself in alignment with your values and goals.

5 WAYS TO start BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Now that you know what a personal brand is and why it’s crucial to build your own, here are five tips to help you present yourself effectively online.

1) Find your niche

To build your personal brand, you must identify the arena in which you want to operate. By setting a clear area of expertise, you’ll be able to focus your energy on specific content rather than providing lots of low-quality information for variety’s sake. Sticking to what you know will save your time and energy and ensure your audience receives quality information from you. Want to learn more about finding your niche? Here’s a 5-step guide to get you there.

2) Be authentic

Although curating your public persona involves putting forward your best traits, you should never feel pressured to act like someone you aren’t. Putting on a character hoping to seem like an expert in your field will almost always backfire as you may fail to keep your brand consistent. Also, the chances are that your audience can see through the façade, lowering your overall credibility. Instead, consider using your weaknesses to your advantage to set yourself apart.

3) Work on your online presence

With 65% of people seeing online search results as the most trusted source of information about companies, working on your online presence is essential. Ensuring you have a consistent personal brand image through a logo and communication style is a good starting point for your brand. Also, consider making a website for your brand in addition to your social media accounts. If you want a website like this one, feel free to reach out. We have worked with many clients, making effective websites that can help your brand grow! Creating a website for your brand ensures that you own the information you share as opposed to Instagram or Twitter, which are platforms that limit the ownership you have over your content. Through a website, you can also start a blog and tap into email marketing which can increase customer retention.

4) Reach out to other well-known brands

Although one of the primary uses of personal branding is to set yourself apart from the competition, working with other companies in your niche can be immensely beneficial. Interacting with well-known brands online through social media, blog posts, or direct communication can also help others see the value in connecting with you, thereby building your network.

5) Believe in your brand

Personal branding is, without a doubt, a labor-intensive process and can take a few tries to get right. Like most things, however, consistency is key, and it’s essential that you don’t lose sight of how your company will benefit from your personal brand being perfected. Even if it seems like your efforts aren’t paying off, it’s important to recognize that making a lasting impact on your audience takes time. After all, it takes five to seven impressions for someone to remember a brand.

6) BONUS TIP: Let Jony Studios help you build your personal brand

Whether you need help getting started or want to fine-tune your existing personal brand, we can help. Our brand consulting services can help you with brand identity development, positioning, brand videos, podcasting, and even audiobook creation. At Jony Studios, we recognise that building a personal brand is no small feat, and we want to help you every step of the way.

 

CONCLUSION

Taking charge of your personal presence is an essential step in helping your brand reach new heights. The moment you put a face to your company, you have the chance to extend your reach through interactions with your audience and other brands, stand out in the sea of competition, and increase your credibility. Although it can take some effort, this guide can hopefully help you build your personal brand and help your company grow.

Written by Midhat Mujaddid

Did you learn a new tip about building your personal brand? Was there anything that surprised you? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!