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If you are a creative person and you are running a creative business the chances that you are doing what you are good at are, well… pretty good.
BUT what if you could do MORE with what you are good at and have more than one stream of income?
For example, I’m creative AND I like to write. So I create projects, write tutorials and write about them on my blog. I also create and write for several craft manufacturers and their websites.
I write here, on Creative Income, as well as a few other sites. I enjoy it, it’s fun, and I’m pretty good at it.
Meanwhile, if there aren’t any paying design gigs or sales in my Etsy shop aren’t what I’d like them to be, I can still make money writing.
Relying on only one form of income can be kind of scary. If you are paying your rent from product sales and you have a slow month it can cause a lot of anxiety. BUT if you have a second way of earning money, even when your first source of income is slow, you can make up some of the lost income with a second stream of income.
The first key is to make a list of all the things you are good at.
The next step is to try combining a few of those things you are really good at and seeing what else you can some up with.
Do you make fabulous DIY weddng projects? Could you create a DIY wedding e-book that you could sell online?
Are you a great motivator? Maybe you could consult with other creatives who may need a little motivational push.
Are you creative AND super organized? I think it takes a creative to understand a creative sometimes so maybe you can hire yourself out to help other creatives be more organized.
Maybe you are one of those people who have a more balanced right and left brain? Maybe you like numbers as much as art. Why not help a few creatives organize their bookkeeping in a way that will make their lives easier come tax time? If you enjoy bookkeeping or accounting maybe you can look into becoming a CPA so that you can provide even more service and have another steady stream of income?
Keep your list of things you are good at nearby for a few days, add to it as thoughts come to you. Re-work your list, combine different skills and see how you can do MORE of what you are good at and increase your income at the same time.
Who knows, you may end up being the first highly paid horseback riding kite knitter!
Yeah, I totally made that up. But you never know…
What are YOU good at? Be sure to leave a comment with some of the things you are good at. Seeing someones’ list may jog your memory or imagination.
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
You can find more of Vicki’s article right here on her profile page!
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Thanks for the great tips. I’ve been trying to get back into my drawing, crocheting, knitting, taking pictures, and baking. I want to create a home business but not sure which ones to choose so this article came just in time. I will start my list and see where it takes me. 🙂
I grew up with a crafty mom, so I’ve done paper crafts, sewing, drawing and painting. I taught myself to crochet and do needle work. I can make jewelry from beads, stones, and wire, purses from can tabs and tabletps from bottle caps. I even clean and save the aluminum beer bottles to make wind chimes. Nothing is safe from my creative eye, and I need a chaperon when I go to the hobby store so I don’t go into creative overload and spend more than I can afford.
I also love drawing house plans (Dad was an architect), and am belatedly attending college to follow that dream.
Hour article has given me new insight. Perhaps I can design homes, then decorate them with my original designs! 🙂
I enjoy sewing and have been for about 40+ yrs. I have been doing alterations for many years and recently had Vistaprint make a nice little business card for me – I’ve given it out to friends & family. Yesterday I left some card at the pharmacy that I use . I’ve got to do a little advertising to create a little business! Also, I just made a beautiful dust ruffle for my bed and curtain for the window ( these were made out of white cutwork table cloths that I had – They both turned out very nice! I enjoy this website very much – there is so much to learn and do! Thanks, Jean & Jake(my Puppy)
Great article! Thanks!
Everyone is always telling me, “You need to sell your stuff.”
I’d love to, but find it overwhelming – my forte is creating – not selling so,
consequently, our house if filling up with all my creations (many are life size).
Most of what I make is given away to friends and family rather than price it to sell.
tried Etsy – Ebay, Amazon, etc., but just don’t seem to have the knack for selling.
Any suggestions?
I love to find typos when I read anything! It’s crazy, but they’re everywhere!
Hi, I’m from Durban, South Africa. I am trying to sell my wares. I am a very good knitter, crocheter. Sew a little. Love patchwork, but fabric here is expensive. I was retrenched a year ago, and I got to have a few flea markets, that’s what they are called here. I am battling to sell my beanies, I make beautiful throws, but can’t get the prices. We don’t have very cold winters, so the knit and crochet things don’t sell, if I lived in another part of our country where the wonters are colder. I also have a busy brain, coming up with ideas, but don’t like to work alone, a few friend help now and again. Not sure where to start, trying to sell something that people want, as jobs are hard to find at my age. Am 57yrs old. Any ideas, or suggestions woukd be a great help. Thans. Pam
Hi Pam, if I could suggest a web site that is world wide. I am 75 years old and last year listed my goods on Etsy.com. Fairly easy to set up and not alot of expense involved. Hope this helps you to get started, I love creating and being able to sell my goods is so much fun.
I am an artist and a writer. I’ve written freelance for a couple of magazines and newspapers and I’ve painted since my first paint set at age 10. Over the last years I’ve been busy with family and ranch work but old injury has helped me rethink the creative side. I’m back to painting almost full time and I’m also making products with reproduction of my art. Selling is always an issue and I hate bookkeeping. Necessities however. I have to force myself. I also have to work to not get down when selling isn’t great. I just did a labor day show that wasn’t great. It was actually my first in many years. Its all about getting your name out and looking as good as Heinz or Kelloggs. I know this from marketing cattle. Onward!
I learned how to knit, sew, and make bracelets. I live in Florida so it’s hard to sell knitted throws, blankets and bedspread in a mostly hot state. I loved to sell what I make but I mostly get them away. I am a sales rep for Kitsy Lane a jewellery boutique. Please help.
I’ve been a bookkeeper for over 30 years and have crafted always with friends telling me “oh you should open a store”. Well, due to illness I have had to leave bookkeeping and now I’m taking the plunge by selling online starting with my bears and working from there. I am going to start my list and see what I else I can add 🙂
I am an artist and also love to craft. My favorite thing to do is to tear apart old furniture and turn it into something else. Most recently I have been up-cycling antigue suitcases. Marketing is my entire problem.
I started working with wire when I was a teenager, about 50 yers ago. Stopped to have a family, but now that my nest is completely empty(lost my husband a few yrs back) I have started making wire jewelry again. Everyone tell me I should sell my jewelry, but how, and where? I have been thinking on these lines for the past year, but didn’t know where to start. Thanks for the really great info and I seriously thinking about getting a booth at our next fair! Thanks again.
I have always loved to sew and add extras to personalize my creations. I am having a hard time with purchasing supplies do to lack of funds. I do small sewing ideas with the scraps of things I can find around the house but it doesn’t get me the business off the ground. I do understand that it does take time to get anything going. I also have selling problems. I cannot seem to find the right nitch to get costomers. How do you start a business without having money to start? Working a little at a time is frustrating and it adds to the frustration of trying to balance the bills. I need help with suggestions to move forward on my journey.
Darlene
I have been in Real Estate since 1982 but have always painted and did sewing, recently I have been trying to sell my art work on line but have not had much luck. I do commission work and have sold a painting at our local museum. but can’t seem to get a grip on internet media. I currently have several web sites, zhibit.org/faga, carol-faga.fineartamerica.com, 1-carol-megapixels.com If any one has suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I am not familiar with blogging, tweeting or basically internet media.