| A NEW YEAR...a new plan | | | | outgoing expenses, I will ask myself how it fits into my |
| Here I sit at this familiar place in my life where the | | | | plan. This really helps me from spending money in |
| nostalgia of another year gone by crosses paths with | | | | areas that don't fit my focus. |
| the excitement of a new year ahead. I look back on | | | | 2. Getting More Business from Old and Current |
| the wonderful blessings that the past year brought and | | | | Business...Do I stay in touch with my clients from the |
| at the same time I reflect on the disappointments along | | | | past? Do I send them reminders and updates to keep |
| the way that serve as a constant reminder that | | | | me fresh in their minds? Do I make the best use of my |
| dreams are never easy. I hear so many artists | | | | current clients? Do I ask them for referrals? One of |
| lamenting over dreams that always seem to dangle | | | | the best ways to get repeat business is on the heels |
| just out of reach. And I remind them that for every | | | | of current business. Ask them for names of other |
| wonderful opportunity, there are always many others | | | | people who might like what you do. |
| that don't work out - whether you're a beginning artist | | | | 3. Fee Structure and Discount Policy...What will I charge |
| or a seasoned one. I like to think that we're given a gift | | | | this year? How much do I need to bring in to meet my |
| without clear instructions on how to use it. And the | | | | expenses and make a profit? Under what |
| instructions are given to us over time through | | | | circumstances will I lower my rate? Will I do any pro |
| opportunities big and small. And we need to focus on | | | | bono work, and how will I determine what pro bono |
| the journey, not the destination. For tomorrow is a new | | | | work to take? How will I quote my fees? What will be |
| day. A new year. Okay, I'm rambling. Perhaps I should | | | | included? How will I phrase it when I quote them my |
| put the egg nog down and get to the reason for this | | | | fee? Think these things through in your mind and it will |
| month's article - planning your year. | | | | be much easier when you're asked for a quote. |
| I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of a | | | | 4. Product Sales and Product Creation...Will I create |
| year. Mainly because I'm not one for keeping them and | | | | any product this year? How will I aim to sell more |
| I already spent the last year creating lists of ways to | | | | product this year? Do my products fit the audiences I |
| improve myself and we see how that turned out. So | | | | have chosen to target this year? Am I making the |
| even though I'm not a fan of resolutions, I am a fan of | | | | most of my back-of-the-room sales? |
| making a business plan. And the beginning of the year | | | | 5. Customer Service...Is there anything I want to do |
| is the best time to make a business plan. As artists we | | | | differently this year with my clients? Any new policies I |
| often don't see ourselves as business people, but if | | | | want to incorporate? How are my customer service |
| you want to sell your art successfully it helps if you | | | | skills? Do I reply in a timely manner? Am I easy to |
| come up with a plan. There has been much research | | | | work with? |
| on how the mere act of putting your plan on paper | | | | 6. Services that I offer...Do I want to offer a workshop |
| helps you achieve your goals. | | | | this year or coaching? Is there a new program and/or |
| Your business plan does not have to be complicated. | | | | a new audience that I want to target? Does my |
| It's simply a plan for how you want to run your | | | | promotional material (web, brochure, etc.) reflect these |
| business in 2007. What are your goals? How will you | | | | new changes? |
| try to reach those goals? What is your focus for the | | | | 7. Networking...How will I get my name out in the |
| upcoming year? How will you plan out your expenses? | | | | community this year? What organizations will I join? |
| These are the kinds of questions you want to ask. | | | | What groups will I become active in? |
| The main reason that I like making a business plan is | | | | 8. Budget...How much do I need to live? What are my |
| that it keeps me on track. It shows me where I want | | | | future monetary goals? What do I need to make this |
| to focus my energies and my finances. When I think | | | | year to meet these goals and needs? How much can |
| about how much money I need to bring in, it helps me | | | | I spend to grow my business? Do I need to raise my |
| have confidence when quoting fees. Having a plan | | | | rates to meet those needs? |
| helps me decide which jobs to take and which jobs to | | | | 9. Inventory...Will I track inventory? Will this be a manual |
| turn down because they don't fit into the plan. And | | | | process or an electronic process? Will I run it through |
| there's always room in your plan for change because | | | | my accounting package? |
| you wrote it. It's your plan. | | | | 10. Continuing Education...What sort of education do I |
| I can't tell you how to write your business plan. That | | | | need this year? How much money can I afford to |
| depends on you and your own personal dreams for | | | | spend on workshops and conferences? Which |
| the future. I can't tell you where to get business or how | | | | workshops and conferences fit into my target market |
| much you need to spend to grow your business. | | | | and business plan? |
| There are certainly far more qualified people to speak | | | | 11. Material...How is my portfolio of creative material? |
| on that subject. I would like to help you get the process | | | | Are there some things that are lacking? Does my |
| going so I'm going to show you the bullet points that will | | | | material fit the audience I've chosen to target this |
| be in my business plan for 2007. Use it as you wish, or | | | | year? Does my promotional material reflect my |
| come up with something of your own. These are just | | | | current portfolio? Is there a way to change my |
| ideas to get you thinking about the year ahead. | | | | material so that it adds value in the marketplace? |
| Kelly's Business Plan for 2007 | | | | And there you have a list of topics I have chosen for |
| 1. Getting New Business...I'm going to ask myself who | | | | my business plan of 2007. You may have more topics |
| my customers will be for this year. Where will I go for | | | | on your list. Or you may just have one or two. Or you |
| new business? How will I approach them? What types | | | | may choose not to do it at all. That's okay. It's YOUR |
| of customers are best for what I do? I will probably | | | | plan. Make it simple and make it realistic. |
| make a list of three or four target audiences. For | | | | I wish you all the best as we head into this new year. I |
| example: libraries, women's conferences, storytelling | | | | hope you find peace and joy at every turn and that |
| festivals, corporate banquets. Throughout the year | | | | your disappointments pale in comparison to your |
| whenever I am faced with incoming business or | | | | blessings. We'll talk more next month. |