Welcome to our humble abode, dearest indiepreneurs! Method & Madness is the resource for creative indiepreneurs--we've got classes, workshops, downloadable tools, and, well, me all working with you towards the success of your indie biz. I started M&M in 2010 because I kept hearing the same problem from my artist friends & colleagues: they loved their craft, but hated all the time, effort, and work the "business" required. It pulled some of the passion out of the craft & added stress to their lives--who wants to deal with that?

I operate Method & Madness from the position that art and business can peacefully coexist. Simplicity, a little strategy, and a lot of passionate creativity make the best formula for a thriving, lucrative indie business.

I'm also a huge believer in the power of collaboration. Most indie businesses are really small operations--we've got to stick together & give each other a hand. The projects on the horizon for Method & Madness center around our community & how we're going to leverage our strength both within and out in the world. We're going to get a little wild, friends. I hope you'll stay on for the ride--I need your help to make it happen. Make sure you connect on FB (that's where we announce a lot of classes & events.), RSS (reading is good.) and Twitter (we can chat around the metaphorical water cooler.). If you want to know more about me, or you just like adorable Boston terriers, go here.

Let's talk soon, OK?

I love it when super-smart people come over to visit. Welcome Meagan Visser! Thanks for bringing your expertise into my hood!  MG

 

Innovation – something newly introduced, such as a new method or device

Don’t let the word freak you out. When I hear the word “innovate”, I sometimes get the feeling of tons of work ahead & something way out there, beyond my range or scope. Then I realize how crazy I’m being.

If you want to do something great, you have to work hard & all that hard work will put you in a whole other “range” or “scope” in & of itself.

You don’t have to invent the wheel to be innovative, but you can reinvent the wheel…or at least how it can be used.

When it comes to your business or your products, being innovative will set you above your competition every time. Like I said to my newsletter subscribers in my Business Marketing series, “Forget the competition because you won’t have any. You’ll be the leader with your new way of doing whatever it is you do.”

So today, I want to share 3 ways to discover how you can be innovative with your business or products. Don’t just read this & file it away in your mind. Schedule it into your planner to take the time to do it. Put it into practice & go out there & set the standard for your niche.

1. Know your competition

Yeah, I know I just said not to do what it is that they’re doing constantly, but that doesn’t mean to never have a look-see at what they’ve got going on. It’s good to see what you like & don’t like when it comes to your top competitors & it’s good to implement the things you like…but in your own way of course. Remember, there’s nothing creative about copying. More than likely, most of your competitors are going to be doing a lot of the same things. That means this is the perfect opportunity for you to step outside of the box & do something totally different.

2. Study businesses outside of your niche

Think of businesses that have it together in your mind. Their branding & marketing are front & center & they aren’t lacking for customers. Some companies that come to my mind are Abercrombie & Fitch, Vouge Magazine, Target, Apple, & Whole Foods just to name a few. You know exactly what comes to mind when you think of these companies & if you look closely at each one individually you can find things that they’re doing to market themselves that you can use for your own business. If you always focus on businesses inside of your niche, you may always end up facing the same ideas all the time. Remember, the goal is to step outside of the box.

3. Ask your customers

Do you ask your customers what they want & need? If not, that can provide some huge insights to you & chances are it’s things you didn’t even consider. Here’s the thing though. I’m not talking about any old customer. I’m talking about your ideal customer. That perfect person for your business. Check out this post of creating an ideal customer profile if this is new to you.

Ask your customer what they value in your business. You may think you’ve got it together with your perfect materials & formula, but you customer may value the fact that you’re resourceful & eco-friendly…something that you may not have even been focusing on before.

A recipe for innovation

So there you have it.

Three things that can set you on the path to being innovative with your business.

It just takes knowing what’s going on in your circle as well as what your customers are looking for. Then you can step outside of your circle for a bit, look around & let inspiration hit you.

Go for it!

Meagan Visser is a creative business coach who helps moms learn to managing their creative business with motherhood. She’s the creator of Creative Business Marketing 101 – a course to help creatives get their marketing back on track. Connect with her at MeaganVisser.com & on Facebook &Twitter.