July Retrospective: Back in July 2014, I wrote a daily series exploring the realities of navigating the creative economy. Twelve years later, looking back at these entries (and my original awful hand-drawn illustrations!), I’m struck by how the core truths of a creative career remain completely timeless. Each day this month, I’m opening up the archive to share these foundational lessons—with a few modern reflections layered in.
If you’re a new creative graduate looking to find your footing in the creative economy, a Gen X looking to pivot into a creative business, a side-hustler or someone who just wants to up their creative business game, there’s something for you in this series. Just don’t judge my drawings 😉
Put Together an Offer
Putting your work out there is the first step.
The next step is to start to create offers for your target customers.
One is opening the shop shutters, the other is making sure that the window displays, signage, advertising all add up to a cohesive whole to entice your target customer to buy.
How do you construct an offer?
An offer needs to be related to a target audience need. This is where your understanding of their pain comes into play. When you understand their pain, you can craft an offer to address this.
Step one: outline and address the customer’s pain or need
Step two: why does this matter? What are the consequences of this pain? If not resolved, what impact will it have on them?
Step three: outline how you can serve or address this pain. What solution do you offer for their problem?
Step four: provide all the necessary details – who, what, where, when, how
Step five: ask for the sale.
Let me give you an example:
What difference would it make to your life if you could actually start to earn a living and support yourself and your family from your creativity?
Working other jobs and trying to be creative on the side is exhausting and drains our most valuable resource: time.
Sometimes this is a necessary path, but as soon as possible we want to be looking for ways to craft a sustainable business for ourselves using our creative talents. That’s success – to be able to use your creative gifts to put food on your table and pay your bills.
But it can be overwhelming to figure out how to do this.
Especially all by yourself.
Maybe you need a creative entrepreneurship coach to help you put together a plan to support your creative life? Someone with the know-how and the experience to work with you to craft a plan. Someone to help you work out the steps and be on hand to offer advice & support with each faltering step?
Let me be your guide.
One-on-one coaching is available from a seasoned creative entrepreneur to help you make your creative career sing.
Coaching is available in 1/2 hour blocks and completely tailored to your needs. Use the contact form on this website if you’d like to discuss further.
That was an example of an offer following the steps outlined above. Did it make you uncomfortable? If so, ask yourself why?
Action: it’s your turn! It can feel uncomfortable crafting an offer, but it’s an essential part of the journey. Try crafting your own offer and if you’d like, post it below in comments and I can help you refine it.
Longevity in a creative career isn’t accidental—it’s built on strategy.
While the landscape shifts, the core principles of thriving as a creative freelancer haven’t changed. For deeper, modern frameworks on building a sustainable creative practice:
- Read the Book: Looking for a step-by-step field guide to building a resilient career in the creative economy? Pick up my recent book The Thriving Creative: Successful Freelancing in the Creative Economy available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from my publisher Routledge.
- Stay Connected: Join my community and to receive the complete 31-day hand-drawn playbook as a single PDF at the end of the month. Sign up below.
Well Mr. Sparling, this actionable content is amazing! I can’t wait to have another coaching session with you. Your expertise has really helped me focus and it has pushed me to do the uncomfortable. So with that said here is my offer:
Imagine the freedom you would feel if you didn’t have to always rely on auditions or agents to get work. What if you had your own solo show that not only showcased your talent but put extra income in your wallet?
Creating a solo show gives you an advantage as an actor. It means that you are always working on your skill and you can continue to be seen even when the phone is not ringing.
And let’s get real, multiple streams of income as an artist is the key to a thriving career. Having a solo show is potential income.
I have a strength in helping actors create and market their own one-person shows. I’ve spent the past 10 years creating and showcasing my own solo work across the globe.
Not only did I create extra income for myself, I created a platform for casting directors and agents to see me at my best. My solo show led me to a dream job with Cirque Du Soleil.
The key to developing your own solo show is to just start, but believe me, I know this can be difficult and you might not know where to begin.
You cannot develop a solo show alone. You need someone to bounce your ideas off of. I’ve gone through this process many times and I know exactly what to do.
Let’s do it together. I will share my formula and recourses for creating a solo show with you. I will give you feedback on your ideas/material so that you can shine and I will guide you in how to market your work once you are ready.
Get started now by booking a FREE consultation with me at
https://michelle-matlock.squarespace.com/free-services.
No excuses, it’s free to start. Let’s get to work!
Michelle, thanks for your input! Also, a great example of an offer. You’ve used one of the greatest phrases ever: “Let’s do it together.” So inviting. Good luck with this compelling offer.Congrats!