Most newbies in the online world, start out with guns blazing, motivated, eager to get started. This is awesome but amongst all your excitement of wanting to quickly come up with your business name, have a logo designed, build your website and learn how to use social media for business on every platform out there, you often forget the most important planning stages.
In my experience, the biggest problem that creative business owners run into when trying to make consistent income from selling their services and products online is that they’re trying to build their online business one random puzzle piece at a time, without knowing what the full picture is meant to look like.
Building a successful online business can feel like walking through an impossible maze – with tempting tips and tactics leading you round in crazymaking circles, and your destination feeling ever further away ...
So, drawing on my experience, I have put together a fail-proof system, to help you figure out what to do, when, and in exactly what order, to build your profitable business the RIGHT way.
There are four stages within this framework:
✨ The Dream Stage
✨ The Build Stage
✨ The Grow Stage
✨ The Scale Stage
In this blog, I am going to focus on the dream stage. Now don't dismiss this stage if you are an existing business and you think you have this stage sussed. If you are not getting the sales or traffic to your online store and are 'hearing crickets'! Start here and make sure your foundation is strong.
What you should be focussing on at the 'Dream Stage' is:
🎯IDEAL CUSTOMERS
🎯BRAND CLARITY
🎯MARKET RESEARCH
🎯IDEA VALIDATION
🎯YOUR PROFITABLE ONLINE STORE MODEL
Getting crystal clear on WHAT your brand is (not visual branding, but the core of what you’re about – your mission, values and vision) and WHO you want to sell your products to makes everything so much easier down the track! Because ideal customer and brand clarity are not just “crazy theoretical concepts” – they are VITAL marketing tools.
You see, once you’re focused on exactly what you want to offer, and why (so, not just ‘jewellery’, for example, but ‘indigenous hand-crafted, eco-friendly jewellery that helps indigenous women connect with their culture and help them live sustainable lifestyles’) ...
And you know who the people are that you want to serve, who will love your products, be willing to pay a fair price for them, and buy from your online shop again and again …
Then you always have a 'clear path' to follow!
IDEAL CUSTOMER + BRAND CLARITY
Is knowing EXACTLY what to write on social media and in your emails, what your product descriptions should say, what SEO keywords to use in your marketing to get more people viewing your website, what your pricing strategy should be … and even what new product ideas do and DON’T belong in your online store.
The truth is, trying to appeal to everybody will appeal to nobody – so effective marketing can only come from narrowing down, and nailing your brand clarity + ideal customer upfront.
Though most people don’t get how important it is, this match between brand and customers is where your profit and success truly are created.
MARKET RESEARCH + IDEA VALIDATION
Now you know what your brand is about, what you want to sell, and who you want to serve, you need to make sure that there is actually a demand for this in the market.
Yeah, it sounds boring … but if no one is looking for what you’re making, that’s kinda problematic!
So now’s the time to look around and do your research!
You need to get an idea of who else is selling the kinds of products you want to sell, how their products are similar or different to yours, and what trends your ideal customers are following that you might be able to leverage (while respecting your brand values!) to make your online shop even more successful.
For example – are products with warm autumn colors trending? Is there a rush on covid-related products? Are more people demanding recyclable materials?
YOUR PROFITABLE ONLINE STORE MODEL
Finally, you have to decide how you will make money. (Duh!) That is, you need to make sure that you can turn your idea into a profitable business.
This means picking the right online business model for you and making sure that you can reach your money goals within the time you have available.
So …
What type of business model will you choose?
Business-to-consumer (B2C): refers to commerce between a business and an individual consumer. For example, when you buy a shirt from an online store.
Business-to-business (B2B): refers to any commerce between two businesses. For example, when a textile & ink supply company sells screenprinting products to a screenprinter. Wholesale retailers typically fall under this category, versus companies that sell at a retail level.
Consumer-to-consumer (C2C): the consumer-to-consumer business model is when a consumer sells a product or service to another consumer. For example, when you sell a used laptop on Facebook Marketplace. Individual sellers often begin selling on online marketplaces then start an online store to build a brand and capture more profits.
Consumer-to-business (C2B): The rise in the creator economy led to a spike in consumer-to-business (C2B) companies. This business model refers to when a consumer sells their own products or services to a business or organization. If you want to become an influencer or a photographer selling photos online, this is the type of business model you’d use.
Top online creative business model examples:
Business models can take a variety of forms involving different manufacturing and shipping methods. Let’s look at some unique e-commerce business models you can use to start your business.
- Dropshipping - craft supplies, art tools, other businesses art & clothing.
- Maker/Creator - jewellery designer, fashion & clothing, homewares, furniture, art.
- Wholesale - your jewellery creations, mass-produced artwork & products, craft supplies, packaging.
- Print-on-demand - clothing, homewares, personalised gifts, wall art.
- Digital products - invitations, ebooks, planners, greeting cards, social media graphics, wall art.
- Subscription - craft, jewellery, food, design assets, online courses.
- Creative service - teaching craft, graphic design, branding, web design, selling courses.
Whatever you decide, you need to make sure your choices support your revenue goal…
while also respecting time constraints and startup budget! Otherwise, you could be working your ass off and NEVER making the income you dream of!
So what is your first step from here? My challenge for you is sign up to my FREE Training.
It's called the 3 Foundational Steps Program.
Complete my quick, painless, and FREE 'Three Foundational Steps Program', to set yourself up for success when you build your online store.
What's included in the training?
Clarity & Purpose Module (Valued at $37)
Uncover your 'Why' and get clear on your purpose. Find out whether you are chasing your dreams or just the paper $$!
Ascertaining Demand Module (Valued at $67)
Gain insights to see if there is a demand, want and need for your product/services.
Know Your Ideal Customer Module (Valued at $67)
Gain insights to see if there is a demand, want and need for your product/services.
PLUS MORE............
