No matter what sector you’re in, it’s essential to keep on top of changes and advancements in your industry. And this is especially true for solo entrepreneurs and small business owners in creative fields. Creative industries are known for fast-changing trends, so it’s important to know how to keep up with shifts in customer behaviour. By doing so, you can discover new opportunities, adapt to the evolving market and let your creativity shine through fresh ideas.
But all this can be easier said than done. So, how can you embrace change and thrive in an ever-changing industry?
Know your audience (and your competition)
The best way to attract and retain happy customers or clients is to know what they want. If their desires change regularly, you need to keep up! Engaging with your community on social media is a great way to conduct market research. Look for patterns and create polls or surveys to understand how you can better fulfil customer needs.
Knowing your audience also gives you an insight into the competition – identify what’s working for them and see how you can adapt it to your needs.
It’s also a wise idea to take on customer feedback. Respond to reviews promptly and ask customers or clients to offer feedback if they haven’t already. As well as helping you understand what your customers want, reviews build trust and can attract new audiences.
Know how to market yourself
With so many competitors out there, how can you make sure your creative business stands out? To grow and stay relevant, you need to know how to market yourself.
Embrace the digital
More and more people are finding products and services online so it’s essential to embrace digital marketing. From investing in top-notch web design and improving your SEO to finding the ideal social media channel for you, it’s time to get your name out there.
Showcase your brand identity
Authenticity always wins. While change is important, don’t lose sight of your brand identity. Make sure your values are evident throughout your marketing and your product or service itself. This creates a sense of consistency which helps build trust and loyalty with your customers.
Upskilling for freelancers
Are there any skills you feel would benefit your business? Perhaps you could learn more about blogging to boost your online presence. Or maybe there’s a particular industry trend you want to try but need a bit of training on. Continuous learning will put you in good stead for keeping up with industry changes — and it could even put you ahead of the curve.
Collaborate and network
Have you thought about collaborating with another small business or freelancer? Teaming up with like-minded people in your industry can introduce your work to fresh audiences and give you a chance to try new things. You can learn from one another and share industry insights.
Networking is another handy way to keep up to date with sector news. Trade shows, conferences, and more casual networking events are ideal for learning and seeking new opportunities.
Get support
Wondering how to stay on top of an evolving industry while still having the energy and creativity to do what you love best? Ask for help! Remember, you don’t have to do it all — outsourcing can lighten the load and help your business grow.
If you don’t want to hire somebody in-house, a virtual assistant (VA) can be a great alternative. From researching industry trends and responding to customer feedback to offering social media assistance, a VA can handle an array of tasks to help your business stay relevant.
An experienced virtual assistant like Erin at Bizzybee, will give you the space you need to focus on innovation and creativity.
Get in touch to have a chat and learn more.