π‘ When and how to double down in your creative business | BCC 101
BCC NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 101
What a week! It was such a blast to see so many people sharing the 100th issue of the newsletter and how much it means to creators with all types of audience sizes to be featured. (Something for you to think about as you're planning your content ;)
100 episodes in gives you a good milestone to reflect and make changes, specifically around what's working and what isn't.
The principle here is to do more of what works and less of what doesn't in order to grow your business.
In today's issue, I'll share when and how to do it based on a few proven principles:
- create a library of content
- double down when you find a pitch that works
- do less but better
Let's dive in...
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Library of Content vs Hoping For Virality
There are two approaches in this content "game" we're all playing. You can post every day on social, hoping for a viral hit that grows your awareness, your audience, and - hopefully - your revenue. It's a numbers game.
Conversely - at least simultaneously - you consistently build a library of content. This is a relationship game, where you build trust with your ideal customer over time across a number of interactions. You have a podcast, a blog, a newsletter. You do free workshops and other lead magnets.
You provide value before any transaction has occurred. This way, you have a rabbit hole that pulls the curious prospect toward you and your business over time. As they learn more, their desire grows, and they see your business as the only solution to their problems.
Can you already guess which approach I prefer? Which game I find more fun to play?
Recently I shared this principle: the things that matter most last the longest.
I have found that my posts don't last. The fleeting thoughts are rarely revisited by followers, if they ever see the post in the first place.
Yet, day in and day out, people visit my website that hosts these weekly newsletters and my book, and they explore the library of content I've produced over the years.
Those individuals join this newsletter. They attend workshops. They are curious, and are doing the work - they just need a better framework.
I'm focusing more on building relationships and less on platforms and algorithms when it comes to the success of my business. I'm even shifting my strategy so that it is less reliant on the scale that is often required to make the social media audience a viable audience for a business.
Double Down When You Find A Pitch That Works
When you've got a pitch that connects with an audience of people, that's when you double down.
Over the last 18 months of doing this work more consistently, I've connected with many different audiences. Those that are just starting, those that have been at it for a while, those that are desperate to fix what isn't working.
They spread across many different industries. Film, music, writing, coaching, courses, content, social media, marketing, sales, and more.
Yet, what I have recently discovered is that there is one audience that overvalues what I do here with Craftsman Creative.
Filmmakers, YouTube channels, video production companies.
It makes sense: that's my background, and I've reached a level in my career that is valuable to learn from. I'm an international film producer, and I have a system for making films that work both as creative projects and as financially profitable businesses.
Being able to apply that to a production company or a YouTube focused business is extremely valuable to those individuals.
So, it's time to double down. I'll still put out weekly content (even more, actually, but more on that next week...probably), but my core offer will be targeted to that specific audience.
I'm moving my free workshops inside the Society to make it more valuable. I'm streamlining my content strategy to focus on that singular journey, from audience, to prospect, to lead, to customer (society), to client (coaching/consulting).
Do Less, But Better
That single audience of filmmakers & video professionals represented over $100k in revenue last year. I plan on 3X-ing that revenue by narrowing my focus in 2023.
I'll do two more films this year as a producer. I'll focus my core offer on filmmakers and video based creative companies. I'll create content that speaks to them.
By creating more value for this group of people, I'll have more impact, more leverage, and grow my business.
With this strategy, I only need ~1 client per month. I've built systems to automate the growth of the Society, and deliver value to those that aren't in this "ideal customer" bucket, and the business will grow without needing to spread my focus.
You've heard this principle before. "Niche down" or "narrow your niche". I've proselytized it as much as anyone, but I haven't done it as much as I could have. So now I'm further practicing what I preach.
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It all comes back to the MOVIE framework that I've talked about over the last few months. Start with your mindset. These three principles today help you with that. Then focus on the outcome. For me, that's growing my business without burning myself out on social media, and doing less but better, i.e. fewer clients at a higher price point.
I'm going to be putting together a film fund this year to double down on my film producing impact. I'll do fewer events, but better. Fewer workshops, but better. More focused content, better.
And I'll share the journey along the way if you're on a similar path.
Thanks for being with me over the last 100 issues of this newsletter. Here's to all of us creating the businesses that support the outcomes we care about in our lives.
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Daren Smith
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PS - When you're ready, here's how I can help you take the next step on your creative journey...
- Take the free business scorecard to identify the areas of your business to focus on.
β - Join an upcoming Craftsman Creative Workshop to dive into your business and learn how to implement my five-part creative business growth framework.
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β Sponsor this newsletter to share your business with 3,500+ creators β
THIS WEEK ON THE PODCAST...
Reflecting on 100 Issues and 12 months since my book launch | Episode 046This week I share the principles that have served me the most over the last year or two as I've focused more on building Craftsman Creative β
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LINKS TO HELP YOU GROW...
βThis event from Bari Baumgardner at Sage Events was an easy purchase. I've been ideating on my next Craftsman Creative Event, a Virtual Summit, but have been stuck on the format, structure, etc. This will be the event that helps me move forward and put the plan into action.
h/t to Jay Clouse for having Bari on his podcast recently.
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Check out the replay of the recent Write & Publish Your Book workshop. I held this at a local bookstore, Pioneer Book in Provo, and had ~20 people turn up! Such a fun night, and got great feedback on the event. If you have any desire to write a book and/or self publish, this hour-long workshop will get you on the path to those outcomes.
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The next Craftsman Creative Workshop is on how to grow your business through content. I'm co-hosting the event with Ryan Koral, the host of the Grow Your Video Business podcast and owner of Tell Studios. He's mastered the art of storyselling and how to use content to grow your creative businesses, and I'm excited to share the spotlight with him.
Come ready to learn and apply the principles to your business, April 27th at 12 Pacific.β
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I'm reading the book Wanting by Luke Burgis - I thought I'd read it when it came out, but realized I hadn't, and it's been such a timely, refreshing read as I've been (publicly) struggling with my relationship with social media. This book has given me clarity and direction on how to overcome it, and already the struggle has lessened and I can see a time in the not-so-distant future when it's fully in it's proper place in my life and business.
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There are a few friends who have been on this creative journey with me that I recommend you check out, based on what you are focused on with your business:
Joe Pulizzi and The Tilt for content creators who want to become content entrepreneurs
βJustin Moore for sponsor and brand deal strategy
βJosh Spector for audience growth and content creation
βJeremy Enns for podcast growth and strategy
βArvid Kahl for solopreneurship and building in public
βBrian Clark and for those looking to scale their businesses
βLexi Grant for selling your business or getting acquired
βSend & Grow newsletter for growth strategies
And, of course, if you want to grow your newsletter 10x faster (based on my experience), sign up for Sparkloop and put their amazing tools to work for you and your business.
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