Next Step, New Ideas

There is so much noise and heightened online activity right now. Some days small business planning is a big rock to push up the hill, but movement means progress over time. Better to move slowly forward than be stagnant and disappear. Each week we take steps like the ones outlined below, to be creative, add value, and move forward.

One could easily decide to sit it out, but then what are we waiting for? This global situation will take months to settle, and the level of unknowns is unprecedented. What we do know is that we can continue to share new content and ideas on how to relax, enjoy, entertain, and celebrate with handmade artisan elements. Despite the news, daily living with family, friends, and colleagues does continue.

Our focus has been on existing and prospective customers, with whom we already have a connection. Now seems like a tough time to start from scratch with a potential client, or cold contact. When you decide to publish content of any kind, you’ll face the challenge of being seen and heard. Breaking through the noise was hard pre-2020, and it’s even more difficult now.

We decided to make a hand-crafted specialty item in our workshop, a custom doorstop. It’s timely; everyone wants their doors to be open (safely) to warm weather, sunshine, friends, neighbors, and customers. And it’s a piece that’s functional and beautiful. A small token of joy that brings a smile seems worth the effort.

We documented the process of making the doorstops and posted photos on our social platforms and the Workshop page of our website. People love a look behind-the-scenes. You can record and share your creative process and use it as content across your channels. We've received so much positive feedback that we may add it to our Marketplace, which was not the original intention.

Because we focus on hand-crafted products, visual images are a significant aspect of our business. Custom printed note cards, gift tags, and high-end mailing envelopes are areas where we leave a visual impression. We included a personal, handwritten note on quality paper stock inside each package.

We were intentional about the timing of the doorstop mailing. Using social media, we followed specific companies and sent our packages when their doors opened for business. As a result, several executives reached out personally to connect with us, which was a welcome surprise. You never know what will resonate with people, that’s why you have to keep trying new things.

Current events will test even the most determined of us, but small wins like this are another reason to keep pushing that rock over the top of the hill.