Last post of 2012! We’re running out of time to think about our goals for the new year. Like we’ve talked about before here, here and here, it’s time to brainstorm and put in writing a set of measurable, specific goals for your creative business to strive for in 2013.
Here are some guidelines to consider when brainstorming goals for your creative business:
- Don’t set yourself up for failure. Examine what you achieved in 2012. What were your sales, revenue, and profit-levels like this year? What are some realistic goals for 2013? Your goals should require some challenge and “stretch”, but still be attainable with a bit of hard work.
- Your goals should be specific and measurable. Don’t just say “I want to increase sales”. Come up with an actual benchmark dollar amount (like “I want to make $5000 in sales.” or “I want to average $2000 in sales per month.”). Giving yourself specific benchmarks will increase your motivation to reach them. Plus, they make it easier to measure whether you were successful or not.
- Your goals should have deadlines in order to hold yourself accountable. If you’re like me, you work better (and harder!) under a deadline.
- Think about the path to achieving each goal you set from every angle. I want to increase profit. To do that, I can work on increasing sales revenue and decreasing expenses and overhead.
- Sometimes it’s about quality and not quantity. One of my goals for Lazy Owl is to increase my sales numbers, but if I make a whole lot of $10 sales, I’m not really boosting my bottom line as much as if I made more $40 sales. Thus, my goals also include increasing items sold per order and to offer more higher-priced popular items.
- All your goals don’t need to be about sales numbers or dollar amounts. Maybe you need to keep better track of your sales and expenses for tax records. That can be a goal, with a specific measurement of updating your records at least once a week. You might also think about increasing your fan base numbers on your facebook page or other business-related websites. There are many other business areas you can think about improving that indirectly increase sales and profits.
Here’s a basic two-page worksheet to record your 2013 goals on. Feel free to print and include in your creative business binder. There’s a space at the top to include your business name. I split the worksheet into four categories of business goals, and each table has space for you to write your specific goal, how you will measure your success, and that goal’s deadline.
Your goals should be very specific to your business needs, but to get the wheels turning, here are some examples of goals:
- Sales goals:
- Increase sales revenue
- Increase number of sales
- Increase sales on particular venues (Etsy, bigcartel, own website, offline, craft show, local, etc.)
- Increase average revenue per order
- Increase orders of multiple items
- Begin selling in X amount of boutiques or shops
- Participate in X number of craft shows
- Financial goals:
- Increase profit (net income = sales revenue less expenses)
- Decrease expenses
- Keep better inventory records
- Consistently track expenses, sales, inventory, supplies, etc.
- Improve records for tax purposes
- Improve pricing formula
- Boost profit margin
- Marketing goals:
- Increase facebook fans or twitter followers
- Increase Etsy views, hearts, etc.
- Increase blog/website/e-newsletter subscribers or views
- Increase number of blog posts/facebook posts/tweets each week or month
- Develop your own website/blog/e-newsletter/direct mailing list
- Make the frontpage of Etsy X times
- Get published in a print or e-magainze
- Guest post on other blogs
- Participate more in Etsy teams or other forums
- Make X amount of Etsy treasuries
- Get featured on a specific relevant website
- Leave business materials in X amount of local businesses
- Other Business Goals:
- List X amount of new items on Etsy each week/month
- Develop X amount of new product lines this year
- Revamp your logo, brand, website, shop, etc.
- Redesign or develop your business cards, custom catalog, etc.
- Learn more about specific business topics, like SEO, HTML, product photography, bookkeeping, etc.
- Complete your creative business plan.
Write your goals down and keep them in a visible place. Throughout the year, you should take some time once a month or at least once a quarter to review your goals, determine your progress, and adjust as necessary. Seeing your goals will give you the kick in the pants you might need every now and then to get back on track.
I hope this helped you to begin thinking about planning for next year. I wish you, your loved ones, and your creative business success and happiness in 2013! See you next year yall!
What are some of your most important goals for your creative business in 2013?
Related articles
- A Year in Reflection (lazyowlboutique.com)
- 2013: Let’s Grow! (lazyowlboutique.com)
- 12 Worthwhile Small Business Resolutions for 2013 (swipely.com)
