Journaling your way into artistic business success

Artist and Author Leah Kopke

Editor Ezra Blocker

Running an art or design business comes with hurdles to overcome and each business is unique. What works for one does not work for all despite all the books and information out there with step by step plans for success. This can lead to frustration; however, this information has value but only with inner reflection. After all, who knows your art and design business better than you? You are an expert. The solutions are often within ourselves hidden under self-doubt, overwhelm or a pile of information. Journaling is a tool for sorting information and reflecting to find ways to jump business hurdles like a pro-athlete. How can placing words on a page lead to finding real business solutions though?

Perspective

Before we begin, let's talk about maintaining a perspective that will help us reflect. We can be hard on ourselves for mistakes. Look at these as learning experiences that lead to future success. Every investment, whether it is your money or your time, is an opportunity for growth regardless of outcome. Focus on being compassionate to yourself. This will give you the strength to look critically at where you are and where you would like to be. Are you holding yourself back, accepting where you are to avoid disappointment or failure? Failure is opportunity in disguise. Even endings open new doors. Possibilities are endless on a blank canvas. Perspective is the first hurdle any leader needs to jump to reach the next hurdle.

Embrace the Mess

I call this messy journaling because if we become too focused on keeping a neat, perfect, beautiful journal, we can lose sight of the end goal. Clarity usually comes from a messy process. Sometimes the imperfect loose thumbnail sketch leads to the best idea. As an artist, I’m sure you are familiar with this. Sometimes while cleaning out a pantry, it looks messier before it becomes organized. Embrace the process of sorting your business.

Awareness, Brainstorm, Learn, Test, Reflect, and Repeat

I have separate journals for design, business, and YouTube. Sometimes journaling the details of an obstacle helps you see it in a new light to solve it. As artists, our journaling takes different forms. If you find it difficult to sit and focus on journaling, try going for a walk or working out beforehand. Listen to what your body needs.

Start by writing down your goals. Once you have, identify the challenges you have faced in reaching them. Reflect on what strategies you’ve tried to improve your business and the results. Was there something that worked well? What can you do differently to improve upon your success? What didn’t work? At this point, brainstorm solutions as a list in your journal. This isn’t a final plan, just a brainstorm. 

Find books, articles, podcasts, or classes that focus on your goal or problem. Write whatever you find intriguing or helpful from them. By now you have a list of options to explore. Test them out and record their results. What did you learn from them? Does something seem to resonate better with you and your business? Write these down. Remember that some results take months to see. When I had a booth at a trade show, it took months to see the impact of my work. This may take some patience. Writing down what you’ve done helps you remember to keep an eye out for the results of your work even though you may not see it immediately. 

We are in business for the long haul and stability, not instant gratification. When you plant a seed, it takes time to harvest the fruits of your labor. I remember my nervous energy wondering if I’d make back what I had invested in a booth at a trade show. I questioned my decisions and eventually saw the good return on my investment. My patience was tested during that time. Remember to be patient with yourself as you try something new for your business.

As you learn what does and doesn’t work, you may find your business plan evolves. Writing a rough draft of your business plan in your journal can help you rethink your business and find exciting opportunities. Think of this as something that evolves constantly as you learn. This likely won’t be your last time writing your business plan. We are growing, not static and a business plan should reflect this.

Journaling is a tool to help you jump over art and design business hurdles like a pro-athlete. The process of journaling follows this outline: awareness, learning, brainstorming, testing, reflecting, and repeat.

Problem Under NDA?

You may not be able to bounce all ideas off of coworkers or ask for advice. You may find yourself as a solopreneur working on a project under NDA. In this case, a journal gives you a space to sort information and problem solve without others involved.

Business Impact

At a time when my YouTube channel seemed to plateau, I needed to rethink my strategy. I journaled, read books and articles, listened to podcasts, and brainstormed options. I then tested them one by one. I saw a massive increase in my YouTube hours when I fixed my search engine optimization. I have many more ideas I’m excited to try.  In a situation that could have left me disheartened, I feel optimistic. My YouTube channel has helped me find more freelance work and a number of my clients have let me know they found me through YouTube. The solutions that work for my business may not be a good fit for all; however, this process of journaling can help you find what works for yours. How will you apply journaling to your business? 

We need your art in the world. It makes it a better place for all of us. We succeed as artists when we learn from each other. If you haven’t already, please sign up for my newsletter for career tips, resources, 3D modeling tutorials and workshops.