There are a lot of creatives in Bryan/College Station, Texas, from fashion designers to artists to makers. And while there's a lot of talent in this area, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. So, how can you get your work seen by as many people as possible and give yourself the best chance at success?
You’ll need to take these five steps to get discovered as a creative in Bryan, Texas:
1. Write a business plan.
2. Create a DBA.
3. Get your work in front of a wide audience.
4. Form an LLC.
5. Use online tools to create and send your work.
Let's take a closer look at each of these tips.
Write up a business plan
A business plan is essential for any business, but especially for creatives who might not have a lot of experience with running a business. A business plan will help you figure out your goals and objectives, map out your strategies, and track your progress over time. Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also show potential investors and lenders that you're serious about your business and that you have a clear vision for its future.
Create a DBA (‘doing business as’ name)
A DBA, or "doing business as," is basically just another name for your business. This can be useful if your preferred company name is already taken or if you want to brand your business differently than your registered name. For example, if your company name is Jane Smith Designs but you want to brand yourself as "Janey Smith Designs" for your line of handmade jewelry, you would file for a Texas DBA so that you could legally operate under that name.
Get your work in front of a wide audience
There are lots of ways to get your work seen by potential customers or clients, but one of the most effective is simply to put it in front of as many people as possible. This could mean setting up a booth at a local market or festival, participating in pop-up shops or trunk shows, or even just hanging up flyers around town. The more people who see your work, the more likely someone is to take notice and want to buy what you're selling.
Form an LLC to protect your company
An LLC, or limited liability company, is basically just a legal entity that protects your personal assets in case something goes wrong with your business. If you're operating as a sole proprietor, all of your personal assets — like your house and car — are at risk if something happens with your business (like if you're sued). But if you form an LLC in Texas, those personal assets are protected because the LLC is considered its own entity separate from you. This provides peace of mind and can help give potential investors and lenders confidence in your business (and their investment).
Use online tools to your advantage
In today's digital world, there are lots of online tools available that can help you create and send your creations, whether it's an e-commerce platform to sell products or simply a way to share photos and videos with potential customers or clients. Utilizing these online tools can help increase your reach and make it easier for people to discover your work, especially if they're already familiar with the platform you're using (like Instagram or Etsy).
There's no one guaranteed path to success for creatives in Bryan/College Station, Texas, or anywhere else for that matter. But by following these tips, putting yourself out there, and taking advantage of your Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce membership, you'll greatly increase the chances that someone will take notice of your work and help propel you to the next level. Keep at it and don't give up — your big break could be right around the corner!
Photo: Unsplash
This Hot Deal is promoted by Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce .
