💬 10 questions every creative entrepreneur needs to ask themselves

Being a creative entrepreneur and running your own business is no walk in the park. You've got to keep the content flowing, launch new projects, collaborate with others, and stay on top of your finances. With so much that you could be doing, it's super easy to find yourself working on stuff that doesn’t lead you to where you want to be.

You want growth and success, right? But not all action is created equally. So, to make sure you're heading in the right direction, ask yourself these 10 questions regularly. They'll help you stay on track and avoid those pesky distractions:

1. Is what you’re working on a "nice-to-have" or "must-have" for growth? Be honest with yourself – is your current project a nice-to-have addition, or is it crucial for your business's growth? Redesigning your website or editing old content might feel satisfying, but if it’s not moving the needle forward, it might not be the best use of your time.

2. What would this look like if it was easy? Sometimes, we overcomplicate things and get tangled in a web of complexities. Take a step back and ask yourself: "how can I simplify this?". Finding easy and efficient solutions frees up time and mental space for you to execute on more of your ideas.

3. Is this for you or your audience? As creatives, it's natural to pour our hearts into our work. But amidst all the passion and artistry, you have to remember your audience - that’s what makes it a business after all. Are you genuinely meeting their needs or are you getting lost in a creative bubble? It’s great to love your craft, but blend your creativity with what your audience values to find the sweet spot that makes both parties happy.

4. Are you solving the problem your audience wants you to solve? When you see other creators launching products and courses, you might be tempted to do the same. But are you offering something valuable to your audience? Not all audiences are the same: tailor the solutions you create to the problems your audience have, even if they don’t know what those problems are.

5. What does your audience keep telling you? Feedback is one of the best ways to move things forward in the right direction and thankfully your audience provides plenty of it! Take a stroll through your comments, reviews, and messages. Look for patterns in the feedback – what do people love most? What do they want more of? Follow their trail to growth and success!

6. Are you still enjoying your work? At the beginning of your journey, you were full of excitement and enthusiasm, eager to share your ideas with the world. But as time goes on, maybe that initial spark has been dimmed by a pile of admin, projects you don’t really care about, or following trends. Get honest with yourself here so that you can rediscover your passion.

7. Have you improved your craft recently? As creative entrepreneurs, growth is the name of the game. We thrive on learning, evolving, and pushing the boundaries of our craft. Take a moment to reflect on how you've been nurturing your skills lately. Have you taken a course to refine your techniques? Have you tried something new with your content? Improving our craft not only hones our skills but also opens up exciting possibilities for our creative businesses.

8. What's one thing that doesn't need to be on your plate? As creative entrepreneurs, we often wear multiple hats. But here's the secret – it's okay to take some off! Identify one thing that's not essential for your creative journey and delegate, automate, or simply let it go. You'll feel so much lighter!

9. Can you add an income stream or charge more? Let's get real about finances: if you current goal is to up your earning potential, you have to tap into an additional income stream or charge more for a current product or service. Get real about what’s viable for your business. Do you have the resources to launch something new? Are you currently charging what you are worth?

10. Are you staying true to your why? In the whirlwind of running a business, it's easy to get swept away by trends and external pressures. Take a moment to reassess – are your projects aligning with your brand and values? Stay true to your authentic self and your business will move in the right direction.

Check in with yourself by reflecting on these questions and you'll unlock a world of growth and achievements on your creative journey.

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Stay passionate,

Akta