DoBot? Diaries Entry 6: 10 First-Year Mistakes Creatives Make

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Today, we're tackling another great question that came our way:

"What are the top 10 mistakes creative practitioners make in their first year of business?"

Navigating the first year of a creative business can be a minefield of missteps, but let's zero in on the top 10 that I've seen time and again:

1. Underpricing Services: Many creatives undervalue their work and charge too little, fearing they won't attract clients otherwise. This sets a low baseline that's hard to raise later.
2. Neglecting the Business Side: Creatives often focus solely on their craft and ignore the business fundamentals like marketing, sales, and finance.
3. Lack of Contractual Agreements: Skipping formal contracts can lead to scope creep, late payments, and misunderstandings with clients.
4. Poor Time Management: Overcommitting to projects and not managing time effectively can lead to burnout and subpar work.
5. Not Defining a Niche: Trying to be everything to everyone dilutes a brand's strength. Specializing can make marketing efforts more effective and work more fulfilling.
6. Inadequate Online Presence: In today's digital world, a strong online portfolio and social media presence are crucial for attracting clients.
7. Ignoring Networking: Many creatives overlook the power of networking and building relationships that can lead to referrals and collaborations.
8. Failing to Collect Feedback: Not seeking or ignoring client feedback can prevent improvement and lead to repeat mistakes.
9. Not Investing in Learning: The refusal to invest time and money in learning new skills or business acumen can stunt growth.
10. Giving Up Too Soon: Many creative businesses don't see immediate success and give up before they've had a chance to gain traction.

Remember, these missteps are common, and overcoming them is part of the growth process. It's about learning from each experience and applying that knowledge moving forward.

That's if for this week! Stay tuned for our next edition, where we explore more wisdom from DoBot?.

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