Graduate from the anxiety of 'Please, anyone, just buy it!'
I am a creator. Whenever I finish a piece, I share it on Instagram. However, I am struggling with how to attract customers or what to do until someone who likes it actually buys it. I don't want to be too pushy with sales, but will my work sell if I talk more about the process and the appeal of the pieces?
Good morning, this is Kawaguchi!
Thank you very much 👩🔬🩷
This is a consultation I truly hear very often from creators and designers who are involved in making things.
'I create works while valuing my own worldview and upload them to Instagram, but it rarely leads to a purchase. I don't want to push for sales, but what should I do?'
That is what you mean, isn't it? ✨
Actually, in your head, this is...
1. Even though it is a job that requires your own individuality,
2. It won't sell unless customers also like it.
Doesn't this feel like a contradiction?
You might feel like it's a contradiction, thinking, "If I tailor it to what the customer likes, my own individuality will disappear!"
I'll start with the conclusion.
This is not a contradiction at all,
and in fact, this isn't the real problem.
The reason you feel anxious when it comes time to sell is
because there are many things you haven'tdecided for yourself.
The "me who creates" gets into the zone
and just keeps charging ahead.
It's about the confusion 'I, the seller' feel when
it's time to actually sell and I wonder, 'What should I do?'
The reason why that happens is
because
'you haven't decided on a story' at the start,
is my perspective.
The series of 'stories'—that I am creating this design for these kinds of people, for this reason, and that these kinds of people will come to buy it—
is actually still vague.
That product, work, or design of yours
In what situations and for what kind of person is it intended to be worn?
For what kind of day is that cake intended to be eaten?
For what kind of person is that design perfect when you want to send a message?
What is that size perfect for holding?
When and what kind of person chooses what you have made, and for what reason?
You just haven't decided these things specifically.
That is all it is.
If you don't decide for them,
I, the creator, am satisfied, but I, the seller, am in trouble.
This is what ends up happening.
Because my product lacks a story that says 'This is perfect for times like this!', you, the person conveying it, are also troubled (not knowing how to sell it).
Wait, I need to make sure I have 12 units.
For example, suppose you are making clothes.
It's a dress! It's cute!
I'm particular about the manufacturing method!
Instead of that,
This is made of linen fabric, so on humid, damp days during the rainy season, you can wear it comfortably while doing housework. It's perfect for spending time at home on humid days! I've paid close attention to the silhouette, so it's stylish enough to wear not just at home, but also when you head out for shopping! It would also make a delightful Mother's Day gift!
This is what the customer really wants to know.
This is where the value lies.
Even if you just stare at photos on Instagram,
or show the production process,
it just ends with 'That's lovely!' or 'That's amazing!'.
People who say 'I like it!' and
people who say 'I'll buy it!' and take money out of their wallets to
actually buy it
are two different things, don't you think?
On social media, it's easy to
'I can do designs like this!'
'I have skills like this!'
It's very common to put too much effort into
sharing how amazing you are.
The people watching don't really
understand those technical details that well. (lol)
You might find that more of your peers than your actual customers
are interested in those kinds of posts.
Instead, from the very beginning
'I want this to reach people like this!'
'I would be so happy if people like this could enjoy this!'
Organize these thoughts and make a decision.
'I want to be told by people like this, for this reason, "Thank you! You saved me!"'
'So that people struggling with things like this can feel relieved and happy!'
Prepare that story
from the very beginning.
That is also to help the 'me who sells'
who will be 'selling' later on!
It means not just rushing ahead
as the 'me who creates'.
To everyone who listened,
thank you so much!!!🩷
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