I don't know about you, but I love organizing things. My only problem is that I have trouble keeping things organized. After starting my creative business, I quickly realized that letting things go into disarray would not work. And so, I set out to develop a system to keep everything in check and ready to go for whatever need this new entrepreneur needs. First things first:
Keep It Pretty
This may sound silly, but it's the glue that keeps my routine together. I'm serious, if my supplies and / or workspace doesn't look good, I'm not motivated to work or put things in their proper places. That little extra sparkle or pop of color gets me going! You've got to find out what works for you. For me, it's my notebook with a motivational saying on the front and my 'business box' (an awesome gold and white box that I store my art supplies, notebooks, headphones, etc. in). Maybe for you, it's a stylish pen, a bright laptop decal, or even your favorite scented candle. Start experimenting!
Dedicate A Space
Now this doesn't mean that you need to have your own office because, let's face it, most people don't have room in their home for that. I would recommend having a desk in whichever room has the most space for it. That way you have everything you need in one convenient area. Bonus points if you decorate the wall space in front of you.
However, if you're like me, you don't even have room for a desk! Here's what I do, I use the living room as my 'office'. The sofa is my chair and my lap is my desk (you can get an actual lap desk too). My 'business box' is my storage space. I'll admit this isn't ideal, but as my business grows, I'll upgrade. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
Organize Your Ideas
Don't try to keep all of that information straight in your head. Please, just don't (take it from someone
who tried). Some people use computer documents to keep things organized, and while I do recommend you use a spreadsheet to keep track of your profits and expenses from day one, I prefer to do everything else the old-fashioned way. A notebook and a pencil are my tools of choice.
I have everything in my notebook. Pages dedicated to milestones reached, pages for taking notes on articles I read about business, and pages to keep track of my ideas so that I don't forget them. All of the things I need are right there at my fingertips. I highly recommend keeping one yourself!
Organize Your Process
Now this will vary slightly depending on what your creative business is, but organizing your process is the key to making everything run more smoothly. If you write a blog, take your ideas and write out a more detailed list of the main points of your post. If you create art, organize your tools to be all in the right place before you start a project. Or maybe, you need to make your listing process more efficient if you sell on a site like Etsy.
I've created a free printable to help make listing items on Etsy less of a pain. If you use Etsy, you know that it can be a tedious process. Finding keywords, deciding which to use, making sure you use them in the right place, it can all get confusing. This printable will help organize all of that. Subscribe at the top of the page to get instant access!
There you have it, my ultimate guide to organizing your creative business. Four simple concepts that will make your workday so much easier. What do you do to keep your business organized? Share with us in the comments below! And don't forget to subscribe at the top of the page!
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