Business Plans. Right Brains. Artists. Whaaaaa?

 

It’s not unusual for me to hear the following artist lamentation:

“I love what I do. I could spend weeks in my studio and never miss the outside world. When I do come out, I have to face a mess of bills, call back an old collector I know, order supplies, figure out how to update my website, and I begin to feel like this other reality is crushing me. I don’t even know where to begin. Can you give me any suggestions?” 

I understand this plight all too well. It’s like trying to get somewhere when you haven’t even figured out a destination, so you just keep driving around hoping some street corner of recognition will spontaneously pop into view.

In truth, though, business is no different than…planning out your art.

Even if you aren’t paying attention, you do plan it out: which supplies you’ll use, how you’ll set up the project, what lighting you need, what the content will be, which brush you’ll pick up first, or which tool, what size, etc.

So, what if you could approach planning your business the same way you plan your art: part spontaniety, part methodical, part intuition, part rational.

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine

Jennifer Lee, an artist and solopreneur coach, has struggled with all the same issues you do.

Here is a post from Jennifer’s blog, Life Unfolds. I’ll bet you can relate!

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How many of you cringe when you hear the words business plan? Or maybe even worse… budget, cash flow or P&L statement? If you’re like me, those terms (especially the financial ones), make your skin crawl. Yet, as an entrepreneur it’s vital to know where you’re going and what it’s going to take to get there.

So, how about approaching business planning (and life planning) from a visual, creative and fun perspective instead?

The idea of doing a more right-brain approach to my business plan came to me while brainstorming materials with my colleagues Starla Sireno and Tara Russell. As we refine resources and exercises to use with our business coaching clients, it’s also important that we walk our talk, too.

So, I revisited my business plan (originally in a boring, static Word document) and decided to update it for 2008 and beyond using my art visioning techniques.

Above are the front and back covers of my Artizen Coaching business plan accordion book. I started off decorating the front with a really cool art studio image from a magazine. Then I thought it would be clever to have the back be more of the “zen” in the Artizen.

Here are some detail shots of the interior.

Typically a business plan has sections such as: an executive summary, company description, industry analysis, target market, financials, marketing and sales plan, etc.

In the first couple of pages I wanted to just set the tone of my business and also list out the different products and services I’m offering or working on.

Next, I got clear on my strategic alliances and affiliations – who I’m working with and what organizations I belong to for networking and support. It’s a relief to know I don’t have to go it alone!

For the finances, I really wanted to concentrate on abundance and chose images/words around that. I have my P&L statement folded up in the little manila envelope so I can pull it out and look at it when I need to.

These last pages are about marketing and getting myself out there. Part of what triggered doing this project now was that today I received galley copies of the book that I’m featured in:The Girl’s Guide to Kicking Your Career in Gear and I got excited about next year! I also want to write a book, so there’s a little 3D book attached to one of the pages.

Next, I’m going to write out more details on the back of each page. Now that I have visuals and the emotional connection to what I’m wanting to create, I can articulate it more clearly in words. I’ll probably write out my strategy and tactics in a creative way, too, and have some images as well.

How do you plan out your business and personal goals? What if the process was more fun and engaging? What else would be possible for you if you let your creativity and intuition run wild?

Would you like to know more? 

Come listen in as Ariane of smARTist interviews me in our free teleclass this coming Wednesday: Why Artists Need a Right-Brain Business Plan!

Or, if you are an Early Bird and like to beat out the crowds, check out how you can save $40 right away and get your perfect business plan at the same time.