Do you want to grow your business? Do you want to be innovative and different in your approach to your customers, products and services? Start a hobby. Yes, take some time away from the day in and day out of running your business and pick up a hobby. Preferably a hobby that is new to you. You may be asking how this will help you when you are focused on growing business. I am going to tell you.
Hobbyists range from fanatical to casual, from occasional to everyday, and from professional to amateur. Furthermore you have the aspiring professionals who are seeking to grow and make their leap. Surrounded by all the hype and energy of a given hobby are businesses. These are complementary businesses aimed at helping each tier succeed in enjoying their time with the hobby.
Lets look at an example close to my heart, photography. Did you know that graphic designers are needed in the photography business? Graphic designers are starting small business aimed only at photographers selling template-ed branding packages, template-ed albums, and other template-ed items for photographers to show off their work. If I had not started photography I would never have been exposed to this market. It would never have occurred to me as a designer to target photographers.
Here is another example relevant to the photography world. Crocheted and knitted items on Etsy are extremely valuable to photographers. These items add texture, color, and creativity to a photograph. The photographers I know are constantly searching for unique items to use as props. As a craftsman have you ever thought to market directly to photographers? Have you ever positioned your store to get in front of photographers and be there where they are looking? I rarely see these items advertised on the blogs I frequent as a photographer. Instead I comb Esty looking when I desperately need an item for an upcoming shoot.
Lets look at a more radical example. Here is a picture that I took at home.
So you might think when you look at this picture that my house has some really interesting barnwood flooring right in my own home. No, unfortunately I do not have a house with some trendy flooring. This is a roll up mat. Think a mouse pad. It is a giant mouse pad that has been stamped with a worn floor print. I personally think this is amazing. I never would have ever imagined something like this until I joined the photography industry. I imaging mouse pad manufacturers have not considered this product either.
So I guess what I am saying, is get out there. Become an active participant in a new activity and try to be good – strive to succeed in your new hobby. It will open your eyes to a new world, and new friends, and new opportunities and unmet needs.
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