Creating Success From the Inside Out: Give 'Em What They Don't Even Know They Want

We may be in this Etsy business for a variety of reasons, but I have a hunch that the majority of us have Etsy shops so that we can earn an income doing what we love to do creatively.  If that is the case, then read on for an exercise in finding that sweet spot where you are doing what you love most and giving your customers what they want (but don’t even know it yet!). 

Original card by Wishbone Letterpress

The first step in this exercise is to dig out your top 5 strengths (see exercise in blog article from June 2013, Selling Your Uniqueness).  Read through the list so you have them at the forefront of your mind.  Now think about what your natural aptitudes are.  Consider these questions:

• What am I naturally good at?
• What things come so easily to me that I don’t even realize it?  (Consider that the things that come easily to you don’t always come easily to everyone else, too).
• What things do I love to do so much that hours can go by and I don’t even notice?
• What things do I do in my life that others appreciate and that I enjoy doing (doesn’t feel like work)?

Using these questions, brainstorm a list of between 5 and 10 ideas for ways you can provide value to others while doing what you enjoy and are good at.  It doesn’t have to be directly related to your Etsy shop or business.  It could be related to your hobbies, day job, other interests, etc.

Got your list?  Great!  Now onto more fantastical thinking outside the box… You need to know your ideal customer in order to do this next exercise.  If you haven’t flushed that out, see the blog article from April 2013, CreatingSuccess from the Inside Out: The #1 Thing You Must Do to Prep Your Business for Total Success. 

What can you offer your ideal customers that would make them totally stoked?  This is the time to do some seriously crazy outside the box thinking.  Don’t worry about being realistic or how you will execute.  This exercise is to get the juices flowing.  Write down at least 10 ideas.  

Cupcake Pendant by A Studio by the Sea

Now go back to your first list of things you enjoy doing that could provide value to others and circle the things that you think your customers would pay for.  Then circle the wild ideas from the second list that you would love to provide to your customers.  These items are what business and marketing genius Marie Forleo (www.marieforleo.com) calls the “Sweet Spot”.  Based on this list, you may already have some perspective on new products or offerings that you can develop and sell in your Etsy shop.  If some of them seem too pie-in-the-sky, then spend some time letting them sink in and consider how you can make them do-able in a way that will thrill your customers.

Did you come up with some new ideas?  I would love to hear from you in the comments below!