This week’s been an emotional roller coaster and I can’t seem to write anything that isn’t self-absorbed and whiney so I’m going to bypass that and post the article I wrote last week for my mailing list.

If you’re not on my mailing list yet, you can subscribe by filling in the super-easy short form at the right-hand side of the page, and although it’s still new I have archives of past newsletters, too. You’ll also get a 10-email Self Employment FAQs series as a thank you for being on the list as well as advance notice of anything cool going on at Thrive Creative Coaching.

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It’s art and craft fair season again and it’s time for artists of all kinds (and musicians!) to get outdoors and sell their stuff!

I love this time of year. It always starts off in March with the American Craft Council show. I get tons of inspiration and talk to lots of artists who are making it and some who’ve been at it for a long time. This is a really pricey show and the jury is tough, so all the work is absolutely stunning.

I still do a few indoor shows, but I sold my tent and refuse to do any more outdoor fairs. Georgia summers are brutal on me and my handmade journals. Paper and heat and 95% humidity don’t really mix, and I’ve lost more than one book to warping caused by the heat. But I still go out and I still sell, only on a smaller, cooler basis.

One thing you may not realize if you’re not into the local scene and do much of your business online is that there are thousands of people within a 10 mile radius of your home.

Some of those may even be people who want to buy your stuff/thing/service.

And they’re right in your backyard!

What can you do this week to start putting yourself out there locally?

Can you find a local business group? What about arts leagues? Local coffee shops can use art and music and poetry. What about something not-so-obvious like your dentist’s or chiropractor’s office? Hang some art, leave some brochures of your work (they’re certainly more interesting than last year’s PEOPLE magazine). Ask if local rotary clubs need a speaker and share your thing.

Do a brain-dump of some things you can do in your local community to get some exposure for your work.

Come up with a list of at least 5 places/things you can do.

Then pick one and do it.

Now.

Don’t forget to take cards and samples of your thing (if it’s portable).

I go to at least one craft show a week and chat with the artists and artisans.

I also attend arts league meetings.

And I’m about to start up my own local meetup group for creative entrepreneurs and wannabes.

So, what are you going to do?*

Leave a comment and let me know. If you’re stuck, leave a note in the comments and I’ll see what I can do to help you figure out what to do and where to go.

*Note for introverts: I know this sounds painful. And this isn’t the the only way you can build your business. But if you’re in business, you will have to talk to people. No getting around it. So take it slow. Be good to yourself and make it a goal to just connect with one person in one place this month. You can focus on things that are more up your alley but if you don’t challenge yourself every so often you may be missing out on some opportunities to grow.