Do we really want to know what people think?

Not really, but also YES?!

Hi there,

Hope you’re well and snuggled up somewhere cosy. If not, well, hope you’re good anyway!

To ask for feedback feels like a necessary evil that you have to do in order to succeed in your business. If we don’t ask, the hypothesis is that we don’t truly know what our potential customers think and feel.

• Why did they buy?

• Why did they not buy?

• What do they like?

• What don’t they like?

Phew.

These were only four apparent questions and I feel exhausted already. Nervous, really.

As an artist, I tend to want to run away and hide in a closet somewhere away from the scrutiny of the outside world. Yet, I know, that if I want to keep making art I have to share it so that my people know that it’s available in the first place. I know that I also have to tell them it’s available, as in, I need to actually sell my work in a feel-good-way.

I call it feel-good-sales, because I think it’s essential to find ways that makes us feel comfortable selling, while also giving a good feeling for the buyer. I mean, who doesn’t hate a scripted sales pitch that feels as personal as a white t-shirt from H&M?

Most stop there, drawing all sales under the same line, when really sales involve a wide range of stuff.

Anyway… where were we? Feedback loops!

Technically, we all know that to ask for feedback is a huge time and energy saver. Instead of imagining what folks think, we don’t have to imagine any more because we’ll actually know. Great. Or?

Well, if it only was that easy… I agonized for about 3 months to ask for feedback in response to Follow Your Gut before I finally did it…

BECAUSE IT’S FUCKING SCARY TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK WHEN YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOUR HEART IS AT STAKE.

There it is.

To ask for feedback feels exposing somehow. Though I love deep conversations with colleagues in the space, I am always terrified to ask my readers for insight.

The worst part: Whenever I do, it is actually HELPFUL! MAGICAL, even!

Most of the time the vast majority of responses are lovely.
Encouraging.
Empowering.
Motivating.
Everything you can hope for and more.

In some way it’s logical, because someone who doesn’t give a cent for your work wouldn’t bother to give you feedback in the first place. And that’s a good thing. Because you don’t want those who don’t care to influence what you do.

Whenever I take the courage to send out a survey for any of my businesses I always feel so stupid. Like, Why didn’t I do that sooner, silly?!

All this to say: THANK YOU, to everyone who responded to the reader survey I sent a couple of weeks ago. It was the permission slip I didn’t know I needed.

I’ve felt stuck and will probably go into why in future essays, I just need to sort out the mess first. I’m not a write-it-in-the-heat-of-the-moment type of person, but rather prefer to mull on things and sort my real-life-struggles in peace before I write and reflect about them. That’s me.

The overwhelming response to the survey was that you really enjoy to read what I write about my experiences in life and as a professional artist. You like my way of writing and not just the topics. Most read for pleasure rather than utility (though the latter is a sweet bonus on the top).

WOW, I freaking love that. How cool?!

I’ve long considered my embroidery business to be in the feel-good niche, because I aim to spread the power to create more with your hands to as many people as possible. Perhaps I should start seeing my writing here as being in the feel-good-niche too? I like that. I’ll let it sink in a bit more.

That’s it for today’s rant.

Wishing you a fabulous Friday and I hope I have inspired you to consider to ask for feedback even if it feels bloody scary?

More importantly, to ask for feedback from people who are in your audience and not just colleagues, friends or family… Having run my own business for soon a decade, I’m quite confident you’ll be positively surprised.

Elin, xx

Some random stuff I did with my kids this week:

Polymer clay! Who knew how addictive it would be? We all LOVED it! Here is a batch of pearls and buttons ready to be used for other follow-up arts projects

A closeup- textural image of a large embroidery piece that I’m stitching on top of a printed canvas. Sometimes, when life feels overwhelming, we just need a simple no-brainer project that keeps the hands busy while our minds get a rest. Well, that’s what this project is for me right now.

Oh, and this is what we did today! Air-dry clay that we turned into some candle holders. The kids made various models of food, which is currently drying in their kitchen (candle holders was boring to them). Currently considering whether we will all attempt to paint these or let them stay grey… Time will tell!

For more essays, check out the archive here.