Three Ways to Fail Fast with Andrew Lock of HelpMyBusiness.com

Andrew Lock is the top video podcast on iTunes for entrepreneurs, above Ted Talks.

I asked him to share the three biggest fattest mistakes that creative people trying to establish a small business make.

#1 failure is not understanding your own market place.

It’s a myth that that is somehow a compromise. Because creating something that you want to make and that people want to buy is the best source of inspiration.

Creatives have their idea of what they want to make without first considering what their customer wants or needs.

Andrew cautions us to remember, You are not your customer.

You must understand your customer and what problems they have.

Don’t think that art solves a problem? Think again.

As artists our “product” is emotions. I’m not selling paint stuck to canvas, I’m offering an emotional solution to an emotional pain.

Here’s six successful artists who don’t just sell art, they sell value above and beyond their art.

They solve a problem for a specific or target market.

People do not shop by price. Personal preference and many other factors are involved.

All you have to do to find out about your customer is ask. Asking is free.

#2 failure is trying to do everything yourself.

It’s lonely to be an artist, to be an entrepreneur.

Artists are isolated because of the nature of our work.

Friends and family don’t understand.

Surround yourself with like-minded people.

Become part of a supportive community. Not people who say,

Why don’t you get a real job.

Entrepreneurs know that their network is vital but artists can be very competitive and often jealous.

Get connected with piers inside and outside of your industry.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. –  Jim Rohn

#3 failure is giving up too soon.

You absolutely need to be stubbornly persistent in business because there will be obstacles.

You’re three feet from gold.

And it is a lot easier to persist when you avoid perfectionism.

Develop systems.

Avoid random acts of marketing.

Marketing is like breathing. You can’t just do it every now and then.

If you want to learn more about systems E-Myth by Michael Gerber.

HelpMyBusiness.com free weekly show that is is top in its category on iTunes.