BONUS: Breaking Into An Oversaturated Market (Replay)

10/03/22 • 54 min

Indie Made Business: A Podcast for Creative Entrepreneurs and Handmade Business Owners

Are you worried that the market you're trying to break into is oversaturated and there’s no room for you to stand out? Or maybe you think that getting ahead means you need to outshine the competition?

If you’ve ever struggled with how to get noticed and feel like you’re attempts to be seen are falling on deaf ears, it’s not your fault. It super hard to blaze your own path. And if you’ve done your fair share of Googling, you know that information on this topic is scarce.

You are not alone!

We felt this way too when we were starting out, but then realized that we're not actually in competition with everyone our market, and actually, there is plenty of room for all of us.

In today's episode, we share our thoughts on strategies you can use to stand out and grow your business, even when it feels like everyone else is selling the same thing as you.

Topics discussed in this episode:

There’s room at the top for everyone [00:03:15]
Switching your mindset from selling product to building a community [00:14:53]
How to serve instead of sell [00:29.40]
Why it’s so important to get yourself a business buddy [00:34.50]

...and so much more!

Needle Mover

We’re closing out every episode by declaring a Needle Mover in each of our businesses. You learn more about what a Needle Mover is and what it isn’t in episode 2 of the podcast.
Cheryl’s Needle Mover [0:45:48]
Nicky’s Needle Mover [0:46:40]

Don’t forget to share YOUR Needle Mover with us on Instagram by posting it to your Stories and tagging us, or shoot us a DM. Together, let’s make a BIG impact in our businesses over the next 2 weeks!

Come find us on social media - we would love to hear from you!

Cheryl: Indie Dyed Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook
Hypnotic Yarn on Instagram or Facebook
Yarnable Subscription Box
For a Text Notification from Cheryl when new episodes drop, text “Makers Gonna Sell” to 603-928-7108
Nicky: Avery Lane Creations on Instagram or Facebook
ALC Yarns
ALC Yarn Club Waitlist

You are not alone!

We felt this way too when we were starting out, but then realized that we're not actually in competition with everyone our market, and actually, there is plenty of room for all of us.

In today's episode, we share our thoughts on strategies you can use to stand out and grow your business, even when it feels like everyone else is selling the same thing as you.

Topics discussed in this episode:

There’s room at the top for everyone [00:03:15]
Switching your mindset from selling product to building a community [00:14:53]
How to serve instead of sell [00:29.40]
Why it’s so important to get yourself a business buddy [00:34.50]

...and so much more!

Needle Mover

We’re closing out every episode by declaring a Needle Mover in each of our businesses. You learn more about what a Needle Mover is and what it isn’t in episode 2 of the podcast.
Cheryl’s Needle Mover [0:45:48]
Nicky’s Needle Mover [0:46:40]

Come find us on social media - we would love to hear from you!

Cheryl: Indie Dyed Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook
Hypnotic Yarn on Instagram or Facebook
Yarnable Subscription Box
For a Text Notification from Cheryl when new episodes drop, text “Makers Gonna Sell” to 603-928-7108
Nicky: Avery Lane Creations on Instagram or Facebook
ALC Yarns
ALC Yarn Club Waitlist

Previous Episode

25: Three Things to Help you get a Business Breakthrough

Are you finding that you’re in a rut with your business? That you feel like you’re almost to that next level, but something is holding you back? This is a feeling that is way too common for first time entrepreneurs. We’ve all felt it, that feeling that something has got to give, and you just need a win to get you to that next level. That’s what today’s podcast is all about: three things that can help you get into the right mindset to get you through that rut and help you have a business breakthrough.

Let go of the Labels we give ourselves – When you’re first starting out, you might have some big dreams but not much in the way of practical knowledge. You have the creativity and the products, but you’re not a salesperson or a marketer. You’re a business owner, not a podcaster. Y’all, you can do whatever you put your mind to. You’re so much more capable than you give yourself credit for, and you won’t be able to see what kind of potential you have if you limit yourself with labels.
Operating in Fear – It might seem backwards but being worried about what success might look like can be petrifying. The idea of “what if” can be a scary thing when you’re doing things for the first time. We all have a fear of failing, but we can also have a fear of not being able to handle things if we’re actually successful. This is an irrational feeling, no matter how real it feels, and knowing you’re falling for it is the first step to pushing back on those fears.
Let go of Distractions! – This one is the easiest one to fall for. Finding any reason to not do the things we need to do, letting the small things balloon out of control, distractions can stop us dead in our tracks. Identifying distractions and avoiding being caught in their trap can help us keep that momentum that will make us successful.

Quotes:

“When you start noticing the labels that you’re putting on yourself becoming limits or obstacles, press forward into them because they are not going to move unless you push back.” – Nicky

“When we step into those things that scare us and we go through them, we’re going to come out the other side a little braver, a little more courageous, and a little more ready to take on the next level of your business.” – Nicky

Key Takeaways:

Labels limit what we can achieve and sap away our success

Identify what gives you fear and push through it. It’s only there to hold us back

Don’t let distractions pull you away from the momentum you’ve built in your business!

Have a subject you’d like us to cover or just want to comment about how much you love the podcast? We want to hear from you! Like, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating!

Come find us online - we would love to hear from you!

Cheryl: Indie Dyed Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook
Nicky: Avery Lane Creations on Instagram or Facebook
For a Text Notification when new episodes drop, text “Makers Gonna Sell” to 603-928-7108
Hypnotic Yarn on Instagram or Facebook
Yarnable Subscription Box - Cheryl’s Subscription Box
ALC Yarns - Nicky’s Yarn Shop
Nicky’s Maker’s Momentum Inner Circle

Next Episode

26: A Behind the Scenes Look at Hiring Help While Growing Your Business (with a special guest!)

What happens when you’ve built your business to the point where in order to keep up with everything, you need to hire some help? What happens when you need help even though you’re still working out of your home? It might be time to find your first employee! Today Cheryl is talking about what happened when she hired her General Manager Jess to help her with the day-to-day working of her business.

At the core of Cheryl and Jess’s experience working together was the idea that this wasn’t going to be a traditional type of employer-employee relationship. At the time she was hired, Cheryl was still working out of her house and working at a corporate job, so when she first approached Jess they established clear boundaries, clear responsibilities, and most important of all, a clear line of communication to make the relationship work. It can be hard to find someone willing to work on an irregular/flexible schedule, so clear communication is crucial when you are able to bring on someone to help out.

Key Takeaways:

It’s likely to start out as an irregular employment, so being flexible is key

Clearly establish responsibilities and allow your employee to take ownership of tasks

Communication is so important to keep the relationship professional and positive!

Flexibility, Honesty, Appreciation, and Communication are the cornerstones of a good working relationship

Quotes:

“I think that people get held back thinking, ‘Well I can do this myself. Why do I need to bring somebody else in?’ And yes, you can do everything yourself, but eventually you’ll just be exhausted.” - Cheryl

“You always have to be aware of the relationship between you and your employee. If you’re friends, you can’t just take the friendship for granted and assume that they know what you want from them, or that you know what they want from you. You have to be able to speak to each other.” – Cheryl

“It’s really important to vocalize that you appreciate that they’re giving you their time. Understanding that they’re carving out hours of their day to help you and that they want to do that, showing your appreciation for your employee goes a long way.” - Jess

Have a subject you’d like us to cover or just want to comment about how much you love the podcast? We want to hear from you! You can like, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star rating everywhere you can download podcasts.

Come find us online - we would love to hear from you!

Cheryl: Indie Dyed Entrepreneur on Instagram or Facebook
Nicky: Avery Lane Creations on Instagram or Facebook
For a Text Notification when new episodes drop, text “Makers Gonna Sell” to 603-928-7108
Hypnotic Yarn on Instagram or Facebook
Yarnable Subscription Box - Cheryl’s Subscription Box
ALC Yarns - Nicky’s Yarn Shop
Nicky’s Maker’s Momentum Inner Circle