The Big New Idea: the cat's out of the bag…

BIG NEW IDEA: the cat's out of the bagSo, after a couple of blog posts about my Big New Idea, I believe the time has come to let the cat out of the bag and tell you a bit more about what I’m actually doing.

Here’s the elevator pitch:

I’m starting a content studio to provide designer-makers with high quality product images, descriptions, tags/search terms and even product upload to various platforms. Content created for you, based on what I know works to sell products online.

I want to be able to say: “Send us your products, and we’ll make them look good, sound fabulous, and get them on the internet.”

It’s an extension of the product descriptions and product upload I’ve already been doing, but with photography thrown into the mix. And built with a talented team, so that we can offer consistent turnaround times as well as consistently excellent work.

This is the basis of the studio, but I hope to extend to offer other marketing content, like social media management, blog writing, newsletter templates and things like wholesale catalogues. The things that not everyone can fit into their schedule, but can boost business immensely.

The studio will benefit from my experience and expertise, and I’m already starting to work with copywriters and photographers to share my knowledge and establish the format that works. But, ultimately, the studio will be directed by me and run by a brilliant team. (Which means it’s a huge exercise in collaboration and delegation and trust, but more on that another time…)

I honestly cannot WAIT to get this going, and right now I’m planning a trial shoot with the initial team to get a feel for what it’s like for all of us to work together on this. Exciting times!

So right now I’m thinking about:

  • Getting products for the trial shoot (I’ll be asking existing clients if they want a free shoot, and I’ll need a variety of product types)
  • Props and backgrounds
  • Processes for future shoots
  • Using my new studio space for the shoot (read: needing to tidy up)
  • Getting the website underway so that I’ve got somewhere to put the test shots when they’re done
  • Pre-launch registration for anyone interested in the new studio
  • Branding

On that last point, I’ve contacted a few designers about working together, and after a few days, I’ve only had one response – and it was one of high enthusiasm. The branding of this new business is a place of conflict for me, and one that has taken up a lot of thinking time. I know a lot of designers and I love working with them, but for some reason I’m called to work with someone fresh and new. Not sure why, but I’m going with it!

It feels slightly terrifying to put this “out there” – I’m nervous! This is a big deal, and there are definitely moments of asking myself: “Are you sure?” No, I’m not sure, because certainty is a myth. But I have some pretty good information that tells me people are interested in this service. And I have a whole load of enthusiasm for it!

Keeping my fingers crossed while I press “publish”…

Jx

15 thoughts on “The Big New Idea: the cat's out of the bag…”

  1. ROCK AND SOME ROLL OF A LARGE NATURE! This ticks so many boxes it’s unreal. I literally just finished two photo shoots with external photographers and it’s fun and everything, but really exhausting. And then you have all the new images and have to spend ages getting them onto the product pages. Shattering. Sign me up.

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    • YES! There’s so much brilliance to doing things yourself, in-house, but sometimes it’s just not where you need to spend your time and effort. Can’t wait to launch 🙂

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    • Yay! Great news. Current clients and retreat attendees will get first dibs on trial days, and there’ll be a newsletter list once the temp site is live so you can sign up to be the first to know 🙂

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  2. So excited to hear all about your new project and looking forward to seeing where this new journey takes you – no doubt it will be positive, honest and inspirational if your work to date is anything to go by. Here’s to the next chapter… 🙂

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  3. This is so good. As someone who has wonderful product descriptions (written by you), ready to publish products (uploaded by you) and erm…no photography, I think it could really work. Good luck Jenny! This is going to be wonderful. 🙂

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  4. Wahooo!
    And can you do my tax return and all those other boring things so I can draw all day?
    Seriously this is a fantastic idea and it’s going to work. It’s going to work beautifully x

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  5. This is so exciting, and understandably scary for you, but you clearly know what you are doing, so its all going to be okay! Looking forward to seeing it come to fruition 🙂 (and hopefully using the service too!)

    Reply

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