This is particularly applicable to artists and craftspersons but would be relavent to anyone.

I have been thinking that when creating something that you would later sell to someone it is best not to think in terms of commercial value or how much you can sell. From my own experience that can lead to the inclination to try to produce as much as possible as quickly as possible (just like how commercial mass production lines function) but of course isn't that effectively slipping into competitive thought?

My conclusion therefore is that when creating you should do what you are absolutely passionate about and take as much time as is needed to make it exactly as you want it to be (I'm not going to say 'perfect', at least not in a literal sense, because perfection implies no further improvement is possible and no such state exists. And of course with art in particular it is often imperfections that can give something character/uniqueness thus enhancing value). There is bound to be someone somewhere who would want to buy it so you should also focus on how to attract such people.

I have been thinking about this because I have been selling photographs on sites like istockphoto.com and trying to produce in volume though my main inclination is for selling photos as fine art prints, something that has been neglected up until now because of the time I have been spending with stock photography (and the supposed recession but of course that ought to be no obstacle).

Thank you JediMaster for sharing your thoughts.

I aim to create something with words, one day. Now I was going to say, I was never very good with drawing pictures. Something about hiring help which I still might do. But you gave me a new thought. I am pretty good at taking photographs. Maybe I could use some of my own "art" to make the product more attractive.

And I like the part about being with my creation. Rather than being distracted by how or when I am going to sell it to whom

God bless you,

Caroline
My Gift To You: 50,000 Guaranteed Visitors To Your Site

quote:

Originally posted by JediMaster:
...From my own experience that can lead to the inclination to try to produce as much as possible as quickly as possible (just like how commercial mass production lines function) but of course isn't that effectively slipping into competitive thought?

I really got caught up into this thinking and I believe nothing good came out of it. I produced a number of works I myself was not happy with, so it is unrealistic to expect others will be chomping at the bit to buy them.

George Lucas is a billionaire based primarily on six films made over the space of 25 years. Jo Rowling did the same with seven novels in the space of ten years.

On the internet, "experts" will lead you to believe you have to produce something daily and that even pondering weekly will surely spell your doom. Having fallen into that trap, I know that I never want to visit it again. I would rather work a 9 to 5 and spend 3-5 years on my magnum opus than rush to get it out thinking it has to pay the bills.

quote:

Originally posted by JediMaster:

I have been thinking that when creating something that you would later sell to someone it is best not to think in terms of commercial value or how much you can sell.

Hi JediMaster

Your quote above brings to mind my thinking when I decided to grow bean seeds voluntarily for a gardening organisation last year.

While the organisation was offering to pay growers to grow certain types of seed, the growers needed to have a good growing history with the organisation.

Accordingly, I offered my services on a volunteer basis and even though I was aware at the time that I could eventually be paid to grow the bean seeds or other seeds for that matter, it wasn't actually the thought of being paid that prompted me to offer my services. But it was more a case of it being a bit of a challenge and even fun, and that really drew out my passion for gardening and to have a go at it.

Being an experienced enough gardener, and beans not being a differcult crop to grow as such, it is not what I would call a big challenge for me, but it was really the fun of seeing if I could grow a crop, that I don't normally bother with, to the standards required by an organisation that sell the seeds in gardening shops throughout the country as well as online.

When I started last year, I thought that even if I did get selected on a paying basis, it ain't going to be flash, but I really don't care, because I have fun growing them with my other home crops, although I do have a certain quanitiy and quality standard to meet. But its' really not a stress for me, its just fun while I'm growing my pumpkin, corn and potatoes.

However, now that I'm with TSOGR and while my eyes aren't flashing up dollar signs, my brain sure is starting to whirl with ideas and possibilities.

All because I wanted to have some fun!!! That is just so cool!!!

Thanks for the post.

Blessings
Anaru

quote:

I have been thinking that when creating something that you would later sell to someone it is best not to think in terms of commercial value or how much you can sell.

I read in an interview with J.K. Rowling that the reason she wrote her Harry Potter book was because it made her “feel so good”. Later, after she got it published, she also said she thought she might be able to sell a couple thousand. Probably because that is what her publisher told her. He told her not to get her hopes up because children’s books generally don’t sell very well. He thought she might be able to sell a couple thousand. (ha, ha, ha).

After finishing the ‘Potter’ series of books, and becoming a billioanaire, she was asked what she will be writing now. She said she’d be writing whatever made her feel good, just like she did with the Harry Potter books.

Also, the woman who wrote the mega-selling ‘Twilight’ books said something similar. After her first couple books were big hits she was interviewed and talked about the writing process. She said, the only way she could do it was, she had to get it entirely out of her mind the idea of selling what she was writing. She said she had to get to where she felt she was only writing it for herself.

And on her first book, she said how she didn’t start out thinking she was writing a book. She was not even a writer; she just loved reading the kinds of books that her books were like. In fact, she said she only started writing down the ideas she got about the characters, etc., because it made her ‘feel good,’ and she didn’t want to lose the ideas.

Paul Allen has also stressed the idea of focusing on doing what is fun for you, rather than what you think will make you money.

“The best advice I’ve received came many years ago from my father. He told me that you should love whatever work you do, you should try to find something you truly enjoy. And I’ve been lucky through the years that the work I’ve been involved with has been challenging and for the most part, fun.” - Paul Allen, the second richest man in America (at the time this quote was taken)

“Many years ago, I made a decision about my work that has had great consequences. I decided that I would do only work about which I could be enthusiastic.... It was a frightening decision for me,... But I never regretted the decision; not only did I start making more money than ever before with my chosen assignments, but I also learned a valuable lesson about enthusiasm.” - p. 113 of Choose To Live Peacefully by Susan Smith Jones, Ph.D.

“When you follow your bliss, doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.” -- Joseph Campbell

“If you want to have money, one thing you should never, never do, is worry about whether or not you will get the money you desire, or whether you will keep it.” - Bob Proctor ‘You Were Born Rich’

Find and do what you love. If nothing else, you will experience satisfaction, meaning and inner fulfillment. And also, it’s what you’d do anyway, if you were already rich. So, why wait?

Phil

quote:

I have been thinking that when creating something that you would later sell to someone it is best not to think in terms of commercial value or how much you can sell.

I agree 100 percent. I am creating my website and in the beginning I was thinking to much of what I needed to do to be able to make commercialized.

I have now given up on that and I am now focusing on creating something that feels great to me. I still want to be able to make a living from it and I truly believe that inspiration will direct me how to do that once I fully express all the parts that I desire.

I'm sure there is an exact science to marketing just like there is in living the certain way. I look forward to learning that. The selling will come from inspiration.

Appreciation from the Heart,

Richard De Haven

quote:

Originally posted by Richard De Haven:
I agree 100 percent. I am creating my website and in the beginning I was thinking to much of what I needed to do to be able to make commercialized.

I have now given up on that and I am now focusing on creating something that feels great to me. I still want to be able to make a living from it and I truly believe that inspiration will direct me how to do that once I fully express all the parts that I desire.

Hey Richard

I like what you've posted here about your website (and its a timely reminder for me). I always read posts about others doing their websites as well, but funily enough, I have'nt been inspired to start mine yet. Although I know want too, just not inspired enough at the moment I guess. But it'll come.

Like you say, "...I truly believe that inspiration will direct me how to do that...", and so I believe also.

Also liked what you said about being commercially focused and how you're now focusing on what feels great to you.

Some great pointers here for me, once I get started. Maybe after my gardens done.

Cheers

Blessings
Anaru

I find that true for my whole life as well Ever since SOGR, my life is my art.One of the surprising discoveries of SOGR for me,is money actually comes when I let go of it, i.e. as many forum members have shared, when I stop resisting it with my thoughts. And that applies to everything else I desire as well.