How to get started as a creative entrepreneur in Namibia
A creative entrepreneur is someone who uses their creative or intellectual knowledge and skills to earn a living, usually in a business or as a freelancer. This differs from traditional entrepreneurship that has mainly focused on manufacturing and industrial products.
So, no matter the discipline, a creative entrepreneur is someone who uses their art and skill to make money. To be a successful creative entrepreneur, creatives need to think like an entrepreneur in any industry. One needs to be passionate and belligerent. You need work smart and stay focused. Being a creative and an entrepreneur can get really hard - which is why you need to set your goals and establish what it is you want to achieve in the end.
Being a creative entrepreneur in Namibia is even harder. You will need to work extra hard - to convince people to appreciate and value your work. Which is why you need to value it first.
Here are some tips on how to become a creative entrepreneur:
Determine the what & why
What are you great at and how will you sell it? What product or services will your business offer, what will it cost, who is your target market? Why have you decided to go this route? What problem in the market or life are you solving? Why do you create?
Create a plan (Write a business plan)
Work out a plan on how you will achieve said goals. Will you need help setting up? How will you sell and market this service/product? How will you market yourself? Do you need a website? Which social media platforms will your business live on?
Set measurable goals
Decide on what you want your creative business to look like in 6 months, a year, 5 years, 10 years.
Give your idea life
Give it a name, work on the branding, set it up on social media, define your brand message and voice. Create some marketing material of your business and offering. Register it.
Start
Start marketing yourself. Start creating. Start putting yourself out there. Send out the flyers to your friends and family, post on social media, DM and email people. Find your customers and community. Network. Get your first client and it’s up from there.