Marketing Creative Work

After quitting my job as a pixel-pushing web designer in 2013, I pursued my childhood fantasy to be an illustrator. Specifically, to spend my days drawing cartoon animals.

This wasn't exactly an easy way to make a living, but somehow I made it onto the Princes Trust Enterprise Program, and educated myself in all things online business, e-commerce, marketing and sales. Not exactly the creative dream I had envisioned, but it turned my hobby into an actual business.

I started to realise that other creatives around me were not having the same experience. Everyone was complaining about their jobs (much like when I was at my 9-5) and wanting to get their work - the stuff that came from the heart - seen and shared (and ultimately, sold.)

The cogs in my ginger head started to turn... What was it that was holding creatives back? What had held me back? My suspicion was not that they lacked the education (though, in many cases that was part of it) but the mindset.

Most creatives I know (mostly illustrators, graphic artists, animators and craftspeople) are introverts. We work best alone - and love to do so - and it's helped us master our art.

But when it comes to self-promotion or - god forbid - selling? It makes us feel a bit sick. And don't get us started on networking events...

Over the years, I've taught myself to use my introverted nature to my advantage - and I'm now dedicated to teaching others to do the same.

I don't believe we need to be extroverts to get our work out to the world, but I do believe we need to change our thinking around how we show up and connect with others.

I start teaching and coaching leading with mindset because I’ve found that once we start working out exactly what’s holding us back (fear of failure, self-consciousness, imposter syndrome…) we can really make progress with everything else.

I created the Creative Introvert as a way to teach people who are ready to take action and pursue their own creative fantasies, starting with mindset, and then moving onto skills around business, marketing and selling work online.