Why Auditing Your Business Is the Glow-Up Your Creative Empire Deserves

Listen up, digital artists and creative entrepreneurs! You’re out here building a business, pouring your soul into your work, and still wondering why your website feels like a tumbleweed festival. It’s not you—it’s your strategy. Let’s give your 2024 the makeover it deserves with a good ol’ fashioned business audit. Think of it as the Marie Kondo method for your creative empire.

Step 1: Is Your Store Doing Its Job or Just Looking Pretty?

First things first, check your conversion rate. You know, the percentage of people who visit your site and actually buy something. If it’s under 2%, we’ve got a problem. That’s like throwing the party of the year and everyone leaves before you even bring out the queso dip.

Fix It:

• Simplify your checkout process. Nobody wants to create a whole account just to buy a $15 print. Keep it quick and painless, like a drive-thru for art lovers.

• Speed up your website. If your page takes longer to load than it does for you to spiral over an ex’s new post, people will bounce faster than a bad Tinder date.

• Make your products scream, “BUY ME!” Give them descriptions that pop, photos that slay, and a vibe that says, You’ll regret it if you don’t.

• Tap into exclusivity magic. Nothing makes people click “Add to Cart” faster than the fear of missing out.

  • Limited Editions: Only 100 prints available? That scarcity will have them lining up like it’s Black Friday.

  • Time Constraints: Open your shop for just two weeks a month. When people know they can’t just come back whenever, their wallets suddenly get very chatty.

  • Client Work: Only taking a handful of commissions each month? Boom—instant VIP energy. Not only does this help your conversion rate, but it also keeps your schedule manageable and your sanity intact.

Make it easy, fast, and exclusive. Your store isn’t just a place to shop—it’s an experience, and exclusivity is the red velvet rope that turns casual browsers into loyal customers.

Step 2: Social Media Is Not Just for Vibes

How many views on your TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest are actually turning into clicks on your website? If you don’t know, you’re basically shouting into the void and praying the void buys a tote bag. Spoiler: It won’t.

Fix It:

• Track Those Links Like a Detective. Use tools like Bitly or UTM links to see exactly which post brought in the most traffic. On platforms like Pinterest or Facebook, where you get a direct link for every post, it’s easy to pinpoint what’s working. For Instagram, switch up your profile link or landing page link after each post to track its impact. Yes, it’s a little extra effort, but knowing what drives traffic is priceless.

• Stop Saying “Link in Bio.” Social platforms want you to keep users on their turf, so the algorithm isn’t exactly thrilled when you’re sending people off-site. Instead of “Link in bio,” try phrases like, “More details in my bio” or “Check out the link in my profile for all the deets.” It’s subtle but keeps the algorithm happy.

• Use Automation for Smarter CTAs. Tools like ManyChat let you set up automated direct messages triggered by specific words. For example, you can tell your audience to comment “ART NOW,” and they’ll get a DM with a link to your landing page or store. It’s seamless, keeps engagement high, and gets them where you want them without looking like you’re forcing them to leave the app..

Let’s not forget: social media isn’t just for social proof. Followers, likes, and comments are great, but the real goal? Traffic to your website. Always keep that at the forefront. It’s not about chasing numbers for the sake of vanity—it’s about turning engagement into income. Think of it as a giant digital breadcrumb trail leading people straight to your products and services. If the numbers aren’t lining up with your bank account, it’s time to shift your focus and strategy.

Step 3: Bounce Rate Drama

Bounce rate is the percentage of people who visit your site and leave without doing anything. If it’s over 70%, your landing page needs some serious TLC. Picture this: someone walks into your gallery, glances around, and bolts for the door. That’s what’s happening here, and it’s a big nope.

Fix It:

• Rewrite Your Landing Page Copy. Clear, snappy, and irresistible. Your copy should scream, “Hey, I have exactly what you’re looking for!” rather than a boring monologue about how amazing you are.

• Make It About Them. People are selfish—it’s just facts. Your homepage needs to show how you can solve their problem, meet their needs, or bring their wildest dreams to life. Nobody cares about where you went to school or your mission statement (save that for your About page). Focus on how you’re the perfect hire or shop for them.

• Show Off Your Art. Your website should look as good as your portfolio. Add more of your beautiful creations—background patterns, custom icons, or even hero images that were handmade by you. Bonus points if you use animations or GIFs to make the site feel alive and exciting. Let your creativity shine in every corner.

• Add Testimonials and Videos. Social proof builds trust. Toss in rave reviews from happy clients and a short intro video showcasing your work or process. People love knowing there’s a real, talented human behind the screen.

• Use Heatmaps. Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg let you see where visitors are clicking (or not). If people aren’t engaging with key parts of your site, it’s time to rethink your layout or calls to action.

• Don’t Skip the Content. A high bounce rate often means your site has little to no content or the content is all about you. Flip the script. Your homepage should immediately answer:

  • What do you offer?

  • Why is it valuable to your audience?

  • How can they take action (buy, book, or learn more)?

Your website is your digital handshake—it needs to make people feel welcome, understood, and excited to stick around. Show them why your art, products, or services are exactly what they’ve been searching for and make them fall in love with you in seconds.

Step 4: Your Most Shared Posts Are Gold Mines

Your audience is basically shouting, “We love this!” every time they share one of your posts. Are you listening? That one post that went semi-viral? It’s not just a hit—it’s a roadmap to what your audience is ready to spend their hard-earned cash on.

Fix It:

• Turn Ideas Into Products. If your meme about introverts needing snacks blew up, why not turn it into a T-shirt, mug, or sticker? Give the people what they clearly want.

• Recreate the Magic. Hit posts are your golden ticket. Dive into the themes, colors, or vibes that made them popular and create more in the same vein. People loved it once—they’ll love it again.

• Use a Seasonal Strategy. Personally, I live by having different seasons of focus. Here’s the game plan:

  • Create all your designs for the next month in a single week (yes, it’s intense, but worth it).

  • Post those designs strategically and see which ones get the most shares, likes, and comments.

  • The most popular pieces? Boom—they get turned into products.

• Bring Your Community Into the Process.

  • In your newsletters, ask your audience to share their favorite Instagram posts to their stories. This not only spreads the word but helps you zero in on what resonates most.

  • Take it a step further with a voting carousel. Create a series of posts where your followers vote on which designs get turned into T-shirts, posters, or even what color variations to use. When your audience feels like they helped build a product, they’re way more likely to buy it.

Making your audience part of the process isn’t just smart marketing—it’s a surefire way to build a loyal, engaged community. Plus, it gives you the confidence that your next product will be a hit because your people helped shape it. It’s like crowdsourcing, but cooler (and with better T-shirts).

Step 5: Revenue Streams: Keep or Kill?

Let’s get real: Which parts of your business are bringing home the bacon, and which ones are just wasting your precious time? If you’re spending hours on a service that earns $50 a month, it’s time to let it go.

Fix It:

• Double Down on What’s Working. Look at your most profitable revenue streams and pour your energy into those. If it’s already thriving, imagine what could happen if you gave it a little extra love.

• Cut or Tweak What’s Not. If something’s not pulling its weight, it’s time for a tough call. Can you tweak it to make it profitable, or is it better to let it go? Remember: it’s better to be exceptional at a few things than mediocre at a bunch.

• Audit Your Revenue Streams.
  In my Artisan Reset Planner, I dedicate an entire chapter to breaking this down step-by-step:

  • Look back at what made you the most money last year.

  • Analyze the numbers: average order value, total orders, and annual revenue for each stream.

  • Break it into three categories:

    1. Passion: How much do you love this revenue stream?

    2. Profit: Is it actually making you money?

    3. Time: How much effort does it take?

• Get Strategic About Time Sucks. If you find a revenue stream you love but it’s eating up all your time, it might be time to raise your prices or increase your average order value. For example, instead of offering endless custom commissions, focus on fewer, higher-ticket items.

• Experiment Without Fear. If you’re realizing some revenue streams aren’t working, don’t beat yourself up. Trying different streams is how you figure out what fits you and your audience best. But now that you’ve got the data, it’s time to refine and move forward with purpose.

• Make Audits a Habit. Ideally, you should do this monthly or quarterly. But if you haven’t done it in a while, it’s time for a yearly wrap-up. Take a deep dive into what’s working, what’s not, and how to make next year even better.

Your revenue streams should reflect your values, passion, and goals—while still paying the bills. The key is finding that sweet spot where your creativity thrives and your bank account smiles. Let’s keep what excites you and kick the dead weight to the curb.

Extra Tips for Crushing Your 2024 Audit

Ready to take your business to the next level? Here are the extra moves that will have you running a tighter, smarter, and more profitable operation in 2024.

1. Get Cozy with Analytics

If you’re not tracking your numbers, you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Sure, tools like Shopify and Squarespace have built-in insights, but they often miss the deeper details or make it annoyingly hard to find what you’re looking for.

Fix It:

• Connect Google Analytics to your website if you haven’t already. It’s free, robust, and gives you a clearer picture of where your traffic is coming from, what’s working, and where people are dropping off.

• Set up goals and track conversions so you can see how well your site and marketing efforts are turning traffic into cash.

2. Email Marketing Is Queen

Social media might get the hype, but email is where the real money lives. Why? Because email is direct, intimate, and doesn’t depend on algorithms.

Fix It:

• Set up a killer welcome series to greet new subscribers like the VIPs they are.

• Decide on a frequency—weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and stick to it. Regular updates keep you top of mind without being overwhelming.

• Bonus: Tie your newsletter into your social media strategy. Share exclusive content or sneak peeks of upcoming products in your emails to give followers a reason to sign up.

3. Plan, Baby, Plan

Flying by the seat of your pants is fun for karaoke night, but not for running a business. That’s why I created the Artisan Reset Planner—to take the guesswork out of running your creative empire.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to set revenue goals and actually hit them.

• How to define your audience by building detailed personas.

• How to map out your entire social media strategy.

• How to batch your content so you can focus on one thing at a time, whether you’re a full-time artist or juggling your business part-time.

The planner comes packed with worksheets you can print out or use digitally on your iPad because let’s face it—we’re all visual learners here.

4. Accountability Is Sexy

Nothing keeps you on track like a solid support system. Join a community of like-minded creatives who get it, or snag one of my limited coaching spots.

Here’s the deal:

• I only take a few sessions every month, and I’m usually booked out one to two months in advance.

• Coaching includes regular meetings to strategize, plus access to my monthly membership program, where you can email me for feedback on your posts, pricing questions, or anything that pops up.

Having someone in your corner can make all the difference, whether it’s figuring out how to respond to a tricky client inquiry or finally nailing your pricing strategy.

The Bottom Line:

This is your year to shine, but it starts with a plan. Get your numbers straight, connect with your audience, and stay consistent. Whether you’re diving into my planner, booking a coaching spot, or just starting to pay attention to your analytics, the power to level up your creative business is in your hands.

Now go forth and crush it. Your future self will thank you. 💪