As you may recall during my education on this blog I made use of a
reflective cycle that defined what had previously happened in a project,
affirmed where I was currently, and then with this new clarity aim towards
where I should strategically direct my efforts next. I utilised a tool and
framework called S.M.A.R.T targets as a method to implement self-reflection
into my creative process as a exercise to make the unconscious conscious, the
saying goes what gets measured gets focused. ‘S.M.A.R.T’ Is an acronym that
stands for ‘Small’, ‘Measurable’, ‘And’, ‘Realistic’, ‘Targets’. The intention
of this tool is to periodically review goals and milestones for the purpose of
growth through accurate and appropriate target setting. The results from this
review would then be tailored into a concise action plan moving forward.
During my education I found that despite how time-consuming it was to
dedicate time to this reflective cycle that positive and focused results were
born from this process. Therefore, I will be utilising this tool again for my
current projects as I seek to emulate the success I found using this method in
the past. I will be reviewing my second project: Munchy May.
Context of previous two weeks
On Tuesday the 7th of April I created a post called “What are my current
projects?”. Within this post I outlined my two current projects: the first
being to create and grow an eCommerce store online within a focused niche. The
second being my ambitions to grow a brand label which would act as an entity
hosting an open call project inviting designers to take part in an art
challenge. This brand label is called “Munchy May” which is also the name of
the project and challenge.
During the first week after I set my targets, I released that I could
not achieve the goals I set for my first project because I had missed vital
information that I needed to work through before I can begin the creation
process. Highlighted on my blog I spent my time exploring the best potential
niche I could work towards building a store for which I concluded was the “Cute
and Kawaii” niche. I explored the limitations and benefits between the “print
on demand” and “drop shipping” supply chain fulfilment, and I also explored all
potential products that were available for manufacture using print on demand
manufacturers in the USA. I ended the first week of my project researching 3
artists which I believe will benefit the visual aesthetic of my intended brand
label should I experiment and incorporate it within my product designs.
In my previous post, I expressed that my goals for my second project
were to utilise the follow for follow Instagram strategy to grow the Munchy May
Instagram account to 1,000 followers. The deadline I set for myself was to
achieve this level of growth before the first of May by gaining a minimum of 20
new followers per day. I also expressed that I intended to design, construct,
and publish a website explaining the entire event in detail including the
creation of promotional content which will be posted on the Instagram account.
Over the course of the 2 weeks since these targets were set I have achieved
every single goal I intended to for this project. At present the Munchy May
Instagram account has just hit 1,000 followers, the website has been created
and published and can now be viewed by anyone, and a series of promotional
posts have been published to the account.
What’s Happening this week?
This week is the countdown to the beginning of Munchy May event. It is
my last chance to promote the event and encourage participation before the
challenge begins on the first of May. I have achieved my monthly target for
follower count acquisition and any extra followers are a bonus. Essentially this
week is focused on marketing the event to as many people as possible that would
consider the option of participating in the event. I will spend my time
engaging in conversations with people, direct messaging peers and potential
participants formally inviting them to the event as well as posting content to
reach a wider audience. In each posts description I will leave details about
the event including direction towards how to find more information. The aim is
to do this consistently to gain results utilising the compound effect regarding
audience retention.
It is my intention to also dedicate some of my time this week dedicated
to finalising my artist research in regard to my eCommerce store. Once I have
finalised my research, I will begin the process of exploring designs and
experimenting with shape and form. My goal for this stage is to have 13
different designs for my chosen 20 products which I outlined in a previous
post. I will need to design 1 square design, 4 rectangular (A3 shape) designs,
2 badge designs, and 6 seamless patterns. I would consider this week very
product if I can finalise my experiment and complete a single design towards
this goal.
What I need to reflect on
At this stage in my two projects I have completed my initial goals for
Munchy May but I am still working towards beginning the process of my eCommerce
goals. As stated, I have however achieved the completion multiple aspects of my
research for this project. I need to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of
both projects to transfer this knowledge into an action plan that will ensure
the continued growth and refinement of a specialised skillset. This skillset is
integral for the growth and refinement of my projects which will have a direct
positive impact on each projects success.
Looking forward into the next few weeks, I will need to define the next
milestones that I intend for both projects as well as implement a measurable
action plan which I will use to ensure success whilst being able to receive
reflective feedback throughout the process. It is important that I consider the
pitfalls that I may face at each stage including how best I can overcome each
obstacle. I believe by doing this I will continue the refinement of each
project through rigorous self-management and dedication to my goals. It is
better to work smart than to work hard.
Munchy May Target 1 – Continue marketing the event to as many people as
possible through various means.
Discussed throughout this SMART target blog post, the events success can
only be ensured if I have people participate in the challenge. Not a lot of
people choose to get involved in a long form project once the project has begun
for the other participates. Therefore, it is important that I put this information
Infront of as many people as I possibly can. The methods that I will utilise to
communicate this message are as follows:
- Direct message
peers inside and outside my circle formally inviting them to take part in the
event. I will also direct message them the promotional carousel post so that
they may be put into my funnel directly.
- Post content that
my audience will like and include a call to action in the description directing
people to check out my website for more information.
- Engage in
discussion with people by engaging with their content and responding to
comments on their content as well. This will encourage people to learn more
about me and they could check out my profile.
I will consider this target a success if I can get to 100 website
visitors before the first of April as well as 100 post saves for the combined
force of my promotional Instagram posts. If I achieve this, I would consider
this marketing sprint a success because I would have ensured more people were
aware of the event and the potential them to partake is higher.
Munchy May Target 2 – Grow the Instagram account to 1300 followers
before the 1st of May.
As off the creation of this post the Munchy May official Instagram
account is sitting on 1077 followers. The difference between the account’s
current total followers and the aspirational goal of 1300 is 223 followers.
There is exactly 1 week left in April, if you divide 223 by the 7 days it
equals to 31 followers per day. I will use the target of acquiring 31 new
followers per day as the framework I need to achieve my aspirational goal of
growth. I will consider this target achieved if I hit my target number by the
deadline outlined. I believe that this is an important target to hit as it will
increase the potential number of participants involved in the event.
eCommerce store Target 1 – Finish all research blog posts.
Time is off the essence and it’s important to make small consistent
progress to ensure a project achieves its goals. The research that I am
currently finalising is integral to the next step in my project’s creative
method. I feel that I would be crippling my progress if I dwelled to much on
this aspect of my development and therefore wish to seek the swift completion
of this stage. I will consider this target a success if all blog research has
been posted by Tuesday the 28th of April.
eCommerce store Target 2 – Illustrate 10 different style explorations
including, form, line weight, colour, shading, and aesthetic, in response to my
artist research.
Due to the nature of my product development goals it is important that I
be open minded in my exploration of potential designs that my niche could
consider appealing. If I follow a linear development process it is likely I
will miss the opportunity to refine my designs to impress my audience in a way
that would truly resonate with them. Therefore I will not consider this target
a success unless I have a minimum of 10 different variations of style in response
to my artist research.
Conclusion
Therefore, in response to my outlined goals, this week I will be
spending my time finalising het research phase for my eCommerce store’s product
development. Which will then lead into my experimental drawing phase which I
will respond to the analysed aesthetic which I have outlined within my blog
research. Meanwhile whilst I am executing these objectives, I will also be
spending my spare time continuing to market the Munchy May event on Instagram
as well as employing the current strategies for growth with the goal of achieving
1300 followers by the 1st of May. I believe that If I achieve each of my goals
that I will be on track for success with both of my projects. I intend to
review these targets by next Sunday the 3rd of May. This will be the third day
in my Munchy May event where I will be able to outline my successes in regard
to marketing the event.