Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck, uninspired, or even restless, in your business. Have you been wondering if it’s time to switch things up? I get it because I’ve been there too! Let’s talk about How to Pivot In Your Creative Business.
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Here’s the truth—you don’t need anyone’s permission to change your business. If you’re feeling the call to pivot, there’s a good chance it’s because you’re outgrowing where you are. And that’s okay. Actually, it’s more than okay—it’s necessary for growth. I will share the steps to take if you’re thinking about pivoting so you feel more confident in the decision and the journey for How to Pivot In Your Creative Business.
My Experience with How to Pivot In Your Creative Business
Let me give you a little context by sharing my journey. I think a lot of people might be too embarrassed to share these with you because they show that I’ve made a lot of pivots and can feel a bit all over the place. But I want my journey to inspire you to realize that you can pivot—and it might take a few of them to get where you want to be.
When I first started, I was designing logos, resumes, and websites. That’s where I started as a business owner. But as time passed, I realized that wasn’t lighting me up anymore, and I wanted to explore other passions. So, I shifted to creating handmade party decorations, and eventually selling them on Etsy. This was a massive pivot in my business, but it felt like the right next step because I was doing what I loved and enjoyed, and I felt good about making people happy with my products for their big milestones.
More Pivots in My Creative Business
From there, I made another big change. I launched a blog and started sharing about my party decoration, but that wasn’t enough either. I felt called to dive deeper into mindset work and positive thinking, so I started a podcast on the law of attraction. Even though I haven’t put out any new podcasts lately, you can check it out if you’re interested; it’s called The Celebration Effect. And yes, that was another huge pivot—but every single one of these changes made sense for where I was in life at the time.
Eventually, I found my way to selling printables, because I started to get burnt out selling handmade items. This ended up being such a fun pivot that I started to teach others how to do it too.
Later, I launched a YouTube channel, and most recently, I started coaching creatives on how to sell digital products and build a successful business because that’s the next step in my journey.
Permission to Pivot
Here’s what I want you to know: You don’t need to wait for someone to tell you it’s okay to change directions. If your heart is pulling you toward something new, that’s all the permission you need. The truth is, most people are not going to be able to give you that permission. That’s because they don’t understand what it is that you’re looking to do. Most people aren’t business owners. And they aren’t going to take the time you’re taking to grow a business like you.
So don’t ask for permission from people who just don’t understand. This can feel touchy and slightly lonely, but that’s when you lean into your online business besties who can help you through the change. Find a group or coach that’s been where you have been and get advice from someone who gets it. That’s super important. And you might have guessed that I have an online coaching group where I help female creatives through these same types of predicaments. We have monthly coaching and masterclasses to help you get unstuck in your business.
So What Kind of Pivot Should You Do?
Here’s what I’ll tell you—and this is important—pivots need to make sense. They should be a strategic step forward, not just a reaction to feeling bored or scattered. When I look back at all the changes I made in my business, none were done on a whim. They all had one thing in common: They were aligned with my growth. Each step was a building block that helped me reach the next level, even if the pivot felt scary or completely different from what I’d been doing.
Strategic Steps for Business Pivots
So, if you’re thinking about pivoting your business, I want to give you a few steps to follow to achieve your goals.
Step One: Pivoting in Your Creative Business
First, you need to ask yourself why you need to change. Are you pivoting because you’re passionate about something new, or are you simply reacting to a rough patch in your business? There’s a difference. You don’t want to change direction just because things aren’t going smoothly right now. Sometimes, what you need is to double down and push through. But if you feel like you’ve outgrown what you’re doing, or there’s a new skill or passion that’s calling you, that’s when a pivot makes sense.
Step Two: Pivoting in Your Creative Business
Next, you need to understand how this change fits into the bigger picture of your growth. What skills or experiences from your current business will help you succeed in your new direction? For example, when I shifted from party decorations to selling printables, it absolutely made sense because I could take what I was selling as physical products and turn them into digital products. So it’s best to think how or what you’re currently doing can transform into this new venture. Printables allowed me to scale my business and create passive income, which was a natural progression for me at that time. So make sure it feels like a natural next step.
Step Three: Pivoting in Your Creative Business
Thirdly, when you pivot, it’s important to bring your audience along for the ride. You don’t want to completely abandon the people who have supported you up to this point. So, think about how you can pivot in a way that makes sense for your existing audience, or at least communicate why you’re making the change. For example, when I started coaching on selling printables, I still had people in my audience who loved my handmade products. But I was able to show them how they, too, could shift from handmade to digital products and how adding a digital stream of income into your life is such a fantastic thing for time and money freedom – making my pivot not only relevant for me but also beneficial to them.
Step Four: Pivoting in Your Creative Business
Step four is to make a plan. Pivots don’t have to happen overnight. They shouldn’t. Before you make a change, take the time to create a plan. What will your new business model look like? How will you transition your offerings? What skills do you need to develop to succeed in your new area? For me, every time I made a change, I had to spend time learning new skills, whether that was figuring out how to create digital products, launching a podcast, or understanding the world of coaching and courses.
The key is to have a clear plan so you can make the transition smoothly. And let me tell you, this can feel really hard because, on the front end, people might think that nothing is really going on in your business, but on the back end, you are working tirelessly to make the changes you’re going to implement. Remember that there is no timeline for this to get done. You need to take all the steps necessary to be ready for your significant change, but life sometimes gets in the way. Give yourself grace. You’ll get there, one step at a time.
Step Five: Pivoting in Your Creative Business
Finally—and this might be the most important step—an important part of How to Pivot In Your Creative Business is to trust yourself. Your intuition is SO strong, whether you realize it or not. And if your intuition is telling you it’s time for a change, then it’s time! So many creatives hold back from making changes because they fear what other people will think. And I don’t want you to get caught up on that. I mean, sure, There might be someone out there who’s watching my journey and thinks that it’s a bit all over the place. But will I live my life based on what other people think? Am I going to stay doing something that doesn’t align anymore just because other people can’t keep track? No! And that’s how I recommend you look at it too.
Don’t base your business decisions on the other people watching. And let me give you a big truth bomb right now. If people are watching you and judging you – then honey, they’re a fan. And they’re probably just wondering how you can do the things you’re doing. So keep going, and don’t pay any attention to those nay-sayers.
Thanks for Reading How to Pivot In Your Creative Business
To sum it all up—if you’re feeling the pull to pivot in your business, don’t wait for someone to give you the green light. You already have all the permission you need. Just make sure your pivot is strategic, aligned with your growth, and part of a bigger plan. You don’t have to stay where you are if it’s no longer serving you, and I’m living proof that it’s possible to pivot and build a thriving business. So, what’s your next pivot? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And remember—every successful business is built on growth, evolution, and change. So don’t be afraid to make your next move! Thank you for reaching How to Pivot In Your Creative Business.
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