Setting Goals and Inching Towards Them

If I were to be able to just dedicate 100% of my time to C.Banks, life would be a different place. Like most people I have commitments that fill my time: 3 days a week I'm in a design showroom, evenings like tonight Ill be going to a board meeting for a non-profit I am a part of, even the days I'm not in the showroom I have a 2 year old that realizes exactly where he lands in my priorities (right at the top!). Above all that I whip out the razor blade and slice stencils (generally at night when a certain toddler isn't near).

I consider myself lucky to have a showroom to go to a few days a week, and to have the perfect amount of orders to fill (when one piece goes out, one always seems to come in). I feel busy, yet I find myself parked in front of Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Reading people.com or dailymail.co.uk...

If I have a to-do list I will get it done. If that to-do list is reaching me closer to my goal, I will become more motivated and excited once every item is checked off!

FIRST THINGS FIRST: GOAL #1 - Establish a Presence Online

For the first time in over a year, I created a "branded" email. I always used my personal one, but since I am taking my art in a new direction there was no better time. This email will be the pinnacle of everything. With all the options of free email services out there (the goal is to keep costs down since they are coming out of my pocket) that was a feat in itself. I settled on using my icloud account! My iphone is a part of me, so what better way than to take advantage of what it has to offer. 

cbanksinfo@icloud.com

In my previous roles Ive always naturally gravitated towards marketing and networking positions. Sales is nice, but instead of cold calling, warm calling is so much nicer. Getting referrals, building connections, meeting new people and new businesses. Since C.Banks will have a larger presence online, instead of going to my local chambers and networking groups...I decided to make my presence online strong. The ideas for tshirts and hats are still floating around in my head, but that doesnt stop me from sharing my journey and my artwork till then. 

I made a twitter: @cbanksinfo (I followed local business and community members, and I have managed to attract 3 followers of my own!)

facebook.com/cbanksdream. My facebook page has always been established, at the very beginning I only wanted to "spam" the people that wanted to see my art and have attracted 144 people! Keep in mind I do all my orders from facebook, and I dont do anything to market or endorse it. I changed my cover art to align with my other media outlets. I posted the accounted I created and I will eventually change the name to the shorter version gradually. 

 and an instagram: @cbanksdream
Instagram is how I share a lot of my artwork, since it is a visual art. This is where I will share not only photos of my art, but apparel and images (I want to see selfies with people wearing my designs!)

These 3 plus my email address will keep me connected. All 3 have a slightly different following and they do work together. 

Now that I have these established, my goal is to make daily or weekly contributions. Before, with my Facebook, I always posted whenever I had a new piece of art to display. My next goal is to reserve my Monday and Wednesdays to C.Banks. Posting blog updates, tweeting, posting a picture of what I am working on (will always have art orders). This is a daily goal. One I will always have. 

Now for bring C.Banks into a whole new realm, my next goal is to come up with IDEAS. I was a first set of clothing (t-shirts and tanks), a couple hat ideas and some beanie ideas! Once I have these ideas, I can approach local t-shirt printers, silk screeners and embroiderers. I wanted a plan in place first. 

So hopefully the next time you hear from me, Ill have something more to show you!

Thank you for reading, 

Tristen 

cbanksinfo@icloud.com