Do you struggle with making sense of a jumbled mess or putting things in order? Here at Entri Ways, I talk alot about creating a home that flows, feels cohesive and comfortable, and where every corner functions well.
Today though, we’ll dive into how those same principles can be applied to your home business. Believe it or not, speaking from a minimalist viewpoint, the same principles of bringing clarity to either a product idea or a room design are the same. So let’s talk and bring clarity, function, and flow to your home and your work.
Simplify & Focus to Develop a Product Idea
I work very closely with a few women every week. We’re each entrepreneurs and are working to build our own businesses. They are my tribe, my cheerleaders, my editors, my critics, and my friends. I’m also theirs.
When one of us isn’t seeing the world clearly, the others jump in and offer clarity.
When one of us has a broad idea, the others shine the spotlinght on the real focus.
This week I had the opportunity to assist one of my tribe in developing some products for her business. She had several broad ideas in mind, but needed help seeing and organizing them into smaller focussed chunks that were relateable to her customer.
That’s where I came in.
Her products are a series of amazing youth workshops. I can’t wait to share them with you, but you’ll have to wait until the final release and announcement.
At first glance, the set of three workshops seemed to have no real connection. Or, at least the way they were ordered and presented made them appear as such.
As a copywriter, I’m used to breaking down concepts and getting to the real purpose. So one by one, step by step, I was able to take the first most basic piece of information and present a clear, concise workshop description based on that one concept.
In additional to scaling the focus, I simplified the wording to create a description that now relates to her young audience in words they will clearly understand.
While we happened to be marketing to a young audience, marketing to adults is the same in that the message should be focussed, clear, and in words they can easily understand.
Only once the outline and description for the first workshop was solidified, did we move on to developing the second workshop and did the same… simplied, clarified, and made it relateable to her audience.
The third workshop fell easily into place. It built on the first two workshops and continued the slow, steady, even flow.
Less is More Room Design
I’m a proponent of the less is more concept. Developing the product line, we simplified, clarified, and created a slow even progression. The classes now flowed together so her audience can easily see that progression and feel comfort in the flow of them.
This is exactly how I approach the furniture in a home.
Whaaaat?
You’re probably asking… “How does developing a product idea and laying out a room design relate”?
Not all of us attended design school and can pull together furniture, fabrics, and accessories all in one shopping trip. I, personally, am design-challenged so I take a different approach.
I take things much slower.
If you’re struggling with the layout, flow, or style of a room in your home, take it one step at a time.
Start with the primary idea in the room – it’s function.
Is it a bedroom? Then start with the bed. Is it an office? Then start with the desk. Is it a dining room? Then start with the dining table.
Only when you have the main function of the space in narrowed down and you’ve chosen a piece of furniture that fulfills that function, fits well in the space, and you love looking at everyday should you proceed to the next step.
Now build on that primary idea… gradually and just one step at a time.
Add a sideboard to a dining room or a dresser to a bedroom. Acheive the most comfortable layout for just those two pieces before anything else is added to the mix. Once you have it down, add one more piece.
Remember to pause after the addition of each piece of furniture.
Pause because you may not need to add anymore to the mix. I believe in rooms feeling comfortable, but not overcrowded. Comfort can be attained with minimal furnishings and accessories.
Just as we simpified down my friend’s classes so there was just enough information to clarify the purpose of the class and left opportunity for expansion by adding in an additional class, keep your home spaces simplified. A simplified space also leaves the opportunity for you to add furniture and decor you absolutely love when you finally do find them weeks, months, or even years down the road.
You see, the principles of creating product descriptions and creating a comfortable space in your home are the same….. simplify, clarify the function, and create an even flow.
Hire a Minimalist
After reading this you may be wondering if I’m a Minimalist because I talk alot about having minimal furnishings. Well, I’m actually still discovering that myself but believe I have a minimal mindset. I love the idea of living with less. I enjoy simplified design and believe in only bringing items into our home we need and use regularly. I also recognize that I still have quite a bit to “clean out”; but I’m working on it.
I can say though, that someone with a minimal mindset may just be the person you need to help you with both creating rooms in your home that flow and function well for your family and clarify product concepts and descriptions.
Hire a Copywriter
So do you have your own blog and some ideas for products but just can’t seem to solidify the concepts? You may need copywriting assistance from someone like me with a minimal mindset. Just a simple thought.
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