Clearly celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Designing an MBA has me feeling a little nostalgic. But it also has me curious to see what’s resonated with readers over the years. So today, I thought I’d share the ten most popular posts on DMBA, based purely on number of views. (I’m also going to share a second post where I share MY ten favorite posts of the last ten years.)
These posts run the gamut from expanding your product line to making your products more niche, to some of the usual suspects, like questions about pricing, profit, and wholesale. Interestingly, many of these posts where from the early days of Designing an MBA, but I love that they’re just as relevant almost ten years later as they were when I wrote them! Even though it feels like a lot has changed in the business world in the last 10 years, it’s clear that many of the basics have remained the same!
#1. 4 Ways to Make Your Products More Niche
My most popular post of all times answers the question of how to compete in a crowded product category by focusing your art or products on a specific niche.
#2. 3 Steps for Building a Lifestyle Brand
I love that this is my second most popular post of all time, because it shows that many artists and makers have ambitions to grow their business beyond one single product category.
#3: Wholesale vs. Consignment
Ah, the great wholesale vs. consignment debate. In this super popular post, I lay out the difference between the two and share why I have a very strong aversion to consignment. (And a pretty strict “no consignment” policy.)
#4: Pricing Your Products for Growth
I’m so glad that one of my pricing posts made it into the top ten, because as I like to joke, “It’s not a Megan Auman class if we don’t talk about pricing.” This post lays out my favorite pricing formula and talks about why profit is critical if you want to grow your business.
#5: Running Your Business vs. Pursuing Your Hobby
This is clearly a dilemma that comes up for a lot of artists and makers, especially if what you make started as a side hustle or hobby. (Though I went to school for seven years for my craft and have two degrees, and I struggled with it in the beginning too!) Which is why this post shares three strategies (and some key mindset shifts) to help you get serious about running your business.
#6: Who Pays for Shipping?
I had no idea when I wrote this post that when it comes to wholesale, this is a question a lot of people are Googling! I was simply answering a question from a reader. But it turns out it’s a question lots of artists, makers, and designers are curious about, making it one of my all time most popular posts.
#7: 5 Questions to Ask When Expanding Your Product Line
I wrote this post for all of us creatives (myself included) who get wildly excited with an idea for a new product, but need some ground rules for decided if an idea is worth pursuing!
#8: Creating a Culture of Profit
Even though this post was written in the early months of this site, it’s just as relevant today. I still experience so many artists and makers who literally feel guilty for wanting to charge more or make a profit from their work, which is why I’m glad this post has gotten as much attention as it has. It’s a message we all need to read from time to time if we want to succeed.
#9: Etsy and the Culture of Cheap
This controversial post was the one that pretty much launched this site (it was the first post that got people talking), so it makes me happy to see it crack the top 10. While some things have changed (Etsy is NOT the only marketplace in the game anymore), the root issues I address in the post are still just as relevant today.
#10: Why I Don’t do Craft Shows (but Why You Might Want to)
Rounding out the top 10 is another post that, while written 10 years ago, is still relevant today. I still don’t do craft shows (I did a few in 2018 just to test the waters, and went right back to my no retail policy for 2019) but I still think they’re an important way to test your products and connect with customers and fans, especially when you’re just starting out!
It’s been really fascinating to look back on the 10 most popular posts and recognize that they aren’t about quick fixes or flashy business trends, but really about big picture business ideas and strategies. Those are the kinds of things I created Designing an MBA to talk about, so it’s exciting that they’re just as relevant ten years later.