Day 31: Experimenting, Learning, and Leaning Into Creativity


This week has been all about diving into digital advertising and analytics. It’s been a mix of “Wow, that’s interesting!” and “Wait, what just happened?” Every platform has its own quirks, and I’m learning a lot—sometimes the hard way—about where to focus my efforts.

Here’s what’s been happening so far:

TikTok Ads

TikTok gets points for making the process so easy. Of all the platforms I’ve tried, TikTok’s advertising setup feels the most beginner-friendly. They even create and post content for you, which saves a ton of time. But here’s where things went sideways: with $75 (their minimum spend), my ad reached over 750 people, and all of them were in Singapore.
The traffic spike looked great in my analytics—until I realized it didn’t align with my goals. My shop is U.S.-based, and shipping overseas isn’t in my current plan. While TikTok made it simple to launch an ad, it was just as easy to burn money without hitting the right audience. Next time, I’ll dig deeper into their targeting options to make sure my budget goes further.

Instagram Ads

Instagram is proving to be a slow-and-steady strategy. Over six weeks, I’ve spent $200 and gained 90 followers. That’s around $2.22 per follower—not exactly thrilling, but it’s progress. No sales yet, though. It’s clear that building trust and community takes time on this platform, and I’m trying to keep the long game in mind.

Google Ads

Google’s ad platform is a bit of a labyrinth, but I’m starting to see some results. I’ve budgeted $50 a day for the next two weeks, hoping to capture the holiday shopping wave. So far, I’ve spent $100 and made one sale. It’s not a breakthrough, but it’s encouraging enough to keep going.

LinkedIn

The surprise underdog of the week! I’ve only posted twice, and one of those posts led to a sale from someone I know IRL. It’s a small sample size, but it reminds me that even modest efforts can have an impact when the connection is authentic.

Lessons in Progress
I’ve heard a lot of advice about splitting your business budget: half for setting up shop (inventory, website, etc.) and half for advertising. It sounds simple, but the truth is, ads alone don’t solve everything. They’re just one piece of the puzzle.
The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki keeps nudging me to focus on PR. Press releases and getting people talking about my products seem like they’ll create more lasting momentum. It’s about building credibility, not just chasing clicks.
Then there’s the marketing funnel to think about: awareness, interest, desire, action. Right now, I feel like I’m nailing the awareness part (hello, TikTok analytics), but there’s a gap in converting that interest into actual sales. It’s something I’ll need to work on as I refine my strategies.
And finally, a word of wisdom from The Creative Act by Rick Rubin: “Do what you can to the best of your abilities, and don’t worry about the outcome.” It’s a reminder to stay focused on what I love most about this journey: creating.

What’s Next?
This week, my focus is simple: cats—and choices.
With Black Friday just around the corner, I’m working diligently to give people more options to love. Whether it’s fresh artwork, new designs, or just more ways to make someone’s day, I want to be ready for the holiday rush. It’s a busy week, but knowing my creations could be part of someone’s gift-giving makes it all worth it.

Of course, I’ll keep tinkering with ads—especially Google and Instagram—and maybe even give TikTok another shot (with better targeting this time). But most of my energy is going toward what I love: creating designs that make people smile.

What about you? What’s been working for you this holiday season? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your lessons, tips, or stories. And while you’re here, tell me: what would you love to see on a t-shirt? Capybaras? Squirrels? Chickens? Something else entirely? I’m always looking for inspiration!