Workflow

        My do-it-yourself attitude inspires the name “uduforu.” It is a mindset that lands me in over my head all of the time. Thankfully, I choose non-life-threatening subjects to throw myself in. I sell my creativity to the public, and I use writing, drawing, cameras, and computers to make products. To promote the products, I use a website, YouTube, Amazon, and social media. There are many technical details involved with each item and not enough time or patience to advance more than one at a time. I remind myself to compare what I do now versus last year. Progress is slow, but it is happening.

         Making changes at the website was first on my to-do list and involved a lot of work “under the hood.” The new logo is a bit narcissistic, but I am not selling someone else, and the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is good. All product pages also have better SEO. Adding links to social media feels premature but is recommended by people. This blog is the last item on that list. The blog serves as a confessional of sorts for my learning experiences, but it will evolve.

         Social media is not my strength – uduforu posts on the blog, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter on the first of each month. People say this is not enough and recommend posting a minimum of 3 times a week on Instagram/Facebook and as often as possible on Twitter. I do not see myself meeting such expectations in the short term. People also advise being genuine on social media. I am an introvert, and posting anything not business-related is difficult, but I will try. Pictures of uduforu products are on Pinterest. TikTok intrigues me, and uduforu has an account, but enough already!

         I will make more YouTube videos when I am able. I can see this blog eventually becoming a vlog. The “Haiku by Martin E. Dodge” playlist will grow as I write worthy haiku, and I have plans for a storytelling playlist. My tiny apartment has a lot of noise that makes filming difficult. Making YouTube videos has the most obstacles and a more intimidating wish list than other items.

         My current strategy to keep all of this stuff moving forward is to alternate or cycle through aspects. My focus now is to get better at using the app Vectornator on my iPad. I want to make a coloring book, and I need “vector” drawings. These drawings can be enlarged or shrunk without losing resolution or causing rough-looking lines. I am still writing as well – drawing provides me with a meditative break and a new product line.

Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments!