This quote is in regards to software, but I think it applied to creative folks as well:
There’s only one person in the world whose needs and problems you really understand and whom you know exactly how to satisfy: that would be you. So build something that you use all the time, and, unless you’re really weird and different from everyone else, you’ve got a potential winner. ¶
I can relate to this message myself. Everything I’ve done over the years that’s worked out well—software, standards, writing—everything, without exception, was something I did for myself. I’ve done the other thing too: built things based on guesses about what people out there might want or need. Never worked, not once.
I bet if you did a survey of successful musicians, artists, writers, or any group of creatives, you’d hear the same story. Sometimes you can guess what people want, and you might get lucky. But probably not, so go ahead and build what you know for sure one person needs.
by George Coghill -
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Great tip! I’ve figured this out myself, but it’s good that other artist can “verify” the “fact”… now I just have to figure out what I need (except money)
And I’ve noticed (as you wrote) that the things I made just for fun for myself usually are the best selling things in my shops!
I think the “need” part is really just those ideas you have that you want to draw, and perhaps talk yourself out of.
I think what it comes down to is that a lot of people are also interested in your niche, and only a niche person will create something that pushes all the right buttons when creating for that niche.