We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cinnamon Denise a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cinnamon, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
So often, we (freelancers, creators, artists, etc.) lower our price for the sake of making a sale. Please don’t get me wrong. I know what it means and can mean to finally sell a piece or work. However, when we undervalue by lowering the prices too much, it undermines the industry and other freelancers. It keeps us from charging what’s fair and what our work is worth.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I knew when I was 9 years old what I wanted to be: a musician. I had no doubt in mind and never strayed. I starting playing the clarinet and then later played the bassoon. My bassoon’s name is James the Bassoon (#jamesthebassoon). I went to the University of Miami and received a Bachelor of Music in Media Writing and Production. Then I studied at Berklee College of Music and received a Master of Music in Music Technology Innovation.
However, as many creatives do, I neglected the innate desire to create other things besides music or music related things. However, along the way, Yoga found me and I feel in love with Yoga. I started teaching and creating Yoga experiences that combined my teaching with a live music performance as well. Then I realized that I also love making jewelry and that I was quite gifted in it also.
I provide music production, songwriting, singing, Yoga instruction, and even production and creative direction for short films, podcasts and projects of small and large sizes. I love everything that I do. And because of that, my clients love working with me and I love working with them.
I want to share that I am still learning. Everything. I am learning how to take care of my new Aussiedoodle puppy, Luther Vandross. Yes, that is his name and he responds to it LOL. I am learning how to keep taking care of myself and my mental health while still producing consistently. Lastly, I am learning how to love my life and not compare myself to others.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
I stay in close contact with all of my clients. Personal contact. I only am involved as much as we are both comfortable. However, I am always thinking about how I can make sure my clients are getting an ROI from working with me. And I work with people who are excited about their projects as well…I value my clients’ projects as my own because my reputation is on the line…and I do everything in excellence or I do not take the project on at that time.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I can say that even with the size of my audience is, they are SO engaged and committed. And their high engagement level keeps me motivated. I have kept putting out content that I put my best efforts into while also being unique. I am always trying to do something that is transparent to my artistic style. I am honest. and I think that my audience appreciates that. Building a social media presence requires sincerity. It also is a lot of shadow work to be sincere on social media and not how you feel like you should be perceived. So, I would say do more personal work than just pushing out content for the sake of putting out content.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zenwithcinn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinnamondenise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cinnamondenise
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinnamondenise/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VCVFGEjHQ_A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinnamon_denise
Image Credits
all pictures (with the exception of the Yoga photo) were taken by Sierra Marie Photography