Why Reviews Scared the SH*T out of me

Last week I added the ability to write customer reviews to the website.  Here's the reason why it took me so long to do it.  

For the past two years I've considered of adding reviews to this website.  Always knowing in my head that it was a good business decision but not having the confidence at the end of the day to actually do it.  

For me, it was more personal than just a good business decision though.  Similar to putting a new photograph or piece of art out into the world - I saw adding review as opening myself to potential criticism that I didn't want to receive.  I'm a one-man-shop and a review about a product is basically a review about me, or at least that's how I used to feel.

I think feeling this comes when we make something we really care about, because if I didn't care, I wouldn't be concerned about getting a negative review from time to time.  But the funny thing is, almost all my clients over the past few years have really enjoyed what I make and send them.  Many even go out of their way to send me kind notes and photos of their frames in their homes.  

Furthermore, I was reviewing some sales data recently and in the past two years I haven't had to issue a single refund due to someone not being happy with their purchase.  I have definitely made some mistakes and have had to remake some products, but at the end of the day, most all of what I have made has been well received. 

Now this all sounds like I'm blowing my own horn.  And that's not my intent.  More to the point though is that its risky to put yourself out there with any kind of art.  Whether you're wood working, taking photographs, or making music.  We all feel that self-doubt, that little voice in your head that says you're not good enough.  I have it, and I'm guessing you have to,  But if its something worth doing then you have to open yourself to that risk.

So I did it, I added the code to the website that allows for reviews - positive or negative - and I'm completely fine with it :)  I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to do it.

- David