School of Creative Business - Creative Entrepreneurship

How to Add a Photo to Your Blog Comments

Have you ever wondered how others folks photos show up with comments left on your blog? Well I found the solution to the problem. It's Gravatar. Check out the video below to get started.

 

 

Kelly Rae Roberts:Tips & Tricks To Help Your Creative Business Soar E- Course

I am so excited to inform you guys that Kelly Rae Roberts has developed an E-Course on how to start and maintain your creative business. If you are unaware of Kelly Rae Roberts, she is a great artist who has proven to be very successful at what she does. Read more about Kelly Rae Roberts here.

To learn more about Flying Lessons: Tips & Tricks to Help Your Creative Business Soar Click Here.

Classes Start May 30th. And the cost of the 5 Week Course is less than $100- that's $20 per week. What a Deal. I am signing up today.

What I learned as an Artist from the Purple Cow by Seth Godin

I'm reading the Purple Cow : Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin and I've found that much of the information in his book has been very useful in thinking of ways to transform my art business into something remarkable. I too believe that the Purple Cow could help you as an artist transform your business. 

Below is a list 19 things I've learned as an artist from reading the Purple Cow, I hope what I've learned is helpful to you as well.

1.    Instead of using the newest and greatest gadgets to make better artwork- reinvest in the old tools of the trade to make a new dramatic take on the original.

 

2.    People no longer interested on what I'm are currently doing- then take projects and reinvent them into learning something new.

 

3.    Create something that will catch  the attention of many. Put the new creation through- an "idea-virus" analysis: Will people love it?, Will they share it with friends?, Could the new creation be considered a fad?, and Does it having staying power?

 

4.   My artwork shouldn’t carter to the masses. They should only cater to the customers I choose.

 

5.    Create artwork that only appeals to one specific market. Try to dominate it- Do what others artist like myself aren't.

 

6.    Brainstorm ways to be different than other artist in my field. Choose one thing and incorporate it into my artist business.

 

7.    Measure what’s working and want isn’t working. Then make changes. If I can measure it,  then I can improve it.

 

8.    Creating good art isn’t good enough. Strive for creating remarkable art! Playing it safe isn't good enough. I have to take a few risk to make something good into great!

 

9. I should have 20% of my customers email address. And then start creating products that will be super special for only them. (Subscribe by emailto receive creative business solutions for your art business.)

 

10.   Create collectible versions of my artwork. Think of artwork in sets, as trade items, and gift sets.

 

11.   Take a breaks often. Take a few days or months to rest. And later return to the drawing board with new high energy.

 

12.   Create a slogan that’s true, consistent and worth passing on to others.

 

13.   Create a business card that will sell me as an artist. I created my first set on Moo.

 

14.    Make sure my email link works and when I'm contacted quickly respond with a nice note.  

 

15.  Learn more things outside of art, learn Excel or an accounting software.

 

16.   Learn from the best in my field.  Learn how they became successful and try to model their behavior into my own art business. 

 

17.   Immerse myself into discussion boards, social networking groups of people who love the things I create. It is a great way to learn from those who buy art.

18. Make a product that's cooler, more trendy and edgy, then other artist.  And price it 30% lesser.

19. The act of making something custom is in itself is remarkable. Share this remarkable feeling service with others who appreciate customize items.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild, precious life?" Poet Mary Oliver

How to Be Rich Now (When You Wanna Get Rich Quick)

I found this article to be very enlighten and I wanted to share it with you guys. Christine Kane is a very inspirational person. Take a peek and see for yourselves.

How to Be Rich Now (When You Wanna Get Rich Quick)
by Christine Kane

Here's a question to ask yourself at random times:

Am I getting ? Or am I being ?

When it comes to new paradigms and big dreams , think about this:

Getting somewhere is not an option. There is no there to get to.

You gotta just be there. Experience the feelingsand the sheer knowingness of that thing you want.

When it comes to wealth, people often struggle because they spend their lives trying to get rich.

When you're successful, you're successful now . Artists know this principle well. You don't wait to get creative before you create. You just create. And that is what makes you creative .

The same is true with prosperity .

Sound like a load of hooey?

I understand. All I can say is that it worked (and works!) for me. Here are nine simple ways you can BE rich starting right now...

1 - Get on a schedule.

If you have debt, or regular payments of any kind - then automate it, or put it on a schedule. Paying a tiny amount regularly is better than waiting for the big pay-day to arrive.

That's because waiting for rescue drains your creative energy. It's a stance of lack. When you schedule things, you eliminate reactivity. This liberates you.

2 - Fill your gas tank.

I was quite poor when I began my career as a songwriter. One of my poor-person habits was to put only five dollars in the tank when I went to the gas station.

One day, I decided to fill up my tank. A seemingly trivial decision, yes. But I felt so rich that I've never considered not filling up my tank since then. Try it! It does wonders for your well-being!

3 - Count Leaves.

Whoever created this Universe didn't fret about abundance . There was no nail-biting and wondering whether all the trees should get leaves. "Maybe I should only put leaves on a few trees. Otherwise we might run out."

It sounds ridiculous. But that's how most of us spend our mental energy.

Count the leaves as they pop out all over this Spring! Observe sand on the beach. Watch a river for a few hours. It just keeps coming! You're a part of this flow. Remember that.

4 - Give.

The world would be quite a wild place if everyone gave constantly. Tithing is the most outrageous act of courage I know. It says, "Thank you. This isn't mine anyway, so have some of it."

Giving creates space . And space gets filled up again. If you feel poor, try giving a little away.

5 - Eliminate nail biting and other nervous habits.

Think dignity. Think Princess Grace or Katharine Hepburn. Would these women of stature and wealth ever stand in the grocery aisle biting their nails because the price of organic oat groats had gone up?

Nervous habits are acts of lack. (I call them Lactions.) Lack of trust. Lack of abundance. Begin letting go by taking a deep breath and remembering trust .

6 - Start a Gratitude Journal.

If you have the "not enoughs," then every night, write down 5 things for which you are grateful.

Remember this: Energy flows where attention goes. Put your attention on joy, beauty, wealth.Celebrate even the smallest shifts. I remember counting every dollar in my tip jar when I first performed in coffeehouses. I'd think: "That's one more dollar I made while not sitting in a cubicle! Yay me!"

7 - Get a million-dollar bill.

I got my first million-dollar bill from a gum ball machine. I put it in my wallet. It's so much fun to see whenever I pay for something. I can't give you proof-positive about any subsequent million-dollar-deal I made, but I like seeing it. That's all. It reminds me to be aware of abundance.

8 - Happily pay for services.

One night, after my performance, the promoter handed me a substantial check for my fee. With a smile he said, "This is not nearly enough to pay you for this night."

Ah, to be paid like that all the time!

I try to have his attitude every time I write a check. I make sure to acknowledge the value of that service or product. The attitude with which you pay for things (the outflow) creates the manner of the in-flow. It's one big cycle.

9 - Up-level your language.

Stop announcing: "I can't afford that."

Tell yourself instead: "I'm choosing not to do that right now."

Stop saying: "I'm broke."

Start saying: "My bank account hasn't caught up with my seven-figure business yet!"

Remember this: Your language is your creativity . It is one of the simplest places to start being rich.

_{Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at http://www.christinekane.com/ .}

_{WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?}

_{See Christine's blog – Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous – at ChristineKane.com/blog .}

Inspirational Quote

There comes a moment when you realixed that anything is possible, that nothing is too good to be true. Don't just wait for inpiration- pursue it. Give yourself time every day to think and dream for yourself. Let your imagination run free. This is your time, and this is your place. Stretch your wings and fly.

(Copied from inside a journal I purchased ths week, no name of author)

I thought this said it all for the week. GIve yourself some room to spread your wings. I Believe I Can Fly.

Love Links: Business Resources for the Creative Professional

Love Links time! Sending out a few links that I thought was very helpful for any creative professional. Check them out for yourself. Happy Clicking.
 

20 Questions Buyers Are Asking About Your Product - Need to know what others are saying about your product, learn here from this post, what buyers are actual wanting and needing.

Marketing or Sales? The Big Companies Do Both. Learn how the pros do both marketing and sales. Advice from this post will put you in the right direction.

Share Your Craft this was a very inspiring post about sharing your craft with others. Check out the video that followers the post,

10 Things to Consider Before Starting Your Indie Business - the title says it all. Great insight from Stephanie Fizer. She also offers an ecourse on creating a successful indie business.

How to Market Your Etsy Shop with MailChimp - this is a 36 page guide that is geared toward an online store on Etsy, but the information in this is so wonderful and can be used for any online or brick and motar shop.

BigHugeLabs- I just love this site. It is a great way to create fun calendar screen savers, movie posters from a favorite photo. Go ahead and have some fun creating unique photo projects.