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.

 

 

What's an Artist Package and What Goes into an Artist Package?

What's an artist package and what goes into an artist package? I have wondered this often, and thought I understood what to include in an artist package,until I started reading How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul. Caroll Michels makes it so clear in this book that's it is hard to miss, but just in case you do miss it I've provided you with a list of the essentials to include in your artist package.

Your Artist Package

 An Artist Resume

Now most of us have an resume of sorts. It might not be updated, but we have one somewhere. If you want to get down and serious with your artist career, you gotta have an update artist resume. If you are at lost with how to start write an artist resume go to the College Art Association.

An Artist Statement

For me, actually sitting down and writing an artist statement, was just painful. It was hard for me to translate my visual concepts into writing, but I did it and I got help from some really good sources. Empty Easel . Making a Mark, Renee Phillips, and Molly Gordon

A Cover letter

Yes that's right a cover letter.  Michels states in her book that "a cover letter can provide a context to help people view your work".  An artist cover letter should include: an introductory paragraph- stating who you are and your purpose; a short artist statement; a brag paragraph - picking out a few key accomplishments from your resume; a concluding paragraph - reminding them that if they are interested in your work you could send additional materials or they could view your website.

Visuals

Include quality images of your work. With the advancement of technology there really is no need to send slides of your work. You now can include images of your work on a CD and some galleries prefer you send them as attachments in an email.

Michels suggests also to rethink the way you might send your artist package. Her suggestion isto create a brochure.  Brochures- are cheaper than putting together a slide presentation and can assist you in getting a higher response rate from galleries, it resolves the problem of having to wait for matierals to be returned for recirculation, they are easier to handle and quicker to assemble, and they can serve as a sales tool for art dealers and consultants.

Designing My Artist Brochure

I've decided to take this route and create a  3 fold brochure to send out to galleries. I've spent the last few days designing the cover and inside pages. I also had to update my resume and artist statement.  Check here to view few pages of my artist brochure.

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion by John Carrera

Pictorial Webster's: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

Check this video out. It is a wonderful piece of art. The actual start to end process of creating this book. Please watch it, especially if you have a love for books and book making & binding

Quoted from John site:The deluxe copy shown in the video is from an edition of 26 is $4600, but there is also the regular run of 100 books (doesn't have fingertabs) in $3200 binding, $2600, and $1800, and now from Chronicle Books a very splendid $35 version. Chronicle has a contest on their website where you can WIN the deluxe in the photo!

Using Email Marketing to Sell Art

Preparing myself for making a few holiday sales this season. So, I decided to create an email marketing campaign. I've read alot about the benefits of email marketing and I have worked a little with it in the past, but not until now did I really see the benefit of creating an email marketing campaign.

Yesterday sent out my email newsletter to 160 friends and family on my email list. I got a few responses back saying I love your newsletter, and great marketing.  I just waiting to see if I get more responses from the items I have for sell.

I've posted it on my facebook and fan page and plan to post it on other social networks I've joined.

If you would like to see my Holiday Sales Email Marketing Campaign - You can check it out here: News from Alease Michelle, Mixed Media Artist- Holiday Art Sale

Package Tape Transfer

Creating package tape transfers has to be the simplest and cheapest transfer technique I know of. It is a cool and neat trick- how the image sticks to the tape. I call it my magic trick- I once showed it to my dad and he was just amazed. He wanted me to tell him my secret.

Today I wanted to share my magic trick with you. - well am not, but The One Minute Musewill, she has posted a great youtube video on how to create a package tape transfer.

Below are examples of my attempts of using package tape transfers in my artwork.

Artist Tips: 5 Ways to Introduce Yourself to the Art World

 Artist Tip 1

Whenever you receive gallery representation, sell an important piece of artwork, receive a grant or a major commission project, it is an opportunity to communicate with the media. Do not wait until a big show to send out press releases. Build your reputation and your relationship with the press over time by keeping them abreast of significant milestones in your artist career.

Artist Tip 2

The general public is hungry for a personal connection with the artist, to know what it is like to live the creative life. Many artists have successfully connected with their clients by sharing  insights into some of their art techniques, studio tours of their work spaces, sharing other talents other art, or just background information past careers or their journey to becoming an artist.

Artist Tip 3

Always include information about any upcoming shows or new major works in progress in your communications with the media or potential clients. Demonstrating to the media that you  are building and mastering your art style shows confidence in your reputation and professionalism as an artist.

Artist Tip 4

Many artists who are represented by a gallery believe that they don't need their own website, especially if the gallery has one. But this is so untrue. An artist needs a website. Having your own professional website creates a centralized location for the media and art collectors to find everything they need to know about you and your work. On your website you have total control on what is posted and what is not posted. Of course you should link to the gallery or galleries that represents your work.

Artist Tip 5

Art collectors whose visual knowledge isn't highly developed are greatly influenced by the recommendations of other collectors, gallery directors or the media's endorsement. You should seek publicity whenever possible to keep your name in the forefront of the minds of people of influence to your artist career.

Develop a Personal Artist Brand: Buliding a Foundation for Your Art Career

Having established your target market and your VIP list we are now ready to develop a personal artist brand for your art career. A personal artist brand will help clearly and consistently define, express and communicate who you are, and whom you serve. Successful artist I have studied such as Claudine Hellmuth,  Lotta Jansdotter, Michelle Caplan and Amy Butler all have found their personal artistic style,  they've build a brand based on it and has boldly express themselves through that  artist brand.

This his how a personal artist brand works- it defines you, but first you must define it. Developing a personal artist brand that looks like you, thinks like you, sounds and feels like you and one that is instantly recognizable as your essence should be clear, consistent, authentic, memorable, meaningful, soulful and surly personal.

There are two components to your personal artist brand: The "Who and Do What" statement & The "Why You Do It" statement.

Your Who and Do What  Statement

The is statement lets others know exactly whom you help and what you can help them do. It is the first filter that people will put you through when considering your product or services.

Start with the basics. What is your who and do what statement? Whom do you help and what do you help them do?  Finish the statement, " I help..." For example: I help people see art through the eyes of a story teller.

Your Why You Do It  Statement

This statement is the reason you do what you do. This is something you never get tried of and others know what it's like to be around you. Your Why You Do it statement will serve as an emotional connection you make with people.

Be your most idealistic, inspired, creative, powerful you when you describe - What is your purpose doing art ? and What is your vision of what you hope to achieve through your art? Begin with, " The reason why I create art is ... "   For example: The reason why I create art is to share with others my sense and love of family and my pride for my African American community.

We are almost done. Now take your two statements and put them together. You have just created your personal artist brand. Other words in the art community it is called your artist statement, in the business world it is called your brand. Place your personal artist brand statement on the wall of your studio, place it in your about me page on your blog or website. Just place it somewhere for other people and yourself can see it.

For Friday- I will be ending the Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career series with a post on "How to Talk About What You Do". I will see you Friday, subscribe if you have not yet. And I'm looking forward to hearing a few of your comments on the Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career series.

Peace and More Love, Alease

Why People Buy Art : Buliding a Foundation For Your Artist Career

Yesterday you looked at the qualities of the people you wanted to work with, not lets identify your target market. Your ideal clients are a subset of the target market you choose to serve. It is just as important to identify a target market you feel passionate about as it is to identify the ideal clients that you are inspired by. The benefit of identifying a target market is that it allows you to more easily determine where to find potential clients/ art lovers who are looking for what you have to offer. In order to reach these potential clients/ art lovers, you've got to know where to find them.

The next step we are going to take, are steps that will be will worth your time. Understanding why people buy art is really important in creating relentless demand for your art. The following four steps will help you understand the why.

 Who's the Target Market of Your Artwork

Take a few moments to think about the following questions and jot down whatever comes to mind.

1. What is the geographic location of your target market? 

 Name the neighborhood, city, state, region they may live in. Do not forget to consider the social networking sites they may also live. Since many artist typically sell art online works very well (Etsy). Considering online sites might be better, but if you are considering selling at a market, then you specify the general location.

2. What are the demographic characteristics of your target market?

A few years ago, I was working with a client who said her target market was women you liked wearing dresses. Well that is a very large target market and that size of a target market is very hard to sell to. So to help her out- I asked her to choose her favorite television show or movie  of women who would wear her dresses. She chose Girlfriends and Sex and the City. With this new information we were able to actually visualize each woman wearing her dresses. We used the characters personalities, jobs and interests to describe the demographic characteristics of her target market.

If choosing a character from a movie or television show helps you identify your target market, then please do so. But make sure to  describe the observable, factual characteristics of your target market - such as age, income level, family size, gender, ethnic group and hobbies/interest.

 3. What is your target markets'motivations and purchasing patterns?

The observable factors are important, but you also have to consider the less tangible factors. Try to answer these questions.

What is important to your target market- price, quality, or convenience?; What kinds of companies do they prefer to do business with - small, large, socially responsible, or locally based?; How do they view themselves- technically savvy, smart shopper, stylish or cutting edge?

What are your customers purchasing patterns- paypal, cash only, credit? How often do they buy art - once a year, every other month, when there is a sell, or during special occasions?

4. What is the market size of your target market?

Keep the answer to this question simple. Do you think the market size for your art is small, medium or large. If it is small look for other small target market group, if it is medium, then you are good to go for a few years, and it is large, then that is great, but you are going to have to keep coming up with unique ideals to keep them interested in your art.

Now look over your answers and try pulling it all together. Write a brief description of your target market.

My Target Market is .........

 

This new found information will help you more successful at creating and selling your art.

Alright we are almost there. We have 2 more post to go, before we have completed the foundation of our art career. Thursday I will discuss the importance of developing your personal brand  and Friday I will end How to talk about what you do.

Make sure to subscribe to my blog if you haven't already. Peace and More Love, Alease

2 Steps toward Creating a V.I.P. Artist Client List

Do you have a V.I.P. client list?  If you don't, then it's ok, I will show you how to create a V.I.P. Art Client list in 2 steps.

 Why is a V.I.P. list important? It's important 'cause when you work with clients you love and like to be around, you'll truly enjoy the work you are doing. And we all know when you love doing something, you'll do your best work, which is essential to becoming a successful artist.

Ok enough with the pep talk- lets get down to business.

Step 1 Dump the Duds

Yeah I said it- Dump the Duds

Identify the types of clients you don't want to work with. List their characteristics or behaviors you refuse to tolerate. Think about what really pisses you off and what type of people should not be placed on your V.I.P. art list.

Now take a look at your list and think about who among your current clients fits the profile you've just created? The next part might be little hard- but you are going to have to dump the dud clients. I know this is a bold action and requires some courage, especially if they are friends of yours. I too faced this same issue, but after I decided not to take on anymore projects from them, a ton of weight was lifted from my shoulders.

 

Step 2 - Create Your V.I.P. List

Let me start out saying the benefits of working with V.I.P. clients totally out weigh the negative. Currently the benefits I've noticed are: I am more invigorated and inspired, I connect with my clients on a more deeper level, I feel more successful and confident, I now know that the time I put in creating my artwork matters and I am surrounded by positive energy which allows me to do my best work.

Ok, lets get down to identifying your ideal clients. Ask yourself what type of people do you enjoy being around?  What do they like to do? What do they talk about? What ethical standards do they follow?  And what kind of environment do you want to create in your artist life?

Now look at your current client list? Does any of them have qualities you've listed? If so, they are keepers. If you are just starting out and have no current clients, then look over your list. Picture in your mind what your new clients would look like and then write down 3 to 5 characteristics of these clients.

CONGRATULATIONS you've completed the first part of Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career!  But I have to remind you,the process we've just completed is one that you will have to do on a regular basis. Just check over your V.I.P. every so often and dump the duds that need it, and reward those that are keepers.

In Wednesday's  post I will discuss "Why People Buy Art?"

See you then! Peace & More Love, Alease

 

 

Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career

Hello, and welcome to a wonderful week of posts. This week I plan to post a series of  5 posts on Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career. The advice and suggestions I 'll present in the following posts can be adopted and used in any creative careers. 

I've used them alot in my emerging artist career. And many times I come back to my foundation to check for leaks and cracks. Building a foundation for a house is very important, and building a foundation for your artist career is the same. Making sure the foundation is strong is the key to living in your creative house for a long time.

The Building a Foundation for Your Artist Career will begin with:

1. How to choose your ideal clients so you can work only with people who inspire and energize you.
2. Learning the reasons why people buy art.
3. Creating a personal brand so you're memorable and unique
4. Learn how to talk about your artwork without sounding confused or plain.

 

Over the course of the week, I will take you through the process of building your foundation so that you'll have a platform on which to stand. This platform will become the support you'll need for your business development, marketing and personal growth.

To prepare yourself for this week's post, I ask that you come ready to work and to really think about what you exactly want  and need to do to become a successful artist. To ensure that you don't miss any post, make sure to subscribe by email to my blog. And if you think any of your friends or family might be interested, then please send them a link to my blog.