Comments on: DIY Rescue for Artists

By: Art By Lisabelle

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 15:29:50 +0000

In reply to Eva.

26 years, of doing my own promoting of my art and art of course itself and day jobs and dealing with people, who could help or be supportive, but generally, don’t.
On a positive note, good things and opportunities are only there if I show up. Balancing it all and staying committed and believing in my art through all that’s available and that could be.

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By: Eva

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 08:52:46 +0000

Hi there, thanks for the great article! I’d love to delegate, especially the many different marketing tasks. I think a professional help could not only disburden me a lot but also provide me with interesting oppurtunities. I really missed out some design and art fairs this year just because I didn’t manage to take care in time. Being a starter I thought, if I gain more experience in marketing, the time I need fulfilling these tasks would decrease. Wrong! There more I improve, the more there is to do!
And I agree with Frances, taking pictures is a real time eater, especially when you still learn how to do it properly! It is not only taking the pictures itself, but the hours I spend on photoshop.
Being a starter I can’t afford hiring anyone yet, sad but true. But in the creative quarter I rent my studio, now an association of the local artist has been founded, I hope that we all together might find a way to hire someone for the heavy works e.g. before a venue (painting, building things for a booth or other ways of presenting the art).

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By: joanne meller

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:06:40 +0000

Thanks for all of your great input, Frances!

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By: Aryana B. Londir

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:34:06 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

OK, today the car detailer came out and I was able to continue working in the studio as my car became cleaner and cleaner – what a joy!!!!!
Next week the house cleaning “team” arrives. I could get used to this………..

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By: Frances Clements Fawcett

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:59:03 +0000

Hi Joanne – glad I could spark an idea for you re photography.
I love the idea of bartering too if there’s a good trade between your art/classes and a service you need to move ahead. Perhaps a photographer will snap photos of your classes at the same time? : )
I should also clarify that I have LOTS of my own photos on my website (including my new e-store) because otherwise I’d be waiting a long time to get anything ‘out there’.
I’m trying to relax about ‘waiting for the perfect photos” and put my best effort out there NOW, knowing that my delivery system(s) will improve with time and experience!
Take care!
Frances

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By: joanne meller

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:42:35 +0000

Reading comments from Frances re. hiring someone to do her photography gave me
a (hopefully) great idea.
I am going to try to find among my list of folks who want to take some of my classes,
someone who is a great photographer. And I will try to barter classes for photography.
This will help greatly to finally get more of my art out into the world, and even though the classes take some of my time away, I would be getting something done that I
hate doing and I am not very good at. Thanks for the inspiration!

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By: Stephen Melancon

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:11:12 +0000

This is a great post, Alyson! Effective use of time is a key aspect of success in any business, but I think it is even more critical for artists. The ideal situation would follow the 80/20 rule. In this case 80% of the artist’s time would be devoted to creating, researching and skill development.
With the electronic world developing at a rapid pace, artists may want to consider a Virtual Assistant (VA). The write VA can help with everything from social media, blogging and websites to travel arrangements, proposals and marketing. If an artists choses to go this route, communication is paramount. You really have to know specifically what you want and be able to define success. The nice thing is that you can choose how many hours per week/month that they work to control budget. Michael Hyatt recommends a company called “eaHelp” for VAs. You can google them to see if there is a fit.
Thanks for the post. I think it is excellent advice for artists to focus on their strengths and outsource to open time!

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By: Frances Clements Fawcett

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:58:55 +0000

PS – yes to Kim Bruce as a fabulous resource for web help. Alyson connected me to Kim, who helped get my new blog back up this year after it had been hacked. I’m thankful!

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By: Frances Clements Fawcett

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:54:51 +0000

Hi there Alyson – thanks for the excellent article.
Oh boy I sure fit the bill as the stubborn DIY artist who is thwarting her own progress!
But I’m **finally** getting the courage to loosen my “DIY” grip on stuff I know would better served with expert help. I’m taking the ‘slow and steady’ approach, ie: do what I can afford to delegate today, then take another step. It’s helping me move forward.
My most recent ‘let go’ step: hiring a photographer to shoot 80% of my art. Getting over the photography hurdle will allow me to finally move ahead with a web-store on my site and increase my art mix.
What a relief to finally sell the photo cube and lights I wasn’t using, and to collaborate with a professional who takes great photos in a fraction of the time I spent still fiddling with my darn lights and cube!
I’ve got a long way to go to release more tasks off of my plate – I see the vision and will continue to get out of my own way in 2013. The list is long!
Alyson, thanks again for all that you do. As I begin to look back on 2012 – I realize I’ve taken some big steps with my art biz, and you’ve been instrumental in providing the information and on-going encouragement to take them.
Hugs from Yes and Yay HQ,
Frances
PS/ one possible resource worth mentioning for short-term studio/business assistance: my artist friend Marcia has hired a studio assistant for a 2-3 month period via a website called HelpX ( http://www.helpx.net/). Both women are really happy with the arrangement. From what I understand it works as an apprenticeship program in exchange for room and board. Not for everyone, but perhaps worth a look for those willing to try something new!

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By: Sandhya Manne

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:54:16 +0000

I totally agree with the necessity to delegate….I now have a friend help me with FB posts and Etsy updates…earlier, I would put a new piece for sale on my website and leave it at that….once in a while I would upload new artworks on Etsy…but then in September I sold a $500 painting on etsy…which made me think…and look at statistics…I realized that I sold more on etsy than through my website..which meant I can’t ignore etsy…which meant I need help…now that I have someone to do all that…I am much more relaxed and focused…

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