Comments on: Let It Go: Delegating Responsibility

By: Art Exhibition Checklist and Timeline to Customize - Art Biz Success

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 17:47:46 +0000

[…] Get help. Call on good friends to help with the installation. Ask a friend or family member to help greet visitors and make them feel comfortable. Designate someone to process sales for you. […]

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By: Carol McArdle

Thu, 07 May 2015 15:33:07 +0000

Thanks for the article Alyson, (btw, is it still you who answers to the comments or is it help?) Yes, it is hard to hire help! I am at the point where I need to (way past it really but only now can sort of afford it) but the transition is hard to make. I think the biggest challenge is in my mind. Luise Christensen-Howell, you mentioned control-freak and after a lifetime of doing it myself it is painful to think about letting go in some areas! As an artist I am; used to working alone, being creative in how I get stuff done, want someone who can do many different things like myself. I think it is a little different for artists to hire help than other businesses simply because of how we work and think in a very right brained fashion. As for the cost, sometimes we just have to get better at getting stuff done ourselves until we can afford to get help. I’m sure it is different for each individual and their specific circumstances.

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By: Wendell Myers

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:34:13 +0000

In reply to D. Lee.

What about that college daughter? We have found that college daughters (both of ours are now out of college) work cheap, are very tech-savvy, and are eager to help!

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By: Sari Grove

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:25:48 +0000

I think a newsletter is For the client, & a blog is For the artist…
Furthermore, I agree that this is the best blogpost ever in the history of womankind…
Lastly, the first or last thing I delegate, is commenting…I tend to let others speak for me, both first & last…It saves money & time…Plus I like to get a consensus before starting a job or getting paid…
Thank you for asking, ArtBizCoach.com !

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By: Robin

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:20:00 +0000

In reply to Ruth Armitage.

Way to go, Ruth! Happy for you!!!!!

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By: Jim Carpenter

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:15:03 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. Otherwise, why would he do it? 🙂

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By: Ruth Armitage

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:50:18 +0000

My most recent goal was to hire a housekeeper so that I could have more time to paint and market my work. The most helpful thing I did to actually increase my income so that I could afford it, was to take a mini-workshop with Alyson. She encouraged us to look at our income from the past year (something I hate doing since it always seems so paltry.)
Then we set goals for income for this year. I set a higher goal so that I could afford the housekeeping twice per month. So far, I have far exceeded my goal for 7 out of the past 11 months. I’m almost $10,000 over my goal for those eleven months! I can truly say that the online workshop I took and the information I gleaned has helped me! I now enjoy the money to hire a housekeeper. If you haven’t found one you like, ask around… then set a goal! Thank you Alyson 🙂

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By: Robin

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:28:24 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Oh, whoops! I didn’t mean to cause friction. I wrote that about you not wanting to answer unless I’m paying for your services based on our email exchange from a while back when I asked for your insight about being an artist and living in Colorado (because my daughter wants me to move there). You replied with, “Come to Art Biz Makeover and experience Colorado for yourself!”
I just thought you didn’t like to talk to us too much unless we were customers. Yikes! Didn’t mean to offend.

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By: Robin

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:20:00 +0000

In reply to Alyson Stanfield.

Well, I have raised my prices about every four months or so since starting my business two and a half years ago. My average sell price is almost five times higher now that it was when I started. Problem is that with higher prices, sales are slower because I can’t find as much time as I need to market towards those who can afford to pay more. Therefore, my income is pretty much the same.
Right now, I have around 40 paid commissions, waiting to be painted, and inquiries coming in daily. 90% of those who inquire decline the commission because of my raised prices, but I still have to take the administrative time away from painting to do the back and forth emails and phone calls and texts with the customers who end up saying “No thanks”.
If I raise my prices too much higher, without marketing properly in advance and during the price hike, sales stop completely. I have no other income besides my art, so I need to be careful how high I raise prices so that I’m not shooting myself in the foot.
And then, of course, I’m running/designing/maintaining my website, Facebook, Instagram, CafePress store and Pinterest. I’m also doing all the shipping and packaging, accounting/taxes, supply orders, etc. I work seven days per week for 10 – 12 hours per day and have kept that pace for almost three years.
I wish I could afford office help so that I could concentrate on painting, but I just can’t seem to get that extra income. I just can’t. I see others on here so easily saying, “I hired an accountant,” or “I hired a house cleaner,” and I’m just wondering “How?” I just want to know where the money comes from. I mean, I guess it’s none of my business, but I really am curious.

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By: Phil Kendall

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:59:49 +0000

Hi Alyson,
The DIY approach to being an active art business is fine providing you have the time…I did it was retirement.
It was educational to develop my own accountancy package…produce all the documentation in house…learn about & implement packing and international shipping etc.
But for things I could not do to the highest standard I employed the professionals..framers..couriers etc.
DIY is about accepting the outcome as being able to live with.
Professional input is about paying for and only accepting the best.

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