Comments on: Feel Better About the M Word

By: We’re Darn Lucky — Art Biz Blog

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:00:03 +0000

[…] lucky we can make and share our work with the […]

]]>

By: Beth

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:31:59 +0000

In reply to Katie.

Katie,
I feel your pain. While I understand and fully accept marketing to be a part of the *commercial* end of my photography business, it creeps me out to the EXTREME that FINE ART photography forums etc now have classes / workshops on “branding” et alia. Something is definitely amiss there, and embracing it may be necessary, but it is whistling past the graveyard, as the phrase goes.
This should not be about who is the best at marketing, or who has the swankiest promotional materials, or who could afford to hire a publicist, or even who went to the most well connected school, but this is what it largely has become.
Sad.

]]>

By: Katie

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:25:54 +0000

writer

]]>

By: Katie

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:24:43 +0000

In reply to Susan Pepler.

You have got to be kidding. I am a poet. I publish. Marketing is not as fun as you say, as actual creative work. For me. At all. Publishers used to publish and now want a marketing plan to buy some work. Now agents want a publishing plan from the writer to represent him. This is not fun, nor progess. It is horrible, and if someone enjoys it, more power to them. However, I will always be a write rand never a marketer.
Period.

]]>

By: Nanci Hersh

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:12:50 +0000

I think the key word is sharing. If you are excited about what you are doing and want to, and can share it in an interesting, consistent, but respectful way, then put it out there. It does take alot of time and energy and sometimes I put more of it out there than others, but when I am in the groove with marketing, it is fun.

]]>

By: Susan Pepler

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:58:23 +0000

Very nicely put, Alyson. Marketing is something most artists struggle with or don’t even consider. It’s really all about realizing your value, building confidence and then learning how to ‘be’ in the world. And of course, if you’re an artist … marketing’s part of that ‘being’ in the world. Marketing, with grace and integrity can be a lot of fun – it can be as artistic as painting! Cheers, Susan

]]>

By: Patricia C Vener

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:56:43 +0000

Happy Birthday ArtBizBlog!
As I see it, offering an opportunity to view one’s work is not the same as pleading for a vote. I think it’s fine to invite but annoying to ask for a response or action before having made a connection. I don’t mind seeing announcements about where one’s work is being shown (whether virtually or really) as long as I don’t have to publicly announce my intent to “join” (as occurs with facebook invites which are pervasive and tacky) in general.
I have an acquaintance who sells Mary Kay. Every so often I get one of her emails announcing a sale. I don’t use Mary Kay but I am not annoyed because 1) she’s someone with whom I want to maintain good will and 2) the announcements only require action if the recipient wants to buy something.
Ok, now to marketing. Which isn’t selling or so I’m told. Marketing is not something that makes me stand up and cheer. Perhaps I’d be good at it if I felt more positive about it. But I don’t and I’m not and it’s a chore I don’t feel comfortable with. Thus I have decided to try and work with an intern (or class project?) at a local university where I’m an adjunct (science not art, though). Thus I have decided to assign some of December to the writing of a cogent proposal to present to whomever teaches marketing and ask for their assistance. I’m hoping I can connect with a marketing professor before the start of the new semester but I’ve yet to identify anyone in the Business School – so that’ll also be a December assignment.
I figure if I can’t do it well given both my time and inclination parameters, I should try to find someone who can – while I learn how to do it and how to embrace it.

]]>

By: Beth West

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:27:58 +0000

I loved the way you described an average artists feelings about marketing!

]]>

By: Lonnie Landrey

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:14:30 +0000

Your use of the word “icky” is perfect.

]]>

By: Harriete Estel Berman

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:42:26 +0000

Thank you to Alyson for putting the Don’ts into words:
Don’t beg for attention. It’s kind of icky to plead for fans, followers, and subscribers.
Resist the urge to blast everyone with a “vote for me” email.
Don’t request action from people who don’t know you.
I’ve been watching these “Don’ts” pop up everywhere, all day long. I been paralyzed by watching this flood erode good will.
Harriete

]]>