Comments on: Marketing Isn’t About You

By: Michael Newberry

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:54:30 +0000

Thanks Alyson for this post. I read it briefly some weeks ago, and you will be please to know it stayed in my consciousness especially when writing my newsletters.
Out of everything an artist must do to present themselves I think seeing their art and communications from another’s eyes is nearly impossible. Yet is its necessary if to sell one’s work.
Recently a collector, world famous fashion designer, talked about what my painting said to her:
“Everybody should want to have that,you still maintain the integrity of your talent but the painting just speaks for it self w/FIRE,it says: am beautiful, am done by the best artist, am HOT and exciting, you want to have me around bc I have a fire energy which will keeps you going happily!!! I would love to have that painting around me and feel very happy having it around me…”
What was surprising was the way she gave words as if the painting were speaking to her, and she voiced WHY she would want to live with the painting.
None of it had to do aesthetics, or how I felt painting it, how many hours, etc. It was an eye opener for me.
Now, when I am writing to collectors I try to imagine why they want to live with the painting, and the feelings it gives them. Then I try to do everything I can to not kill their enthusiasm.
Its a hard lesson, and but that perspective has surprised me because it is beginning to feel natural, effortless, and a richer experience. (No pun intended). 🙂

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:49:13 +0000

In reply to Jan Fulford Small.

Jan: The picture is a great idea! I’ve thought about doing that, too.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:48:48 +0000

In reply to Heather Haymart.

Heather: Write to the people who love your art. You know who they are.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:48:17 +0000

In reply to Mckenna Hallett.

Here here!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:47:45 +0000

In reply to Sue Grilli.

Sue: Not yet. Probably not until mid November. Sorry!
I imagine we won’t teach Blog Triage again until March or April at the earliest.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:47:05 +0000

In reply to Amanda Serrano.

Amanda: try http://amandaserrano.wordpress.com (you need http:// in there).
I’m glad you’re enjoying blogging. It’s helpful for so many reasons.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:45:53 +0000

In reply to terri.

Good work, Terri. I have to catch myself and delete really, very, and other adverbs.

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By: Jan Fulford Small

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:43:05 +0000

Ooh, good stuff to think about, Alyson! I think I have been guilty of too much me-me-me. I love the idea of writing to just one person…and I know just the person: a friend who always inspires me and brings out my true “voice”. I’m going to stick her photo on the edge of my monitor!
Thanks so much for your blog…it is a GIFT!

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By: Heather Haymart

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:17:39 +0000

Thanks for this e-mail today Alyson! You helped me focus on something I was floundering on. Often times I am writing to other artists but wishing art collectors would notice and pay attention. That really makes no sense does it? I guess I thought that art lovers and collectors want to know about the type of creative life we lead. Then I wonder, are there art collectors even reading artists blogs? I hope so. This has definitely woken me up to a better focus. Just what I needed! Thank you!

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By: Mckenna Hallett

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:16:35 +0000

Ask this question of your marketing language:
What’s in it for them?
If you read a lot of I, ME, MY and MINE, instead of YOU, YOU, YOU and YOURS, it is clear I was thinking about me instead of thinking about YOU.
If you want to make an impact for them – you need to keep it about them. Edit out the “all about me” sentences as much as possible.
Mckenna

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