I encourage you to do something similar for your oeuvre.
- Tack color images of your art chronologically to the wall. Add dates if you need them as reminders.
- Use yarn or string to connect ideas and thought processes between earlier and later work.
- Record, in words, why you connected the images.
This will help you visualize your progress and understand how objects and ideas are connected over time.
You will discover common threads that you didn't previously see, which will help you better tell the story of your work.
Have you tried something like this?
The post Tongue tied? Return to Pictures to Tell Your Story appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>
I encourage you to do something similar for your oeuvre.
- Tack color images of your art chronologically to the wall. Add dates if you need them as reminders.
- Use yarn or string to connect ideas and thought processes between earlier and later work.
- Record, in words, why you connected the images.
This will help you visualize your progress and understand how objects and ideas are connected over time.
You will discover common threads that you didn’t previously see, which will help you better tell the story of your work.
Have you tried something like this?
The post Tongue tied? Return to Pictures to Tell Your Story appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The post Book vs. Class vs. Membership vs. Coaching appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The thread that holds my material together is the emphasis on action.
Read the Book
Get my book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion if you would like a reference source.
When you want to learn best practices for sending an email newsletter, open it up to that chapter. If you want to learn how to build your contacts list, you’ll find the answers in a different section of the book.
Lots of people read the book cover to cover, but it’s just a good thing to have on your shelf when you need some quick info.
When you buy it from me, you also get the e-book version and a free month in the Artist Conspiracy. (update: No longer available)
Take a Class
Sign up for a class when you want information in a daily-lesson format. Like the book, classes are another way to gather information.
Some of the content in the classes duplicate what is in the book, but most of the content is different – and it’s delivered in a very different manner.
Class participation will help you do rather than just read if you make the commitment to participate. You can hold yourself accountable to the extent you want by acting on the daily email reminders and interacting on the private class blog.
Beware: The information in these classes is concentrated into 18 lessons. There’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time! I’d commit to at least 1 hour a day for most of the lessons, although it helps to look at the syllabus for each class. There might be certain lessons that you’re more savvy about than others. Consider those days for breathing.
Become a Member
Join the Artist Conspiracy membership program for a higher level of accountability. (Program no longer available.)
Unlike my classes, the Conspiracy isn’t for gathering information. Sure, there’s plenty of it there, but I’m more interested in how you use the knowledge you already have.
I started the Conspiracy for people who had taken all of my classes, read my book, and said, “Now what?” They liked being part of a group and missed the accountability aspect of the classes.
The Conspiracy requires a steadfast commitment to your career and a high level of personal responsibility for your actions.
In the Conspiracy, we set goals each month around a focus area. You can share your goals (if you like) in the active forums. We also have guest interviews and a monthly live Q&A session. Weekly updates are emailed to members rather than the daily ones in my classes.
This month we are focused on planning for a prosperous New Year.
Hire Us
You might request personal help when you need a partner.
It’s difficult working by yourself all of the time. And you don’t always get the quality of feedback you’d like in a group situation.
We help individual artists with their writing projects. We especially enjoy working with artists who have participated in my classes and read my book. With that background, we have a solid foundation.
I hope this helps you decide what you need for your art career. Questions?
The post Book vs. Class vs. Membership vs. Coaching appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Whether you're working with me, asking for help from another artist, or signing up for a mentor session at a conference, it's imperative that you know what outcome you want.
The post How to Hire a Consultant for Your Art Career appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>
From time to time I agree to consult privately with an artist.
With such consultations, it’s my client’s job to set the agenda. They’re paying for it, so they should determine what outcome they want or need.
The most important questions I ask before agreeing to spend an hour with someone on the phone are:
What is it you want to accomplish? How do you think I can help?
Whether you’re working with me, asking for help from another artist, or signing up for a mentor session at a conference, it’s imperative that you know what outcome you want.
You need to be uber-specific. I cannot tell you what you want or need.
biz basics
Please don’t email me and say “I just started selling my art. How can you help me?” This is a waste of anyone’s time. When I receive email like this, I think that this person is lazy and hasn’t even bothered to find out anything about what I do.
I suggest these steps for hiring a consultant.
- Become familiar with the consultant. Read her blog and newsletters, talk with her other clients, follow her tweets, and gather as much information as you can. You not only want to ensure that you’re hiring the right person for you, but you also want to show the consultant that you’ve done your homework.
- Start gathering your questions. When I consult with experts (and I do) I keep my thoughts and questions in a computer notebook and add to them over time. I know that not everything will come at once and I want to be clear about my purpose.
- Request an appointment with the consultant. Use my questions above to formulate your request. What do you want to accomplish? How do you think this consultant can help you?
- Collect facts and figures to help the consultant get the big picture. The data you share depends on your goal for the consultation. For example, the consultant might need to know your income, your blog stats, or the number of people on your contact list in order to give you the best advice. You might also share your other commitments and the time you have to devote to your art business.
- Send your questions and concerns to the consultant by the requested deadline. I like to have them 24 hours before a consultation, but this will vary from consultant to consultant. The main point here is that it’s your responsibility to be organized with this information. The more you share in advance, the higher the quality of help you’ll receive.
Reasons why you might hire a consultant:
- To clarify goals (for your business, career, event)
- To receive honest feedback (on marketing material, on a situation). Don’t hire a consultant to make you feel better about this or that. Hire someone because you value his or her input.
- To save money in the long run. Two-hundred dollars doesn’t seem like a lot of money if it saves you hours of hassle.
- To validate a direction you’re headed or to help you make a correction
Read more about my work as an artist business consultant.
What advice do you have for someone looking to hire a consultant?
The post How to Hire a Consultant for Your Art Career appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>