I have a long list of things I'd rather not do. But If you are trying to make money from your art, you are responsible for certain tasks that you may not feel like doing.
If you are trying to make money from your art, you are responsible for certain tasks that you may not feel like doing.
Perhaps considering a few questions might help you get past the struggle.
The post When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Art Business Tasks appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Are you avoiding art business tasks because you “don’t feel like it?”
If you are trying to make money from your art, you are responsible for certain tasks that you may not feel like doing.
You might not feel like:
- Writing and sending your email newsletter
- Publishing a blog post
- Updating your contact list
- Posting to social media
- Following up with a buyer
If you’re like me, you never feel like doing your bookkeeping.
I get it that not all of these, or perhaps any of them, might be fun.
And, yet, you need to do them to make progress. And to be smart about how you run your art business.
There’s no sense bellyaching about the things you don’t enjoy. And no sense wishing that you’d rather be doing something else.
Pining for different circumstances is wasted energy. If you want to make progress, hold your nose, roll up your sleeves, and get to work.
And do it joyfully, dammit! 
, because you’re darn lucky. You’re lucky to be an artist in the free world and to have the freedom and resources to build your own business.
My top trick for getting difficult things done is to find support and accountability. And that’s why those 2 things are the cornerstone of all my programs.
You can find answers anywhere. Thank you, Google. But artists need community to thrive.
If you are doing this alone without the support of a coach or community, perhaps considering a few questions might help get you past the struggle.
Examine Your Resistance
Why are you procrastinating?
Is there a mental block and, if so, what is it related to?
Is it a fear of success? A fear of failure?
Do you have everything you need to do the task?
I have discovered that some of my clients procrastinate because they have a project on their lists rather than a task. A project requires multiple steps (tasks) to complete.
If you need to send a newsletter, but you haven’t even researched or written the content, of course you’re going to delay.
Always identify the next action for your task and make it an actionable, single step.
Appeal to Your Sense of Accomplishment
How will it feel to get this done?
Take a moment to soak it in. How will your life be better when you finish this?
Imagine crossing through that task with a fat black pen and getting on with other tasks or to the work back in your studio.
Why are you doing this?
Why is this on your list in the first place? What’s it going to get you? Again, how will your life be better when it’s done?
Invoke Your Vision
Is this other thing you’d rather be doing more important than what you’re procrastinating?
There might be something on your art business agenda that is more important than the task you don’t feel like doing. But I’ll bet it’s not checking your email or scrolling through Instagram.
If you’re wasting time on trivial matters, this question should bring you back into line: Is this the best use of your time right now?
Sometimes we add things to our lists that we don’t really have to do. Maybe the world will keep turning on its axis if you decide against completing that particularly disagreeable task.
What will happen if you don’t do this?
Then there are times when the ramifications of avoiding a task are enormous. People won’t hear about your work, fans will be the last to be invited to a special event, or you won’t make the sale because you waited too long to act.
Are you willing to find out?
Consider Your Future
One week/month/year from now, how will it feel to have completed the task?
One week/month/year from now, how will it feel to have neglected the task?
Listen to this related episode of The Art Biz …
This post was originally published January 23, 2013 and has been updated with original comments intact.
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]]>This cheat sheet might be fore you. It's for everyone who finds comfort in knowing what to do and when.
But it's not intended to be used out of the box. Sit with it. Play with it. Adapt what works for you.
Most of all, enjoy the journey.
The post A Cheat Sheet for Your Art Marketing Tasks appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Do you ever wonder what a regular marketing schedule for your art would look like?
When thinking about content to share here, on social media, or in my newsletter, I comb through previous blog posts and a folder of ideas—always discovering something new.
Something that didn’t strike a chord a year ago suddenly calls my name. The time is right to explore the topic. Or to revisit it.
Many years ago I found this request deep in my filing system: I find it helpful to be reminded of what I can do or perhaps really should do on a daily, weekly, monthly, etc. basis.
The cheat sheet that follows is for Julie and everyone who finds comfort in knowing what to do and when. Here is a simple marketing schedule you can follow and adapt to your needs.
Daily Art Marketing Tasks
- Spend time in the studio, connecting with your work. Without it, you have no reason to have a marketing schedule.
- Read something about art or business for motivation and inspiration.
- Post an image or video to to social media.
- Add a new pin to your Pinterest boards. Remember that Pinterest is the third most powerful search engine online, so don’t forget the description!
- Spend 5-10 minutes commenting on other social media accounts, especially those from people you want to connect with or, perhaps, students you are supporting.
- Make a note of what you accomplished during the day and give yourself a pat on the back.
- Write your gratitudes or say them aloud, remembering that you won’t get more of anything (money, followers, students, subscribers) until you appreciate all that you already have.
Weekly Art Marketing Tasks
- Post an article and images of your art to your blog.
- Check in a couple of times with your online community. And join the Art Biz Connection if you aren’t already supported by other ambitious artists and a team of artist mentors. When you make these connections, you’ll discover all kinds of strategies and support.
- Send a few personal emails, notes, or thank-you cards to collectors or others who have been kind to you.
- Make and post a new video or do a livestream.
- Find a few new people on social media to connect with.
- Work a little on your newsletter ideas so that you’re ready to publish on your monthly schedule.
- Review your week. Identify what was really good and what you might have learned to carry into the future.
Monthly Art Marketing Tasks
- Make a date with yourself to revisit old content or your content ideas folder. You might have an experience similar to mine and find a well of inspiration.
- Send a newsletter or simple message to your entire email list.
- Attend an art function or event in person where you can meet new people and connect with old friends.
- Update your list with names of people who want to receive email or regular mail from you.
- Review your income goals to see if you’re on track for the year. Step on the gas if you’re behind.
Quarterly Art Marketing Tasks
- Send postcards to everyone you want to keep your name and art in front of.
- Check in with your gallerists to see how they’re doing, and how you might be able to help them sell more of your art.
- Update images and text on your website.
- Update your art inventory records if you don’t do it more frequently.
- Review your upcoming plans, adjust and recommit to your goals. Let me lead you through this process in the Artist Planning Sessions.
Yearly Art Marketing Tasks
- Review your income goals to see how you did and what you need to add or change for the New Year.
- Set realistic, but challenging, goals for the year.
- Comb through your entire website to see that the content is fresh and the design looks current.
Adapt
This list isn’t intended to be used out of the box.
Sit with it. Play with it. Use what works for you.
Most of all, enjoy the journey.
That’s what Optimize Your Online Marketing is about. Not about doing more, but about recognizing your limited capacity and choosing a path that is right for you.
Your life as an artist won’t be meaningful if you don’t have a little fun along the way.
This was originally published September 15, 2014 and is updated frequently with original comments intact.
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]]>The post Create Anticipation By Promoting Your Art Event Early and Often appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Creating anticipation means you are preparing people for something big. You are building expectation, excitement, and suspense!
If you have a major event in the future, don’t wait until a month or two before it begins to tell people about it. Start dripping information about it now.
But, and here’s the clincher, add variety to your missives to ensure the news is never stale. “Come to my exhibit!” gets old real fast.
People follow you because they want to hear from you. There is a strong element of trust between you and them, so they expect to be among the first to know when you have something going on.
You are letting people in on a secret when you share news of your event in the planning stages. People love to know secrets!
TIP: Your earliest mentions should be less promotional and more informative or entertaining.
You don’t want your first messages to pitch something that isn’t ready. Instead, you are opening up, being a little vulnerable.
Use your newsletter, blog, and social media connections to get the job done. Weekly mentions on social media aren’t too frequent.
Here are some thoughts.
The Venue
Shoot photos of the venue, preferably with you in them: you pointing to a sign or inside talking with the staff.
Share on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and your blog.
The Art
Show photographs of your inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest.
Write about your inspiration on your blog.
Reveal the work in progress on your blog and share on Facebook.
The Artists
Write blog or Facebook posts about the other artists included in the event.
Compliment the other artists by posting a comment on their Facebook pages that says you’re looking forward to exhibiting with them.
The Temptations
What else might be happening near your event that would pique interest in your followers? Special food? A nearby outdoor concert?
Share this information on all of your platforms (i.e. social media, blog). People are more likely to come from a distance if they know they can make a full day or evening of the effort.
Is there a cohesive theme around your event? A location, a subject, a color, or a season?
Make a pin board on Pinterest to reflect the theme!
Based on advice from Beth Hayden in an earlier audio program about Pinterest, I created a pin board to share information about Golden, Colorado, where my events are held. Check it out! This is my favorite use of Pinterest so far.
How do you create anticipation?
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]]>The post Make a Roadmap for Success appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>A roadmap outlining your marketing tasks will bring you peace of mind and better results.
In talking with a number of artists recently I was struck by how few of them knew what goes into a plan. Thought a little guidance might be in order.
4 Simple Steps to Creating Your Roadmap
1. Define the individual tasks – make each one as specific as possible. They should require just one step to complete. David Allen calls them next actions.
Here are some examples of individual tasks:
- Set aside 2 hours to write copy for catalog.
- Decide on image for postcard.
- Write draft of email blast.
- Edit email blast.
- Send email blast.
Note that the last 3 are different tasks and shouldn’t be lumped together.
2. Identify what you need to know or whom you need to contact in order to complete the task. In other words, make sure you have everything you need to get it done.
- Send email to Susan to ask if she can design the postcard for me by February 22.
- Call Joe to see if he was happy with his last printing job at Print Shop X.
- Call gallery coordinator to ask about venue’s promotional plans.
3. Set a date to do the task. Not a deadline, but the actual date you will do the work.
- Write draft of email blast on February 6.
- Edit email blast on February 7.
- Send email blast on February 8.
4. Add your task to your task list or schedule it on your calendar.
Guidelines for Your Roadmap
All tasks start with a specific verb that defines the action needed. Instead of saying “Contact Steve,” be more specific. Will you use email, text message, or the phone to contact Steve?
Write it out! Keeping your plan in your head only leads to forgetfulness and overwhelm.
Look Over Your Roadmap
Is it realistic?
Is it challenging?
Are you just doing the same thing you always do to promote something? How could you expand your ideas and your reach?
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]]>The post Checklist for Promoting a New Product appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Whenever I create a new product, I go through a series of steps to make sure the product is available on all of my sites. Sometimes I execute this process better than other times, so I thought it was about time I write it down. Maybe it will help you with the items you sell online.
Shopping Cart
- Create the product in the cart
- Upload image of product
- Write autoresponders
- Add product to any related autoresponders
- Add product to related products – an upsell in the shopping cart
- Create coupon discount for Artist Conspiracy members
Bookkeeping
- Add item to QuickBooks – making sure it has the same name as the item in the shopping cart
Images
- Create header graphic for sales page
- Create graphics in predefined sizes for home page on website, blog sidebar, Facebook events, and newsletter
- Create graphics for affiliates to use (select products)
Marketing Material
- Make postcard (Should I do this more often?)
- Add to book inserts
- Add to workshop sales forms
Website
- Create sales page for item, using shopping cart link
- Add to home page (select products)
- Add to related or aggregate pages on website
Blog
- Add to blog sidebar
- Weave into blog post text
- Write separate blog post about item itself (select products)
Facebook Art Biz Coach Page
- Post update on wall (weekly mention)
- Add as an event (when it’s a timed event)
- Add image to rotating images at top of page
- Tweet about it
- Schedule tweets in the future: a couple of times a day, once a week
Share
- Tell my team that I have a new product and share the URL with them
- Tell Artist Conspiracy members that there is a discount coupon for them
- Tell affiliates
- Mention at workshops and book parties for I’d Rather Be in the Studio
What did I forget?
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