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April 3, 2006
As I go through each week, I find it
interesting when common situations and questions arise among my
individual clients and class members. This week's common theme
seemed to be: put it in writing.
Notice I didn't say "get it in
writing." That relinquishes control to someone else. I'm for giving
you as much control of your art business as possible.
When you neglect written agreements, you
lose control. You might just be busy and not want to think about it,
but, in essence, you are saying that the other person or the job is
more important than you and your artwork. You need written
agreements with:
- Galleries
that represent you
- Venues that are hiring you to teach
or speak
- Museums that are
putting your work on view
- Arts festivals where you have a booth
- Anyone who wants to license or
reproduce your work
- Government entities who selected you for a public art project
- Photographers who take pictures of
your work
- Organizations you
donate your work to
- People
who commission work (and model releases if you will be using an
individual's likeness anywhere for your marketing)
And many
others I'm sure I've neglected.
If these people don't have a standard
agreement, the onus is on you to come up with something.
When you come up with a written
agreement, I suggest you schedule a face-to-face meeting with the
person to go over the contents. It just makes it a little friendlier
and ensures that all parties understand what is being asked of them.
Make two copies--each with original signatures. Put one in your file
and give the other person the second copy.
I also think it's invaluable, before you
get to the written agreement stage, to put your proposals in
writing. I can say from personal experience that this has been one
of the best things I've done in the last two years. I've written
about it on the
Art Biz Blog.
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KNOW THIS
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It's up to you to put it
in writing. |
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THINK ABOUT THIS
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How many times have you
been frustrated with a situation or a client? Do you think it would
have helped if you had asked more questions and spelled out your
conditions before you started? |
| DO THIS
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Put it in writing. Every artist should
have this book on his or her shelf:
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist by Tad Crawford (Allworth
Press).
He has also written one specific to crafts artists.
In it, you will find more legal forms than you will ever need.
In some instances, they will be overkill. For example, you don't
want a four-page contract filled with legalese for the portrait
your doing for your cousin. A letter of agreement is more
appropriate for that. Even though you're related, I still
recommend an agreement.
(100% of proceeds received from my Amazon affiliate links go to
support the
Craft
Emergency Relief Fund) |
| I hope
everyone has "sprung forward" with Daylight Savings
Time--that is, everyone who needed to. In the special
announcement I sent out last Thursday, I mistakenly advised
you to set your clocks back. Kudos to all of the alert
readers who caught that error. |
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ART
MARKETING
ACTION CIRCLES
These special groups are for you if you
are ready to focus on your marketing and seek the help of your peers
(and me!). Starting in May, we'll be "meeting" (on the phone) every
other week and supporting each other in between. Applications are now
being accepted. Read
more. |
SETTING UP YOUR ART
BUSINESS
Begins today, April 3
Are you ready to finally get your art career organized? This class
provides support and guidelines for setting up your files, systems,
routines, and goals. Also, a terrific discussion group.
Details
"Self-Promotion Essentials" comes to Mobile, Alabama,
on Thursday, April 6 and Jackson, Michigan, on Saturday, April 29. For
contacts and more info, see the links in the tan box at
ArtMarketingAction.com
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THIS WEEK:
►Four
tasks to developing an
e-newsletter
►Amateur vs. Professional
-- Technology
►Three
reasons to turn down an opportunity
Find out more:
Art Biz
Blog
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Individual Consultations Writing and Editing
Ongoing Support Marketing Plans Classes
Paving Your Career Path Setting Up
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