May 15, 2006

I have recently implemented "The Oath" for my workshops and Art Marketing Action Circle members. What, you may ask, is "The Oath"? In a nutshell, it says that you must take full responsibility for your successes and failures. (Imagine 60 artists standing up with their right hands raised reciting "The Oath." Very cool.)

When you give control to other people, you are giving up your power.

That doesn't mean that others don't contribute to your success. You will always be grateful for gallery owners, art consultants, and others who sell your work, but you can't depend on them. You--and only you--are the constant. No one cares more than you do.

I was consulting with a client last week who has a big mural going up in a recently remodeled restaurant. I asked what she would be doing for publicity, to which she responded that she had never really thought of it. She thought she'd just "ride the coattails" of the restaurant owner. I implored her to rethink and make a plan. My argument? "The restaurant owner has his own agenda. He wants to fill up the restaurant and sell more food.
You, on the other hand, would like for people to notice your fabulous painting. Moreover, you want plenty of credit for it since you dealt with many a headache over the course of its creation."

As we brainstormed, she realized she had a number of contacts in the media and a pretty decent pitch for a story. She got off the phone energized and more excited. The mural was no longer the albatross it had been for so long. Instead, it could help her with a much-needed self-promotions boost. All because she decided to take charge.

The bottom line is that each opportunity comes around only once. You can sit back and see what happens or you can take charge.

See more on the Art Biz Blog.