I hear there were other parts of the country socked in with snow and freezing temperatures last week. Finally! The white stuff is melting here and showing up elsewhere. We enjoyed a few beautiful days last week--just enough to whittle down our enormous piles of snow that have been here since before Christmas. Heck, it was downright balmy a couple of days. I almost talked myself into a case of spring fever until our weatherperson reminded us that March is our snowiest month. Hrmph! At least the weather cooperated enough to get me out of the house and to some exhibits. Getting away from the computer and seeing real art in person is just as invigorating as a spring day. You can read about my experience on the blog and share your comments. I encourage you to do the same: Schedule your artist date this week and spend some time in a gallery, art center, or museum. You never know when inspiration will strike.

Promote Your Art with Confidence

Online class begins February 14

Got your 10-second introduction down? Need to brush up on your networking skills? How about your marketing materials and website? Are they just as you would like? Offered just once a quarter, these online lessons are packed with self-promotion tools, hints, and lots of extras you need for promoting your art. The $99 fee includes an entire month of lessons and interaction with artists of all kinds (and me!).  Sign up now.
 

What Artists Need to Know About the Artist-Gallery Relationship

Teleseminar with Paul Dorrell Wednesday, February 21, 8 p.m. EST

You’ll want to hear every word gallery dealer Paul Dorrell has to say! He’s the author of the acclaimed book “Living the Artist’s Life” and has much to contribute to our knowledge about the artist-gallery relationship. Just $14.95 for the seminar.  Sign up now.
 

Don't Get Ripped Off, Parts 1 & 2: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Artwork

Special only until February 20

If you missed attorney Kevin Houchin’s fabulous sessions on copyright, you have one week to listen to get this information (handouts + two MP3 files) at $34.95. After that, the price goes up. Purchase now.

► View all upcoming classes and events.
 

FEATURE ARTICLE

Build Your Own Mailing List

I received this email from smARTist Telesummit attendee Dana Gavrilescu, who asks:

“During Friday's panel discussion, you mentioned the importance of using mailing lists. I know that there are various mailing lists out there for purchase, do you have any comments regarding these? Are they worth it? Are there any ones in particular that are especially useful”

Dana, thanks for this question. It’s one that I hear a lot. In my Cultivating Collectors book, I emphasize the importance of building your own mailing list. It’s those closest to you who will be the most valuable for your career. People buy art from people they know and like. (Contacts are everything! I don’t care what anyone else says.) It just isn’t the same with a purchased mailing list full of people who have never heard of you.

Purchased mailing lists are expensive and some, of course, are better kept than others. Wouldn’t you feel better if you had 100% control over your own mailing list? If you could be ensured that the addresses were accurate and relevant to you? Build yours from the ground up by giving people something of value--information they can really use or that entertains them or that they learn from.

Depending on what you’re mailing, it might behoove you to look into mailing lists in a niche market. Do you paint pet portraits? Maybe you want to buy a list of pet-store owners or veterinarians. Do you make garden sculpture? It might be worth buying a list of garden centers, botanical gardens, or landscape architects. But don’t think you can get away with a one-time mailing. Like everything else, you have to nurture your list. Use it often to keep your name in front of your niche market.

Need more people on your mailing list? We do a lot of networking with each other and talk about how you can do it on your own in Promote Your Art with Confidence, the online class that begins this Wednesday. Join us!