Winter has played a cruel joke on us, as it is wont to do this time of year. We get used to the warmer days and spring blossoms and then, bam!, snow and ice. It is, however, an excuse to keep working. I’ve turned on the fireplace and succumbed to being indoors for a while longer. I’ve been struggling to keep up with with everything new at ArtBizCoach.com, but I’m committed more than ever to building a strong Inner Circle membership. I’m looking for artists who want to be part of an ongoing community and network and who can benefit from a little extra attention and information. Inner Circle artists get more how-to advice than is provided in this newsletter or on the blog. Plus, they get monthly one-on-one coaching days just for their pressing questions. Read about all of the benefits and join for just $10 for your first two months: http://www.artmarketingaction.com

This Week's 5-year Anniversary Special:

$55 Basket 'o Stuff
Get Cultivating Collectors and The Relatively Pain-Free Artist Statement plus all four Art Biz Reports. (Value: $66.80) Note: These are all electronic documents—PDF files—that you will need to download and print.  Click here to learn more.

Set Career Goals

New Art Biz Report now available

The newest Art Biz Report is now available. “Step-by-Step Guide to Setting and Achieving Your Career Goals” walks you through a brief goal-setting process that you can use over and over again. See the other reports regarding approaching galleries, marketing materials, and . Each report is just $5.95. http://www.artbizcoach.com/resources/reports.html
 

How To Profit from the Print Market Today

Teleseminar -  Tuesday, April 24, 6 p.m. (MT)

Barney Davey, an expert in art reproductions, is my guest for this teleseminar. Fresh back from Art Expo New York, Davey will share his insights from this year’s event. He’ll talk about the market and whether or not it’s a good time for you to get into publishing your work. He’ll also give you a wish list for the publisher’s ideal artist. Just $9.95 for the call, handouts, and recording if enrolled before the teleseminar ($14.95 after). http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/davey.html

Michigan Art Marketing Workshop

Live workshop, Saturday, April 14

I’m heading back to Jackson, Michigan to follow up on the Shameless Self-Promotion workshop I led there last year. This year, we’re spending the day on marketing plans. At the end of the day, all participants will have a plan in hand. Hope you can make it.
http://www.acajc.org/workshops.php

► View all upcoming classes and events.
 

FEATURE ARTICLE

Spice Up Your Bio

Last week I gave you the idea to interview yourself when you’re asked to write a profile. When this time comes, and it will, it’s comforting to know you have a juicy bio of yourself waiting in the wings.

What do I mean by juicy bio? I mean something that doesn’t read like everyone else’s bio.

I used to tell artists that when they’re asked for a bio, it’s appropriate to think about it as their resume in paragraph form. No more. When done this way, all bios end up reading something like this (remember, they’re in 3rd person):

“He’s an artist. He makes this. He shows his work here and there. It can be found in these collections. He studied here and got this degree. He was born in this city, but now lives here.”

Do you think I’m exaggerating?

How many artist biographies have you read online? How many are memorable? Yep, most will put you straight to sleep. Those artists vying for gallery and museum attention have the most boring bios of all. They are, quite understandably, straight from academia. They consist of just the facts, related dryly. All fine and good except that the information is a real snoozer to read and wouldn’t tempt anyone into writing a profile about you.

I won’t lie to you. Some curators and galleries might prefer the straight-laced, just-the-facts bio. But when you’re marketing to the media and to the general public you have to learn to craft a more interesting story. Most people have senses of humor. And everyone would enjoy being entertained when they’re reading something. Think about it. Don’t you tend to remember people more easily when you’re drawn into their stories? (Incidentally, I can’t believe that, given the choice, the rigid training of curators and high-end gallery dealers wouldn’t bend a little to accommodate better storytelling from artists.)

Keeping an updated resume is only the first place to start for a spicier bio, but then you have to tell a better story. What is quirky about you? What can you say about yourself that will set you apart from other artists? Or, how can you give just the facts using colorful language and storytelling techniques?

If you know of any spicy artist bios online, please share them on the blog: http://www.artbizblog.com