Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Prepare for an Emergency
Tip / Find of the Week:  Nigerian Art Scam

The Do This! newsletter is sent only to subscribers. You can subscribe using the instructions in the column at left. Instructions for unsubscribing and changing your email address are at the bottom of each issue delivered to your inbox.

WHAT'S GOING ON

: : New Book:   CULTIVATING COLLECTORS : :
No more excuses for not having a mailing list or staying in touch with your buyers and collectors. The long-awaited arrival of the updated version of Effective Newsletters & Mailing Lists is finally here! The new title reflects more the purpose and content of the book. Mailing lists, email, telephone calls, print newsletters, e-newsletters, and following up. They're all in here. http://www.artbizcoach.com/books/cc.shtml

The link for artists who had previously purchased Effective Newsletters & Mailing Lists wasn't working for a couple of days, but is now. If you count yourself in this group of artists and would like to request a complimentary copy of the new book, you can do so here: http://www.artbizcoach.com/books/ccrequest.shtml

: : Announcement : :
As stated in last week's newsletter, all classes from this point forward will be available only during their posted dates. I hate to eliminate the "take them anytime you want to" aspect, but I want everyone to have the best learning experience possible. The classes were getting too large for me to be working with students in four different classes at once. My focus has to be on quality, not quantity. Thank you for your understanding. If you have previously contacted me about taking one of these classes at your convenience, I will honor any promises already made.

The other night I awoke in the middle of the night with the awful feeling that my clients and subscribers had been abandoned and there was nothing I could do about it. The truth is, if something happened to me, I need to make sure you are taken care of. Perhaps more importantly, I need to make it a relatively easy process for those closest to me.

Brenda Boylan, Above the Surface. Oil on canvas,  16 x 20 inches. ©The Artist  http://www.brendaboylan.com

What would become of your art and business if something happened to you? It's not a pleasant thing to think about, but responsible business owners must. Yes, you may not sculpt, paint, or sew anymore, but what will become of everything you have created to this point? What about the works you have on loan or the buyers who are expecting more from you?

I encourage you to devise an emergency plan for the continuation of your business. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate in the beginning. Start with some basic information.

Get a small notebook and label it "Emergency Business Plan." Add:

►Access information.
Where, exactly, can someone find your customers' names? Be clear to distinguish paper and computer files.

►Names and phone numbers.
Make note of numbers for accountants, attorneys, business accounts, framers and suppliers, Webmaster, printers, designers, advertising reps (if you buy ads), and contacts for upcoming exhibits, shows, and teaching assignments.

►Passwords.
List the passwords to access your accounts, computer, and Web site.

►Accounts.
Where are your business accounts? Don't forget banks, credit cards, online vendors, merchant accounts, etc. Include the names of individuals who have been particularly helpful at these places. I do most of my business on the Internet.

Everything from printing my e-books to processing credit card orders is done through an online account. There is no way anyone trying to pick up the pieces of my business would have any idea about these accounts unless I told them and gave them the passwords for access.

►Memberships and subscriptions.
Sometimes these can be transferred. They might also be automatically renewed and charged to your credit card if not careful. Memberships might include museums and artist organizations. Subscriptions could be anything from your computer virus scanner to periodicals.

►Tips.
Add anything that might be helpful to someone coming into your business for the first time.

This is only the tip of the iceberg! What have you done to plan for a business emergency? We're blogging about it at http://stanfieldart.typepad.com

Drop in and share your thoughts and ideas.

1. Enlist the help of a spouse or trusted friend and add their name to every account possible, which would allow them access to your information in the event you are incapacitated. Most critically, tell them where they can find what they'll need in the event of an emergency.
2. Create a living will or medical power of attorney and make sure someone close to you knows about it.
3. Download two starter pages I made to help you keep account and password information. All you need is Adobe Acrobat Reader v. 5.0 or higher. http://www.artbizcoach.com/dothis/emgybizplan.pdf

If you use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, you can forward this page to a friend by going up to your menu and, under "File," select "Send"  or "Send Page."  Or just copy and paste this URL into a message: http://www.artbizcoach.com/dothis

TIP / FIND OF THE WEEK: Nigerian Art Scam  

Evelyn Dayman, Portofino Colors. Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches. ©The Artist http://www.evelyndayman.com

So many artists have emailed me about this recently that I think it bears repeating in this newsletter.

If someone emails you and says they want your art and would you please ship it to Nigeria immediately because they need it ASAP for a gift . . . Don't do it! You must be able to verify the legitimacy of all requests before you enter into a business arrangement with someone whom you've never met--whether they're in Nigeria or Timbuktu.

http://www.artistregistry.com/nigerian_scam_alert.php

http://www.britisharts.co.uk/artistsbeware.htm

Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield, Stanfield Art Associates. All rights reserved. 

I encourage you to forward all or part of this newsletter as long as you include the above copyright information and this link: http://www.artbizcoach.com . Internet Explorer users can forward this page by selecting "File," then "Send" then "Page by E-mail." 

The Do This! newsletter is sent only to subscribers. You can subscribe using the instructions in the column at left. Instructions for unsubscribing and changing your email address are at the bottom of each issue delivered to your inbox.