Do This!
A weekly motivational newsletter focusing on action steps for visual artists.

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This:  Remember
Tip / Find of the Week: Another Use for Biz Cards
Recommended by Others: Marketing Plan Class
Artists Respond: What They Have to Say

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WHAT'S GOING ON

: : ONLINE CLASSES : :



"Artists & Museums: What You Need to Know"
Class begins today, May 31
In the U.K., Canada, and Australia, they are called galleries, as in our own National Gallery of Art. Here in the U.S., we mostly refer to our non-profit, art-collecting institutions as museums. Are you curious about museums and how they might fit in your career plans? What makes some artists "museum worthy"? You'll also find out 10 ways to get noticed by a museum, when it's the right time to approach a museum, and how to contact with a museum.
3-week e-class. $39.95. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/museums.shtml

"A Marketing Plan That Works For You"
Class begins Monday, June 14 (new date)
How can you expect to reach your sales goals if you haven't made any? If you find yourself trying to figure out how you fit in with your competition, where you should be showing your artwork, or how you should be spending your marketing dollars, this is the class for you. Spend the time before the gallery season heats up in the fall. You can't afford to take the summer off! The two-week class includes my help with your marketing plan. $64.95 and you'll have a much better idea of the direction you should be taking. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/mktgplan.shtml

: : FRONT RANGE SERIOUS MARKETING SALONS : :
begin Tuesday, June 15
Calling all artists in Colorado who want to focus on their art businesses and career. We're working in a group situation to provide support and answers for each other. More info at http://www.artbizcoach.com/colorado or email me for a detailed outline.

See the menu in the upper left of this page to view popular topics from past issues. 

This is my annual Memorial Day issue, and the only one so far that has the same title as a previous issue. As long as we're remembering, I thought I'd send you some reminders.

Jözef Sumichrast, Wall Rabbit. Cardboard, 1997, 62x37x30". ©The Artist http://www.jozef.com

REMEMBER it's easier to make a reputation locally, and then expand into other markets.

REMEMBER that your contact list should be your #1 asset. Get it organized, add to it, and use it!

REMEMBER there is no magical person that is going to discover you and make you a star. While there will be some people who can help you in your career, you can't rely on anyone but yourself.

REMEMBER you are a visual artist and should care about visual presentation in your marketing materials and website.

REMEMBER to write a personal thank-you note to everyone who helps you get ahead.

REMEMBER to set goals and figure out how you're going to achieve them.

REMEMBER to set new, challenging goals when you've attained your old ones.

REMEMBER that good language can help you sell your art. Well-written statements, stories, and articulate conversation go a long way when trying to connect with audiences.

REMEMBER to build relationships in your community. About 85-90% of all artists get into galleries because of a recommendation from another artist or artworld figure. That's how important it is to get out of your studio and get involved. How else will people find out about you?

REMEMBER to protect yourself. Have a sound financial plan; maintain health, business and life insurance; back up files from your computer; get everything in writing; and keep your anti-virus software updated. The fire last Monday in a London warehouse was devastating. Seminal artworks by the Young British Artists (YBAs) of the 1990s were lost. Of course, this was beyond their control, but it should serve as a reminder to protect your business as much as is possible. You can read about the fire on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3749199.stm

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

TIP / FIND OF THE WEEK: Another Use for Biz Cards  

Betsy Woodford, Mission Lilies. Oil on  canvas, 24 x 30". ©The Artist http://www.betsywoodfordstudios.com

Betsy Woodford had a nice idea that some of you may want to borrow:

"I have a show coming up, and while I sent out postcards, I have lots of people that run into me ask about when my next show is. I don't carry the postcards around with me--too big--but I did whip up some special business cards with the show info in the middle in red. That way, I can take them out of my wallet like a business card and publicize my show."

RECOMMENDED BY OTHERS:  A Marketing Plan that Works for You  

"You did a nice job with this [marketing plan class] and I am grateful for the opportunity to use it to grow. I had an enlightening time working on it and I find in going over it that there are so many more opportunities out there than I had imagined. It's like being in a candy store."--Don Lee, painter, WA, http://www.donleeart.com

The e-class "A Marketing Plan that Works for You" begins Monday, June 14. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/mktgplan.shtml

Note: See the menu in the upper left of this page to view popular topics from past issues. 

ARTISTS RESPOND: What They Have to Say 

Harriete Estel Berman wrote after last week's newsletter and advice about making art the focus of your marketing efforts. Her comments are valuable. I include them here and respond to them underneath.

"I love reading your newsletter and look forward to it every week. This week (I hope you don't mind), I disagree with you. Since we correspond frequently, I thought that I'd open the discussion about white web sites. Personally, I dislike white background web sites. They often look like web site 101.

Are colored background web sites really so much [worse]? Haven't we just decided that white is neutral as a convention? Isn't the problem that most artist web site home pages are so boring that no matter what comes up on the home page--white background, or with or without art work--we make a decision in about 10 seconds of whether we want to stay or go into another level.

People need to know that they have to "sell" their web site on the home page just the same way that their art work has to generate a certain level of interest.

Web sites and artist statements have one thing in common. They both are representing your artwork. In fact, on occasion, people are spending more time looking at the artist statement or the web site instead of the artwork. With this in mind, you better make sure they are good! Very good! At least as good as your work."

Here are my thoughts:

Leigh Jackson's pet portraits are featured at  http://www.noisydogstudio.com  ©The Artist

I stand corrected. Saying that white is the best color for an artist's website is a broad generalization that I shouldn't have made. One only need visit Harriete's site at http://www.harriete-estel-berman.info to see how good and classy a colored background can look. However, I still think restraint in color is paramount for showing off one's artwork. And I believe there are a lot of Web designers out there who don't know a thing about color and how different colors relate to one another. If you work with a designer like this, insist on a white background.

Here are a couple other artists' sites with colored backgrounds that I really like (I think the color contributes to the mood of their artwork):

• Dona Bumgarner: http://www.eggplantart.com
• Bruce K. Haley: http://www.bkhaleyphotography.com (gallery/portfolio pages)
• Leigh Jackson: http://www.lovetopaint.com

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Copyright © 2004 Alyson B. Stanfield, Stanfield Art Associates. All rights reserved. 

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