September 10, 2010

 ACE Newsletter

Market Yourself in Public - Positive Tips for Success
 

by M Theresa Brown  

As much as we would all like to stay in our studios and create our artwork and never appear in public, the best chances for success include regular public appearances. Art and Craft shows are just one of the many opportunities for artists. They can be large and juried; small and non-juried but participating in one opens the door not only for sales of your art product, but to an ongoing  relationship with clients.

Here are some positive tips for success!

Project a positive and upbeat attitude at all times.

Keep a guest book to accumulate names and addresses for your email or mailing list.

Mail or email a personalized flyer to your customers with a list of your upcoming shows once you know your schedule.

Be flexible and accommodating to your customers. Keep your promises for deliveries, special orders, etc.

Market yourself. You are your own best salesperson. Keep your display updated with new and exciting work.

Greet your customers with a friendly smile – but give them space to browse.

Make sure all your signage is professional in appearance.

Display your name and prices.

Proudly present your bio and business cards.

Take pride in your personal appearance.

Dress for success! Maintain your canopy, walls, browse boxes and
pedestals and keep all in new condition.

When someone shows interest in your work offer any inspirations or background on the image / sculpture. This creates a personal bond between the patron, the work and you.

Follow up immediately after a show with emails and phone calls!

Take responsibility for your own success.  Art and Craft Shows give you the opportunity to participate in an art show, but cannot guarantee your sales. That is up to you!

Now for a few don'ts ...

*Don't fail to get your customers' addresses for your mailing list.

*Don't sit in the back of your booth and read a book.

*Don't sit at the front of your booth, "guarding" it from visitors.

*Don't ignore the customers who are in your booth.

*Don't pre-determine your customers' buying capabilities based on their appearance.

*Don't skip the shower or wear the same clothes you wore at set up.

*Don't smoke cigars or cigarettes in your booth.

*Don't be inflexible when it comes to your customers' satisfaction. It can hurt future sales for everyone.

*Don't let your artwork and booth become stale, outdated and boring.

*Don't project a negative attitude towards customers and fellow artists.

*Don't talk, text or being doing anything with your cell phone.

*Don't bring your ipod, leave it home.

TIPS for 3-D artist/crafters

Pedestals, at different levels are the best display pottery, ceramic, glass, sculpture and wood. Make sure pedestals are painted a nice clean color that enhances your work, or have them covered with a nice neutral fabric.

If you use tables, please be sure they are professionally covered and skirted to the ground. Absolutely no plastic covers, bedsheets or tablecloths should be used! All covers must be hemmed and all covered tables must have the same color scheme. No storage bins or boxes should be visible.

Jewelry

Anyone can put out tables and either lay jewelry on the table or on velvet necks for display. What we find the most attractive is wood or mica units, with or without glass, with either coral, stones, or whatever ideas you can come up with to enhance your jewelry. For example of you make Glass Jewelry have a few pieces of the loose glass on your cases/pedestals.

2-D Artwork

Display hanging art in frames. Situate yourself so you are not blocking your entrance. Many booths are designed with a back flap where the artist can watch the booth and speak with customers yet not block the view. Professional tent makers for art shows have many wall examples and designs to enhance your booth at a show.  Have prints and surplus art at table level, in viewable containers, not on the floor. People simply do not stoop to look at most art! 

Take a look at your displays and determine:

Is my display professional and aesthetically pleasing?
Is my entire display attractive and inviting to the public?
Have I made every effort to represent  myself to the best of my ability?

Suggested places where booths can be purchased:

Flourish 1-800-296-0049

Showoff 1-800-771-7469

Light Dome 1-800-351-8889

Pro Panels  1-800-525-4159

ACE Forums:  http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ArtistPaycheck

Do you want to learn more from us personally?
We be leading workshop/seminars at the Jerry's Artarama Store and the Art of the Carolinas Trade Show in Raleigh NC.

Sat. Sept 11 Seminar: http://www.jerrysartevents.com/se11seyoar.html

Nov 11-13 Seminars: http://www.jerrysartevents.com/theresabrown1.html

Until Later,
Theresa and Steve

You now get a instant audio download when you invest in the Art For Sale CD set with Ebook.  Still only 24.95. You still get the 2 CD set containing the audio book and the ebook shipped to you, but now you can also download the audio files along with the ebook at the time of purchase. No more waiting for CD's to arrive in the mail.

Jumpstart your art career with our audio books and instant downloads of our e-books 

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