Keep in mind too that none of our success this quarter was by accident. We did not stumble upon clients, burn incense or randomly hope they would show up at our studio….we continued to promote our art via our usual tried and true channels: in person, on Facebook, our monthly newsletters, phone, postcards, email…the point is that we persevered.

With a business to run, and other communication tools such as a website to update, many Facebook pages unfortunately become inactive. How can a business owner make use of a Facebook page without devoting too much time to its upkeep?

An artist’s life in regards to hours and paychecks is not a real predictable affair. We work when other do not and do not work when others are at work. We get paid sporadically and in terms of income, it can be far more or far less than what someone who is not an artist may make.

You know that marketing phrase “Make money while you sleep?” Well it IS possible for artists to do just that with their art product IF they make it convenient and easy for shoppers to see and buy their art 24/7.

It started with a private email from an artist. She had been contacted by a prospect who had seen, liked and wanted to purchase a $1500.00 painting of the artist’s that she had seen hanging on a wall in a Cafe she visited

As a copy editor, the one thing I’ve noticed over the years is that everybody thinks that their spelling and grammar and punctuation are just fine. “Oh, you don’t have to do anything to my work,” they always say, sometimes with a smirk. “My mom’s always said that my writing was so good!” Well, guess what? Your mom lied. Your work needs editing.

Impulse sales are the backbone of most retail outlets and there is no reason and artist should not be prepared for such sales!

I need to Remind myself every step of the way that having a marketing plan is not just about making more money or more sales, it is also about taking care of my clients after their portrait commission

I don’t advocate pricing by time and materials, price is so much a part of the perceived value of art and that has to be taken into account.

There is a direct correlation between need and motivation. None of these artists had motivational issues. Excuses did not enter into this picture. They had families to feed, bills to pay and they were delighted to have buyers. None of them pondered the academic world of artist angst.