Comments on: The Second Step to Getting an Assistant

By: Pamela Wamala

Pamela Wamala — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:03:53 +0000

I am able to accomplish so much more now that I am asking for/hiring help. The concept of hiring help for business related tasks seemed like such a reach for all the reasons you mention. After several years of working as a full time artist I recently starting hiring help and receiving some volunteer assistance.

One of my goals for 2011 was to join constant contact and start sending a monthly e-newsletter to my contacts. The task seemed daunting, primarily due to the data entry required to set up. This task ended up being a chore I hired someone to do for me! Whoa – how wonderful! Because I hired help I was set up before the close of 2010 – well ahead of my set goal.

My second recent experience is related to the Elder Art Workshops I facilitate. In 2009 I designed a program which serves elders in nursing homes. The Elder Art Initiative has now grown to serve 7 nursing homes in my area. I rely heavily on volunteer and paid assistance to provide this service. The help with the material preparation allows me a strike a balance between my fine art studio time and the Elder Art Initiative Program. To see a video documentation of the program visit YouTube and search “Elder Art Initiative.”

By: Marie Solon Coerver

Marie Solon Coerver — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:54:14 +0000

So many colleges are requiring students to do internships – an idea. Photographing my art is a problem – I’m not very good at it. I’m debating investing in better equipment (and maybe some lessons) or pay a photography student to do it. I don’t pack & ship myself – there’s a place nearby that does that. I agree that a housekeeper would be the biggest help of all – maybe when my sales are more consistent.

By: business buzz 7-10-10

business buzz 7-10-10 — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:02:53 +0000

[...] The Second Step to Getting an Assistant – Feeling overwhelmed and finally decided you need help? Alyson Stanfield helps you figure out what to delegate. [...]

By: Smaller Box :: Blog :: Link Love: The Most Valuable Small Biz Articles Posted This Week

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:40:38 +0000

[...] ArtBiz Blog’s Article on Gettin an Assistant [...]

By: Rebecca Crowell

Rebecca Crowell — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:23:31 +0000

Alyson, she will do some computer work but not high-tech, just data entry for my website and inventory. She will also take on some special projects that I don’t seem to find time for, such as researching galleries and museums, and updating the blog on which I sell my older work. I haven’t made out a list yet, but I can think of a lot of stuff off the top of my head.

I’m glad to know I was in the right range when I came up with $10/hr. I think that if she arranges for any direct sales of my work she should also get a commission.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:09:18 +0000

Yes! I pay extra for FedEx to come pick up at my house because the $10-12 is worth the 35 min roundtrip it would take me to make. You have to cost this stuff out.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:08:20 +0000

Rebecca: I know a lot of artists who pay their assistants $10/hour. What will your assistant do for you? I think a virtual assistant who knows more about online/techy stuff will be $35-50/hour.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:07:15 +0000

Lynne: This is so important. Then you have those notes forever–as assistants come and go.

By: Alyson Stanfield

Alyson Stanfield — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:06:36 +0000

It just seemed appropriate since it’s the start of the Tour de France. Of course, we won’t see that beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower until the last day of the Tour. Thanks for sharing it with us, Andrea.

By: Patricia C Vener

Patricia C Vener — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:03:10 +0000

There are quite a few tasks I’d love to be able to delegate. Can I think of them off the top of my head? No, so I am going to start writing them down. That said, there is one task I’d rather pay to have done if I could afford it: house cleaning! Nonetheless, most of what I’d probably need done are tasks better suited to an office assistant or a Virtual Assistant – and I can’t afford one yet. I don’t have enough sales yet to hire someone to help with packing (and shipping) but I look forward to the day when I do.

I better get to that list!

Patricia C Vener
redesigning http://vener-art.com/beadblog/