Art Biz Blog

Accomplishments in 2008 (and the lessons from writing it all out)

If you haven’t written down your accomplishments for the last year, please take time to do so. Here’s the newsletter on that topic. I’ve been hearing from people who have done this and are pleasantly surprised at their lists. I know you will be, too.

Upon request, and as a tradition, I will share my pared down list with you here.

What I got done this past year

Launched a new book in February. Ordered second printing in September.
Attended 18 (hope I’m not missing one!) Studio Tour book events in 6 states where I came into contact with more than 350 artists.
Appeared on 18 blogs as part of the IRBITS Blog Tour.
Sold more than 4,000 copies of I'd Rather Be in the Studio!

Launching the book was the most important thing I did for my business. It afforded me the opportunity to do the Studio Tour, Blog Tour, speaking engagements, and was a major source of income for me.

Presented 7 workshops in 6 states to about 234 artists.
Held 3 online classes and 3 Breakthrough Programs (The Artist Breakthrough Program was also launched in 2008).
Hosted 5 Insights teleseminars with 4 different guest artists.
Presented 3 teleseminars on my own: Create and Sell E-books, Curate and Install Your Art Exhibit, and Save Money & Generate Buzz (for smARTist).

Attracted more than 2500 new subscribers to the Art Marketing Action newsletter.
Newsletter started syndication on a blog in May.

Held 2 big sales: Summer audio sale (sold 92 CDs) and December book sale (sold about 380 books).

Created a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter and a stronger presence on LinkedIn.

Posted first business video on the Web: an invitation to my California workshop in February.

Worked with at least (I lose track!) 23 consulting clients one-on-one with coaching, marketing plans, artist statements, Web site evaluations, etc.

Formed 3-4 new, lasting business partnerships.

Started ArtBizCoach.com affiliate program.

Increased my sales income by more than 50%. (I don’t share this lightly or boastfully. I share it because I think you should be confident that you are reading and weighing advice from someone who is building a successful business.)
Paid off my debt.

Favorite exhibitions:
“In Contemporary Rhythm” (Ernest Blumenschein) at the Denver Art Museum (I always love seeing artist retrospectives and this was really a treat--and a surprise)
The Frida Kahlo exhibit and the permanent collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Maggie Taylor and Caroline Douglas at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Gallery

I invested in myself and my business in these ways

Attended a speaking voice class and then hired Maggie Roswell as my voice coach. (Hey, those podcasts have improved, haven’t they?!)
Hired a second virtual assistant.
Hired a bookkeeper (Hallelujah!).
Attended small workshops on writing and podcasting.
Benefited from listening to 28 teleseminars and one 7-week e-seminar.
Attended the Thin Air Summit (for social networking).
Attended Christine Kane’s North Carolina retreat in October.
Became part of new mastermind group with two other people and continued my women’s finance group with two others.

Read at least 13 books

Favorite fiction: A Thousand Splendid Suns (I can't say enough about how this book moved me!)
Favorite non-fiction: Three Cups of Tea
Favorite non-fiction business: Can't choose just one--they inspired me in different ways! Tribes, The Girl with a Gallery, and Yes!

What I realize from this list
Almost all of my travel was built around promoting the book.
I need to make time to see more art! I only went to 3 new museums (in 3 states). Am most anxious to see the Milwaukee Art Museum (which I visited before the new building) in March.
I want more people at my workshops. I already knew this, but if I'm going to travel all that way, I'd like to see more artists benefiting.
I’d like to create more and stronger business partnerships..

When in New Mexico

So much to do in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. So little time! But here’s a bit about how I spent last week.

I kicked off my stay in Albuquerque with a delicious dinner with an old friend at The Artichoke Café. Five stars ***** from me.

Stayed at my friends’ home in Sandia Park, which is northeast of Albuquerque on Highway 14. As I discovered, Highway 14 is the ONLY way one should travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. The natural beauty is breathtaking and you can stop (if you’re not pressed for time as I was) in the cute touristy town of Madrid.

On Wednesday morning I took Highway 14 (the Turquoise Trail) to Santa Fe and was almost late to talk about my book to a group of artists at Jaqueline Butler’s studio. Jackie lives in Lamy on the top of a hill with another breathtaking view. Her studio is impressive and perfect for a small meeting. If it hadn't been for the visit to her studio, I wouldn't have seen any art in Santa Fe. I know. I deserve a good whooping, but sometimes these things just don't work out. Next trip. (That's Jackie's painting Tulip ©The Artist.)

Later the same day, I held an audience of about 15 artists hostage at Artisan art supply store in Santa Fe. This was the first time I have ever done one of my events in a purely retail space. I’ve had them in galleries previously, but it was interesting talking to a group while others were in the store shopping. I guess I’d better get used to this since I do my first Barnes & Noble in Loveland, CO next month. Artisan seems to really take care of their artists and you should stop in when you're in Santa Fe.

Thursday was a full day in Albuquerque and I got to see a lot of art! I had coffee and lunch with marketing consultant Mary Ellen Merrigan, whom I have met virtually, but never before in the flesh. We had fun! And I can recommend The Flyingstar Café (a local coffee chain) and Annapurna ayurvedic restaurant.

Galleries I visited in Albuquerque: 516 Arts (if you're in the area, be sure to go listen to the Guerilla Girls--making an appearance Friday 11/21), Sumner & Dene, Matrix Fine Art, New Grounds Gallery (top drawer prints), Palette Contemporary Art & Craft. I met Jeannie Sellmer at Sumner & Dene and saw her lovely New Mexico landscapes. I was very happy to hear she had been planning to attend the book reception later in the day. So I got to see her twice! (That's Jeannie's Valley Sunset at right ©The Artist.)

The trip was capped off by a lovely reception at Chroma Studios, home base for Paula Manning-Lewis. A great group of artists showed up and I think I talked a bit too long. Everyone was standing and probably tired, but so many questions came up about the economy and marketing online. You should definitely stop by Chroma Studios and check out the artist studios there--especially if you’re looking for a place to hang your brush. (That's Paula's Grateful at left ©The Artist.)

LATE ADDITION: I almost forgot one of the most important things. You MUST listen to this album while driving through New Mexico:   Afterglow. It's the perfect music for the spiritual qualities of the high desert.

My code of ethics

I’m discussing artist ethics in tomorrow’s Art Marketing Action, which led me to think . . . I have a code of ethics, too! I’ve just never written them down. I’m still working on this, but this is what first popped into my head as my business code of ethics.

I pay all of my bills and invoices on time.

I attempt to meet or exceed the expectations of my clients.

I admit when I am wrong.

I meet all deadlines.

I do my best.

I acknowledge when I’m not able to help someone or don’t think I’m a good fit as a consultant. I provide alternative resources in these circumstances when I am able.

I am accepting of all art forms. Even when something isn’t my thing, I acknowledge its right to be created and someone else’s right to create or own it.

If someone sends me an unkind email, I delete it, remove them from my mailing list, and restrain myself from responding. That person is not my audience, but I know that a response from me won’t change his or her mind.

I try hard to find the kindest way to say something.

I do my best to make my clients and subscribers look good.

I credit every resource (including images) I use.

PINK for October

This blog has gone Pink for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I had to participate. And it was the perfect excuse to add pink to a business blog. Get your mammograms and remember your monthly breast exams. You can't be your best artist if you're worrying about your health. (Remember: men can get breast cancer, too!) Support the cause as best you can and Go Pink if you can.

Thanks to Deanna Wood for the heads up on this.

Upcoming book events in Tulsa and on the Western Slope

I had the pleasure of meeting members at the Greater Castle Rock Art Guild (one of the most organized artist groups I've been to!) last night.

That's Janene DiRico-Cable selling my book at right. It was a terrific bunch of artists and I truly appreciate the opportunity to spend time with them.

It was the first meeting of any kind that I can recall attending where someone was giving away a load of art. Sally Crain-Jager was moving to Santa Fe and lined the room with work she was giving away to anyone who wanted to take it home. Those are some of her canvases you see behind Janene. It was crazy! But also a wonderfully generous moment that she shared with her fellow artists.

Oh, yeah. I'll be doing a similar program at the Tulsa Artist Guild on September 16 and in Carbondale, Colorado on October 12.

Vacation highlights

Some of my favorite moments of the past 5 days.

1. Listening to This American Life podcasts in the car. (If you love this show, consider a donation. They need it to keep podcasting!)
2. Seeing "Get Smart" at the Majestic Theater in Crested Butte. I really liked this quirky movie.
3. Being able to take the two cats along. Crazy, but true.
4. Dinner at the new Django's restaurant on Mt. Crested Butte. So chic I thought I was in the middle of Manhattan. I got to sample small plates of Brussels sprouts (a favorite of mine, not of my husband's--so I got most of them), scallops, shrimp, stuffed peppers, and more. And, oh my, the blood orange sorbet is to die for.
5. Dinner at Timberline in Crested Butte. The sweet onions went perfectly with the salmon.
6. Watching the start of the Tour de France before we left yesterday morning.
7. The crazy, small-town 4th of July parade in Crested Butte.
8. Being able to watch fireworks from the living room window.
9. Coming home / watching The Quiet American on DVD last night.
10. The cool rain today.

Nothing about art in there. Sorry about that. And you? How did you spend the holiday?

My home office

I don't know what your home office is like, but mine is a lot like this Rhymes with Orange comic strip that appeared last week.

Images from Alabama

Just some quick pics of my visit to Fairhope, Mobile, and all around the two towns in Alabama.

An amazing structure in Fairhope. Now Storybook Guesthouse B&B. I'm just wild about architecturally significant structures. (See Sea Ranch Chapel.)

A sweet pooch who knew all about presentation and "owning" her space.

Some pics from the self-promotion workshop on Saturday. Artists were paired up to discuss their statements and 10-second introductions.

And me with some new friends. With Loran Chavez, who is part of a Mobile Art Biz Connection salon:

With Charlie Smoke (Mobile Arts Council) and Billie F. Goodloe.

With LaToya Brooks of the Women's Business Center (my host), who was gracious enough to take the photos above.

I don't know how I got away without a photo with my friend, Joanie Stephen. I stayed with Joanie and she shuffled me all around the area! I even got to go to the beach, where I found this gull:

What are you searching for?

You can really help me out here.

When you found me--or wanted to find someone like me--what were you searching for?

When you use Google to find something to help you with your art business, what terms do you use?

Examples:

art marketing
artist self-promotion
marketing resources
art business help
artist statement
art career advice

Those are just for ideas. What would you use or what have you used?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Contributions from IRBITS

The sales from the I'd Rather Be in the Studio! studio tour allowed me to send $835 to arts organizations and charities today. Thanks to everyone who attended one of my studio tour stops and purchased a book! I love giving money to worthy causes.