Art Biz Blog

Book recommendations for wealth and finance

I'm no expert here, but these are four books that I have found useful in our financial support group.

Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach
It is in this book that Bach explains the latté factor and what it means for your savings. I have three Bach books on my shelf and I find them quite similar (there's another lesson about making money in that fact alone!).

The Energy of Money by Maria Nemeth, Ph.D.
I haven't gotten as much out of this book as I can. We started reading it, but never got around to discussing the whole thing. The subtitle is "A Spiritual Guide to Financial and Personal Fulfillment," which--along with the main title--pretty much tells you about its approach.

Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny
Real-life stories of women who have made six-figure incomes and how they did it.

 Relax into Wealth by Alan Cohen
The subtitle says "How to get more by doing less." Rather than spotlight formulas and strategies, Cohen focuses on hearth, faith, and vision. Overcoming limiting beliefs is a big part of his message.

If reading books about wealth and money makes your stomach churn, stick with a good art read. We're finishing up the Twitter de Kooning book club, but you can still get in on some of the action.

Bookkeeping and inventory software

My recent series on finances has brought up the question: “What software do you recommend for keeping track of my art work and having the correct information for tax purposes?”

What you need are two different pieces of software: one for your inventory and mailing list database and another for your financial records.

Based on feedback I receive from artists, I speculate that these are the top three inventory-mailing list databases. They will keep track of your inventory, sales, and contacts.

1. Flick!
2. eArtist
3. Bento (Mac only)

Both Flick! and eArtist are formatted for artist use. Bento is like “FileMaker Light” and requires formatting, but I’m told it’s quite user-friendly. There are other options, but I narrowed down your choices based on what I'm hearing in the field.

7/6/09 Update per Ron's comment. I should have been more specific in the above paragraph. Bento is not an art management platform, but a general database. Therefore, it requires significant formatting--unlike the others here. Because of this, you can use it for all of your database needs-not just for your art inventory or contacts. Also, because of this, you can personalize it and make it look however you like.

See these related posts:

Things to look for in software
Database software for artists (list)

As I say in I’d Rather Be in the Studio! “Most of these options can handle every aspect of your art business except the detailed financial reports that a program like QuickBooks can provide.” (page 17)

So, for financial records, I recommend QuickBooks, although many people are very happy with Quicken. If you have a bookkeeper or accountant, I’d certainly ask them for their advice in this area before you purchase bookkeeping software. You want to be able to share files easily.

Podcast: Design your PowerPoint presentation

There will come a time when you’re asked to talk about your art--with slides. The design of your digital presentation should put the focus on your art. Listen to tips for designing and perfecting your PowerPoint presentation.

[6:02]

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More on This Topic

Art Marketing Action newsletter (a written version of this podcast)

Resources to help you conquer your fear of public speaking

First-time speaking advice from another artist

Speak Up!

I’d Rather Be in the Studio! (pages 53-67)

→Instructions for subscribing to the Art Marketing Action podcast on iTunes.

Podcast: Get people to sell your art for you

An affiliate program can reward your fans and encourage them to promote your art.

[4 min. 16 sec.]

Extras

These resources are mentioned in the podcast:

Chris Bolmeier shares her guidelines for her affiliate program.

John T. Unger uses E-Junkie affiliate links and has extensive instructions.

I use a sophisticated shopping cart system for my affiliate program.

I found a great article on how to start an affiliate program, which has plenty of resources for you.

Prefer reading to listening? Check out the Art Marketing Action newsletter.

Subscribe to the Art Marketing Action podcast at iTunes.
Instructions for subscribing to this podcast.

Increases in shipping rates

Ship much art?

I use FedEx Ground a lot and admit to being slightly oblivious to all the charges and where they come from. Through a partnership program that I belong to (through a publishing organization), I learned of the enormous increases in shipping rates for 2009.

They say an average of 5.9%, but that's just an average. In some zones, it's much more.

With DHL no longer doing business in the US, sometimes our only options for larger shipments are FedEx and UPS. Here are the details about the rate increases from my partnership program, which seem as though they'll be applicable to you as well.

Productivity CD available / Estes Park workshop update

Road to Peak Productivity CD Available

Last week’s smash teleseminar is now available on CD. I fielded lots of fan mail from teleseminar participants who raved over what they learned from Leslie Shreve, my guest. Leslie demonstrated how to create systems to better manage your task lists.

Get the details.

Estes Park Workshop Update

It was a gorgeous spring-like day in Colorado last Saturday when I got in my Mini and drove to Estes Park to check out the site for the May 2-3 workshop.

Two words: HOLY COW!

Here are some things I learned.

1. We’re adding $10 on to the price of the workshop so I can bring in a catered lunch on Saturday. The meal facilities are too far away from the workshop site to let you leave at the lunch hour. With all of the natural beauty around, I’m afraid you wouldn’t return!

Sunday’s session dismisses at noon, so a catered lunch isn’t necessary on that day.

2. You might want to arrive a day early and enjoy some peaceful time alone in the mountains. Or, do some gallery-hopping and museum-ing in Denver. I'll be able to point you in the right directions.

3. I need to set up a users’ group for participants--especially those of you who are coming from far away. I’ll be doing that soon in case you want to carpool from the airport or share lodging.

4. I understand that there is an airport shuttle that goes straight to the Y.

5. The YMCA of the Rockies is HUGE! More than 300 acres! I had no idea. Facilities out the wazoo. And the views! Wow! But there are so many choices for lodging that it’s kind of confusing. I get the feeling that the facilities are all very similar, but you either have to drive everywhere or wear comfortable hiking (walking) shoes. The roads are dirt/gravel in a lot of places.

6. Still looking for a place for a Friday-night kickoff reception/party. May have to be in my cabin.

Bottom line: We’re gonna have fun!

Mailing through USPS online is a life saver

For those of you in the US, the post office can be a life saver. I send all of my books (which way over a pound) via US Priority Mail. Here’s how it works.

1. I order free FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAIL envelopes from the USPS Web site. I also order FLAT RATE PRIORITY MAIL boxes in which I can send multiple copies of the book. Both take 7-10 business days to be delivered, so order them early.
2. My assistant inputs recipients’ names and addresses in the USPS online address book. She’s in Vermont, so this online thing works for us! By the way, you don't need an assistant. It's very easy to do yourself and I often add addresses on my own. As far as I can tell, other online postage systems charge a fee AND require software. With USPS, it’s all done online.
3. (I stuff the books into plastic bags to protect them and insert into the envelopes.)
4. I print the postage onto labels, which I get at OnlineLabels.com. When I print postage online, I save 5 whole cents. And, incidentally, the same envelopes can be used for international shipping. It just requires more postage.
5. I request a home (or office) pick-up online. This must be done by 2 a.m., which is no problem since I’m into a deep sleep by then. The form asks me my name, pick-up location, phone number, number of packages and total weight.
6. The next morning, I put my shipment on the front porch and they pick it up.

So . . .

• You get free envelopes
• You save a little on postage
• You get free pick-up at your home

If you don’t use this system and were to mail any package over 12 ounces, you would have to go to your local Post Office window because anything over 12 ounces has to be hand-stamped by them. BUT . . .  you don’t have to worry about this with online postage and home pick-up.

Create a Web album at Picasa

Check out this cool Web album (generated by Picasa) on Hilary Pfeifer's blog. It's a documentation of "Bunnywood," her current show at the Portland Museum of Contemporary Craft. It looks like a terrific way to share your images on your blog and create a more dynamic page. Hopefully, it's easy, too! (Too bad the museum's page isn't nearly as interesting. You'd never know about the richness of the installation if you visited their site.)

Hilary was my guest last month for one of the INSIGHTS sessions. We talked about production work vs. fine art, artist residencies, and the twenty years she has been making  a living as an artist. Read about it.

Save $60 on audio programs for building your art career

LAST CHANCE to save $60!

Do it now before you turn into a pumpkin! OFFER expires at midnight on Halloween.

Ariane Goodwin over at smARTist is running the Last-Sale-Ever-Discount for the smARTist 2008 Audio Program with Complete Handouts. Here is a taste of the programs you'll get:

• Create Strategic Alliances to Sell Your Art (with Mark Silver)
• How to Generate Buzz & Save Money on a Shoestring Budget (with yours truly)
• 12 Great Career-Building Habits That Every Artist Needs to Know (with Eric Maisel)
• The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Art Buyers and Collectors (with Joan Stewart)

And LOTS more.

Why the big sale?    
Because it's their last 'hip hip hurrah!' before the 3rd annual smARTist™ 2009 launches in November.

Remember: To get this great deal, you have to purchase by midnight (PT) on Friday, October 31.

Read the details.

Preparing for hurricane season

Hurricane season is upon us. Sadly, this is a little late for some, but it's never too late to prepare for an emergency.

AXA Art Insurance Corporation put out a publication in 2006 to help you prepare for a hurricane. I imagine it is still very timely.

Sending good thoughts to all of you along the Gulf Coast.