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Now Online:
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New Classes & Class Recordings
Attract More Art Sales and Generate Cash Flow
Ten Tips for Success
as a Professional Artist
Anatomy of a Call to Artists
How to Catch a Greased Pig - Getting a Grip on Your Art Business
Sell My Art: Finding and Keeping Effective Representation
The Ins and Outs of Juried Shows
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| Words to ACT on: The DNA of a Productive Artist |
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 Sarah Kahn knows that artists do not like to feel blocked. It happens, even in doing something they love - producing art. It's why they come to see her when the muse seems to have gone away for too long. Sarah describes "being stuck" as loss of being productive.
"Artists are passionately drawn to the pursuit of meaning and beauty as a way to describe, express and document our experiences. This drive is our most trusted and loyal life-partner. If we are not in pursuit, searching, we are not alive." Artist and A.C.T. Creativity Mentor Sarah Kahn, L.I.C.S.W. www.sarahkahncollage.com, has made over 100 collages since 2004, and as of this year, over 41 pieces purchased.
Blocks come from not knowing what to do first or what to do next. This does not just apply to producing art. The same thing happens when it comes to promoting your art. That used to be true only for emerging artists, and artists in transition. These days even seasoned artists are going back to the drawing board on art marketing.
That is good news. There is no one right way to be a "successful artist". If the word success bothers you, substitute productive. No matter what you call it, you need a clear picture of what you want to achieve in exchange for a lot of hard work. You also need ways to turn this picture into your daily life.
 In the © A.C.T. Workshop "The Productive Artist", we define the DNA of a Productive Artist as a combination of Determination, Networking and Action.
~ D-etermination
If your momma didn't tell you there was going to be trouble doing what you love (and that the money would not always follow right away), you know by now. Being who you are, you would probably not be happy if you chose the roads she suggested. It starts with focus and knowing what you want from your art. Determination overcomes obstacles.
~ N-etworking
Social networks existed long before the Internet. Artists who know how to build relationships in person and electronically have the advantage. "Marketing is a series of conversations designed to build a bridge between you, your art and your audience." Networking expands your art audience and our business connections.
~ A-ction
Action is the only way to get results. It does not have to be a lot, but it must be consistent. You can break down the biggest projects into 15 minute chunks. Most artists love the action of making art most of the time. Being a "Productive Artist" means embracing both the making and the marketing with the same creative mind, so that you can keep doing what you love and have some money follow.
Here's an alphabet of action ideas to get your own list going:
A. Act: Act on what matters most each day, in all areas of your life.
B. Build: Build art business habits and routines that you will actually use.
C. Communicate: Communicate daily with someone about your art.
D. Deliver: Do what you say and deliver whatever you promise on time and budget.
E. Expand: Expand your exposure by adding at least one new venue each year.
F. Finish: Finish what you start and go one step further by following up.
G. Grow: Grow yourself, your art budget and your art business by 10% each year.
H. Help: Help other artists by sharing what you know from experience about the art world.
I. Inventory: Inventory your work and your skills to build your confidence.
J. JumpStart: JumpStart even monumental projects with any step, no matter how small.
K. Know: Know yourself, your audience, your art, your art business and your limits.
L. Link: Link with compatible partners on the ground and on the Internet.
M. Multiply: Multiply your results through people who are centers of influence.
N. Negotiate: Negotiate for what you want by first knowing what others can give.
O. Organize: Organize by having a place for everything and everything in its place.
P. Price: Price your work to sell and raise your prices methodically.
Q. Qualify: Qualify projects and people to see if they meet your goals before you start or can no longer exit with grace and dignity.
R. Repeat: Repeat your promotional message at least 7 - 10 times in different media.
S. Simplify: Simplify your art, administration and art marketing; eliminate "busyness".
T. Track: Track everything to see what is working and not working. You get what you measure.
U. Under-promise: Under-promise and over-deliver for less stress and more client delight.
V. Verify: Verify that what you see is what you get, especially when you are doing business on the Internet.
W. Work: Work so that you honor your creative rhythms and your business deadlines.
X. X-Ray: Xamine closely the career armature of artists you admire.
Y. Yearn: Yearn for the dream and take action on that attraction.
Z. Zoom: Zoom in on the end result and ask yourself: "Are the activities I am about to do going to lead me there or distract me?
Not sure where to start? What is your favorite letter?
Just take one at a time for 2 weeks. In a year, you will be amazed at what you can learn. |
Artist Career Training TeleClasses to Help You Build a Better Living From Your Art
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 ©
"Ten Tips for Success
as a
Professional Artist":
Aletta de Wal
describes the foundations of a
successful art business. Find out what
Artist Career Training members already know -
how to market your art to get more
exposure and sales.
Date & Time: Thursday Sept. 4th,
2008
3:00 p.m. Pacific; 6:00 p.m. Eastern
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: Listen from the comfort of
your studio by telephone conference call
Price: You pay us nothing! All
you need is an hour, a good long distance
plan and a land line.
"It's interesting because yesterday, while
I was sitting out in the parking lot waiting
for my daughter and her tai kwon do class, I
finally had the time to sit down and start
working on the chapter three booklet that we
got. I was working on my statement about what
I do...and it really started to flow nicely.
I had visions of the sort of success another
artist just experienced and I find this to be
a lovely way to continue that wonderful
feeling of accomplishment. Thank you indeed
to ACT and to you for sharing this
accomplishment."
Just excellent!
Christine Wasankari
"Paintings that represent the integrity and
power of the natural world" www.wasankari.com
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In the End: Can You Be a More Productive Artist?
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What help could you use?
If you are an emerging artist, A.C.T.
One is the
place to start. If you already have an art business and
want to pace yourself, we also have a 12 to
24-month
pathway in the combination of A.C.T.
101: Starting Your Art Business and A.C.T.
201: Developing Your Art Business. And if you are already established, we
have a group of peers just for you in A.C.T.
301: Mastering Your Art Business.
We have classes, books and knowledgeable
experts and generous artists waiting for you.
What are you waiting for? A.C.T.
now! At Artist Career Training, we
emphasize these 7
dynamic factors in the formula "Exposure =
Success!".
- Creating a signature body of
work
- Polishing a professional
public persona
- Managing a qualified mailing
list
- Photographing and documenting
all work
- Generating publicity for
multiple events
- Leveraging art business
relationships
- Marketing art in person and in
all media
Don't let this practical information pass
you by. You have nothing to lose, and
everything to
gain because this no-cost and low-cost art
marketing wisdom works for professional
artists. It
will work for you. We guarantee it.
Learn how to build your art
business:
Classes By Phone
- Ten
Tips for Success as a Professional Artist
Articles, Opinions and Recordings
- www.ArtBusinessLibrary.com
Aletta de Wal, M. Ed, Director & Artist
Advisor,
Direct line: (650) 917-1225 Pacific time
www.ArtistCareerTraining.com
aletta@artistcareertraining.com
"We help you build a better living from
your Art."
Artist Career Training is here to give you
knowledge and support. We gather all the
information you need to market your art and
build your art career so that you can make
money and get back to doing what you love -
making more art.
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© 2008 Artist Career Training.
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