Without getting into the many (and by "many" I mean "an overwhelming amount of") technological and time-saving tidbits, I'll try to sum up for you the top five things I learned at the workshop this week with
Alyson Stanfield.
Keep in mind, I spent 12 hours in a room along with 40 other artists listening to our blonde-haired marketing guru and jotting down notes at breakneck speed.
These are the concepts that I plan to act upon that I feel will have the most profound effect on my future as an artist/business person. Some of these ideas are common sense and things I already knew, but it doesn't hurt to be beat over the head with them frequently.
1. I must first define success for myself in my own REAL terms. This almost always involves numbers (and I hate numbers)! This means setting specific goals, of course. But first I have to know where I want to be (called "creating a VISION")...then I can map out the steps to get there and set a realistic time line, always looking ahead to my immediate next step (called "writing a PLAN").
2. Words are how I connect my art to my audience. I need to identify the best words to describe my work and find effective ways to communicate them consistently (in writing, on the Internet, and in person). This starts with a kick-ass Artist's Statement, and follows with my web site, a newsletter, my blog, e-mails, etc...
3. As an artist, studio time is and always will be my number one priority.
4. As a business person, an organized, comprehensive, coded contact database is KEY and should also include an image database.
5. Keeping up with technology is fun, rewarding, NECESSARY, and does not need to take up a lot of time. I plan to amplify my web and social media presence by professionalizing my web site, adding more interest and fun to my blog, building community by strategically commenting on blogs and facebook, and "trying" Twitter (I know - aack! - but I'm going to try it). Then, I will set a timer on my Internet and stick to it.
In all, the workshop was, for me, and incredibly worthwhile investment. There's something very personally inspiring and motivating about learning in a workshop setting compared to reading the same concepts in a book or on the web. Do you agree?
Posted in Art Business. Updated 05/15/2010.
Share on
StumbleUpon, Delicious or Digg.
comments