by Linda | May 13, 2011 | my creative journal
I realize the title is not exactly professional business-sounding. But I think it does illustrate the fact that marketing is such a fuzzy wuzzy topic for many creatives. I mean, we sort of know what it means and people think of advertising perhaps. But seriously it gets blurry as you start to talk about branding and such. These past few weeks have been slow on my creative business front and honestly I have just been lazy and fearful. After getting my media kit ready, I outlined some weekly marketing tasks for myself and even started a list of people to contact and things to do. But I soon found myself afraid to take those steps and feeling like there were all these obstacles in my way.
Even though the weeks have passed, I haven’t approached any blogs or submitted my work anywhere. I am still so afraid of rejection, of being ignored…imagining that reviewers would see my stuff and just laugh out loud. The thought makes me shudder and I already feel so small and meek. It’s amazing how one could feel so proud and energized one moment, then down in the dumps and so vulnerable the next moment. I am a crazy pendulum of emotions aren’t I? I allowed myself time to think and calm my nerves.
Marketing is simply about promoting myself. People have to know of me to do business and perhaps buy my products. There are many different ways to accomplish “getting out there,” of course. What about this branding talk? I like how BAM puts it… it’s simply your reputation. So everything you do contributes to your reputation as a creative business. Just make sure you are living up to who you want to be in everything you do, create and offer. Okay, that all makes sense to me and my lists of tasks help to get my name out and designs out there into the world. Obviously, I need to try them out to see what works the best. What attracts the most people to my blog or converts people to support me through my shops, etc. Okay, so I obviously am okay with the concepts and tasks…it’s just the fear stopping me in my tracks, so I’ll never figure out what works.
I am finding it really hard to overcome the fear of failure and rejection. Even though I can tell myself that I am no worse off if nothing becomes of my efforts. I guess, it would just be a blow to my ego. It’s always personal when someone dismisses your work. Let’s be honest here…especially with creative work, you can’t just say business is business. It’s amazingly difficult to me to not feel anything. I suppose you always feel something, it’s just learning how to deal with the fact that not everyone will like you – no matter what. Just as how not everyone is your friend in life. Oh, woe is the reality of things…the sting of rejection will never cease to exist. But it thankfully the pain passes over time. I suppose I just need to stock up on Snickers bars for comfort food!
Besides staring out into the countryside and pondering a lot this week, I did start a Greeting Card Universe Shop, but the review times take so long, I lost my momentum. I should not have let it stop me in my tracks…I know. However, I do like that the community is active there and I’m able to see my work on greeting cards…something I just adore – practically collect them! I plan to purchase my own card designs, so in a way it’s like a printer service so that my correspondence also promotes my own work. That’s one way to spread the word…just live and breathe your own work. Don’t think it’s presumptuous to use your own stuff and talk about it – something I am slowly learning to do. It’s about having pride for your work, not aggressively shoving it into the faces of others. 😛
I also revived my digital stamp shop, finally figuring out how to use Zen cart. Another thing I need to figure out is how to make all my work cross-over properly. I love papercrafting, but often the audience is completely different for those who like scrapbooking and cardmaking. That’s why I have a completely different blog BacktoPaper for those interests and in a way it’s like living two lives 🙂 I certainly need to focus, but I don’t want to lose all those other things I seriously enjoy doing. I simply can’t focus in the sense of reducing down my number of passions. I can’t fight my nature, but I also realize I can’t do it all. I am always in the quest for balance and sometimes I think it is a wobbly adventure – you just move a bit here and there to stay balanced. So I really need to get my butt into gear and act upon my marketing tasks…not just researching and making plans. After getting the foundations of your business complete, you must go forward creating and marketing – always! Although I still feel the butterflies when thinking about submitting my work…I think I have found the courage in myself, my support groups and ultimately my thirst for success – to take the leap – no matter what. I hope to report back next week with much more progress. Ciao ciao!
by Linda | May 9, 2011 | my creative journal
If you follow the blog, you might have noticed me going through lots of ups and downs. I’m certainly progressing in some respects, but often feel stuck as well.
Of course, obstacles in art and life in general, help us to grow. I think challenges force us to find a way through it…so we have to learn something new, change and/or adapt to the times ultimately. I guess it’s just a way of thinking. When you come upon obstacles, think about how they can contribute to your journey as you go along. You might be facing a huge brick wall, but how can you break through, go around or climb over it to continue onward?
If you think about it in a Zen kind of way, I suppose these blocks or hurdles along the path, slow us down a bit so we can access the situation around us. Winding our way along a unique path, sometimes we might steer a bit this way or that, adjusting our course to the times. Sometimes you go a bit backward to go around a different bend. It actually makes sense and certainly doesn’t seem like such a grave situation when you step back and think of your journey in that way. You aren’t really stuck…just stopping a moment to reflect.
I’ve been feeling a bit silly posting about my ups and downs here on the blog. I guess I’ve been worrying a bit. I mean, some might think I’m just a crazy, overdramatic or oversensitive person. Not everyone shares the same amount of information through their blogs…I just happen to share a lot of troubles as well as creative work and ideas, because when my mind is full, it helps me to write it out. There are many who blog just positive stuff and successes, when they are feeling good. No issues with that, but I find blogging about my troubles helpful to me and I hope that my little revelations – if you can call it that – help others as well. I don’t think there’s an artist out there that doesn’t admit to having fears and doubts about their work. I guess, I’m just putting it out there. I don’t claim to know it all and sort of want to show that it’s okay to be a bit up and down. To be learning still, growing still, figuring it all out still. I am still in the beginnings of my journey, maybe that is why it’s a bit rocky…but maybe it will always be this way. I don’t know yet and I shouldn’t have to worry about it. Maybe life is this way, but people just don’t point it out. Perhaps, the more experience you have, the more you are able to handle your emotions and feelings. Maybe it isn’t a big deal anymore after a while?
Pondering about my specific obstacles and fears these days, I ultimately realized that it was all in my head. All these worries are elaborate imaginary circumstances that I have created. Or perhaps my Inner Critic has created. If my art sucks then I’m not going to be recognized or sell or succeed in any way and I’m going to die a sad little undiscovered soul…boo hoo. I’m totally reminded of a high school friend who was plagued by the what if scenarios of life. And because these obstacles are imaginary they actually are difficult to resolve. How can you resolve something that isn’t real?! I had to remind myself of the passion I have in my dreams and to just do it. I often rant on about to others…just doing it…because I feel like so many great things are lost because people just don’t take action. A great idea pops up, but they don’t even try and accept failure. I suppose my gung-ho nature is really American can-do. I love that.
So the main take-away thoughts in my mind today…as I scurry along my creative journey:
- I know that I’m not alone in my feelings. And somehow, knowing that makes me feel a bit better.
- I know that my fears are not valid and just stuff I’ve conjured up in my mind. So obviously I can’t solve something that isn’t even a real problem.
- I know that I have issues with uncertainty. I am still a practical person and I’ve always done things I’m sure of. So much confidence that I am sure it will work or I will succeed. Even though…I didn’t really KNOW know… anything could have happened. So it was all about confidence to get me into action, that’s all. There was really no certainty. It was confidence to just do.
- I have failed before and it certainly didn’t feel good. But I’m okay now and I can actually note how those failures turned into a different success or opportunity. Concrete examples. So…failure is actually productive – imagine that?! I have to remind myself of those good things, because we often only remember the horrible tragic failure parts…silly Inner Critic! Just shut up!
- So when I think of my mega fears the possible worst outcomes…it doesn’t seem so freaky anymore.
- Instead I think of best outcomes and that is certainly motivation.
- Fears are not valid obstacles because they are just that…fears…not real stuff. Made-up stuff.
- It takes a bit of pep talk to get through it all, so find yourself support. Everyone needs motivation and everyone needs a little bit of cheering up at times.
I guess that writing on my blog is a bit of support for myself. Getting it out there. Thanks.
by Linda | May 4, 2011 | my creative journal
Although I’m definitely making progress with my creative business 101 journey, secretly setting up some things in the background related to marketing this week…I’ve also been a bit disappointed in myself at the same time. There’s so much more I could do – connections to be made, barriers to break and work to be created in the end. Does one ever feel satisfied of oneself? Okay, maybe that’s a silly question because we must in some sense… but I’m always plagued with this idea of not having enough time and wanting to get more done…and done NOW! I suppose these thoughts stem from looking at my pile of random works…
For some reason, these works are on loose papers, not doodlings or ideas written in my art journals. Just pieces floating around from experiments and random musings. Maybe I had a flash of inspiration or wanted to try something out. I haven’t thrown them away, but don’t know what to do with them at the same time. So it’s all stuffed in a file folder, stacked here or there. What a mess!
Do you have work that is just lying around? I’ve pondered throwing it all away, because perhaps it’s just a burden…I should be moving on to the next thing. But then I wonder if I should bind it as an art journal…for inspiration at a later time or just for keeping like other journals. I’m not one that often flips through my old journals, so I’m not sure if it is worth it. I’m just not sure…still growing and changing all the time as an artist. But it started bothering me for some reason…seeing the stack of unfinished work. Things that could have been something…but now are just nothing. Does this even make sense?
I suppose if your work is creative, but you have fun with creative work at the same time, it can be challenging to create with no end in purpose. With no product in mind, you are just playing…but then it also seems like you are not working and that just doesn’t sit right. Again, plagued by the thought that I should be working more because I’m so far from my goals perhaps. Sure we have to play a little, but seeing a huge of stack of play versus no stack of work…well, I guess it got to me. I let myself play because that is part of the freedom of working at home and building your own business. So I ended up just played more…taking my old watercolor girl cut-outs and collaged them into pieces.
I don’t know why I can’t shake this negative feeling of having unfinished stuff. Not being able to move on as I want to. I want results darnit! Even though in creative work people always say you shouldn’t think about that. But if it’s your job, it’s sort of necessary. There’s got to be a balance between creative floofy lovey dovey stuff and the business practical I need to eat thing. 🙂
Balance…that’s what I need. It still plagues me…or perhaps that is too strong of a word. But to this day I still remember one of professors writing in my final critique that I need to find balance. Jeepers…I am I so apparently imbalanced?
Even thought I allowed myself to play it all out, after collaging madly, the girls still don’t seem finished to me. More unfinished work play whatever…
It was definitely fun and I still like looking at them. It’s cute, they are cute…oo…ahh… but in the end, yet again, random floating pieces just lying on my desk.
I should note that the photos are all perspective distorted because I snapped photos of them at an angle on my desk. They look wonky, eh? Well, besides confirming the fact that I get glue just about everywhere when breaking out that bottle, I also learned that my watercolor girls started bleeding when the gel medium got brushed on top. I also noticed that the dried glue I smeared all over gives an interesting resist texture. Finally, I realized this uber heavy painting paper by Fabriano is lovely to paint on. I suppose this week, I just learned some new things…so it’s not all play after all. Sigh. Well, I hope everyone is having a great week and progressing in one way or another! Until next time…ciao ciao.
by Linda | May 4, 2011 | DIY printables
I had posted a doodle of mine on Flickr and it seems people thought it was a pretty cute drawing! I thought it would be nice to turn it into a digistamp, so we could all have a bit of fun with it. I’ve had hats on my mind lately…doodling hats on all my ladies. It’s probably because of the Royal Wedding and seeing the Brits out with their hat fashions! 🙂 Hope you enjoy this free digistamp and please direct your crafty friends over here to download it and play along.
Download Hat Lady Digistamp ZIP
by Linda | May 3, 2011 | my creative journal
Even though I’m not one of those crazy fans, I did catch a tiny bit of the royal wedding broadcast and in the end was more fascinated by the hats! It’s a British thing, right? Well, I think it’s cute and totally inspiring. I started to doodle hats on girls…I suppose previously I had done this on birdie drawings as well…so hats are just in my doodling repertoire 🙂
These days I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, reflecting and doodling. Not much in terms of finished work which is disheartening in some respects. I am one to get totally jazzed and inspired by something…but it doesn’t always lead to a finished product. I guess…that’s the case with most people out there who are trying to “make it” in this world. Ugh! What a thought…
by Linda | Apr 30, 2011 | DIY printables
Oftentimes, designers have odds and ends of partial designs lying around…and I usually just forget about them. Maybe something was started but went in the wrong direction for a specific project or maybe certain elements were created and that was all…no more inspiration for some reason. I had some items that I thought would be nice to share out as a freebie, instead of having it sit on my computer. It’s sort of a minikit, for hybrid cardmaking or a digital layout. I hope you will enjoy this Light Spring Freebie by yours truly…
Download Light Spring MiniKit Freebie ZIP file
Some pretty papers and a few elements to play around with this weekend…and I called it Light Spring because of the color scheme. It’s happy Springy…but not so bright really. Please share a link to this post with your friends and if you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter to get all the printables and latest news!
by Linda | Apr 29, 2011 | my creative journal
Woohoo! So I’ve completed my digital media kit after a few weeks of toiling away and editing a word here or there. It’s finally complete, at least for now. I realize that over time it will be added to…but I’ve got the bare bones minimum with a set of new photos ready for sharing. I had a really long photo session with myself earlier this week and seriously it was getting annoying to stare at myself…LOL! When it came to editing, I realized so many details and little things that were off…lots of cropping, adjusting…whew! Maybe it is best to go professional at times, but for now, I’m pretty happy with the results that I have…my guerilla way with DIY. It will do and I think it is a proper reflection of me at this point in time. I have to mention again that Tara Reed’s Press Friendly Artist ebook really helped to push me to get it done. It was so helpful to see her example kit and get the step by step rundown of press related items.
So with media kit in hand, I’m starting off with my marketing tasks. They are supposed to be weekly, but I am a bit late for this week already. Yes, time flies, we all understand, but I suppose it’s no excuse either. Hmph! I haven’t yet gotten the hang of it…but I have been doing research and making notes, so it’s just a matter of buckling down and getting it done. First, I have to write up my intro email to bloggers. It’s just a matter of getting out there, in front of people’s eyes. I’m absorbing in the wonderful articles from Modish biztips about how to approach blogs and the mega list of blogs. I now think that I should update my Etsy shop…because although I am targeting licensing clients and just want to be more known in the design and art community…I also want to promote my original work and offer things directly to consumers. It’s that personal connection that makes spreading my work more fun. Another item to add to the list!
I’ve also been looking at art competitions and calls out there to participate in. Again, another way to get myself out there, get connected with people in the industry and just plain fun when it comes to creating and sharing my work. I’ve noticed that most competitions require entry fees and although I understand it takes a lot of work to organize shows and juried competitions, I also have no experience and wondering if it’s all worth it. I suppose the key is to find those that fit me perfectly…but does anyone else have experience with this kind of thing – can you share? I wonder if the fee amount would be put to better use in direct advertising or submission to exhibition sites like paper n stitch. Hmm. I’ve learned that we simply have to find our audience, our niche, our community out there… but I suppose there’s no way to know at times but to try? There’s nothing like trial and error 🙂 At times I do feel a bit lonely…trying to find my place in this big world…oh how we can feel so small and meek at times! Where are my people?! I don’t know if it sounds presumptuous to think there are people out there, who would be MY people… but I do truly believe it…the fact that we just have to find our audience. I suppose believing that they are out there keeps me going, too.
Of course, top priority is to submit to manufacturers for licensing consideration. I have a mega list, but it’s been challenging to decide if I should create collections with a manufacturer in mind or just submit my current work. Sometimes there’s a feeling to the style, but other times there’s a mix of styles and I’m just not sure if we would be a fit. I’m also considering certain submission sites that might get my name and work out there as well. Sometimes manufacturers see independent artists on Zazzle or Cardstore and recruit in that way. I suppose in the end, there’s no harm in trying. I just saw the weeble wobble artist video tip by Tara Reed and it made me realize that I have to squash the fear of rejection that lingers in my mind. I am certain that it prevents me from stepping out of my comfort zone. I used to only do things that I KNEW would be a success…and it’s taken me lots of time to slowly open up a bit, step by step…not worrying about failure. Whew…we all know that it will pass and that it’s okay to fail, because it’s part of the learning process…but we still feel the fear. I’m still working on conquering the fear…
So I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! I will be spending some time working away at my marketing tasks and trying to get it a part of my routine! Ciao ciao!
by Linda | Apr 25, 2011 | my creative journal
My last post was on building a media kit and I’m happy to report I’ve made much progress! Having written a whole lot about myself, talk about pumping your ego LOL 🙂 I’ve decided to give my writing a few days to marinate. It’s always good to read over what you’ve written a few days later for a fresh perspective. In terms of photos, turns out that a family gathering doesn’t set the scene for taking photos…so I’ll be planning a photo shoot for tomorrow instead. Just me, myself and I! In the meantime, as I continue to plan out my marketing and promotion tasks, I started to think about time management for the creative. How certain tasks can be forced upon us with discipline, but others cannot, like creativity and inspiration…how does that work with scheduling? Can it really be scheduled?
Time management seems to be the most talked about and most lamented about topic. Sometimes I puzzle over the fact that I was able to manage peoples’ time as a job, but unable to do it for myself so well. I often feel overloaded and overwhelmed with my own schedule and it really makes me angry, giving me this unsettling feeling. I wondered why it would be easier to manage a team schedule. As the manager of a team, I was able to deflect lower priority tasks and push things around to ensure that crucial threads of work continued. I also restructured a lot of projects and broke them down into many phases, in order to meet certain deadlines. So something was complete, but more would be added at a later date. I suppose in part it was a political position too, negotiating to make a request fit with time that we had available. Hmm, I guess for my personal projects, I can’t see so clearly in black and white. All my creative work is important to me and I tend to just go with the energy and momentum of the moment. I don’t want to lose the drive when there’s a spark of inspiration. It’s always difficult to sort out priorities when you are in the trenches. I think I understand that now. Of course, doesn’t help when every client says they need this or that ASAP as well. Or perhaps the famous…“we needed this done yesterday…”
Realizing that I simply have a more taxing schedule this year, I attempted to figure out this time management thing for myself. I guess it’s also part of growing up and living here in Italy that has altered my time management. Being in a household with other folks means you have less alone time and more family responsibilities. Chores and all kinds of happenings that interject into the day. I’m sure all the moms out there can relate. Whether you have kids of not, having to run a household or care for people puts the same stresses on your schedule. I need to balance things out for myself, because I don’t want to get grumpy and frustrated when dinnertime comes along and I happen to be in the midst of creating something wonderful. I hate being interrupted.
It seems so straightforward – just schedule your time with the projects you must complete…block it all off. There are plenty of fancy programs to help you do this on your computer or directly online. Or you can go old school and just whip out that old fashioned weekly planner. I’m sure we’ve all tried this before. Unfortunately, real life simply does not happen as planned, ever! Reality happens and your perfectly planned blocks of time will only be a fantasy schedule for an imaginary person. If you are able to follow by a strict schedule, you have no issues with time management…so I bow to you…seriously, that is a miracle to me…but for the rest of us…
I am starting to think of time management like dieting. Seriously. There are a million programs and special diet schemes out there and often we learn that one plan works for some, but not others. The reason being that our bodies are different and we all have unique aspects in our health history and genetic make-up, thereby changing the game. Time management is similar in that we all have different personalities, work schedules, responsibilities and limits. Some require an aspect of strict scheduling, while others work best with certain flexibilities. Some people can run on 4 hours of sleep and others like me need way more! I realized that I need to learn more about myself and my creative habits, to figure out the method that fits me just right.
PRIORITIES and DEADLINES
I believe that one can never overemphasize the importance of setting priorities. I have responsibilities with deadlines that I simply must meet. Working to sustain your livelihood or household is definitely a top priority. Whatever your circumstances, there are times you simply have to buckle down and get it done. I put my paying jobs into first priority and sometimes that really is motivation enough. Other times you just have to work through it nevertheless – although thinking about what prize you will reward yourself with afterwards helps as well. That said, money can’t be the only motivator in the end. You have to consider the amount of time and effort something will take and what it’s worth to you, before diving in. Is it helping you towards your ultimate goals…making it a priority?
If there’s a call for a challenge…even if you are super excited about it…do you really have the time to fit that in? Is it really the thing to do that will help you grow and learn? If I really want to get something done, I do need a deadline. Otherwise, I will not complete it. However, I’ve learned to dismiss things when it’s just not the right time. Rather than bookmarking every single thing, creating a big mess on the unconscious mind, too. I think it’s clutter…to blindly think you might get to that, if you just add it to the list. I have learned to realized that new opportunities will arise. So there’s no need to dwell.
Which brings into question a special aspect regarding time management for creatives. There’s something about creative work that requires that excitement and mojo of the moment, right? When you get into that trance. If you aren’t feeling it…you could be trying to work the whole day, but end up accomplishing nothing. So although prioritizing is so darn important, I think for creatives we also have to weigh what we can work on with all our heart at that moment as well. You can’t sit down and write a novel or paint or sculpt if you just don’t feel passionate about it. It applies for all creative work, because you are creating something – not just going through the motions of xyz.
I know that many people believe that you have to drudge through those times, even when inspiration doesn’t come… so you will be ready when the inspiration decides to hit. I understand that position of thinking…but I don’t think it works for me personally. If I’m tired or out of it…I might be able to loosen up by playing and creating – but it doesn’t end up as any work. It’s just that, playing. So for me…I give myself the option to just move on to some other priority or just say, hey, I’m going to play! Not pretend that flailing for 8 hours is considered working. It just doesn’t jive with me.
FLEXIBILITY
One of the reasons why I freelance and design from home is because I want the flexibility to swap my schedule around as necessary. So it’s supremely important for me to remember that and take advantage of flexibility when I need it. If I start planning things hour by hour… what have I done, but simply brought the 9 to 5 home? Yes, I’ve got to get work done, but I give myself the flexibility to fluidly move between projects and swap out sections of time depending on what’s going on with my life.
I also think the flexibility is needed to accommodate for when inspiration does strike. If you suddenly get rolling in a project, it’s so frustrating to have to stop, because xyz is scheduled. I like being able to follow an unexplored path to see what happens. A bit mad scientist like. So strict scheduling again, does not work for me. I almost think that it stifles creativity…at least for me. If I think about inspiration I’ve received, it’s more often when I’m doing other things. Studio time is just working through those ideas…
So I’ve come up with a fluid system of time management. Since I still have the day job, that is the top priority – always. After all, we do have to learn to assume responsibilities and do things whether we feel like it or not. Like brushing your teeth and taking a shower – haha…just do it! With the rest of my time I work on my creative projects according to priority – but when I feel the most productive to do that kind of work. Certain projects might have deadlines, others might be personal ongoing projects or explorations. I rank them and work on them in that order, but jumping around if I feel like it and time allows. Over time I’ve also learned a bit about my own rhythms and when I’m most productive on the computer or painting or crafting something or another. I find it extremely helpful to give myself that flexibility, because I’ll get something done faster when I’m in the mode and mood.
RE-ENERGIZE or RE-DIRECT
Of course, there are times when I simply feel overwhelmed. The culprit was probably taking on too much to begin with. Which is why a monthly calendar of sorts really helps me to see the big picture of my time, before saying yes to something new. I’ve certainly burned myself out many a time. And I’ve had to ask myself the question so many times, in the midst of slaving away…why!? why!??! Before taking on more work, I have to remind myself of my ultimate goals and how the project fits in. Does it help me learn something? Grow something? Spread the word? Or do I have the time to participate for fun? We often want to do it all, saying yes, yes, yes! Perhaps as we grow older and wiser, we learn how to say no…and not feel bad about it!
I’ve found it really important to add in texture to my schedule. By that I mean, getting out…doing something completely different. If you do something heavy…afterwards, try to go with something more lighthearted or less stressful. You wouldn’t want to have to do your taxes, then go write an essay, followed by coding a program or something… it’s like stress, stress, stress. I personally need the variety and spice, breaking things up and making my activities balanced with each other. I think it helps to re-energize me… taking a walk, collecting wildflowers (taking lots of photos of them) going to get a snack or a coffee. Little things that balance out my day…or at times serving as the reward for having finished something not so enjoyable – like laundry!
EXPERIMENT AND ADJUST
So ultimately, I think of my fluid management is like having multiple layers or lots of rings that fit within each other. Hmm, can’t really think of a good way to put it. But there’s the big picture…like my yearly goals, both business and personal. Then there’s the actual dated schedule planner, month to month with the major deadlines…things I must do. Then if you zoom in closer week by week, certain things need to be done, but can be shifted around. Like a bunch of blocks that you can move around in any way, but they fit within a week’s time…usually leaving breathing room, so it’s not a tight fit that you are shoving them into each other to make it all fit. Okay, enough with the bad analogy. It makes sense in my mind anyway! I certainly don’t know if this method of time management will work forever. It takes more than a month to see if it’ll work. Not to mention, our lives are ever-changing and our methods will evolve with time. However, I wanted to share my thinking process and hear what perspective you have on time management, especially for creative types of work. Let me know and I hope that we can all get a better grip on our personal schedules and move forward with our creative businesses. Until next time…
by Linda | Apr 22, 2011 | my creative journal, Uncategorized
When I first started this creative business 101 journey, I wrote a mega outline of “things to do.” Many of the items are straightforward tasks from writing a business plan to getting my website launched. Others however, are much more general such as “marketing and promotion.” It’s easy to say that we need to promote ourselves and get our work out there…but exactly how does one go about it? It’s no surprise that these particular items on my list seem super difficult to approach. I realized that I needed to break out my bullet point of “marketing and promotion” into concrete actionable steps.
So I started to write specific action items that would result in marketing and promotion for me as an artist. I want to introduce myself to design blogs and art blogs, approaching one a week sounds pretty doable. I also have the goal of being published in art magazines, so I decided to submit my work to art calls. I actually scheduled in the due dates for the ones I’m truly interested in. So my efforts are focused on publications and blogs that I read, follow and want to be involved with…not to mention those that would fit my style of artwork. Then there’s the notion of advertising…
Suddenly, I realized I was missing an important tool…where’s my media kit? What exactly am I going to send to people? If you stop and think…just a link to your website or blog makes it extremely difficult for someone new to your work to find focus. They might want a headshot or specifically photos of your most popular or recent collection only. If you customize your materials every single time, this marketing thing is going to swallow up all your time. So it makes sense to have an official kit of materials. Photos, work to promote, blurbs about me…that kind of thing. Simply put, all the materials that might be used to promote you!
Without materials prepared, you run the risk of finding yourself scrambling for materials when there’s a deadline and possibly presenting yourself in a sloppy fashion. I actually experienced something similar in the past, when I bought advertising for my Etsy shop before having an ad. Yeah, it sounds silly but it happens. You finally get attention… but there’s nothing to back it up, so they simply move on. Urgh! What a waste!
So my actionable task item is to create a media kit…although I haven’t decided yet if I want to package it up into a formal Press Kit PDF. Either way, I need to create the parts first. With these thoughts swirling in my head, I then got an email announcing a new ebook by Tara Reed, How to Be a Press Friendly Artist. It’s funny how things seem to coincide miraculously in life. I bought it right away and have spent the last two weeks digesting the material and putting the advice to action. She also just posted on her blog about prepping your press kit.
The ebook goes into a lot of details that I am still thinking through, but it has also triggered a few overarching realizations about presenting my work and myself as an artist. First and foremost, it’s all about making it easy for people to promote you – whether it’s the official press, a fellow blogger, a magazine or an art gallery. When you make things easy for people, they are also more likely to run with it…just the honest truth. Even when I love someone to death, having to jump through lots of hoops when life is crazy busy…just turns me off and I probably won’t get to it in the end. Second realization is that you have to think of what’s of interest to your audience when promoting yourself or your product. What’s the benefit…not just what is it and what does it do. There’s usually always something cool or unique to talk about, a certain angle that makes it more interesting. Not to mean that you should be a poser, but that you have to find the gem that is already there and polish it up. I find it helps to actually ask someone else, because they usually see it differently than you do personally. I realized that my story of moving from California to Italy…really excites people! And it is true that living here in a new culture that is so drastically different from Los Angeles lifestyle…totally changed my outlook on life. My lifestyle certainly inspires my artwork…so I think I should play that up – because it’s inspiring. If I could change my life so drastically, so can you…and I honestly truly wish that we could all live blissfully. Ultimately it is a state of mind…not how many cars you have or how much money is in the bank…or where you live…all those details… anyway… I’m getting off topic now – LOL!
So as I read through the ebook, I realized there’s so much to create and writing does freak me out a bit. It also just feels weird to examine yourself and write about yourself in the third person. At times I feel like I’m tooting my own horn and wondering if I’m doing it all wrong. As with everything in life, new things are scary but we all live and learn, right? I tried to stop fussing over little details and get something done instead. I started writing a press release about my new website and along the way, created a lot of material that can be used for my bio and fact sheet as well. I set up a free newsroom with PRLog.org and put up my first press release. Whew! Less than perfect, but it’s a start and I’m happy to have taken the first step in getting myself out there. I’m learning as I go, by taking action and whether you are just starting or already a pro… there’s always something new to learn and lots of room to grow…
I’m going to take the weekend to finish compiling my bio and faq sheet, which gets me ready to introduce myself to bloggers. So I will be putting my weekly promotion tasks into action after Easter. Finally, there are the photos. I actually have some photos already, those you see in my online profiles. But they work only because they are tiny…I don’t have it for print quality purposes. And even though I really love to take photos, self portraits have never turned out right because my face just doesn’t seem to co-operate at times (see above? that is freakish me!) 🙂 I probably should have asked my photographer friends to help me out when still living in the States! Guess, I’ll have to go at it alone with my trusty Nikon D60. Coincidentally this weekend is Easter. Which means I can kill two birds with one stone…dressing up a bit before our big family luncheon to do a fancy photoshoot for myself. Taking all the tips from the ebook with me, hopefully I’ll have at least one suitable photo next week!
Hope everyone has a lovely Easter holiday and lovely weekend in general. I hope that in sharing my experience, I can inspire others to go chase their creative dreams! It’s taken me some time to get to this point, but I’m so proud of myself for taking action and moving ahead. A little at a time…it works!
by Linda | Apr 19, 2011 | my creative journal
I would say my website launch went pretty smoothly, even though checking the site on my husband’s old laptop really threw me for a loop! When you start to realize that what you create online will not necessarily be perceived in the same way by every computer or browser…you start simplifying…and simplifying. Anyway, I used this nifty free tool as well – browsershots.org – which takes a screenshot of your website in all the platforms and browsers you select. That way you can do a simple check to make sure your site looks pretty much okay across the board.
Moving forward in my creative business journey, I also decided to do some online clean-up. I had already started blogging well before starting up an official business website…but it’s always a good idea to clean things up every once in a while. I made a few changes to the design and reorganized bits here and there. However, I chose not to give up my identity as tortagialla for this blog, so it does look different in brand from lindatieu.com. I don’t think it should be a problem and coincidentally gives me another outlet of expression. The artists’ website or portfolio is the professional presentation. The blog however moves into more personal territory for me as well as presenting a different area of my creative work that is not for my “clients” necessarily.
BLOGGING
If you are reading this blog, I think you might be a blogger yourself. But I think it’s worth delving into the question of why creatives blog. Especially for working artists, I think the blog gives you a place to share your ongoing progress and even failed experiments. A peek into your world that is more personal and inviting than the business/portfolio website. I think it shows your human side and allows people to connect to you the human. By sharing your thoughts, I think you also build credibility. It’s always nice to learn more about an artist or any person for that matter through their blog. Knowing that they are taking action in real-time…I think it brings us all closer together… even if we actually live thousands of miles away and have never met. 🙂 I also think that having a blog gives you more internet real estate. Does it matter in the long run? I dunno. I think it must be a good thing though, to be known in more places. It certainly can’t hurt! You have to put yourself out there if you are going to be a entrepreneur.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
Which brings me to social networking and putting out all those online profiles into Internet cyberspace. At times it might seem like a whole lot to keep track of and handle. Shouldn’t we be working instead of tweeting? I agree that at times I find myself overwhelmed with all my identities online and profiles to keep track of. So I don’t not hesitate to cut loose any baggage. I’ve opted out of many things, doing some digital clean-up and while I was at it, unsubscribed to lists and cleaned my RSS reader as well. Reduce the clutter! However looking at my web statistics, I know that each network drives a bit traffic to my blog and website. So it really does work. You just have to consolidate to those you truly participate in and enjoy interacting within…to get the most out it.
The popular tools for networking online these days include Twitter, Facebook (Pages), LinkedIn and even YouTube and Vimeo. I also have a Gravatar profile, so when I comment on blogs, my picture shows up…putting a face to my comment. Each network reaches a different audience, so I certainly think it’s worth participating in multiple networks or communities. However, everyone has to know their limits and habits. For example, Pinterest is booming and such a trend these days, but I never joined up. I chose purposefully NOT to add more distractions to my day. Even if I did sign-up, I wouldn’t have the time to truly participate – so there’s no point. You have to participate and gain something from a network or community for it to be productive and helpful both ways. I know there are lots of tips out there on how to social network, dos and don’ts. But honestly it comes down to being yourself and sharing relevant information. Think about how you interact with friends…it shouldn’t be so drastically different online. If you want to get your work out there and to connect with others who have similar interests – then use these online tools to discover others so they can discover you. It’s networking, so it should go both ways.
If you already tweet and post daily, I would advise you to go check all your profiles and make sure your information is up to date and links are correct. You don’t know how many times I’ve clicked on a Twitter profile link and have it go to a broken page! Talk about disappointment. If the person didn’t take the time to check their own profile…why should I spend the time to go look them up, right? So off I go now to check my profiles and do some more digital Spring cleaning. Hope you will do the same and get that refreshing feeling after purging all that excess baggage and really participating in those things that inspire!
Here are some useful articles that might be of interest to you:
– 10 tips to using twitter to increase your creative business success
– Be Authentic: 5 Tips for Creating Engaging Video Podcasts
– Want to be Crafty and Connected? Promote Your Biz with Jess Van Den
– Share Your Profile Instantly with Other Blog Commenters
– Why Artists Should Blog at Making a Mark
