Years ago, I read the best seller, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. I never could work within the framework of his "quadrant" system, but nevertheless, the principles are sound. I recently came across the list of his "habits" and it dawned on me that of all the virtues Covey could have focused on in writing his chronicle of successful people, he focused on habits.
Covey's seven habits are:
1. Be proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first
4. Think "win/win"
5. seek first to understand and then to be understood
6. synergize
7. Sharpen the saw (skill development)
Congratulations! Your art business is perfect!
The caveat: your business is perfect in its ability to bring you the success that you now enjoy. For some of you this may be a compliment. If you are happy with where you are, continue to do those things. They are working. You have perfect success. For those of you who are not satisfied with your current level of success and wish to see your career grow, this is a wake-up call. I include myself among you. I too wish to attain a higher level of success.
So, what can be done?
Covey's seven habits are:
1. Be proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first
4. Think "win/win"
5. seek first to understand and then to be understood
6. synergize
7. Sharpen the saw (skill development)
Congratulations! Your art business is perfect!
The caveat: your business is perfect in its ability to bring you the success that you now enjoy. For some of you this may be a compliment. If you are happy with where you are, continue to do those things. They are working. You have perfect success. For those of you who are not satisfied with your current level of success and wish to see your career grow, this is a wake-up call. I include myself among you. I too wish to attain a higher level of success.
So, what can be done?
To elaborate on what I wrote above: your business is perfectly organized and managed to bring you the precise success that you currently have. This means that the things you are currently doing are resulting in your current level of success. If you continue to do the same things, you will continue to have the same level of success. So if you want more, something must change. For some, the changes may be drastic. But for most, the course of action is summed up in this simple truth: the gap between mediocrity and success is often bridged by small and simple changes. Yet the changes need to be the right changes.
The difficult question is: 'What are the right changes?' Sorry, I don't have 'The Answer'. But whatever the answer is, it falls within one of three possible categories. 1. Your art needs improvement. 2. Your business practices need improvement. 3. A combination of both. So that narrows it down.
Your Art Needs Improvement
Every true artist recognizes the need to constantly improve, but you also need to recognize when you are good enough. Take an honest look at your work. Be truthful. Seek advice from someone who knows art and can be truthful with you. Don't ask your mom. Her job is to tell you it's great! But is your work really good enough? This is a tough thing to do. Sometimes it's painful. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves, but sometimes we should be more realistic with ourselves.
If you realize that you do need to improve, do what is necessary. Take a workshop. Take classes. Make time to pursue perfecting your craft. Create art every day. Don't rush into it expecting immediate results. Don't look for short cuts or formulaic solutions. Improvement is a slow and steady course. Be diligent.
Your Business Practices Need Improvement
Let's assume your art is good enough (of course it is!). Then you must take a good hard look at your business and marketing. Consider all the wonderful advice you have received from Clint, Lori, and others who have written on Fine Art Views. There is a lot of great advice from others as well. Alyson Stanfield's I'd Rather Be in the Studio! Is a must have resource. 279 Days to Overnight Success by Chris Guillebeau is another worthy read for establishing your on-line presence. There are many more resources. I won't list them here, but Clint has linked to many of them over the years.
Yes, there is a lot of great advice. What have you tried? Perhaps the better question is: what haven't you tried yet? It is true that not everything will work for everyone. But there are things that will work for you. Be open to new ideas that may be out of your comfort zone. They may be the key, the missing link. Also realize that it takes constant steady action to build your success. It won't happen overnight. As Chris Guillebeau explained, it took him 279 days of hard work. For some it may take longer.
Also realize that those small simple changes need to occur periodically over the course of your career. You should regularly reevaluate what you are doing and assess what areas can be improved upon. Remember, you are creative. That is why you are an artist. Use your creativity in your business and marketing practices as well (but don't be too creative in your accounting!).
A Combination of Both
This is self explanatory. Concentrate on both. Even if you are 'good enough' as an artist right now, there is always the need to improve. This is where I place myself.
The key is to do it now. Don't delay. The sooner you take your career into your own hands, the sooner you will achieve the desired success. It won't happen in a day or two, but it will happen if you make it happen. It is up to you. Your gallery won't make it happen. Your mom won't make it happen. Your mentor won't make it happen. Only you can! Your success (or mine) may never be 'perfect', but you can work towards it. Start now and enjoy the journey.
Anyone can do what it takes to improve their artistic and marketing skills, but not everyone will. All the more reason for you to get out there! When we become believers in what we do, others will be converted - they too will begin believing in the quality and significance of our work, and the sales will come! . . .
What causes enthusiasm where your art sales are concerned: Believing in your work.
Now everyone knows that the most enthusiastic marketers are the most successful. There are many artists out there who aren't exactly the best at painting, drawing, or sculpting, yet they sell their creations like crazy simply because they're so enthusiastic about their work. We too then must learn to be enthusiastic where our products are concerned.
Sure your finished piece may not be equal to the likes of master painter Michael Angelo, but your potential collectors don't think that way, and they're looking for a reason to collect art, not a reason to stop.
Build up your work
Never speak negatively about your work. Even if that pear in your recent oil painting is lop-sided, mention to the viewer about how well the colors of the pear pop against the dark background. Just as you would build up a person, build up the qualities of your work, and speak of its strengths, not its weaknesses.
The better that you feel about your product the more you'll believe in it; and the more that you believe in it the more others will too. People want to be convinced to invest in your art. They're already looking at it, and they're going to spend their money somewhere - even in this economy - so if you could convince them to invest in yours wouldn't you?
Make improvements
I'm not suggesting that you just put junk out there for potential clients to see. You do need to do whatever it takes to improve your ability, and work towards becoming the best that you can be. Whether it's taking a workshop, soliciting the critique of an established artist, or investing in those expensive DVD's you've been looking at, do what's necessary to better the quality of your work.
Believe in the importance of what you do
We aren't just hobbyists creating art in our spare time - we're contributors to one of the most rewarding and enriching parts of human existence. We must remember this the next time that we're hanging our work for exhibits, or speaking with a collector at an art show. It'll change our attitude towards what it is that we do; and if our attitude changes we're more likely to affect a change in others attitudes as well.
Be Prepared - It's not just for Boy Scouts
Brace yourself for questions when going into a situation where you'll be selling. Much like a good Lawyer never asks a question that he doesn't already know the answer to - a good artist should never be unprepared when faced with a question about his/her work. Know exactly how you want your artwork to be perceived when being shown, and come up with answers before the questions are ever asked.
This isn't to give you the appearance of a robot when conversing with potential collectors, but rather to fill your memory bank with answers that will keep you on track when it's crucial for you to make the sale.
Be one in a million
Now is everyone that takes the time to read this article going to become a great success in today's market? Certainly not! But probably not for the reason that you're thinking of: It's not that this will only work for a select few, it's that only a select few will put this knowledge to work. Anyone can do what it takes to improve their artistic and marketing skills, but not everyone will. All the more reason for you to get out there!
When we become believers in what we do, others will be converted - they too will begin believing in the quality and significance of our work, and the sales will come!
What causes enthusiasm where your art sales are concerned: Believing in your work.
Now everyone knows that the most enthusiastic marketers are the most successful. There are many artists out there who aren't exactly the best at painting, drawing, or sculpting, yet they sell their creations like crazy simply because they're so enthusiastic about their work. We too then must learn to be enthusiastic where our products are concerned.
Sure your finished piece may not be equal to the likes of master painter Michael Angelo, but your potential collectors don't think that way, and they're looking for a reason to collect art, not a reason to stop.
Build up your work
Never speak negatively about your work. Even if that pear in your recent oil painting is lop-sided, mention to the viewer about how well the colors of the pear pop against the dark background. Just as you would build up a person, build up the qualities of your work, and speak of its strengths, not its weaknesses.
The better that you feel about your product the more you'll believe in it; and the more that you believe in it the more others will too. People want to be convinced to invest in your art. They're already looking at it, and they're going to spend their money somewhere - even in this economy - so if you could convince them to invest in yours wouldn't you?
Make improvements
I'm not suggesting that you just put junk out there for potential clients to see. You do need to do whatever it takes to improve your ability, and work towards becoming the best that you can be. Whether it's taking a workshop, soliciting the critique of an established artist, or investing in those expensive DVD's you've been looking at, do what's necessary to better the quality of your work.
Believe in the importance of what you do
We aren't just hobbyists creating art in our spare time - we're contributors to one of the most rewarding and enriching parts of human existence. We must remember this the next time that we're hanging our work for exhibits, or speaking with a collector at an art show. It'll change our attitude towards what it is that we do; and if our attitude changes we're more likely to affect a change in others attitudes as well.
Be Prepared - It's not just for Boy Scouts
Brace yourself for questions when going into a situation where you'll be selling. Much like a good Lawyer never asks a question that he doesn't already know the answer to - a good artist should never be unprepared when faced with a question about his/her work. Know exactly how you want your artwork to be perceived when being shown, and come up with answers before the questions are ever asked.
This isn't to give you the appearance of a robot when conversing with potential collectors, but rather to fill your memory bank with answers that will keep you on track when it's crucial for you to make the sale.
Be one in a million
Now is everyone that takes the time to read this article going to become a great success in today's market? Certainly not! But probably not for the reason that you're thinking of: It's not that this will only work for a select few, it's that only a select few will put this knowledge to work. Anyone can do what it takes to improve their artistic and marketing skills, but not everyone will. All the more reason for you to get out there!
When we become believers in what we do, others will be converted - they too will begin believing in the quality and significance of our work, and the sales will come!
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