Why do I write sooo damn much about mindset in a blog about the business of marketing and selling art?

Well, I want Artists Who THRIVE to be useful.  So my posts are an actual reflection of the current issues that my artist clients are grappling with.

Whether I’m coaching artist clients one on one, or answering an artist’s questions in a seminar, we’re spending anywhere from 50% to 80% of the time on shaping a successful mindset.

A successful mindset is essential because even with the right marketing strategy and loads of talent, without the right attitude, its just not going to happen.

Why?  Maybe because, for the most part, society expects artists to fail and the “starving artist” myth is like running bad code in too many artists’ brains.

How do I know this? For one thing, my personal experience. Secondly, I watch artists that I coach succeed and fail.

The number one indicator of whether my artist clients are going to make it is simply their attitude. If they have a good attitude they succeed quicker and with more ease.

As soon as my clients start getting whiny, they slow down, lose focus, make excuses, derail, and undermine their opportunities. I see this ALL the time.

The market, the weather, even the level of our talent is outside of our control.  But you do have complete control over your attitude. And this drives your discipline, focus, and ability to attract collectors.

It’s really amazing to watch this simple truth.  And I’m grateful for the constant reminder that the glass really can be half full.  It’s a choice.

No single person, no matter how capable, has enough time to do everything, nor can they master every skill.  If you are trying to do this, you’re doing it the hard way and the wrong way.  You don’t have to hire an entire team all at once. But if it will cost you less money, and or time, and it will help you make more money in the short or long term, get help.

I consider myself pretty well rounded and capable but to support my art business I currently have a:

1. Bookkeeper
2. Business Attorney
3. Social Media Consultant
4. CPA
5. Data Entry Assistants
6. Virtual Assistants
7. Event Assistants
8. Personal Stylist
9. Webmaster
10. Local Framer
11. Order Fulfillment Framer
12. Fine Art Photographer
13. Graphic Designer
14. Sales consultant

All of whom are better at what they do than I’ll ever be. It costs me less in the long run to hire them, as needed, and it certainly takes less time. And it gives me more time to paint and to sell what I paint.

I’ve also hired life coaches to help take me from my miserable corporate cubical dwelling self to the life I have created for myself now.  What I was doing then certainly wasn’t working and I appreciate the benefit of their wisdom.

And I’ve hired marketing and business consultants to help me construct my business.

Bottom line.  I’ve invested in my business and myself.  I heard Warren Buffet once say that the first and best place to get a return on your investment is yourself.  I agree.

I have also fired people.  My suggestion. Make your expectations very clear.  Hire slowly. Fire quickly.

We all need help. And we can get to where we want to go faster with the help of experienced guides.  It’s a sign of strength to admit this and it’s an act of power to take action and actually get the help that you need.

If you would like help building your art business you are welcome to apply.  Learn more here.

Colleen Attara

This is the first installment in The Artists Who THRIVE Profile Series.

As I mention in this recording I’m often wondering what to write about next and I’m often focused on business and marketing challenges facing artists.

So I decided to switch my focus, and my medium, to a recorded interview with a thriving artist who I coached, Colleen Attara. Colleen deserves all the credit for her success.  I was only there for a relatively short time to help her build a road map towards her goal and to teach her ways to avoid some of my very expensive lessons.

Colleen is a full time artist with a new scenic studio that she’s always dreamed of, six galleries represent her, and she regularly receives private commissions.  Colleen’s current focus is a significant large-scale commission for 90 foot wall in an innovative new hospital.

Listen to Colleen’s focus and confidence.  She’s developed this by taking planned action.

Frankly, a few artists approach me for coaching and consulting and they just don’t have it.  But taste and style is very personal so it’s not for me alone to judge. And they never follow through on consultations and coaching.

What I emphasize to my artist clients is that the truth will set you free.  Come on, be very honest with yourself about how your work stacks up in your category in the art market.

If you’re overly critical and lacking confidence then you are not performing a clear headed evaluation.  If you haven’t had formal training, you must access credible guidance.

By the way, I don’t offer art critiques.  I’m in the business of selling art,  my own, and part time helping select artists sell theirs.  I assume that you’ve passed the talent test and I won’t comment on the quality of your work.

And don’t let one person’s opinion shoot you down.  Look for a pattern in others observations.  I had a design professor in art school that I interned for when I was 20 years old.  He owned a firm that did hand drawn architectural renderings. I respected him and wanted to be like him.  But then he started to say, repeatedly in class and at work, that men could draw better than women.  I was the only woman at the firm and a minority in my art school’s department.  How do you think his sexist comments made me feel?  Do you think it helped me gain confidence and skill?  It absolutely interfered with a very expensive private art education.

Looking back, this was one of several experiences that led to my abandoning my creative career for over one and a half decades. But many of us have experienced serious challenges so I’m less interested in your horror stories and more interested in how you too have overcome them.  Hence the title of this community: ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.    I invite you too share how you discovered your own talent, voice, and confidence.

I’m inspired to see so many artists join and benefit from ArtistsWhoTHRIVE.  And it helps me up my own game!

You’ll benefit the most when you engage with like-minded, positive, and productive artists, when you too join the conversation.  Share your recent success and comment to posts.

Although I established ArtistsWhoTHRIVE, the community belongs to you.  And through the power of the Internet we can help each other thrive artistically and financially.
So I’d like to hear from you!

• What’s working for you on ArtistsWhoTHRIVE?

• What questions or other topics would you like us to explore?
• What resources are you looking for?
• Do you know that we are interested in guest writer submissions?
• Do you have examples of your recent or past business success?

• What are your current challenges?

• Did you know that you can apply for one-on-one coaching?

• Did you know that I’m available for hourly consultations as needed?
• Did you now that you can schedule a website review and written assessment?

• Questions? Email us at Amy@annrea.com.

“I’m really excited and you’ve got me even more thrilled to be an artist.
Thank you for the motivation! You’ll be hearing from me soon!

rebekah joy plett”

www.catchtheredballoon.com

“’bravo!’ Your gallery is wonderful and from a Blue Ocean perspective, I think you have a fantastic opportunity to create new market space. The very best to you.  I look forward to following your success!
Best regards,
Chuck”
founder
www.blueoceandiscovery.com

“I’ve been getting your newsletters for a few months now. They’re always useful and inspiring — thank you! You’re a great model!

Best,
Melissa”
Melissa Dinwiddie
www.melissadinwiddie.com

Once I’ve worked with an artist for six months I like to ask them what they’ve learned.  Obviously, it helps me help other artists, it lets us both know what progress they’ve made, and it helps reinforce what they have learned.

So I asked Colleen Attara, a Mixed media eco-artist from Philadelphia, to share at least ten things that she’s learned in the last six months or insights that she has gained.  I suggested that she not labor over this exercise but simply rattle off what popped into her head.

I asked for ten, she gave me sixteen, quoted below.  Colleen agreed to share what she learned so that other artists in this community could also benefit from her experience.

1. Know what unique value you bring to the seller.
2. You run your own show.
3. Talk size, not price.
4. Never discount your work; it is unfair to your collectors.  Instead offer value; i.e.:  shipping, cards etc.
5. Your website design should not overpower your art.
6. Write down your policies and how you do business; this will allow more time to create and sell.
7. Write your bio in 3rd person; let others speak highly for you.
8. Write down six things you are going to accomplish before going to bed.
9. It is hard to control time, but you can control your priorities.
10. *Positive energy sells art.
11. *See what you want to be as an artist.  Have that vision, put it on paper……and watch what happens.
12. Protect your art and your images.
13. Make the buying process as easy as possible.  Wine and credit cards are very good.
14. Position yourself as an authority. Talk to groups of people.
15. Contact interested buyers and past buyers once a month.
16. Showing art and selling art are two different things.

* knew this; needed the reminder

Do you think that these insights have helped Colleen’s business and increased her sales?  You bet!  So if your ready to invest in your career, applying for coaching, click here.