Ask the Artists: Brand Voice

Last week we talked about how to arrive at the right brand voice for your creative business. Hopefully those tips helped you think more deliberately about how you want to sound and what you want to say. Of course, examples can make these concepts more concrete, so I asked a handful of local art brands to share three words they would use to describe themselves, and here's what I got. Feel free to post your's below, and I'll add you to the list.

Ask the Artists: Following Your Passion

At this point, you’ve heard me talk a lot about following your creative passion. It's not easy, and it’s not right for everyone, but it can be totally worth it if you put in the time and planning. With that said, there is no one set approach. What works for your idea and your talents may not fit someone else. As such, I’d like to share stories of other artists and makers to help you see your path. I asked a handful of local creative entrepreneurs how they’ve turned their passions into careers. As one of them pointed out, this is a loaded question. For some, this is still a long term goal, and they have valuable advice to share about being a work in progress. Others seem to have known all along that this is what they were meant to do. So what’s right for you?

Asking Artists: Art Show Tips

The old adage, "Practice makes perfect" applies to many situations, including kicking butt at art events. I asked some seasoned local artists what they recommend to help others find success. Check out these great nuggets of wisdom for making sales, connecting with customers and furthering your creative business! Thank you to all of the greats who contributed!

Do Artists Really Need Photography?

Interesting question... The answer to this is one of the most important things I can share with you, not only as a Photographer myself, but also as a Marketer, a fellow Artisan and even more simply as a potential Buyer. Let me paint you a hypothetical picture:

You're a talented Artist, and you make beautifully crafted pieces that catch the eye of quite a few buyers. You find that your work sells really well when people see it in person, but you struggle to get enough opportunities to sell. Maybe you apply to every art show in your area, hoping you'll be accepted for at least a few. How great would it be if you could be accept by most, if not all? Then there are those of you who decided to take your offline success and have a go at online sales, but your work isn't moving. Other artists with equal talent seem to be selling. What are you lacking? 

To Sell or Not to Sell Your Art?

We all need a creative outlet, and many of us find that in the Arts - Drawing, Painting, Beading, Crafting. Does that mean you have to sell your work? No, not necessarily. Plenty of happy, talented creatives make Art for themselves and only share it with just their closest circle, brightening their little corner of the world. And yet, the more common question I find people asking is whether or not they could sell their work and eventually make a career out of it. While it took me a while to make this decision myself, I'm a big proponent of finding out what you love to do and determining how you can do that every day. With that said, there are a handful of considerations that can help you decide if Art as a profession is the right route.

Macro / Micro Balance for Creative Confidence

We all have theories on how best to handle stress and self doubt when facing obstacles in our lives. For creative personalities, its often the intangible hurdles that give us the most trouble...

• Are we talented enough in our chosen Art?
• Have we learned the right techniques? 
• Will our ideas turn out as we've envisioned? 
• Are there many buyers for our chosen craft? 
• Will the public value our workmanship? 

Chances are, if you're an artist or crafter, you ask yourself countless questions on a daily basis.