We’ve been talking about selling in previous posts. So now we agree that you are a salesman first and foremost, and an artist second. So, I’d love to know what you sell.
Could you tell me in the next 20 seconds? Try it right now. Pretend you and I are in an elevator and I just asked you what it is that you do for a living (or what you sell). Yep…you are trapped!
20. 19. 18. 17. 16………
Don’t feel alone if you struggled with your spiel. The majority of artists cannot confidently, joyously or authoritatively give one either.
The difference between a starving artist and a successful artist is marketing. Period.
Do you stand out? Is your work/brand unique?
Take a minute to think about all the artists that you admire. I bet you can picture in your mind their work. You probably know their logo, what their website looks like, their story and or the story of one of their pieces, and maybe even what they look like. Why can you recall this information?
They have successfully:
- -cultivated an image and created a brand
- -specialized in a niche and are an expert in what they do
- -they marketed themselves
- -they developed a story
- -they stood out
- -they innovated
One thing you’ll notice is that they didn’t try to be a jack of all trades and master of none. They sought out a technique, applied innovation and creation, and marketed that into a brand.
Even though it’s fun to play with new materials, try out new techniques, take workshops, etc, it’s my recommendation that you find a technique, coupled with a material, that you like to do and are an expert in. Play with materials and techniques to inspire your creativity and keep the juices flowing, but remain focused on your niche.
Explore that niche. What kinds of pieces can you make? What kind of line can you develop? What does that feel like? What’s the story behind why you want to create the pieces or work with that material? How does it make you feel? What’s the theme of the work? Who will buy your work?
Now you are starting to develop a voice, a brand, a niche. You are starting to develop your target market. Keep brainstorming…mind mapping…creating!
Until next week….remember you are a business of one. Plough deep while sluggards sleep!
….Ben Franklin
recommended reading: Malcolm Gladwells “Outliers”. he talks about the 10,000 hours it takes to become an expert at something. Hard to do without focus!
Hey Ricky 😉
Yes, Malcolm’s is a great book. Being an expert definitely helps sell anything. It’s all about focus and not doing any of it with mediocrity.
I know a lot of successful artists that have no where near 10K hours. So that isn’t always a indicator of success. However, marketing definitely is an indicator because sadly I know artists that have 10K hours and aren’t successful.
I think this rule of 10K hours definitely applies to athletes. There are scouts for athletes and venues for them to be seen. Making their marketing somewhat easier. However, they still have to market.
10K hours is only 5 years. How long is a traditional european apprenticeship in goldsmithing?
All of Malcolm’s books are great, especially the Tipping Point. It has great keys to marketing success as well!
Hope you are having a great start to 2010! Thanks so much for commenting and adding to the conversation 😉
Cheers,
T
Thanks so much for this post! It’s timely for me. I’ve read things like this in the past but I’m struggling with energy and time. This helps me to focus and I’m thankful for that since I’m in my planning phase for my classes. Blessings for the New Year!