I Built It-Art And Business Q & A

 

I was recently contacted by one of my blog readers with some interesting questions. She was taking a look at various artists who have been successful in both art and business. She had found a mentor who assigned her the task of investigating what makes these folks successful. It got me thinking about a few different things...one: how important it is to have an artistic mentor...and two: just exactly what things have helped me to be successful in both art and business. She asked me to complete a mini interview, which I thought I would share with you all.

One of the things I realize, looking back over my art career is the amount of time...blood, sweat and tears...I've invested. Although people on the outside looking in may not see it, there are many, many hours of work poured into my little biz, to make it successful. Wife Whisperer has been by my side during this journey and has recently brought to my attention the fact that I literally started with nothing; building from the ground up. His reminder made me realize just how far I've come, what it took, and the fact that...as the sole proprietor and only employee...it really did come from me. And, what a great feeling that is. I love my micro-business. There is so much to say about it but I hope this short discussion is helpful to you.

You'll see her questions to me in blue, and my answers in red:

I found a mentor from the horses mouth (a free mentoring site), who is willing to work with me. He gave me an assignment to research 7 people and find out their business methods and what makes them successful. The idea is to find a marketing model to build my own online business. You seem to have developed a rapport with your clients/students so I'm wondering if you can give me an idea of what exactly you have done to reach the success you have in your business?

My mentor gave me some specific areas to address. Please answer any that you feel you don't mind sharing: 

Websites: how many websites do you have and what are their addresses?

http://somethingsublime.typepad.com

http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/  (only for my jewelry biz)

http://mocknet.etsy.com

Clients: Who are your clients? Not their names, but what kind of people take your classes and purchase your jewelry?

My clients are creative people, mostly women, looking to learn new techniques and expand on those they already have. Many of them are people who have wanted to do creative things, all their lives, but haven't had the time. They're at a point in their lives where they don't want to put it off any longer and are ready to unleash the artistic side of themselves. They're like me.

Those who purchase my jewelry are looking for quality, one of a kind pieces. They like my style: a little bit romantic, a little bit grungy and very unique. They're people who see a piece of mine and fall in love with it. 

Marketing strategies/Advertising:  I know you use facebook, but how do you use it and has that been an avenue that has brought you clients?  What you do now might be different from what you did when you first started. Do you use pay-per-click ads? How did you build up your student/client list over the years? What other forms of advertising do you use or have you used to build up your following?

I have two facebook pages, a personal one that I use the most, and a professional one that's strictly for business stuff. My blog is linked to both, so that whenever I post to it, it goes to both pages, as well. Facebook has been invaluable for spreading the word about classes and about what I'm up to. It's funny because I had to be convinced, by a fellow artist friend, to join facebook but now couldn't imagine my business without it.

I'm on Pinterest, which I originally thought was sort of a black hole but turned out to be a great avenue for displaying photos of my work. It's also great for giving my clients and followers a little insight into what I'm like, personally. I like facebook for this reason, as well. I've got quite a few students through Pinterest.

I'm on twitter but don't tweet much. My blog posts are linked to it so they turn up there, as well as multiple other places on the internet.

I recently started an Instagram page. It's a great place to show photos. It's relatively new so I'm not sure what kind of business ramifications it might have but it's fun and a good way to get more personal with people.

I'm on flickr both for my classes and for other artwork. It's not as interactive as some of the other sites but I love to post photos of what I'm doing and this is a great place for that.

I've also just started a google+ page and have been getting acquainted with that.

I don't use pay per-click ads. I haven't really found it necessary. Not that it's been so easy to get the word out but my business has grown at a pace that's been really comfortable for me. My blog has been my first source for getting information out as well as a really fun outlet for me and a way to get to know my clients/students better. I'm pretty hesitant about giving much personal information away...it's one of my business faults; I'm not personal enough. I find it hard to be personal over the internet so it's important for me to have several different internet platforms to express different aspects of that. 

In the past, I've purchased a couple of sponsorship badges on various well-known blogs. They brought people to me but, like I said, I'm very comfortable with where my business is now and haven't pursued that recently.

I teach at several in-person art retreat venues throughout the year. That helps get my name out there but it also serves another, very important, purpose in that it enables me to see my students in real life. I love being in the classroom with them and that personal interaction is priceless.

The other thing that's helped get me out there is having my work published. I'm very blessed in that area of my business.

Years in business:

I've been making and selling jewelry, and teaching classes, for many years but have become much more serious about it, as a business, in the last 6 years, or so. When I first started teaching, my kids were pretty young so I chose to teach only locally. Once they were grown, I was able to pursue traveling to teach.

Pricing/Services

I try to price my pieces, and classes, according to what the market will bear and what other artists in my field are selling for. If there's a valuable or very unique element in a piece of jewelry, or I've spent extra hours on a piece, I have to consider that when pricing. I know there are many jewelry artists out there who are priced higher but I try to keep it fair, being mindful of the present economy.

That's about it. Thanks very much. Anything you can add will be greatly appreciated. It's not easy to start over at age 56 with no money and no help.  The Towers class really helped me get through the winter. I basically focused all my days just working on the assignments. At night I sat by the fire with my cats and kept going on my jewelry, trying new things. 

I do have a few more tips:

I know this might sound strange to some but the best thing I do for my art and my business is pray. I pray for my students as well as for guidance about which direction to take.

Find a mentor (which you've done) and be willing to listen and learn. As well, your mentor should be someone who offers you encouragement as well as someone who steers you back onto the right track if you stray. This isn't necessarily someone who teaches what you do but someone who can support you emotionally, spiritually and business-wise.

Know your craft. Learn your craft and perfect the techniques it requires to produce the highest quality possible. I've seen lots and lots of people jump into selling their work before they were really ready. Perfecting your craft takes hours, days, months, years of practice. Invest the time to make it right.

Be prepared for the fact that it's not easy to start your own business, especially in the art world. There will be many obstacles, including people who don't want to see you succeed. Don't get discouraged. Keep your eyes on what you do best and stay focused on that. Follow the Plow!

 

Comments

[Laurie]

Thank you for posting this! It's a blessing to read it at a time that I need the business info, but mostly needed to be reminded to pray.

[Linda Manning Findley]

Wonderful interview and super advice ... setting up any kind of business is no cake walk and to make it successful, as you well know, takes a tremendous effort 7 days a week ... good job ... Linda F

[Barbara M.]

Deryn- Thank you so much for sharing this interview with all of your viewers. It is quite inspiring to read haw you made this life happen with the dedication, WW, and all the others who have inspired you to persevere along the way...we all need "mentors"...You may be one of mine...

[Christine Damm]

Your thoughts and advice are right in line with my own. I have to say that I haven't found FB to be that useful but then I usually get too busy to post on it. But from what you said here, I'm thinking that I'm not using Pinterest to its full advantage. I'll have to have a longer conversation with you about that. I most admire your work with online tutorials and that's what I'll be working on this winter. Thanks, Deryn.

[Dale]

Deryn,
Thank you for sharing. Great questions and answers. I agree, prayer helps me also.

[mar]

good post!

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have long admired you, your work, your spirit, and this gives me such a bigger picture of you and your world. I also really needed to read this right now. You have given me much to think about and reaffirmed what I already knew but had to have someone outside me say. Thank you for being open to sharing this.
Enjoy the day.
Erin

[Theresa Fosdick]

Very much enjoyed!
Thank you for sharing :)

[Kim]

"Know your craft. Learn your craft and perfect the techniques it requires to produce the highest quality possible. I've seen lots and lots of people jump into selling their work before they were really ready. Perfecting your craft takes hours, days, months, years of practice. Invest the time to make it right."

Loved that. It's the single most important thing, imo. All the so-med in the world can't compensate for it's lack.

[Francy]

useful and timely information. thanks so much for sharing.

[Kim WIlliams]

Dear Deryn thank you so very much for sharing this valuable information. This is just the kind of practical business advice that can be an inspiration to me and many others.

[Frankie Brost]

What a great article!! Thank you for sharing it. The thing that touched my spirit the most is that you pray for your students. I am blessed to have been taught by you in different venues and both are wonderful (though I do like being close in person so that I can hear laughter!!) I will be a returning student...and look forward to it with a light, happy spirit!! xoxo!! Frankie

[Lori Bowring Michaud]

What a great post Deryn! Thanks so much for sharing!

[twitter.com/artl8dy]

Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

[Arowley]

I agree with Seth. Thank you so much for sharing. It was generous of both of you to be so open. Best of luck to you and your interviewer.

[Doris L]

How very interesting, Deryn. I so appreciate your sharing. I don't intend going into business selling what I make, but there's something else I'd like to pursue and your information may well come in helpful there, too. Thank you!

[Seth]

Wonderful questions and answers here. Thanks to both of you!!