What can we learn about business from a teenager's braces?
Yesterday my son got his braces off. What a big day! He had metal in his mouth for almost 3 years. Anyone who has had braces or a child with braces will remember the constant visits to the orthodontist. The tightening of wires. Rubber bands. Tweak this. Move that. Training the teeth and jaw to act in new and unusual ways. Some pain is involved. A lot of time, patience and consistent effort. Don’t wear your rubber bands and things won’t happen as quickly.
As I sat in the waiting room I began to compare the process to building a business. Isn’t it the same principle? You know there are certain actions, that if repeated regularly, will help grow your business. But like remembering to wear rubber bands, sometimes we forget. Or just don’t feel like it. Or it seems to painful.
But ACTION is the key ingredient to building any business and art is no exception. You have to paint and create collections. Make sure people know your art is out there. Follow up with clients who might be interested.
As Joe Vitale likes to remind us (and I can’t remember if he is quoting someone else or not — I associate this with him) “Success is the sum of small actions, taken day in and day out”.
What action will you take today? You don’t have to climb Mount Everest each day, but you have to make consistent efforts towards your goal.
Have a wonderful and creative day!
Tara
P.S. If you want to learn what types of action will help you build an Art Licensing business, please visit my website at: www.TaraReedDesigns.com/for-artists.html My first eBook is almost ready — I’m hoping to have it available by June 30th. Sign up and I’ll keep you posted!
Why I bought wine because I'm the middle child and how it relates to branding.
Today I went to Target to get some plastic storage bins… I just never seem to have enough of these. As I walked by the wine section (yes, you can buy wine in Target in Oregon– how great is that?) a label caught my eye. It was so simple it was cute. Then I read it, “Middle Sister” — what does that have to do with wine, I wondered? I was intrigued, since I am the middle sister in my family — although the youngest is a boy but still — I’m a sister and I’m in the middle, I wasn’t going to split hairs.
What a cool label. I wanted to know more. I turned it over and read:
“Did you know that birth order is commonly believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development? And that the middle sister has a greater chance of having a special wine named just for her? (then it describes the wine) Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse.”
Yes, I bought the wine because I liked the label and I related to the message. My older sister may have passed it by. Pretty sure my brother would have too.
When I got in the car I tried to call my sister to tell her about it. She wasn’t home. So I called my mom. Wow– I don’t know if it’s good yet (the bottle sits next to me, unopened) yet I’ve called 2 people and am blogging about it. The girl (I assume) who created this marketing approach knew how to differentiate herself and stand out on a shelf. I hope the wine is good because I’d love to bring it to every dinner or party I’m invited to. Maybe I’ll even try the ‘wicked white’ wine.
Have you given much thought to how you brand yourself as an artist? What makes you different from every other one out there and how do you tell the marketplace? This is just one topic I will touch on in my first of a series of eBooks about Art Licensing. If you want to be one of the first to know when it is released, or give me input on what I should cover, visit: www.tarareeddesigns.com/for-artists.html
Have a wonderfully creative day!
~ Tara
P.S. I’ll let you know how the wine is later…
What is holding you back?
Beliefs. We all have them. Some are helpful. ”I am a good driver.” Some are not. ”I’m not smart enough to do that”. Do you have beliefs that are holding you back from doing what you want?
I did. I’m sure I still do, but I’m working on it. When I was in San Antonio learning about Internet Marketing, a BIG one came up and everyone in the room called me on it. I didn’t think I should do what my coach does, or that I could add value in teaching about Art Licensing. After some good questions and time to reflect, I have changed that belief and I am excited about this new part of my business. (The eBook should be done by the end of the month.)
I met a wonderful woman, Mandy Evans, who has been helping people get rid of beliefs that are holding them back for years. She asked me a simple question that really got me thinking: ”What would be wrong with you doing as well as your coach?”
I am so honored that she used me as an example in her blog. (My beliefs are exposed for all to see– a little scary but it’s ok) If you want to check it out, here is the link:
http://www.beliefbreakout.blogspot.com/
(It is the Friday, June 20th entry.)
If you think your beliefs are holding you back, check out her book “Emotional Options”, it’s powerful stuff. Click here to go to my website and find the link.
http://www.tarareeddesigns.com/artist-resources.html
Here’s to a creative day with no limits!
Tara
Connect
Business Resources*
