Turn your Mouth (or keyboard) into a Money Making Machine!
Word of mouth can make a business and there are ways that you can monetize your mouth. Did 
you know that? I’ve got two words for you: Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs seem to be everywhere these days — companies will pay you a percentage of sales if you help them spread the word. You are basically signing up to be part of their informal sales team. The consumer pays the same amount for the product or service but a certain amount goes to the person who told them about it.
For example, if you go to my “resources” page on my blog or my website and click on one of the links that interests you, I would get a commission from that company. If you don’t want me to earn a commission, don’t click on the link but simply enter the web address in your browser. Either way, you pay the same. One way, I get money to help pay for the time I spend blogging and other free services. The other way, I don’t. You get to choose. (Choices are always good!)
One of my affiliates turned friends, Laura Bray, just wrote an eBook that explains Affiliate programs in more detail and gives you tools to pick them, promote them and track them. It is well worth the $10 in my opinion. (I don’t get a commission on this… so get there however you like!) Click here for more details
So if you have a website, are a blogger or manage a list, look at affiliate programs as a way to diversify your income. Some programs are handled by individuals or individual sites (like mine) and others use companies to manage that end of things.
A few resources to find affiliates and get you started include:
Now turn your mouth (or your keyboard) into a money making machine!
~ Tara
P.S. If you like my products, click here to learn about the Art Licensing Info affiliate program
5 things to include in a Press Kit…
I got an email the other day from an artist who purchased my Trade Show eBook. When you buy the book, you get a “Trade Show Time Tracker”, a guideline of what to do when (I need to go make sure I’m on track now that I think about it!). One of the things on the list is “Prepared your Press Kit if you will bring one”.
Her questions was this: What exactly do I put in a press kit? You don’t cover it in the eBook. Good question! Thought it would make a good blog post. Here are 5 things to include in a press kit:
- Contact information! Don’t overlook putting your business card in the press kit. You want them to find you if they decide they want to do a cover story about you and your art, right?
- Press Releases. If you have done any press releases that would be relevant to the press at the trade show, be sure to include them. Speaking of Press Releases, make sure you are giving good information for a reader and not just talking about yourself. You are more likely to be included in an article, etc. if you give tips that people can use (like “5 things to include in a press kit”) vs. tooting your own horn (like “I’m really great at making pretty press kits”) — see the difference?
- Company Fact Sheet. Now that I told you not to toot your own horn, that doesn’t mean you don’t include some basics. Who are you? What is your story? What do you do? Are you an award winning artist? Put it here. Supporting charity? Write it down. New in business or going at it for 20 years? This is the place.
- Promotional Materials. Do you have postcards, brochures or flyers that show / describe your art or products? That should be in there! Like everyone, press people are busy people. And they have a LOT of press kit choices to look at… I had the pleasure of getting in the press room when I worked with Simple Scrapbooks™ magazine, trust me, it can be overwhelming. The person needs to “get” who you are and what you do at a glance… what can you include that will catch their attention and make them want to learn more? That is the key to a successful press kit!
- Presentation. How you present your press kit is as important as what is in it. As I said in #4, I’ve been the press person and walked the press room. Usually they have racks and racks of press kits, some are in folders, some are tied with bows, some are really ornate. (How creative the kits are depends a lot on the industry.) So you need SOMETHING on the outside to make someone stop and say, “Cool! What is this about?” Maybe it’s a catchy headline, or a captivating image. I’ve seen press kits in pocket folders, envelopes, even pizza boxes. I caution you against doing something too big (they may not find a spot for it) or too small (people may not notice it).
Here are some other resources for more nitty-gritty information about Press Kits and Press Releases:
http://www.glmshows.com/press/guidetopr.htm
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/constructing-a-press-kit.html
http://advertising.about.com/od/publicrelationsresources/a/fivepresskits.htm
http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneursstartupsmagazine/2001/december/46660.html
May the press be with you!
~ Tara
P.S. Want to learn more about the book that prompted the question that prompted the blog? Click here
What I learned from watching my 5 month old niece…
My son is 15 1/2 and he is the last “baby” in the family. So it’s been a while since I spent any amount of time with a baby. Once I got to thinking about it, my son was probably the last baby I was ever “in charge” of, meaning no parents around to hand them back to.
Yesterday I got to spend 12 hours in charge of my niece and BOY IS SHE CUTE! Some may argue but I think she just might be the cutest 5 month old around! I learned, or perhaps remembered, a few things from my time with her. What was immediately evident was that it is hard to get much done with a little one in the house. So for all of you with little ones who wonder how I get so much done, remember that my “little one” is 15 and that is a whole different world!
If you read my blog often, you won’t be surprised when I started coming up with business analogies while spending time with Gillian. Here are a few lessons we can learn from babies and apply to our businesses:
- Never stop moving. That little girl is CONSTANT MOTION… her legs and feet are moving or her arms are moving or her head is moving so she can see what is going on. She doesn’t sit back and think, ‘hmm… wouldn’t it be great to get control of my muscles one day’, ‘sure would be great to move and walk like these people taking care of me’… no sir! There is no sitting back expecting others to do it for her. She is working her muscles and learning how to move, coordination, control. If you do something to build your business every day, and that doesn’t mean just thinking about doing something, your business will move and grow.
- Keep your eyes open. Talk about an observant one — my niece doesn’t miss a thing. Make a noise — she’s looking to see where it came from. She just LOVED watching cars zoom down the street behind my house. Her face lit up with delight as she soaked in all the sights and sounds where ever she was. Do you keep your eyes open to new opportunities, new ways to do business, new things to try? Don’t get tunnel vision — look around — you’ll be amazed at what will inspire you.
- Take a break if you need one. Like babies everywhere, Gillian didn’t go quietly off to sleep… she fought to stay awake until she could fight no more and then, like a rag doll, her eyes closed and she was asleep. Do you ever do that? Push yourself so hard that you feel like you might collapse? (I know I have been guilty of this one.) Schedule time to relax and recharge your battery – slow and steady wins the race!
- Get emotional! Often adults feel it is dangerous to be (or at least show) too emotional. If you get too excited, you will be more disappointed. Many people try to protect themselves by building walls and getting cautious — I say, take a cue from a baby and live life to the fullest! Gillian could be mesmerized one minute, laughing the next and crying one more minute later. But without the highs or lows… what good is it? So get excited about potential projects and feel the disappointment if it doesn’t work out because you know what? Some of them will and then you get the added THRILL of success and not just, “hey… that’s cool… I got the gig…”
- Live in the moment. Related to #4 – Get emotional, babies know how to live in the moment. I’m not sure if they are aware of past or future — I’d venture to guess “no” or why would they keep throwing things on the floor only to get upset that they can’t reach them? Adults tend to dwell on the past and worry about the future, missing a lot of good stuff going on in this moment. Buck that trend and stop RIGHT NOW… what is going right for you in this instant? Do that a few times a day and you will realize just how rich your life really is.
Now it’s time to get back to drawing since I no longer have the little darling trying to steal my pen and drool on my paper. Here is a little video so you too can see just how cute Miss Gillian is!
Have a creative day!
Tara
P.S. Do you have any more business lesson we can learn from kids? If so… add them in the comments!
Repeat Patterns… the sequel! The Combo Pack! The excitement never ends!
Back in August 2008, I created an eBook tutorial about how to create repeat borders and patterns in Photoshop™. When I wrote it, I told the reader that this would be the first of 2 tutorials. The second would be a more advanced technique called a “half-drop”. I told the reader they REALLY, REALLY, REALLY needed to master the basic techniques so they would be ready to roll when I got the second book done.
WELL… the half-drop repeat book is ready!
If you already have the first book, Basic Repeat Borders and Patterns, and you have read and learned the information, you are ready to go for “the Sequel”. If you are new to repeat patterns, start with the first book or save some green and get the “combo pack” that has both books together.
If you can provide quality art, in a format that is easy for a manufacturer to use, you save them money. Saving your clients money is one way to stand out from the crowd. I found figuring out how to create repeats, using Photoshop™, was very frustrating. I couldn’t find all the information I needed in one place. I picked up a little here, a little there… over a long period of time.
What I have done with these books is created a very visual, step-by-step guide to repeat patterns… without all the “extra” Photoshop™ stuff… just what you need to get the job done. If you are like me you are busy, wearing many hats in your business, and need to cut to the chase.
“But what is a basic repeat pattern vs. a half-drop?” you ask. Good question!
With a ‘basic’ repeat pattern, you created a section of art that gets repeated vertically and horizontally and can go on indefinitely. It’s like laying basic tiles on a floor, lined up evenly.
A half-drop is a little more sophisticated… instead of lining your tiles up evening, you stagger them. What is the point of that? It makes the repeated pattern harder to pick out with an untrained eye and adds more ‘visual interest’ to the pattern.
Learning and understanding the techniques for a basic repeat will make stepping it up a notch to the half-drop techniques an easier process.
To learn more about the eBook tutorials, click here, and you will go to the repeat pattern overview page of my website. Then you can decide if you want to learn about an individual book or the “Combo” offer.
Have an incredible day – here’s to your success!
~ Tara
P.S. If you need to buy or upgrade Photoshop™, click the link below…
Why acting like "Bridezilla" won't help during trade show setup…
Ah! The best laid plans of mice and men… and artists exhibiting at trade shows! Something is bound to go wrong! Here is my story of what happened and how I overcame it…
On January 24, 2009 I arrived at the Anaheim Convention Center and went to booth #2624 in the License & Design section. So far, so good. I said hi to the artists who would be my neighbors for the next few days and proceeded to get everything out to put my booth together.
This is the blank canvas I had to start with. Each show is slightly different – both because the show is trying to be unique in an effort to attract exhibitors and because each location has different equipment and options available, even if they are run by the same company.
CHA gave us hard wall booths (like Surtex & Licensing International), a skirted table, 2 chairs (we really need 3 but they have the feedback — we’ll see what happens!) and 3 shelves to display product. The nice man whose back you see came and moved my shelves twice — I’ve never had shelves before and got a little fickle about how I wanted to use them.
If you recall, I decided to have vinyl banners printed this year since I am doing 3 different trade shows and I had just used them at PrintSource in New York. I unrolled my banners and started deciding how I wanted to hang them. One for each section of the wall, and then one open section for sample products. (That was where I was having shelf challenges.)
AND THEN IT HAPPENED… Sound the alarm! The adrenaline began flowing and I started to panic! I realized I was short one banner! So I had 3 feet of wall space and nothing to put on it — what the heck was I going to do?
First, let me tell you how this came about. (My reason, not my excuse. Remember the difference? If not, click here, it’s a good distinction to understand.) My booth at PrintSource was 7′ x 9′. So 7 banners was perfect — 3 across the back and 2 on each side. I didn’t need as many product samples for the show so now major space required. January was so busy that I lost track on 1 detail in my plan… in my head I kept thinking I needed one more banner for Surtex in May, forgetting that *duh!* I needed it for CHA as well.
Well, whatever the reason, the problem was very real. Decision time — how was I going to handle it and how was I going fix the problem?
That was when I went into what I like to call “Wedding Day Mode”. (If you are a guy and weren’t very involved in the minutia of your wedding, think about football and having to punt.) On your wedding day, something will inevitably not go the way you planned. A bride can freak out and turn into a raging lunatic (not recommended) or they can go with the flow, realize that there may not be anything that can be done so just work through it calmly, have fun and do the best she can with what she has. (Channel Jackie O’ – she always seemed to rise to the occassion and be graceful under pressure.)
So I had a momentary freak out where I stuck my head in Priscilla Burris’ booth and told my sad story to her and her husband and then got to work figuring out a plan.
Thankfully, I always bring more product than I think I will need. I also have a little supply kit with me, which includes some fishing line. I ended up hanging an apron and potholders and some photo frames from the wall. I moved my table back so the chairs for potential clients would be well inside my booth, and it looked like I planned to have my booth that way all along!
My booth is not the most amazing booth you will see at any show. I won’t win any awards. But you know what — that’s ok. My goal is to win clients and what is on the walls needs to attract their attention long enough for me to say a few words. Then it’s dive into the portfolio time. The rest is up to me.
So the next time you are heading to a show TRIPLE CHECK that you have everything you need before you leave. (That way you won’t even need this strategy.) And because things happen to the best of us, bring a little more than you think you need so you have something to work with just in case…
Here’s to your trade show success!
~ Tara
P.S. Will you be at Surtex? I am going to be on a panel for a class about the licensor / licensee relationship on Tuesday, May 18, from 10 -11 am. The 2009 conference program isn’t online yet so stay tuned for details!
AskTaraReed.com creates a “Sally Field” moment…
I am SO EXCITED I can barely stand it! I just have to share and ask for your good thoughts on Wednesday, February 11th between 6 & 7 pm, PST.
If you have listened to any of my AskTaraReed.com calls, you may remember me talking about the class I am taking, Teleseminar Secrets with Alex Mandossian, where I am learning all about teaching by phone. It is a great way to reach more people with either of us having to get on airplanes, stay in hotels, etc. We can sit in our pj’s and chat. Fabulous!
Well, one of the ways Alex encourages his students to dive in and give his ideas a shot, is by holding a “Challenge”. There aren’t winners or losers, but highest vote getters. If you had some sort of Teleseminar between December 15th and January 28th, you could submit an essay explaining what skills you implemented and why you feel worthy of becoming, as I like to say, “Queen or King Vote Getter”.
Of course I dove right in and my first call was on December 17th. I then wrote my essay about how great you all responded to the concept, how I was committed to doing this every month in 2009, etc.
Well I bet you can guess what happened next… YUP! Monday morning I got a call from Alex telling me I was one of 6 finalists in the “Newbie” category.
On Wednesday night, between 6 & 7, I will have 4 minutes to “plead my case” to all the Teleseminar Students who are listening as to why I feel I am a worthy newbie. I’ll be talking about you all of course! (And hoping that you are sending good vibes my way!)
My “Sally Field” moment is that I am SO HONORED to have been chosen as a finalist… my goal is to be happy with the job I do in my 4 minutes. Whatever happens after that is cool. (I’ll let you know.)
My mom always told me that if I didn’t at least try something, I’d never succeed. And although I’ve tried many things and not gotten the results I wanted, I keep on trying. Because how would great adventures like this happen without trying?
So head out and try something new today. Do it for me. I want you to be as excited as I am right now. And don’t forget — send good vibes my way on Wednesday!
Tara
P.S. The next AskTaraReed.com call is in 2 weeks on Wednesday, February 25th. Go ask me questions! Even if you’ve asked before, give me some more! (I need more than the question from my boyfriend asking if I still love him although I laughed pretty hard when I read it!) Go. Now. Ask!
UPDATE: It’s over! I survived! I must admit that I felt more nervous than I expected and am not sure why but I’m told my voice didn’t sound as shakey as it felt. (Don’t you hate that? I don’t remember having that problem since high school!) Maybe it was having to talk and watch a stopwatch to stay under my 4 minutes… regardless I did it, it’s done and I’m proud! Thank you again for all your support and kind emails — you guys rock! The results will be in at the end of the month and although I don’t expect to get the most votes, I’ll let you know if I hear anything. 
A Lesson Learned in Driver's Ed Could Save Your Life or Your Business
In Oregon, you can get your driver’s permit at 15 and your license at 16. I grew up in Pennsylvania and we couldn’t get our permit a day before our 16th birthday short of a clerical error. I was SO JEALOUS when my friend got hers a week early, on MY 16th birthday, due to one of those very errors!. But my 16-year-old issues are not the point so I’ll get back on track.
Letting my son get his permit at 15 made me nervous — he is very responsible but seems so young. Seriously? I want him behind the wheel of my car? (I LOVE my car!) A friend who has an older child and has already been through this rite of passage re-framed the situation and helped me see the wisdom in Oregon’s law. If you let your child get their permit at 15, they HAVE to practice with you or another licensed driver for an entire year before heading out on their own. Make them wait and they only have to do 6 months I think.
So okay, that makes sense, and as I already said, my son has proven himself to be responsible so why punish him for my own misgivings. He got his permit in September and I started calling about driver’s ed classes.
2 weeks ago he told me that they are teaching him to hold the steering wheel at 4 & 8 o’clock, that it is safer and you have more control. Huh? I was taught and have been holding my hands at 11 & 2 for 25 years. Ok, whatever, I pretty much dismissed it after I tried it once and it felt weird.
My way was working so why change what works, right? I found out why today…
Today I picked up my son and he got in the car and said, “You know how you told people at dinner last night that you wanted me in driver’s ed so they would show me movies to scare me and make me a safer driver?” (Now I’m getting my money’s worth!) “Yes,” I replied. “See some movies today?”
“No, a trauma nurse talked to us for an hour and a half about all the things that she’s seen. She introduced herself by saying, “I’ve seen a lot of kids your age die. My name is… “ So I got to hear some gruesome stories that make me want to stay home and out of a car or not crossing the street. But here is the one that made me decide to blog today:
The nurse told the class that when an air-bag deploys, it comes out at 200 mph and if you have your hands at 10 & 2, you could kill yourself with your own fists! Well there were no air bags when I learned to drive so it wasn’t an issue. It is today so they are training kids to keep their hands below where the air bag deploys so it won’t grab their arms & hands. Hey 20/20 — have you covered this for the rest of us? Did I miss it?
And of course I take these little tidbits and often translate them to business. Even if you have been doing something – a job, a technique, etc – for a long time, keep looking at what is going on around you. Business practices may be changing, job skills people expect you to have may shift, heck, Photoshop™ changes every year or so giving us new tools to use. What worked in art licensing 10 years ago won’t work today.
If you assume the way you were taught something will always be the best way, take the lesson of airbags and think again. Do a quick check to see if you are working in safe & efficient ways. Oh yeah, start driving with your hands at 4 & 8 — your future could depend on it!
~ Tara
Surtex is Right Around the Corner…
… if you are exhibiting, are you ready?
I’m still hip-deep in follow up from January Shows but I don’t want to miss any opportunities — especially if they are FREE — for Surtex. As I went through trying to get my inbox to a less overwhelming number of emails, I found a gem from Surtex.
If you are exhibiting it is time to get busy! And I don’t just mean busy with art. Take a few minutes to see what opportunities the show has for your online listing, potential for free press, etc. Here’s the link… click it NOW!
The deadline to submit, correct or change information for the printed directory is March 17, 2009.
Oh yeah… and the deadline to pay the balance on your booth is February 18, 2009. OUCH! It always hurts just a little to write that check but I keep doing it because I find it’s worth it for my business.
And not to leave anyone out, but if you are exhibiting at the Licensing International Show in Vegas in June (it’s gonna be HOT there in June – bring sunscreen) — be sure to check for opportunities with them as well. (I won’t be there so I have no links for you — sorry!)
OK… I need to scoot back to that website and make sure I’m taking advantage of every free opportunity and considering those that cost some extra cash. Chat with you later! ~ Tara
P.S. If you are exhibiting at any Art Licensing Trade Show, have you looked at my eBook on the subject? I promise there are some good things in there — CLICK HERE to learn more.
P.P.S. If you want a deal on vinyl banners for your booth, I was thrilled with the quality I got from UPrinting.com. Click the link below and get 15% off vinyl banners through Feb. 28, 2009.
15% OFF Vinyl Banner Printing – Limited Time Offer
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