Last few days to save on The Goal Wheel for Artists – Goal Setting System That Leaves Lots of Room for Creativity!
The sale price of $27 ends on Tuesday, January 31st – have you taken advantage of this deal yet? Not only do you get an audio and transcript, you get an eBook with lots of worksheets to print out and use as well as “Goal Mail” every month for the next 12 months to keep you on track. I created The Goal Wheel for Artists™ because I needed a better way – it works for me and I think it can work for you too.
I took things that worked for me from other goal setting ideas I’ve learned and tried along the way and kept what worked. It’s not too hard. It’s easy to feel good about yourself even if you don’t quite hit every milestone you set for yourself during a given month – that’s the key you know, to feel good.
I want you to be successful too – and that’s why I’m offering the eBook and audio replay for $27 – that’s more than half-off!
Watch this quick video then go to www.TheGoalWheelForArtists.com and get all the details – you and your future are worth it!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
What a great Art Licensing Ask Call with Attorney Kyle-Beth Hilfer!
It’s been a while since we had a legal expert on the line – I hope you were able to dial in and learn lots! Attorney Kyle-Beth Hilfer has lots of experience in art licensing and general intellectual property law – of course her answers are not to be construed as legal counsel just food for thought. (Disclaimers are very important! If you have a specific issue, contact her or the attorney of your choice!)
What we covered on the call…
• How to find and how to handle copyright infringements online
• Do manufacturers shy away from artists with an attorney and contracts?
• From a legal standpoint, how close is too close to another person’s work?
• Can I use purchased products in art and then license it? (rubber stamps, doilies, papers, etc)
• Which is more important trademark or copyright?
• How much should you allow licensees to manipulate your artwork and who should own the new versions of the work?
• What are your thoughts on exclusive license agreements?
• What can artist do to provide the most protection to his/her art?
Since this is Ms. Hilfer’s first call – the MP3 Audio replay is available for free! If you have signed up for a call before, you should have received an email with the direct link to the audio. If you haven’t, simply fill out the form below to get your copy –
Learn more about Ms. Hilfer at:
www.kbhilferlaw.com,
or follow her on Twitter @kbhilferlaw
or Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebethhilfer
Learn more from Kyle-Beth Hilfer at SURTEX!
She will be teaching “Understanding Legal Basics-Contracts and Copyrights” as part of the SURTEX conference series on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 2pm. If you are exhibiting you get 2 free conference passes – maybe this should be one of them. 
Learn more about the classes at http://www.surtex.com/TheShow/2012ConferenceProgram/tabid/103/Default.aspx
What’s Up Next…
Maria Brophy and I (Tara Reed) will be co-hosting the next Art Licensing Info Ask Call on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. You can submit your questions at any time at www.AskTaraReed.com
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. If you are new to these calls did you know there are more than a dozen replays you can get for free? Go to http://askaboutartlicensing.com/get-free-call-replays/ and see all the experts who have shared their art licensing wisdom.
The Ask Call with Attorney Kyle-Beth Hilfer is tomorrow – will you be joining us?
We sure hope so! I’m really excited for you to get to know AttorneyKyle-Beth Hilfer. She first came on my radar in a discussion on the Art of Licensing group on LinkedIn. She also blogs occasionally about licensing. I decided it was time to bring in a new legal expert for a new perspective and we have a great call planned – we hope you take the opportunity to listen and learn!
So… if you have signed up for an Ask Call before, you should receive or have received an email reminding you of all the dial-in details. If not, head to www.AskAboutArtLicensing.com to get signed up and get the numbers. We start promptly at 5:30 pm Pacific / 7:30 pm Central / 8:30 pm Eastern.
We hope you can join us tomorrow! If you can’t, the audio replay will be available for free since this is Kyle-Beth’s first call – watch your email or the blog to see when it is ready.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts eBook buyers get a discount on consulting with Maria Brophy
You read that right! While chatting with Maria last week she told me that she wants to offer artists who have purchased our eBook – How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts, $50 off a consultation with her regarding, well, contracts.
You know the old saying – Different Strokes for Different Folks, right? Well while I do my own contract reviews and negotiations, I don’t choose to consult with artists on contract related issues. It just isn’t an area that gets me excited, it’s something I have to do to do my business.
Maria is just the opposite, she LOVES dissecting contracts and helping artists understand what the implications of what is and sometimes what isn’t there could mean to them. I can tell you first hand that she is very good at it too – I’ve had her look over my standard contract and we were able to tweak to be even better than before. I also came away with a better understanding of why some of the things that had been in there for years were so incredibly important.
SO… this is a power combo. The eBook – How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts – will give you a great understanding of the terminology and reasoning behind the many parts of an art licensing contract. It talks about the hows and whys of longer vs. shorter contracts and how your goals as an artist affect what will be key in your contracts. There is input from attorneys as well as anecdotes from artists so you can learn from both their successes and “growth experiences”. (I could call them mistakes but there is a lesson in everything so I choose to look at them as growth experiences.)
I am a firm believer in learning what you can from books and blogs and such before spending the extra money for individualized help. You don’t want to spend your time in a consultation learning definitions and basic concepts that you can find in an eBook. Maria agrees. She also wants to help artists understand contracts and protect their business interests. The more savvy the artists, the stronger we are in the industry as a whole.
The eBook is a great investment at $87. But to know that you will have access to a private consultation for $50 off if you have already purchased the eBook – it makes it a steal at effectively $37. (That is after you use the discount of course – which has no time limit but I suppose is subject to change if Maria so chooses at a later date.)
Learn more about the eBook at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/contracts.html. Then when you have questions about specifics, be sure to let Maria know you have purchased the book and get $50 off your consultation. (One discount per artist)
Learn more about working with Maria at MariaBrophy.com/consulting
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
IRS Mileage Deduction Allowances for 2012
At the beginning of each year I double check what mileage deduction rate the IRS is allowing for business travel – and if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I like to pass it on!
2012 mileage deductions are the same as July-Dec 2011 – 55.5¢ / business mile.
To see the official announcement and details, go to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=250882,00.html
Keep more of your hard earned money by taking every deduction you can for your business!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Decide to “move” in 2012
I saw this on Facebook last week and shared it on the Art Licensing Info page… within an hour it got 19 likes and a share. I decided it was worth putting on the blog so no one misses it!
Something to think about for 2012: …..”The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are. Analyze your life in terms of your environment. Are the things around you helping you towards success or are they holding you back? You are not planted in the ground like a tree… you can change. What part of your environment needs to change?” – Keith J. Cunningham
I’ll be doing so much moving in 2012 it is making my head spin… and as if I might forget everything that will be happening, my mom reminds me at least once a week. “Tara, you just have so much going on and coming up…” Really? I had forgotten! (Okay, I really hadn’t but you’d think I might with all the well-intentioned mentions.)
- I’ll be changing my physical environment – selling the house my son and I have been in since 2004 when I got divorced and moving into the house I’m remodeling with my oh-so-fabulous fiancé.
- Who I hang out with will change drastically as my son graduates from high school in June and heads we-don’t-know-where-yet for college. He’s been my sidekick for over 18 years – talk about a change!
- I’m getting married in August – hence the change in environment and it will be a change in day-to-day life.
These are all givens… but I’m going to give more thought to the ideas put forth by Mr Cunningham. (Not sure who he is, by the way) Have I optimized things to be happy, to lead me to the success that I want on all fronts – both business and personal?
Just because things are what they are doesn’t mean you can’t change them.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read that you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with – and usually have similar wealth, health and attitude. So are you hanging out with whiners who just complain about the status quo or people who actively try to live life in a positive way and do things to get them closer to their dreams? What do you watch on tv, read or listen to on the radio? Is it uplifting and motivating or demoralizing and making you want to go back to bed because “what’s the point anyway?”
I’ll be taking some quiet time to think about these things and recommend you do too. We only have so many days on this earth so why not make them as happy and fulfilling as they can be?
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
This little artist went to market…
I always think about the kid’s poem – “This little piggy went to market… this little piggy stayed home…” whenever I head to the Gift Show in Atlanta. It’s called “AmericasMart” and when you are they, it is referred to as “the market” or “the mart”. Or… “Wow! This is overwhelming!”
Anyway – this little artist went to market and did a whirlwind day and a half of walking, looking, talking, meetings and collapsing rather exhausted each night. It was definitely busier than last year – but no one was sure if it was because of the economy or the weather. (Last year there was a snow/ice storm which pretty much paralyzes Georgia.)
The showrooms seemed overflowing with new products and people excited to see new designs. One thing I always do at the January show is check the fashion status – in years past there have been tons of people wearing lime green, another year had a large showing of turquoise and last year – animal prints. This year was all about knee-high boots with black tights and black or gray knit dresses or skirts – many on the short side. As I walked along in my signature black pants and good-for-my-feet-if-not-super-cute Dansko shoes, I felt very out of it.
It was great to see so many artists that I only see at shows and catch up. Even better (no offense!) to meet with current and potential clients to discuss new art and new products.
One interesting but not unexpected comment from a manufacturer was in regards to computer skills -
It’s great that you have good computer skills. There are a lot of artists who don’t and they are being left behind. Even without thinking about the cost of hiring someone to manipulate art, I don’t have the time to hold their hand to get it right. I need to be able to share my ideas with the artist and have them get it set for me so we can make some great products.
This is one of the big shifts in recent years, in my opinion, in the art licensing industry. When I started in 2004, having computer skills was like icing on the cake. Now it’s becoming a required ingredient.
This Friday the 13th – don’t be “that” artist…
I’m going to assume that you have seen or at least heard of the Friday the 13th movies… there have been at least 9 or so of them. You know, the ones where cute co-eds go camping, open doors late at night, go for walks in the woods alone – all the dangerous things that make them fall prey to the illustrious Freddie Krueger. The stereotypical horror movies where you KNOW bad things are going to happen but they make you jump anyway… you with me?
Let’s make a pact today NOT to be the girl who opens the door to who-knows-who while wearing next to nothing in the middle of the woods on a dark and rainy night. I mean, THAT girl is just asking for it, right? Don’t be the guy that goes swimming alone in knowingly shark infested waters…
Well… sometimes we are “just asking for it” too. We want success but are we doing what we should be or are we acting as much like those crazy co-eds in Friday the 13th in regards to our business?
If there was a Friday the 13th movie about artists trying to build there businesses – what “don’t do it!” things would these artists be doing?
What would be obvious pitfalls to the 3rd party observer that might seem like a good idea to us? Just for fun, here’s are a few things l I came up with. If you have some other fun ideas – add them in the comments – let’s see if we can get to 13!
1. Talking about what they want to create but not taking action. Talk is cheap but it doesn’t put art on the canvas, repeat patterns in the computer or connect you with manufacturers who license art. Are you taking action to get where you want to go or still in the “dream and discuss” phase?
2. Not following up. If you get an email inquiry or phone call, are you following up in a timely fashion or putting it off for fear of rejection? You want to be the artist with the reputation for being accessible and responsive – that’s what gets you business!
3. Not considering feedback. If you receive the same feedback from at least three sources, I highly recommend you give it some serious thought. Your way might not be the best way and if the manufacturers ask for something different, you are more likely to get the deal if you give it to them. The licensing contracts go to the artists with the art that fits a need the best – not the artist who digs in their heals saying, “This is my vision for the art and I’m not going to change a thing!”
4. Forgetting to put contact information on your website. It happens, I’m telling you! You spend so much time with all the details and the look that you forget that little list of info that lets someone contact you. Don’t be the artist with no phone number or email on your website!
5. Focusing on all the reasons you will never make it. The people who sit around and blame the economy, the industry, the decision makers, their dirty bathrooms that take all their creative time (you get the idea) will rarely be the ones who achieve their goals. Focus on what you want and figure out how to get there – within the parameters of the current state of affairs.
What other “obvious” mistakes or habits might be leading you right to dear old Freddy?
Here’s to your creative success! (without any crazy encounters in the woods!)
– Tara Reed
P.S. Here’s some Friday the 13th nostalgia for you… it’s only 29 seconds so it won’t distract you for long!
P.P.S. Want some help with your mindsets and staying focused on building your art licensing business? Check out the Art Licensing Mindset Series – a 24 week audio postcard program for only $1/week! www.ArtLicensingMindset.com
What is in your art business library?
Another thing I do towards the beginning of each year is review my business library and decide what areas I want to learn more in the coming year. Do I want to take a painting class or learn more about money management? Am I in need of personal growth motivation or some new website skills?
I have a library of books – both physical and digital – that I have learned from and that I turn to to build my business. Do you?
Obviously, if you want to learn about art licensing, I highly recommend any of the eBooks I have written or have co-authored or that I promote through ArtLicensingInfo.com (there is a list just to the right in the “Learn About…” box – see it?)
In addition, here is a list of books I highly recommend any artist have or have read. (You can always find these on the RESOURCES page which I update from time to time – have you ever checked it out?) Many of these are affiliate links so if you learn about them here, click and buy, I earn a few cents to a few dollars that helps me make time to keep on blogging. (therefore – clicks are greatly appreciated.)
Regardless – it is important to not only have the art skills but the business and personal skills to truly be happy and successful in your life.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Watch your postage pennies and hopefully the dollars will take care of themselves!
The Price of Stamps Will Increase on Jaunary 22, 2012
That is less than a month away but you still have some time to plan and save a few hard-earned dollars.
Here are the price increases, according the US Postal Service:
- The cost of Forever stamps will increase by 1 cent. But if you stock up on a supply now at 44¢, you can still use them for letters after the January 22nd price increase.
- Letters (1 oz.) will cost 45 cents. This is a 1-cent increase.
- Additional ounces for letters will remain unchanged at 20 cents.
- Postcards will increase 3 cents to 32 cents.
- Letters to Canada or Mexico will cost 85 cents. This is a 5 cent increase.
- Letters to other international destinations will increase 7 cents to cost $1.05.
Prices also will change for other mailing services, including standard mail, periodicals, package services, and extra services.
SO… if you are considering a postcard mailing, you might want to schedule them to go out before January 22nd. While 3¢ might seem insignificant, you’ll save yourself a cup of Starbucks ($6) if you send 200 postcards on the 21st instead of the 23rd. Sending more? Get coffee for a friend!
Here’s to your creative savings plans!
– Tara Reed
A penny saved is a penny earned. – Benjamin Franklin
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