I wanted to report in - I gave my 4 minute Teleseminar Secrets Challenge Speech last night and it went really well - or so I'm told! I was a little nervous but nothing like last year!
What I had to do was explain why I thought I should win "Top Vote Getter" for the Veteran Category - meaning I had made more than $1 with Teleseminars. It was supposed to inspire others, show my passion and what I felt teleseminars had done for my business. Would I be a good spokesperson for teleseminars? Did I make sense? Those were the parameters on which we were judged. (No results in just yet...)
When I sat down to write my speech, I thought about how much teleseminars had changed my business - how they have helped me connect with artists and other industry experts who have come on board to share. Most of all, I wanted to show how I felt it has helped all of us - now you can learn in the most remote region in your fuzzy slippers and you don't have to travel to New York, Atlanta or Las Vegas. (and neither do I! I'm in fuzzy socks - every time!)
I think I got the point across and here is why: a fellow student was giving me feedback on my speech on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/LoydLarue)
First he said: you did a gr8 job @ the challenge.
I of course thanked him!
Then he said: You Are My Everything @Michael Bublé ==>http://bit.ly/7f8PsV ==>this could be your biz song mantra...?? just a thought.
I didn't understand so I asked for an explanation. (Honestly, I have that song as the ring-tone when Craig calls so to me it was a romantic song)
@LoydLarue replied: I was just thinking of your passion towards your prospect / clients.. "You are my everything" made sense @ the time..lol
So I'd say my love for this side of my business shined through - yippee! I am also happy the speech is over so I can get back to my art and look forward to our upcoming teleseminars. You are coming right?
If you recall, I did a video proclaiming 2010 to be my year of "flow" - that's the verb I have chosen to guide me this year. I want to stop resisting and worrying and just go with the flow. The creative flow, the flow of opportunity, the flow of health and happiness... all of it.
And WOW! So far so good! We have some exciting things coming up - many of which I discovered or got a final "yes" to this year.
AskAboutSEOforArtists.com - the Ask Call for February (on Wed. the 17th) came to me via email – "I have this new product and thought it might be of interest to your audience..." Absolutely! What artist with a website doesn't want to know how to make it work more efficiently for them?
Ask Mary Engelbreit – 13 months in the 'wooing' - Mary will be the Ask Call expert on Wed, March 17th - can't wait!
And these are just the amazing things going on on the information side of my business - not the art side. But do you see a trend in these events? They are all opportunities that came from my taking the Teleseminar Secrets Class and learning to connect, teach and inspire by phone.
We're getting to the part where I need good vibes now...
The cool thing about the Teleseminar Secrets Class is that once you are a student, you are always a student and you can listen in every year to learn the new content and brush up on some review. I have 2 really cool things going on during the class again this year.
THE GOOD VIBE REQUEST: I entered the "Teleseminar Secrets Challenge" again this year (this time as a "Veteran" - if you read my blog last year you might recall I was a finalist for the "Newbie" category.) Well I am a finalist again! One of 6 Veterans who will give a 4 minute speech on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th to the other students (usually about 500 people are on the line) and tell them why I believe I deserve to be the "Highest Vote Getter" among the 6 finalists.
For some reason I was REALLY NERVOUS during my speech last year - like, crazy didn't-think-I'd-get-each-word-out nervous. The level of it surprised me! I fully intend not to repeat that feeling. (The audio sounded fine but it didn't feel good while I was talking.)
So I would love to know that I have you on my side and sending calming energy to me, OK? (Very new-age, I know!) I have so enjoyed every Ask Call I've done or facilitated since my first call in December 2008 - and it's thanks to the artists and support you give. That was part of the challenge entry that got me into the finals...
I'll let you know how it goes on Thursday, ok?
Another fun Teleseminar Secrets addition - I have been asked to be on the "Faculty" to teach about using Twitter to grow a business. I was just tweeting away during class and posting to the Facebook fan page and suddenly heard my name and ended up on the live call... if you want to hear my basic thoughts and how this came about - you hear it all below...
So remember, none of these amazing things would be happening if I wasn't ASKING (for experts to become part of the ArtLicensingInfo.com family), TRYING (entering the challenge) or LISTENING (to new ideas like the SEO for Artists.).
You don't know what is possible for you or your business unless you try. So I encourage you to take a deep breath and GO FOR IT! The worst that can happen is nothing... the best? Who knows!
Posted by Tara Reed on Jan 31, 2010 in inspiration
Hope I get REAL cake for my birthday!
Jinkies, how did I get to be 42? I still, quite vividly, remember planning surprise parties for friends when we were all turning 13. Or making construction paper cars to put on a locker to make sure everyone knew a friend was turning 16... (and to make her embarrassed... wonder if Sue will read this post?) Let's not forget turning 21... and the headache the day after.
Well now it seems I have somehow reached 42! Last year it was my son turning 16 not my friend. (I got 16 cars from the Dollar Tree and hung them over the table instead of the construction paper stand-by.)
Anyway, I'm fine with my age and thought it would be fun to sit down and write the 42 things that came to mind that I have learned in my 42 years. Some are silly and others just might make you go hmmm... (remember that song? The video is at the end of my list)
So here goes...42 things I've learned in my 42 years
I love my 40s! (and I knew I would!)
Your mom isn't always right… (unless your name is Kyle and I'm your mom.)
Things you hear as a child STICK in a person's head for years so be careful what you say to children!
Big Boobs doesn't necessarily = Sexy. There's more to it.
Being yourself is always the best way to go in the long run!
Your education doesn't have to determine the rest of your life.
Risks are rewarded - sometimes with wealth and other times with lessons to be learned.
There is always a silver lining if you are willing to look for it.
Swollen feet on airplanes is not fun.
I love to Twitter!
Highlights aren't for me - I have dark hair and I love it! (Gray isn't for me either so I'll dye the heck out of any that try and invade my head.)
Being a parent is hard work - but worth it. You get out what you put in.
Everyone doesn't always choose the best partner. Pick again. (But not the same person with a different name - lots of people seem to do that too!)
The internet isn't a fad. Thank goodness! How did we survive without it?
Live with no regrets, it makes for a happier life than second guessing yourself.
I'd be really wealthy if all the "Lotto" winnings I got in my inbox were real!
Shoe size has nothing to do with anything except how big your feet are.
Finding someone who gets you is something to be cherished!
Laughter is an awesome way to spend time.
Travel to foreign countries expands your perspective.
Trust your intuition, even if it goes against everyone else's advice. You usually know what's best for you.
I can't sing or dance… and I haven't quite come to terms with that!
My mom was right: "If you don't ask, the chances of getting a "yes" are slim to none."
She was also right when she said, "The worst that can happen is they say no." (I've discovered you can always survive that.)
My dad was mistaken when he said, "They wouldn't call it work if it was fun." (Sorry dad) I have found a way to make work = fun. Yippee!
If you do things right, you really do get wiser when you get older, so listen to those that are even older than you and see what you can learn.
I actually do have a sense of humor. (phew!)
Sometimes it really is ok to sit and do nothing… for hours.
Sometimes you get what you pay for. Other times you get more or less… be careful how you spend your money.
I don't enjoy cooking.
Not everyone is meant to stay in our lives forever but everyone that comes into your life serves a purpose or provides a lesson you need to learn.
Doing the best you can with what you know at the time is all anyone can ask for.
It's ok to admit that you were wrong.
Our beliefs don't always make sense - even to ourselves! Keep the ones that work for you and try to change the ones that hold you back.
Knowing yourself and being honest with yourself is the key to all things.
Success is more than the size of your bank account.
Time really does seem to pass more quickly the older you get! (I remember my mom telling me that when I was about 8 and thinking she was nuts!)
I like to know how everything works. Which can cause me to do more than I should by myself.
I'm "micro-social" - I would choose to be with small groups of people over large gatherings.
I'm glad I was able to stay home with my son for 10 years but I'm really thriving building my business and being his mom at the same time!
There is no "right answer" that will work for everyone. (No matter what the question is.)
No matter how many candles you have on your birthday cake this year I hope you are growing wiser and laughing more with each passing year! Now where's my cake?
Phew! The holidays are over, a new year has begun... how many people ate just a little too much pie? With all the talk and tweets about pumpkin pie over the past few months, I thought I'd remind you about my "Art Pie" analogy - it won't make you fat but just might make you money!
In the three video series (I call it the "Art As Pie Trilogy") you might begin to look at your art business a little differently.
In these short video clips on the Art Licensing Info YouTube channel (you know we have one, right?) you can listen to my thoughts about how...
I often talk about how so many artists in licensing came to the industry in some odd and twisty way. "Tripped over speed bumps", were snuck in the side door… very few deliberately said, "I want to license my art." first and foremost.
I love to hear people's stories! How they ended up doing whatever they are doing. Have they always done that? Did they grow up "knowing" that is what they wanted to do?
So I have a video project in mind and I'd LOVE for you to join in the fun. I decided a CONTEST was in order! There are some rules and some rewards too!
Deadline: Feb 14th (you can always submit videos at any time, but to get the rewards, Valentine's Day is your deadline.)
First the REWARDS:
1. You get to share your story with other artists, perhaps inspiring someone along the way.
2. People will get to know more about you and your art.
3. You will get some 'link love' - and if you listen to the Feb. 17th Ask About SEO for Artists call, you will learn why that is a good, good thing!
a $20 coupon for any ArtLicensingInfo.com product (everyone who enters gets this!)
a chance to win a $100 credit for any ArtLicensingInfo.com product or a free hour of coaching with me. (worth $125)
The winner will be announced on the Feb. 17th Ask call but doesn't need to be on the line to win.
Now for the RULES:
1. You must create a video that tells 'your art licensing story'. (see some video suggestions below the rules if you are new to video)
You can be at any point in your story - just heard about licensing and starting to learn to working in licensing for decades. The more variety the better!
It doesn't have to be a live video but must include a photo of you and some samples of your art if you choose to do a photo montage.
Some ideas of what you can include (but not required)
Why licensing appeals to you
How you heard about art licensing
How long you have been in or learning about licensing
What you are doing to succeed in licensing
What you like or expect to like about licensing your art
Tell and/or show your website so people can find you.
2. Post your video to YouTube
Include the following tags or keywords, as well as any that are relevant to you (like your name, company or art medium): art licensing, art licensing info
In the description, include: "This is in reply to the Art Licensing Stories Contest hosted by Tara Reed at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/stories.html"
Your name / company name (whatever you want listed under your video)
Your website url (I'll like to to it)
the url link to your video
the embed code for your video
I'll put the videos on www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/stories.html, in the order they are received. I hope to create a fun and inspiring library of art licensing stories! So get creative and remember, "done is better than perfect" - just speak from the heart and share your story. This isn't Hollywood - it's real life artists sharing!
Got a flip video? Have a friend or neighbor with a flip? Push the button, record, plug into your usb and put the file on your desktop. Upload to YouTube and you are all set! Easy-Peasy!
If you have a Mac that runs Snow Leopard:
open QuickTimePlayer.
Choose > File > New Movie Recording
Smile at your computer camera, click the red button and record#
(watch a video about it)
Can't wait to hear YOUR STORY!
– Tara
P.S. CLICK HERE to see who has submitted their story so far...
Posted by Tara Reed on Dec 31, 2009 in inspiration
VERBS have been coming at me from several directions lately and have caused me to stop and ponder...
My teacher, Alex Mandossian, asks his students to "proclaim their verb!"I ________, therefore I am! Some verbs from that class include teach, inspire, blog, nurture... mine is create.
Then local artist and entrepreneur coach Rebecca Shapiro suggested choosing a verb to define 2010 instead of making resolutions that would more than likely be forgotten or defeated by the end of January. I love this idea! SO watch this short video and pick a verb... feel free to leave your choice in the comments to inspire others.
Ah Jill Seale! She is one funny gal and this morning she gave me the first smile on my very tired face (it was SO WINDY in Portland last night that I did more tossing and turning than snoozing)...
She sent me an email that simply said, "Enjoy this. From a friend of a friend." Then there was a link to a YouTube video.
Well my blog posts have been so informative lately I decided it was time for a little fun. Enjoy this little type-face parody of the song "Poker Face". Intel has an ad campaign saying "Our jokes aren't like your jokes" and I'd say that rings true for the font world as well based on this. ENJOY!
P.S. If you want to learn more about Jill Seale, check out these websites: www.JillSeale.com and www.MomScouts.blogspot.com
Want to learn from Jill Seale? Head to www.AskJillSeale.com and grab your free copy of her "Ask" call from September.
P.P.S. If you want some "Font FAQs" - grab your copy of the April 15th "Ask" call where I had Joyce Lukaczer of FontSite.com talk about the ins and outs of fonts and typeface, including some of the legalities of using fonts in art for licensing. CLICK HERE
Posted by Tara Reed on Nov 26, 2009 in inspiration
Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. What better day than today to reflect on all that we have to be grateful for in our lives?
I found this great quote which has inspired this post:
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
– Albert Schweitzer
Sure, it is easy to let the speed bumps get us upset and out-of-wack, for the little disruptions to consume way more energy than they deserve. At times like that, as well as days like this, I like to sit down with a pen and paper and write (or in this case type and blog) about all the wonderful things I have in my life to be grateful for.
Here is a list of things that come to mind - in no particular order and in no way all-inclusive - but simply what is flowing to the typewriter as I think, reflect and focus on all the good things in my life.
my son & my significant other, Craig (These two men do so much to keep the joy and meaning in my life, without them things would be very different so I am thankful every day for their love, humor and support.)
my family & friends (supportive, fun and tolerant of my sometimes 'quirky artistic temperament')
my health, creativity and thirst for knowledge (without these things my life would be much more boring! Maybe less busy and hectic some days... but I wouldn't trade it for lack of inspiration!)
my business - the art and the teaching/sharing sides (being able to license my art and all that that entails, as well as having an outlet to share what I know and what I am learning, feeds my soul.)
the artists who read this blog, connect, learn and share on so many levels (without you, I'd be writing into the void - it is so good to know that I'm not!)
the artists and industry experts who have become a piece of the ever growing "Art Licensing Info" family. Never would I have guessed that the site would evolve the way it has and for what it is and what it is becoming, I am grateful. We all work with this question at the forefront of our creative process: "What would we have wanted to know at different stages of learning about how to license our art?" Thank you Paul Brent, Jill Seale, Cheryl Hodgson and Suzanne Cruise...
my home and life in Portland, Oregon. (I am here by choice and love all that the Northwest has to offer!)
the internet! 10 years ago all that we are doing and the ways that we are connecting didn't exist. Even a year and a half ago I couldn't see how all these pieces would fit into my life. But today I am thankful for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, the forum, blogs, email and more!
I hope you take the time to focus on what is really important to you and all the things you have to be grateful for as well.
Posted by Tara Reed on Oct 20, 2009 in inspiration
I love Gray's Anatomy. And Bailey? Well she's just the coolest. That woman can keep it together in the face of some serious adversity. Be tough as nails or soft and compassionate depending on the needs of her patients.
On October 15th, Bailey had to fly a patient to California - right onto the set of Private Practice. (Another guilty pleasure!) In Right Here, Right Now we really got to see both sides of Bailey.
Bailey's going through a bit of a tough patch. (Sort of like the economy... there, I said it!) Her husband went off with a mom from a playgroup, in part because her work demands too much of her time and she is left with little for her family. So now she's a single mom of a toddler, attending at Seattle Grace and in California because Izzy about killed her patient who had been waiting for a liver for 3 years! (I like to keep the drama in my life on the tv set - with an on / off button - and these two shows always provide!)
But since this isn't "Soap Opera Review", I'll get to my point that relates to artists...
A theme that went through the espisode was Bailey saying that her cup (and the world's cup) was 'half empty'. To me, that meant she felt defeated, empty, struggling to fight the good fight. I also believe that she is usually a "cup half full" kind of person, as am I. Maybe that's why I was so struck and empathetic with her when she sat on the deck with Addison, telling her that her cup was half empty and she just didn't want to talk about it.
I think people have a pre-disposition. You either naturally see things as 'half full' or 'half empty' - it's like it's biologically embedded in people. Or maybe we are trained that way by our parents. We could probably have a whole nature vs. nuture debate about it.
But to continue the road to my point: I believe that no matter what your natural inclination, everyone has both at some point in their lives.
I'm normally a "glass half-full" kind of person. But sometimes, my vision blurs and things look half-empty. I hate when that happens! But as I said, I believe it happens to all of us at some point.
Maybe you get tired, run out of energy and all the sudden the world looks 'half-empty'. I know this can happen to me when I'm sick or after a trip that requires every ounce of energy and enthusiasm I can muster.
So what can you do about it? When you find yourself in a 'half-empty' state of mind, here are five strategies to get back to the 'half-full' and happier side of life:
Unplug. Take a break and let your body regain it's energy. If you keep pushing yourself to the max, how do you expect to recoup the energy you have put out there?
Pamper yourself. Pampering looks different to everyone, do what works for you. Maybe you go to the gym, get your nails done, get a massage or acupuncture, go to a movie in the afternoon or stay in your pjs all day. Whatever works for you, DO IT!
Surround yourself with "half-full" people. Avoid people that you know will let you wallow in 'half-empty land'. They are probably wonderful people overall - family, friends, neighbors - but they aren't good for you right now. Go find some very optimistic, energetic and upbeat person and just bask in the light of their energy! It's contagious and you will find yourself feeling better - I promise!
Read. Find something that inspires you or whisks you away to another time and place - letting you escape the circle of half-emptiness your brain is in. Be it a blog and book or magazine - whatever works!
Create. If you are reading this blog, you are most likely an artist. Get lost in creativity. Try something new. Experiment. Play!
May you live your life seeing things around you as 'half-full' most days and when the lens changes to half-empty, may you find the way to fill it up again!
Put 10 artists who license their work in a room and guess what you will find? That every one of them has a different story, a different way of discovering licensing, a different perspective about how it works and what is good & bad about it, etc.
I just read a fabulous interview with BJ Lantz (an equally fab person and artist) on Kate Harper's blog. This just might be my shortest blog post ever because all I have to say is this...
Go read it. You'll learn something. You'll find some idea or inspiration. It will leave you with just that much more information about licensing.
That's it. I'm done blogging for today. Thanks to Kate & BJ for doing the heavy lifting.
