One-A-Day for Art Licensing Success
For artists just looking at the idea of licensing their art, the things they need to learn, know and do can quickly feel overwhelming. Licensing your art is different from selling in galleries, doing commission work or many other ways of earning an income from your art. The way you think about art and create the art is different. While a gallery artist creates beautiful works of art that can stand alone in someone’s home, the licensed artist must think in collections and create groups of art that can go on a variety of products.
Aside from the change in art creation process, many find it more confusing to figure out who to talk to at manufacturing companies. While a gallery has a street address and most likely a listing in the phone book or online, it can be harder to figure out who to talk to at a company who licenses art – if you even know about them in the first place.
“How do I know if my art is licensable?” “How do I start?” “What’s the most important thing to do first?” are common questions from artists just exploring the idea of licensing. They want to snap their fingers and just know what to do and that they will be successful. Unfortunately, very little works that way and art licensing isn’t one.
So what do I recommend? Do one thing every day. If you do one thing every business day for a month, by the end of the month you will be 20-25 steps ahead of where you were at the beginning of the month.
Here are fifteen things to get you started:
- Read blog posts.
- Watch videos.
- Read about artists who are successful in the industry.
- Read eBooks.
- Listen to audios.
- Talk to others who are learning about licensing.
- Create art with licensing in mind.
- Create four coordinating pieces of art.
- Learn to create repeat borders.
- Learn to create repeat patterns.
- Join a group of artists who are also interested in art licensing.
- Go shopping and see what kind of art you see on products.
- Research companies that license art.
- Contact a manufacturer and submit your artwork for review.
- Be open to feedback.
Just because you do something one day doesn’t mean it is done forever. Many things will be done on a continual basis. But to fight feeling overwhelmed and giving up before you even get started, just commit to doing ONE thing every day and you will be amazed at the progress you will make.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
What's your Art Licensing Story? Tell me before Valentine's Day and you could WIN BIG!
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!
Listen to the contest details…
How to set up an account and upload your Art Licensing Story to YouTube…
VIDEO TIPS:
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…
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