How to Understand Art Licensing Contracts – the long awaited eBook
Do art licensing contracts fill you with fear and dread?
Do you worry that you won’t get a good deal because you don’t understand them?
Are you looking for a resource to turn to again and again to help you understand and become a confident contract negotiator?
Look no further! Maria Brophy and Tara Reed have joined forces to create an artist-friendly guide to understanding art licensing contracts.
You will prepare your mind, define your goals and overcome your fears.
This eBook will help you think through who you are as an artist and what you want your art licensing business to look like. Learn to represent yourself with confidence and understand how to negotiate a win-win contract.
Learn the sections of an art licensing contract and what they mean to you.
More than 30 contract terms are defined in detail – explaining why they might be in a contract and the implications to both parties. We include actual contract language and then explain “what it means to you” by breaking it down into everyday language. You will learn to dissect the leagalese and know how each word might affect your deal.
Learn how and when to start using your own standard contract in your business.
Using manufacturer contracts when you are just starting is fine but as you grow your business, there comes a time when it is better to be in the driver’s seat and use your own standard contract. Maria discusses how and when to make the transition.
10 artists (& one who chose to remain anonymous) have shared their art licensing contract success stories and words of warning. They include (in the order they appear in the book) Khristian Howell • Marty Qatani • Jill Seale • Debbie Mumm • David Billings • Paul Brent • Drew Brophy • Gina Linn • Karen Embry • Kate McRostie
5 attorneys who work in the art licensing field also share their advice and insights in Part 8: Attorney Insights. They are Kyle-Beth Hilfer • Sarah Feingold • David Koehser • Rebecca Stroder • Tammy Browning-Smith
This book is a resource you can turn to again and again.
We have designed this book to give you an in-depth understanding of contracts as well as become a resource you turn to over time as contract questions arise. It’s well organized and easy to find just what you are looking for at a glance.
173 pages of valuable information to help increase your knowledge and build your confidence when it comes to art licensing contracts.
As always, there is a special introductory price for the eBook for the first 2 weeks. Regularly priced at $87, you can get your copy for $72 if you act by Thursday, November 24th at midnight. (Yes, that’s Thanksgiving for all the US artists)
Want to learn even more about the book before deciding? Head to www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/contracts.html for even more details.
Ask Calls in case you are going through withdrawl
There is no official ask call this month – the next will be on July 20, 2011 with me. Head to www.AskTaraReed.com to submit your questions.
If you are worried that you will go through withdrawl without us, check out some of the free replays of past calls.
Here are the links to free replays with artists… have you heard them all?
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We’ll be live again next month – talk to you then!
– Tara Reed
Debbie Mumm gave great advice and food for thought on the art licensing ask call last night – were you on the line?
Wow! These monthly calls take a lot of time and devotion but they never cease to inspire me each and every month! Last night’s call with Debbie Mumm was no exception. Although she had never heard of my “to be as cool as” list – she’s been on it since I had the vague desire to move from hobbyist to working artist. I’ve been trying to get through her gate keepers and get her on the line for over 2 years – so glad I persisted because I found her to be so genuine, friendly and inspiring.
When asked for words of wisdom for others in art licensing she replied,
“Your place in art licensing will be unique to you.” – Debbie Mumm
She went on to say that it isn’t a good use of time to compare yourself to others – enjoy and appreciate your path. Here! Here! Every artist has a different path in and within art licensing – there is no cookie cutter mold for success. The common theme – from artists I’ve talked to and those who have done these calls is that everyone is passionate about their art.
If you weren’t able to make the call – here are the questions we covered:
- Debbie’s talked about her background and the story of how she got into art and art licensing.
- Was it your intention to grow your business to what it is now or was it a result of diligence, hard work and serendipity?
- Were you ever discouraged by friends and family because of the “starving artist” paradigm?
- Did you find your niche or did your niche find you?
- How do you handle criticism and how much do you listen to it vs. trusting your instincts?
- Do you think need a certain style, a look, or a niche to license? Can you just be good at drawing and designing?
- What is your typical work day like and how do you set your business -vs- creative priorities?
- When you are asked how best to describe your style of artwork, what is your “elevator pitch”?
- What one bit of information or advice do you wish knew when you started out and why?
- Do you personally use the computer when designing with your hand-painted art?
- What trends do you foresee being popular in the next 3-5 years?
- If I want to break into the fabric design end of licensing, is there a show you’d recommend?
- What words of wisdom or inspiration would you like to share with artists who are in or just learning about art licensing?
CLICK HERE* to get your free mp3 replay
(this is Debbie’s affiliate link – if you click here, get her free inspiration and later make a purchase before clicking anyone else’s affiliate link, she will receive a well-deserved referral commission. It’s how we can give an extra “thank you” to these experts who donate their time and inspiration.)
Learn more about Debbie at www.DebbieMumm.com
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Coming up next…
Wednesday, March 23, 2011: www.AskTaraReed.com ** PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE **
Wednesday, April 20, 2011: www.AskJillSeale.com
Debbie Mumm shares her art licensing journey on tonight’s Ask Call
Tonight night I will have the pleasure of talking with Debbie Mumm about her art licensing business.
This is another testament to the power of persistence as I’ve been trying to get Debbie on the line for 2 years! She will be answering the questions submitted by artists like you tonight – I hope you join us!
If you’ve signed up for a call before, you should have received the dial-in details by email yesterday.
If you’ve never participated, head over to www.DebbieMumm.com/askDebbie/ and sign up. Since we have already organized the questions, you can just put “no question” in the box then fill in your name and email and you will get the dial-in details.
The call is at 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern and will last for an hour. It’s free to listen live – the replay will also be free since this is her first call – we’ll email you when it’s ready!
We look forward to chatting with you tonight!
– Tara Reed & Debbie Mumm
P.S. Don’t forget! Let’s get social on Twitter (use #ask when tweeting so we can find you!) and Facebook during the call. CLICK HERE to download all the details.
The magic formula for success as a licensed artist
For the past few weeks I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed. There are quite a few people wanting work in a very short time. It is all exciting and things I want to do, but a lot to juggle just the same.
art print licensed to BonArtique.com
As I sat making my ‘to do’ list, I got to thinking about how my business has grown.
I remember a few years ago when I would sit and wonder what I should do.
What should I paint?
How would I get any licensees?
I remember having time to read a book all day without feeling compelled to do some work. 
If you aren’t at the point of overload yet, you will probably face this sooner than you think. A friend likes to tell me it’s a “high class problem” to have and I agree.
I remember, back in the days when I could read for hours on end with no guilt, wondering how I would EVER build a business that would keep me busy and keep me fed. I looked at artists who have gone (and are still going) before me — Debbie Mumm, Mary Engelbreit, Susan Winget, Paul Brent and more — and wondered how they did it. They must have some magic formula or secret connections and I longed to know what they were.
5 years after getting serious about this, I am now working with more than 25 companies. I’m trying to figure out how to keep up, how to prioritize, how to make the best use of my time. Work smart, not just hard.
I think I may have stumbled across the magic formula and guess what? If I’m right, it’s not so magic after all! Here it is: Keep your eye on the prize, your heart in the game and take action every day towards your end goal.
Create your art. Find people who want art. Figure out how to tell them you have art. Keep a smile on your face and be pleasant to work with.
Have a creative day!
Tara
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