Why you need both binoculars and a microscope to succeed in art licensing
In order to succeed in any business, art licensing being no exception, you need to look at both the big and small picture. It is important to understand what is going on and coming up in the industry at large as well as keeping an eye on the day-to-day operations of your business.
Binoculars let you see farther than you can with your eyes alone. This would be the perspective you are looking for when you are trying to spot trends or forecast your royalty potential for the coming year, for example. This is the work of strategic thinking and planning for your business.
If you notice a new color trend emerging in clothing or furniture, then decide that you will use it in your next art collection – you have your binoculars on. You also have your binoculars on when you register to attend or exhibit at trade shows or make other forward thinking plans.
But no business can thrive with only binoculars. “Watch the big things and the little things will take care of themselves” doesn’t really apply.
So now let’s consider a microscope. The microscope allows scientists to see minute details that aren’t visible with the naked eye. Looking at your business through a microscope is akin to watching the details. Creating your daily or weekly ‘to do’ list, watching cash flow, responding to emails, things like that. If a company or an artist only looks at their business through a microscope, they will miss changes in the market that could negatively affect their business. They might miss key trends on the horizon and not add them to the mix.
The key to a successful business is to use both binoculars and a microscope.
If you are the only person in your business, you need to learn to use both. Or perhaps you have several team members who take different roles. A book keeper works with a microscope with the finance guy, who forecasts and looks at money in a more long-term way, has binoculars firmly in hand. Balancing the long and short term needs of your business will help you stay in business.
– Tara Reed
P.S. If you want help in creating the long-term and short-term balance in your business, consider The Goal Wheel for Artists™. You will learn strategies for balancing the three main areas you need to focus on to build a successful, creative business. Head to www.TheGoalWheelForArtists.com for more information.
Have a VERBY New Year!
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.
Here’s to a creative and verby 2010!
– Tara
P.S. If you need help getting organized and focused, don’t forget about The Goal Wheel for Artists™ eBook…
P.P.S. Need clarification on what verbs are or just want to go back in time and enjoy a great School House Rock song? Here it is – VERB!
ARTISTS looking to get more focused on setting goals to build their business REJOICE!
It started in June as a teleseminar…
Then it was sold as an mp3 replay, action guide and transcript for those who missed the live call…
Now, just in time for 2010, The Goal Wheel for Artists™ is a new and improved eBook.
By an artist, for artists and any creative professional, this goal setting system will help you focus and move forward in your business, while still giving you time to work from inspiration. Set and achieve goals that make sense, feel good and keep you motivated. Learn to say “NO” to things that distract you from your vision so you can say “YES” to what you want.
To learn more, visit www.TheGoalWheelForArtists.com. Isn’t NOW a great time to reflect on where you are, decide where you want to go and chart a course to get there?
Wishing you much success now and always!
– Tara Reed
Do you need an "attitude adjustment"?
You’ve heard it before but I think this bears repeating – ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING! The way you look at the world and filter experiences can make all the difference between a happy life and a life full of complaints.
My mom is famous for saying, “You better CHANGE your ATTITUDE!” (At least in the minds of her children she is – who knows exactly how many times she actually uttered those words…) I believe it was said with much attitude when we were trying to get away with teenager bad attitudes with her – let me tell you, that didn’t fly.
Sometimes she would pull out an attitude speech when we were focusing on the negative side of things or having a little “poor-me party for one”. Of course when you are having such a poor-me party, sometimes the eternal optimist isn’t the most welcome guest but in the end, they are the best person to have around.
Over the weekend it really hit me that my mom truly does look at the positive side of things… no matter what. (This must be where I get my sunny disposition!) She spent Sunday in the ER (she’s fine but can’t eat strawberries anymore — poor mom!). My brother and I were talking to her on Monday to see how she was and doing the usual “I’m sorry that happened. Spending the day in the ER must have been a bummer.”
My mom said, “Oh no! It was a really nice facility. We were taken care of right away. I never got to have a CAT Scan before so that was really interesting. Everyone was great!” Her only complaint was that it was cold – apparently cool temps keep germs down and it is like an ice box so swine flu can’t sweep through the place.
Most people would have been upset, freaked out, unhappy or some other combination of negative emotions after what she went through. Her big regret is that she can no longer fill her smoothies and salads with strawberries but she was still quite upbeat. Go mom!
Are you wondering what my point is yet?
Yes, the economy could be better. Yes, SURTEX and the Stationery Shows were smaller than last year. Yes, Licensing Expo has moved to Las Vegas. Yes, there is competition to license your art.
BUT… there were lots of great companies looking for art at SURTEX. I’ll let you know about Licensing Expo – I’m going to check it out on the 2nd. There is always competition.
How are you going to choose to look at things? If you constantly worry and expect the worst, guess what, I believe that is what you will see. Focus on good things, you will find them.
Focus on what you want to accomplish and keep plugging away… you can do it! Consider this an attitude adjustment if you are in need. Otherwise, a friendly reminder to check you mood compass every so often.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara
P.S. If you want some help with the “focus” side of things (aka – setting goals) – check out the teleseminar I’m holding on June 9th – The Goal Wheel for Artists.
How can artists set goals and still work from a place of inspiration?
We’ve all heard things like, “If you don’t know where you are going, how do you expect to get there?” or “Without a target you can’t hit the mark” or any other number of sayings that boil down to this: without a plan, how do you know if you are making progress or spinning in circles?
But I know that as artists, it is hard to make inspiration and creativity flow during set office hours. Sometimes it hits at 10 pm and you just want to watch tv mid-day. We need flexibility!
Which lead me to the conundrum, and maybe you have shared it: how do you do both? Set goals and still have the time and flexibility to work when inspiration strikes?
As I try to do, when I’m faced with an important dilemma, I look for a solution. That is how I came up with “The Goal Wheel for Artists”. It is a dream / goal / task setting system that works — I know, I use it. It keeps me focused and flexible. On June 9th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST I’ll be doing a teleseminar to teach any artists wanting a fun and effective way to set and achieve goals as well.
Watch the video and check out the website. I hope you decide to join me!
GET ALL THE DETAILS AT www.TheGoalWheelForArtists.com
Here’s to building your creative business!
– Tara
How Accountability Can Help Your Bottom Line…
I just finished a little experiment. I didn’t even start it intentionally, it just sort of “twitted” out of me. Here’s what happened.
I looked at my calendar. Eek! In 3 weeks I will be IN the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in booth #613 hopefully talking to lots of current and potential licensees.
I thought to myself, I haven’t reached some people I want to connect with, I should get back on the phone. Goal #1: set some appointments. Goal #2: Have them hear my voice and remind them that I will be at the show. (booth #613!) Some people choose not to make appointments and that is ok, but reminding them to look for you is always a good idea.
Then I went on Twitter and said this:
Now that is putting it out there! HAVE to do it if you put it out there for all to see, right?
Well about 1/2 hour passes and it’s now 12:30 pm and my stomach starts rumbling… but I can’t eat! I’ve gotten 7 voicemails and only 3 live people. (We decided receptionists didn’t count.) Keep dialing…
It took me an hour and 9 voicemails before I got to 5 live people. (That’s actually pretty fast – I’m happy!) I have 1 new appointment, 3 people will be stopping by because they are “roaming free” and 1 won’t be going at all. I also got some good industry information and furthered my relationship with all 5 people. Not bad for an hours work.
But the points I really want to make are these:
- If you tell someone you are going to do something and they cheer you on and hold you accountable, you are more likely to do it. (And not give up so you can eat.)
- I don’t just tell people to do things, I actually do them myself, which is why I know that what I teach works.
- Setting smaller, achievable goals gets you farther than HUGE, crazy looking ones. I have an overall goal of having X number of appointments at the show, but on a daily basis, it may be, “talk to 3 people”. Create 1 repeat pattern. “Chunk” your goals into doable pieces and you will be less overwhelmed and more productive.
And the BOTTOM LINE is, if you do the work, make the calls and nurture your connections, the bottom line of your business is going to reflect your hard work.
That’s all I’ve got – now off to find some lunch!
~ Tara
P.S. If you are an artist wanting to learn more about HOW to get your art out there and earn income with licensing, be sure to see the eBooks, calls and teleseminars available at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com
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