SURTEX to-do’s for exhibiting artists
It’s that time of year again… my checklist of art I want to get done “before SURTEX”, the marketing materials to create and distribute “before SURTEX”, what I want to have prepared “for my booth at SURTEX”… so, so much to do!
- The most immediate thing to do if you are exhibiting at SURTEX is to make sure you send the payment for your booth that is due on 2/28. (Friendly reminder – it will sneak up on you – I promise!)
- Be sure to look at and act on the many free publicity opportunities offered by the show – don’t delete those “Up to the minute Exhibitor Bulletins”.
- If you haven’t booked your hotel, head to the website and check out the deals they have negotiated for us.
- Take advantage of the exhibitor webinars – if you are a first-time exhibitor the next one is “How to Get Started in Art Licensing” (by moi) on Wednesday, February 22 at 9 am Pacific / noon Eastern (and everything in between) Look at the website for additional dates and topics. (for registered exhibitors only)
If you need help getting your ducks in a row to exhibit, be sure to check out the variety of resources available at ArtLicensingInfo.com/shows.html – learn from my experience and that of Khristian Howell so you can get the best bang for your SURTEX buck! (This will help you if you are going to exhibit at the Licensing Expo too of course!)
Here’s to your creative success – off to mail my check – see you in May!
– Tara Reed
P.S. 2012 will be the 8th year I’ve exhibited at the SURTEX show and the 2nd year they have been a sponsor of the Art Licensing Blog. If you are ready to try exhibiting at a trade show – check it out and see if it’s for you!
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.
SURTEX news
I’m excited that I’m FINALLY allowed to let this cat out of the bag…
I am honored to have been asked to serve on the SURTEX Advisory Council.
This is a group of 14 people from different aspects and areas of the art licensing business that give their opinions, suggestions and insights about the industry and how the show can continue to be a strong piece of the marketing puzzle. There are manufacturers, agents and artists represented. Surtex has been a great show for my business and I’m beyond thrilled to be asked to be an integral part of it’s future.
ALSO… if you are heading to the show, it’s not too late to sign up for classes! Khristian Howell and I will be teaching Core Basics Licensing III: Marketing & Presentation on Sunday from 2 – 3:30 pm and hope to see lots of your smiling face there! We will be covering:
- How to get the word out?
- Do you need to be a ‘brand?’
- Publicity techniques and practices
- Portfolio do’s and don’ts – digital or not?
You may have guessed by the name that it is the third in a series of “Core Basics Licensing” classes.
Get the full details for our class and all the other great offerings at http://www.surtex.com/TheShow/2011ConferenceProgram/tabid/103/Default.aspx
Hope to see you at the show!
– Tara Reed
Do you Want to be a Show Stopper at your upcoming Art Licensing Trade Show?
Artist and business woman extrodinare, Khristian Howell, is at it again. Here eBook, Confessions of a First Timer – Reflections, Musings, Tips and Tricks from a First-Time SURTEX Exhbitor* - was such a success she’s come up with an encore!
It’s totally hush-hush at the moment but you can sign up to be among the first to hear all the details (and get the introductory discount) on Tuesday, 10/19. CLICK HERE* to get on her list!
Go! Now! Sign up!
– Tara Reed
P.S. For more resources to really rock your art licensing trade show, to borrow Khristian’s expression, go to http://www.artlicensinginfo.com/shows.html
* FTC Disclosure – links with an asterix are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you click them. I’m a mini-contributor to the Showstopper program and your clicks are my compensation – so thank you in advance!
Question for the Ask Paul Brent call Due THURSDAY to be considered
Paul Brent to share his secrets about planning your art collections for trade shows and more
Next week, on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, Paul Brent will be doing his fifth Ask Call. This time he will be sharing his wisdom about how to plan your art collections for trade shows, as well as answering other questions submitted by artists. (They don’t have to be about trade shows but certainly can.) Because I need time to organize everything that comes in and Paul needs time to prepare his answers, we need your questions by Thursday. Head to www.AskPaulBrent.com right now and let us know what is puzzling you these days!
Mark your calendar – the call is always free when you listen live and the replays will be available for a minimal fee.
Speaking of Trade Shows…
Did you see the blog post I did about the 2011 Art Licensing Trade Shows, with dates, places and links? If not – HERE IS THE LINK.
Are you considering or have you committed to exhibiting at your first Art Licensing Trade Show? Don’t miss Khristian Howell’s great eBook, Confessions of a First Timer – Reflections, Musings, Tips and Tricks from a First-Time SURTEX Exhbitor * A gold-mine of information with a fresh-from-her-first-show perspective – and great info for those of us who have been doing this for a while!
There is also the eBook, How to Maximize Your Time and Investment in Trade Shows or teleseminar replay, Trade Show Tactics – buy one or save when you get both! Practical advice to make you that much more confident with everything from preparing your booth to set-up to what to say to manufacturers during the show and even follow-up. Great investments to get the most out of your mega-investment in your show!
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Confessions of a First Timer…
I was so excited when Khristian Howell emailed me last night to tell me she had written an eBook about her first-time experience exhibiting at SURTEX. I wrote my eBook after I had a few years and shows under my belt so I was excited to see what she had in there fresh from her first year off to show floor.
I met Khristian at PrintSource in January of 2009 when I gave a class about How to Get Started in Art Licensing. We have become good buds on Twitter, hung out in Atlanta this past January and caught up for a few minutes at SURTEX. (Thankfully we were both too busy for long philosophical discussions!) She has such great energy and a positive attitude that I knew I’d like what she came up with. She didn’t disappoint!
Khristian’s 23 page eBook is real, inspiring, positive and organized. She talks about the roller coaster of emotion and her strategies to keep a “get it done” attitude. She even shares how she is going to get ready for next year!
For anyone thinking about exhibiting at an art licensing trade show – this is a great place to start.
At only $25, you will realize you are not alone in your fears or roller-coaster of emotion and get some ideas to help you prepare.
CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS*
Then to really be ready to go, add my eBook and teleseminar combo – How to Maximize Your Time and Investment in Trade Shows – and you will arrive confident and prepared!
Khristian and I have started thinking about the 2011 trade shows – have you?
Here’s to your trade show success!
– Tara Reed
P.S. In case you don’t remember who Khristian is, here is her art licensing story video again.
FTC disclosure: I am an affiliate of Khristian Howell’s eBook and will receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Rest assured that I have read it and believe in what she has to offer!
Connect
Business Resources*
