[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Here’s to finding your happy!

– Tara Reed

P.S.  Want more inspiration?  We have 41 videos of artists sharing their “art licensing story” now on the STORIES tab of this blog (look up!) – if you aren’t there, when can I expect your video?

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?

We’ll be live again next month – talk to you then!

– Tara Reed

Is it better to have a consistent, recognizable style or can you create a variety of art and still succeed in art licensing?

I have talked with a lot of coaching clients about this decision and we’ve talked about it on Ask Calls in the past as well.  While there is no right or wrong answer, I can give you my perspective and hopefully others can chime in in the comments and create a great discussion.

Personally, I believe there are many successful artists that develop and stick with a consistent style and there are those that have a bit more variety in their portfolio – where the average person wouldn’t recognize the art was created by the same person if put side by side.  In the end, you have to decide what seems right for you, your business and your goals as an artist but my goal with this post, is to help artists consciously decide, and not decide by default (like I did.)

Option 1: Create a recognizable style to build your brand

If your goal is to create that name-recognized brand – like  Mary Engelbreit, for example, you have to develop a strong, tight and recognizable style. People have to see it and know, “Mary Engelbreit”. Mary is known for her black and white checks, cherries, cute characters and use of quotes in her work. If she started painting landscapes, it would confuse the market.  (You can see her work at www.MaryEngelbreit.com and even register for a free hour-long interview I did with Mary as part of the Art Licensing Info Ask Call Series)

Paul Brent is another great example of an artist who built his brand with consistent, recognizable art.  His coastal watercolors put his art and name on the map and are the cornerstone of his brand.  As his brand has evolved, he too has moved into other mediums and themes but creates new coastal art year in and year out, because that is what the market expects of Paul Brent.  (Learn more about Paul Brent’s work at www.PaulBrent.com or register for a free hour-long interview I did with Paul as part of the Art Licensing Info Monthly Ask Call Series at www.AskPaulBrent.com)  Paul is an advocate of artists new to the art licensing market, to create a look that is unique and makes them stand out from all the other artists in the field – hopefully he will add his insights in the comments as well.

I believe that this way of working is vital if your goal is to eventually build a strong brand that is known by consumers as well as manufacturers in the industry.

Option 2: Build your portfolio with a variety of styles

Another way to go, and the way I went by chance and not by choice, is to do a variety of themes and styles. I don’t span the entire spectrum of art from pure realism to completely abstract, but there is enough variation that not even my sister always knows my work is mine.  Some of my work that is more whimsical than others and some leans a bit more traditional.  It happened by chance – I would try things and see what manufacturers liked.  It turns out that many of my best clients like the fact that all my art isn’t obviously from the same artist, that way they can use me more than an artist who has a tighter style.

However I believe it limits my ability to become a huge, consumer recognized brand.  I enjoy the freedom to play with a variety of styles, themes and techniques and the checks cash the same so I’m happy.

I like to bring these issues up so artists can make a choice and not choose by default – as I did while “playing to see what the market liked.”  My brand is becoming known within the industry – with manufacturers – but I don’t think I will ever have a Mary Engelbreit or Paul Bretn sized brand with the general public.

So it’s up to you to decide what will make you happy and keep your creative juices flowing!

I welcome your comments and opinions on this – do you agree or have anything to add?

– Tara Reed

P.S.  If you want to learn more about branding, Paul Brent did an excellent teleseminar “Brand Yourself for Success in Art Licensing” – be sure to check out the replay.  He knows his stuff!

Michelle Obama is pictured here reading my version of ‘the Night Before Christmas’ to patients at the Children’s National Medical Center on December 13th.   What a thrill!  You can read all about it on Mary’s blog – CLICK HERE.

And why not give yourself the gift of inspiration from Mary this holiday season?  If you haven’t already, head to www.MaryEngelbreit.com/askme/ and get the free mp3 of my interview with Mary Engelbreit last March.  She shared her insights about building an art licensing business, what inspires her and more.

Wishing you much joy this holiday season!

– Tara Reed

I give thanks for…

… the internet.

Without we wouldn’t have a way to connect via blog, social media, chat and more.  Before the internet our ability to connect with others was usually limited to where we lived or where we traveled.  Now we can click a few buttons and learn, interact and absorb so many things!

… the Ask Call experts who have been kind enough to share their knowledge with you.

Here’s a list of everyone from the past 2 years – you can get a free mp3 of the first call (if there have been a few) with them by clicking the links and registering for the replay.

• Paul Brent.  www.AskPaulBrent.com
• Mary Engelbreit.  www.MaryEngelbreit.com/askme/
• Dena.  www.AskDenaDesigns.com
• Jill Seale.  www.AskJillSeale.com
• Daniel Tardent (SEO expert)  www.AskAboutSEOforArtists.com
• Kim Beasley (WordPress expert) www.AskAboutWordPressForArtists.com
• Hal Gumbert (database expert) www.AskAboutArtLicensingDataManagement.com
• Suzanne Cruise (agent) www.AskSuzanneCruise.com
• Cheryl Hodgson (attorney) www.AskCherylHodgson.com
• pre-thanks go out to Drew and Maria Brophy who will be our experts in January.  www.AskDrewBrophy.com

… social media.

I love being able to connect with artists and more – regardless of where they are – on social media.  Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are my favorites and yes, in that order.

… 1ShoppingCart.

Yup!  My shopping cart provider makes the list – with this one resource I organize my eNews lists, broadcasts, product sales and delivery, coupons, and affiliate programs.  It’s a great service to get things done – all in one place. (here’s my affiliate link in case you need this too:  www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?pr=1&id=130170)

… you!

Of course, last but not least, this wouldn’t be fun at all if I didn’t have anyone to interact with.  So thank you for your friendship, your feedback and your enthusiasm.

– Tara Reed

In an article by The New York Times, entitled No Stopping Movie View of Mark Zuckerberg , they say:

The film’s truthfulness, however, has been strongly questioned in forums like Slate, the online magazine, and The New Republic .

Many of those who know Mr. Zuckerberg argue that it is inaccurate in significant ways. David Kirkpatrick, who wrote a company-authorized history of Facebook titled “The Facebook Effect,” said, “The reality is, it’s a really good movie — however, it’s not a true story.” Mr. Kirkpatrick has written critically about the movie on the Web site The Daily Beast.

The article has an interesting analysis of what legal recourse might be available for the less than documentary portrayal that many people seeing it believe to be “the true story” as well as the potential implications for Facebook if the movie continues to grow in popularity.  Interesting - CLICK HERE TO READ IT.

Of course, as I am apt to do, I found something in the movie that reminded me of art licensing and thought I’d share my thoughts.  In one scene, Napster founder asks Mark Zuckerberg if he’s ever seen a fisherman with a photo of the 14 trout he caught in a day.  No, of course not.  Fishermen keep photos of the big Marlins – not the many small fish.  So he then asks – do you want Facebook to be a Marlin or trout?

Not being a fisher-woman myself, I still found this to be an interesting analogy.

Who are the artists in licensing catching the Marlins and who are getting trout?

Who are you?

• If you are just getting started, you are basically shopping for gear – the pole, the bait, finding the place to cast your line.  You are learning about how to create the art, who to contact, what to create.
• If you’ve been in licensing a while and have licensed products featuring your art, you are certainly collecting trout.  (That’s where I put myself.)

But how do you get the Marlin?? Is there a magic formula, some secret fishing hole that only a select few know about… I don’t think so.  I believe the secret to getting the Marlin is consistent and persistent hard work – both on the art and the business. That is what we are striving to do at ArtLicensingInfo.com – provide valuable tools for artists getting started and catching trout – to help you improve your chances of getting that big fish for your business.

If you want to get your mp3 replays of the hour long Ask Call audios from some artists who have caught the proverbial “Big Fish” of art licensing -  Paul Brent, Mary Engelbreit and Dena of Dena Designs – click the links below.  They are free once you sign up.

www.AskPaulBrent.com
www.MaryEngelbreit.com/askme
www.AskDenaDesigns.com

Paul Brent will be doing the October 20, 2010 call so be sure to submit your questions today and mark your calendar to listen!  (details at www.AskPaulBrent.com)

In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the trailer for the movie.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

P.S. Have you bookmarked the Art Licensing Info Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ArtLicensingInfo ?  Head over and say hello!

P.P.S.  See all the past call replays that are available for free or for a small fee at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/audio-archives.html

Why do I say “sort of”? Well… when I took my first weekend class to learn more about online marketing, I had a great plan. I stood up and shared my idea – expecting the instructors to agree with me and help me get on my way. Instead, they smiled, shook their heads and said, “No.”

What? Why no?

“Don’t you realize how much you could share with artists who want to understand art licensing and how you do what you do?” they asked.

Well… I guess. I was still unconvinced but decided to be open to new ideas. My plan, when I left Texas, was to write one eBook – “How to Get Started in Art Licensing” – and then go back to my original idea. Boy am I glad I got hooked on this path because it has been, is and continues to amaze me!

It started with me sharing what I knew about how to get started. Now, I feel like a Cruise Ship Captain and Cruise Director.

I set the course of the Good Ship Art Licensing Info.

I find instructors. Paul Brent, Mary Engelbreit, Jill Seale, Cheryl Hodgson, Suzanne Cruise, Daniel Tardent – who knows who I’ll book next…

I look for passengers. If you are reading this, you are probably one. Artists who want to learn more about licensing, network with others who are interested in the business, build community.

We have activities. Teleseminars. Monthly Ask Calls. Even “mini-movies” on YouTube and the Art Licensing Stories.

We have a library of sorts. eBooks on many art licensing subjects. Recommended reading lists.

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

So whether you are a new or longtime passenger, grab the roadmap and see if you’ve missed anything!

Destination: Amazing Art Licensing Businesses! Welcome aboard!

Well lucky me… I get to follow the

call!

An artist could be intimidated by that… I was when I first realized who I was following. But since I’m very good at finding the silver lining in most things, I decided it was all good.  Last month you heard from a woman who has been licensing her art for 30 years… tonight you get me – going on 7 years and much closer to the day-to-day activities of building a newer business.

I’ve decided that that is the beauty of what we are building with the monthly Ask Call series: a variety of perspectives and stages in the business.

Last month was great when many of you “Got Social”.  The interaction and feedback was great so I’ve decided we should keep up the trend.  Here are the details again…  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF TO PRINT OUT AND HAVE HANDY

Let’s get social tonight!

Here’s how it can work on Twitter:

• During the call, add #ask to any tweets about the call.
• If Mary says something quotable or that makes you go “A-HA!” – then tweet it! (don’t forget to add #ask)
• If you use TweetDeck, or HootSuite – set up a column to track #ask so you can see and interact with others who are on the call.  You might make new friends – I always do!  Just remember to set up your columns to track the hash tag (#ask) BEFORE the call starts so you aren’t in a panic!
• If you want to make sure I see a tweet, be sure to include @ArtistTaraReed – but I’ll be checking the #ask stream after the call.

If you prefer Facebook:

• Login to facebook and go to the ArtLicensingInfo fan page.
• Start talking. Just like on Twitter, if you hear something that makes you go “A-HA!” – add it! Comment on what other people are saying. Get to know your fellow licensed artists.
• One advantage to Facebook is that the stream stays – it doesn’t limit you to 140 characters and people can go back to it later – almost like group class notes.

I hope you can make it – the call is free if you listen live.  If you can’t make it, don’t worry. The audio replay will be a mere $15 through May 1st and $25 after that.

Here’s to talking business!

– Tara Reed

P.S.  To see a list of all the past call audios – free and for a small fee – be sure to visit www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/audio-archives.html

P.P.S.  Plan ahead for May!  Paul Brent will be doing the May call on Wednesday the 26th – the week after SURTEX.  We’ll have a short show recap and questions.  Head to www.AskPaulBrent.com to submit your questions anytime.

How cool is it to get to interview these amazing people each month?  Pinch me! It’s just surreal!  Last night was the much anticipated Ask Mary Engelbreit call and I have to say it was a smashing success!

We tried something new by ‘getting social’ and that was amazing to watch! Normally artists are in the comfort of their own home and listening… this time I proposed that those who wanted to, listen and CONNECT via Twitter or Facebook.  I think it put a whole new level of community to the event and hope we recreate it each month during our ask calls.  PLUS… it gave me instant access to noteworthy things covered on the call because I could copy and paste the things you felt worthy of tweeting or commenting.

Here are some comments I found on the Facebook Fan Page (www.Facebook.com/ArtLicensingInfo)

• So excited, we are on the phone waiting for Mary!
• This is so much fun. from Minnesota
• So excited here in Seattle listening to Mary’s info.
• Greeting Card Manufacturers are still always looking for something new!
• Am I the only person who can’t type and listen at the same time?
• To balance market trends vs staying true to yourself Mary says: if u feel like you’re selling out – don’t do it – but if you’re just starting out, you might need to bend a little just to get in the door with a company
• Artists – you have to be willing to change – advice from Mary Engelbreit
• Never devalue your art… never sell yourself short. Mary is offering great advice.
• Loved the call. She’s so real, so fun.

And here is an example of some of the tweets on Twitter (using the #ask hash tag so artists could find each other)

• when i grow up can i be just like Mary? #ask <me too me too!
• Mary Engelbreit doing a project with Disney – out this fall ::has 5,000 pieces of art in database #ask via @artisttarareed
• “Adaptability is the key to survival” #ask
• #ask Mary Engelbreit says the internet has completely changed licensing. It makes it easier for artists 2 participate & create buzz!
• any kind of change is scary, but you have to be willing to change all the time Mary Engelbreit #ask
• #ask Mary Engelbreit says blogging has driven her business. She & Tara Reed think alike! (One of my personal favorites – I like to think I think like Mary! & Paul… &…)
• Artists – it’s important to have a website and a blog to showcase your art – the internet opens doors – advice from Mary Engelbreit #ask
• ME seems so wonderfully unassuming and down to earth-just resonates with me. #ask
• Mary’s job: make a good drawing, think about how they feel when they read the quote
• Art success takes dedication… a lot of artists work in the night hours – draw when the world is a little more quiet #ask
• Mary Engelbreit reminds us that it’s the art that brings us all together. #ask
• #ask Mary Engelbreit: “Deadlines inspire me.” I need to think more like this woman!
• #ask Really enjoyed hearing how Mary does things–I learned a lot!
• Really love seeing so many other creatives with similar goals/interests. I’m not the only one! #ask

Two things Mary said that really struck a chord with me were:

“I’m just grateful to be able to make a living doing this.” – Mary Engelbreit

“I just want to do a good job for the people who respond to the drawings.” – Mary Engelbreit

She reminded us how lucky we are to do what we do and have a passion for our work.  We decided that being happy and grateful is a pretty good way to live!

If you missed the call and want a copy of the free mp3 audio replay – go to www.MaryEngelbreit.com/askme/ and click the link to register to receive your copy!

Thank you again Mary for sharing your wisdom and spreading hope and inspiration to artists everywhere!

– Tara Reed

P.S. At the end of the audio Mary talks about her upcoming Mary Engelbreit Home Companion Workshop in St Louis, April 29 – May 2nd – you even get to tour her studio! CLICK HERE for all the details!

Let’s get social tonight!

Here’s how it can work on Twitter:

• During the call, add #ask to any tweets about the call.
• If Mary says something quotable or that makes you go “A-HA!” – then tweet it! (don’t forget to add #ask)
• If you use TweetDeck, or HootSuite – set up a column to track #ask so you can see and interact with others who are on the call.  You might make new friends – I always do!  Just remember to set up your columns to track the hash tag (#ask) BEFORE the call starts so you aren’t in a panic!
• If you want to make sure I see a tweet, be sure to include @ArtistTaraReed – but I’ll be checking the #ask stream after the call.

If you prefer Facebook:

• Login to facebook and go to the ArtLicensingInfo fan page.
• Start talking. Just like on Twitter, if you hear something that makes you go “A-HA!” – add it! Comment on what other people are saying. Get to know your fellow licensed artists.
• One advantage to Facebook is that the stream stays – it doesn’t limit you to 140 characters and people can go back to it later – almost like group class notes.

I won’t be able to be tweeting and commenting on Facebook since we don’t want typing noise on the audio and I need my full attention on Mary.  But I really hope you all connect and comment – it will be interesting to see what you you have to say and share!

So let’s take these calls up a notch and interact.  I’m excited – are you???

– Tara Reed