People like to buy from people they know and like.

How can anyone get to know you, if they don't already, on Amazon.com?  With video reviews, they can.

Here are the rules and requirements for any video review - of your product or someone elses - from Amazon.com.  (Not having read the rules before creating the review, I had to go back and take off my website url.)

General Review Creation Guidelines

Amazon wants your opinions to be heard!

We recommend your reviews be between 75 and 300 words long, but there is a 5,000 word maximum for written reviews. For video reviews, the maximum length is 10 minutes, and we recommend that you write a brief introduction - about 75 words or so.

Who can create customer reviews?

Customers! Anyone who has purchased items from Amazon and is in good standing in the Amazon community can create reviews.

What to include:

• Your review should focus on specific features of the product and your experience with it.
• The best reviews include not only whether you liked or disliked a product, but also why. Feel free to talk about other related products and how this item rates in comparison.

What not to include:

Amazon is pleased to provide this forum for you to air your opinions on the products we feature. While we appreciate your time and comments, we request that you refrain from including any of the following in your review:

• Spoilers! Please don't reveal crucial plot elements.
• Other people's material. Your thoughts and opinions are what matters.
• Time-sensitive material (i.e., promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.).
• Commenting on other reviews visible on the page. Other reviews and their position on the page are subject to change without notice.
• Profanity or spiteful remarks.
• Obscene or distasteful content.
• Single-word reviews. We want to know why you liked or disliked the item.
• Phone numbers, mail addresses, URLs.
• Advertisements, watermarks on videos, or promotional material.
• Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information.
• Solicitations for helpful votes.

A review is not an appropriate place to tell us our catalog has typos in it. If you'd like to tell us about a specific problem, please contact-us.

Any review in violation of these guidelines will not be posted.

• Maximum file size: 100MB.
• Maximum length: 10 mins
• Accepted formats: avi, flv, mov, mpg, wmv

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here is a link to the 2010-2011 trade shows schedule (found it when I was looking up the NY Tabletop Show):
http://www.greatrep.com/trade_shows.asp

I'm sure there are many 'little' shows on it, but for an artist to walk a little (and presumably less expensive) show is a great way to get their feet wet, gain experience speaking with other artists, manufacturers, buyers, etc and gain some confidence.....I wish some of these were close to me so I could do that very thing!

also, links for gift shop magazine and stationery trends magazine:

http://www.giftshopmag.com/ (even though it's for retail shops, it helps to see what shop owners are ordering for their retail space)

http://www.stationerytrendsmag.com/

and another source I sometimes use is to check out the new home/design/scrapbooking etc. mags each month (house beautiful, etc), there are always new products/manufacturers showcased in them, and I check out the ads in the back of the magazine as well.

– Leigh
www.LeighHannan.com

Decision makers are not usually at the smaller shows, like the Gift Show in Seattle.  There you will find sales reps who probably on't know what to tell you.  You can get an idea of the product lines but not get contacts with decision makers.

Otherwise, great resources and great ideas.  Thanks so much Leigh!

– Tara Reed

I've been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY putting together a new eBook, "How to Find An Art Licensing Agent".

But first...

Have you weighed the pros and cons of promoting your own work vs. working with an agent?  There is no right or wrong answer, just what is right or wrong for you and your business.

If you aren't 100% certain that finding an agent is right for you, download the questionnaire below and seriously consider the 25 statements. Answer them honestly then log onto the web page on the bottom of the questionnaire for some insights to help you make a decision. No matter what you decide, we have help for you here!

You can get the Questionnaire at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/agent-or-alone.html

If you are already decided...

You might be interested in this 110 page guide to finding an art licensing agent is divided into the following sections:

• Art Licensing Mindset Review
• Do you Need an Agent?
• The Basic Roles of an Agent
• The Pros and Cons of Working With An Agent
• Managing Expectations
• Prepare to Contact An Agent
• Making Contact
• Review, Then Celebrate – You have a Contract
• Glossary
• Quick Agent Reference
• Forms

It also includes interviews and contact information from 13 art licensing agents - their perspectives should prove to be helpful in your search and understanding of how no two agents are created equal.  The eBook is available for the introductory price of $57 through September 30th so go read all about it right away!

www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/agent.html

Here's to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

P.S.  Special thanks to Libby Unwin who I outsourced the task of formatting this eBook too... worth every penny!!!

Designer, TV Host, and entrepreneur, Dena founded internationally acclaimed Dena Designs Inc., as a full service design and merchandising studio. The studio has won 17 Louie Awards including Greeting Card of the Year from the international membership Greeting Card Association. Dena has also been nominated for Best Art Brand Program of the Year at the prestigious 2008 and 2009 annual LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards.

For more than 20 years, Dena Designs has created powerful best-sellers which have sold globally in the hottest stores, from specialty retailers to the nation’s leading chains.  If you have a question for this art licensing power-house, head to www.AskDenaDesigns.com now and throw your query in the hat!

Want to see Dena in action?

Watch this  video clip from an episode of "Embelish This!" on the DIY Network!  I couldn't get it to embed but click the link and you can watch it on the DIY site.   How to turn a simple pair of shoes into Sassy Shoes with Dena.  http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/sassy-shoes/5329.html

Here's to your creative success - hope you join us on September 15th!

– Tara Reed

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To learn more about Jane, visit her website at www.JaneShasky.com.

Thanks again for letting me aim the camera at you at SURTEX Jane!

– Tara Reed

P.S. Anyone who submits a video will receive a $20 coupon good towards eBooks, teleseminars (live or replays) or Ask Call Replays from ArtLicensingInfo.com as a way of saying "Thank you for sharing!"

When can I expect to see your story?

For all the details or to see all the stories submitted to date, click the "Stories" tab at the top of the blog or go to http://artlicensingblog.com/stories/

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.

If you listened to the free Ask About SEO for Artists call in February 2010 with Daniel Tardent, you might remember that he mentioned that the website for the call was coming up on p. 1 of search engines if someone searched "SEO for Artists".  By adding the key words to the URL, being very specific and honing in on niche key words and simply paying attention to keywords, meta tags and descriptions, I was able to do well. (If you missed it, the replay is available for free - go to www.AskAboutSEOforArtists.com to get your copy.)

I recently learned the power of SEO when Women's World Magazine contacted me for an article about Bunco.

I have a website, PrintYourOwnBunco.com - that has themed Bunco party kits.  In case you don’t know about Bunco, it’s a dice game that got its start in the Victorian Era.  Played by an estimated 7 million women in the US on a monthly basis – Bunco serves as the cornerstone of girlfriend gatherings.  12 players. Rolling Dice. Taking chances. Keeping score. Beyond a dice game of chance, Bunco gives women throughout the U.S. a reason to get out and have fun with neighbors and friends.

The article was in the August 30, 2010 issue - p. 26 if you want to check it out!

I obviously did a decent job with the SEO because the magazine found me.  They even featured some of the art from free Bunco Score Sheets (the Bunco Queen theme) and a link to my website.  This kind of national coverage will surely drive traffic to my site, what happens then remains to be seen.  I'm of course hoping for good things!

So, the next time you think filling out the SEO details on your website is too tedious or learning about SEO in the first place is a waste of time, think again!

Here's to your creative and SEO success!

– Tara Reed

P.S.  Check out Daniel Tardent's "SEO for Artists" eBook* - it is packed with great information!

* this is an affiliate link and I will earn a small commission if you click this link and decide to make a purchase. (Thanks!)

Here's a silly video about trend spotting that I was inspired to create today because a few of my friends called me from an event in New Jersey and I felt like the grounded kid missing the slumber party.  We were joking on Facebook and Twitter about NJ - and I asked if I needed to wear a Bump-It to join the fun.  (Not that I could since I was sitting in my studio in Oregon!)  Then inspiration hit - my friend Angela and I headed to the store to pick up a Bump-It and the rest is crazy accent history. (Please forgive my slipping into a southern accent at the very end... oops!)

I hope this amuses and inspires you - I'm putting myself out there with this one!   @FawnKey, @KimBeasley, @KellyRudolph, @KellieFrazier, @AlexMandossian and the rest of my teleseminar secrets friends in New Jersey - this one's for you!

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Here's to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

How does this affect the gallery and or collectors who hold the originals. As the artist we retain the right to the image, yes? So, do we have to notify the gallery that it's going into licensing? or the collector who purchased the original?

Yes, it’s true that you retain the right to the image. I encourage artists and galleries to educate collectors* of this fact at the time of sale.

No, it isn’t required that you notify a gallery or collector that their original image has gone into mass reproduction. BUT, it is a courtesy. If you want to maintain healthy relationships with people, you should look at the situation from their point of view.

Collectors of original artwork aren’t necessarily savvy about the reproduction market. They have no need to be because it’s not where their interests lie.

Imagine being a collector of originals who happens to run into a work of art you think no one else in the world owns? You and I both know that owning reproductions isn’t the same as owning the original, but it has the potential to be an unpleasant surprise to the collector.

With a little bit of effort on your part, the collector will be thrilled to own the original source of such a popular image.

Now, about those galleries.

You should always notify a gallery that your work is going to be licensed. If you think a collector might be unpleasantly surprised coming across multiples of your work, increase that unpleasantness tenfold to get a gallery’s response. Or, just say bye-bye to the gallery.

The gallery has invested time, space, and sweat into selling your work. Check your contract with the gallery first and then discuss the situation with the gallerist. I would encourage this step before signing a contract with the licensing company. I would further hope that you would discuss this in advance of joining other gallery stables.

Why risk important relationships?*

It’s much harder to overcome damage to a relationship than it is to notify collectors and galleries in the first place.

– Alyson Stanfield, The ArtBiz Coach

– Tara Reed

P.S.  Alyson is the author of "I'd rather be in the studio!"* a great business reference for any artist serious about their business.  I highly recommend it for your art library.  She also has a wide array of audio and live class options that you can see on her site at www.ArtBizCoach.com*

* I'm proud to be an affiliate of Alyson's and the links in this post are my affiliate links.  I will earn a commission if you click them an make a purchase.  I appreciate your support - it helps me keep blogging!

Here is what we covered:

• Should I make my company an LLC?
• How do business DBA's work if I already have an LLC?
• How can I protect a product design concept that I might submit to a company with art?
• How to respond to Trademark infringement concerns.
• How do we determine if we can use what seem to be common sayings in our art, without having trademark issues?
• How do you protect your tagline?
• If we register copyrights in groups, does it limit our protection?
• What recourse do I have if I see something created commercially that looks a lot like an image I posted to my website?
• What are the rules about using paintings of private homes for commercial use?
• Should we add copyright watermarks to everything we post to the internet?
• Do I have to re-copyright art if a company slightly modifies previously registered work? Say color or layout changes?
• Can I still copyright my designs if I've posted them on my blog or printed them on cards?
• What should you do if you find out your images have been copied?
• Do you recommend artists audit licensee accounting records regularly?

If you want a copy of the audio replay, it is $15 through 8/28 and $25 thereafter. We appreciate your support in purchasing these calls - it helps us continue to attract and create the great content artists have come to love and expect each and every month!

What's coming up next...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - NEW EXPERT Dena Fishbein will be answering your questions.  Head to  www.AskDenaDesigns.com to learn why I'm so excited to have Dena join the ranks of Ask Call Expert.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010: www.AskPaulBrent.com
In addition to answering questions from artists, Paul Brent will discuss how to plan your art collections for a trade show. Planning your collections, pacing yourself to get the work done and designing for trends for the new year.

Here's to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

P.S.  Learn more about Cheryl Hodgson on her blog at www.BrandAideBlog.com - be sure to sign up for her ezine to continue to build your legal savvy muscle!