[Tom Edgerton]

I agree with Michele.

This is where having a website and a hard-copy portfolio are essential. You want to qualify prospects before expending any real time consulting with them.

I usually refer any inquiries to the website first, and then follow up by phone. If they are still seriously interested, I'll send a portfolio if they're not here locally. Or I'll have local prospects meet here at the studio or I'll go to them if they can't. Nowadays, anyone who is really interested usually makes that decision off of the website alone.

I only travel any distance to a client once they are signed up and on board.

I've seen a few artists advertise a consulting fee, but I find it off-putting when I imagine myself in the prospect's shoes. I'd think twice about working with an artist who'd charge me merely to discuss my paying them several thousand dollars for a painting.

Responding to inquiries is a natural part of the business, like anything else.