Fully realized

[Kimberly Dow]

Chris,

I wanted to clarify - I agree completely that we should educate our clients. I am referring to not educatinig (or to word it differently: selling) those that are just viewing the work. I guess I would look at those comments that Mike was asking about the same as I would if someone were to ask me "why do you paint so tight, why not loosen up?" If this were a potential client situation I wouldn't put much effort into trying to get them to 'like' my style. I always assume, and I do ask to make sure, that it is MY work someone wants when they are hiring me. There is a part of my contract that states something like "...hiring this artist for their particular style..." and more about being familiar with the artists style.

I may have taken Mike's question and twisted it. He wants to have a way to discuss this and make these types more valid to clients who don't get it ( I hope am am putting that close enough to what you meant) - and I kind of feel that if they dont get it, they cant be talked into it.

I'm curious Chris - when you say you want to know if they want work more like this artist or that one - do you show them samples of others work? I'm wondering why this is necessary if they have seen your work? I always assume that if we show them our work then they can see what their painting will be like. And if they didn't like our work they wouldn't be there... You have a distinctive style - I wouldn't hire you unless I loved that. It seems like common sense, but maybe I'm being too simplistic.

[Chris Saper]

Hi Kim,

My apologies as I think I was not very clear - I absolutely agree that the reason we as painters get hired is because people like our work. In my experience, though, I get many potentials who don't really know about what's out there to be had, and are trying to recover from sticker shock ( I should preface this to say maybe this is more suitable for the business section, as I don't make appointments to see potentials unless they already know my prices. That doesn't mean they're not still shocked )

To this end I keep a comparative market portfolio primarily for the purpose of pricing education. Unless the average client has actually done any portrait shopping, there's no reason that they would know what portraits cost. So I show them a variety of styles and prices. I encourage them to do research. I want to show them that they are getting good value with me. In the course of this, yes, they will see many other artists' styles.

I suppose all of this would fit under the category of "Pre-qualifying a Client".

I also think you are 100% right, no amount of sales pitch can make someone like a style they aren't attracted to...