How's Business?

David Draime · 02-12-2007, 08:01 PM

Well...

I'm still waiting for that first commission. So, I guess you could say: it couldn't be worse!

But the good news is: it's not going to get any worse.

...I never was very good at marketing. Sad really....

David

Tom Edgerton · 02-13-2007, 04:06 PM

Find the most well-connected, influential wealthy person in your area, the one with the most out-of-the area contacts. Maybe a politician or business person. (If the next town over is way bigger than yours, go over there.)

Tell them what you're trying to do. Offer to paint them for free, if they'll let you keep it for a year as a sample, they'll say nice things about you, and they won't reveal your deal. If they say no, ask them if they know someone who might be interested, and ask them if you can use their name when you contact the suggested party.

You'll be painting for the practice anyway, right?

Work your rear end off to make it the best painting you've ever painted in your wildest dreams. Paint it as many times as this takes (don't let them badger you into a deadline). Make sure they agree to your rights to reproduce the painting for marketing purposes.

Follow through with your part of the agreement.

Portraiture is mostly a word-of-mouth business. Bart Lindstrom's two rules for marketing are:

1) Make exquisite paintings
2) Show them to as many people as possible.

The first commission is the hardest to get.

All the best--TE

Michele Rushworth · 02-13-2007, 04:36 PM

Excellent advice!

Debra Jones · 02-13-2007, 06:54 PM

And the key is to KEEP TALKING IT UP!

I did my first hotshot portrait 4 years ago. Mayor and Gov at the dedication of the facility named after the portrait. BUT I did not have a clue where to go from there. Some people get it and others don't. I am a general DON'T. BUT it is that 80% is showing up thing!

This forum, especially, is great for listening to the hotshots making the hardest part of this sound easy. The MARKET is where we live and the marketing is where we live or die.

This is simple but it is very not easy. And that line "follow through with your part of the agreement" has a lot of the planning stage in it. Setting the business plan is as important as laying the composition of the painting. You just can't do it right if you WING IT!

(You all may read this as a lot of personal pep talk. I am daily convincing myself that the least productive I feel, the longer ahead I will see the results.)

Kent Curole · 02-16-2007, 12:09 PM

Great to hear from some of you. Those who are not familiar with my work, I do have a few on this sight. Searches may reveal Kristy or Jacob. I will be uploading another shortly for critique (possibly in the "in progress" section.

Some good news!!! I picked up a portrait today from a former co-worker who wants her daughter done now and her son done when he also reaches 3 years old.

Also, since this thread started, our local civic center had a Valentine's Dinner with a local band playing nice music. The local art guild was suppose to show so I called to see if I could get in. They told me the guild had cancelled and let me show by myself. It was great publicity. I sold a tiger painting for $500 and informed many wealthy people in my neighborhood of my talents. The civic center said that they have events about once a month that I could possibly show at. All they ask is that if I sell something, I make a small monetary donation.

Keep the comment comming.

Kent Curole