Where to go? How to reach my potential clients?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Tom
am so glad that you posted your wisdom on this thread. I have reread your words three times now and they make a lot of sense. The problem gets down to really putting a fair price on my work.

It is just hard for me to utter large sums, or even have them posted on my website, for some reason. I do feel my work is valuable, but on the other hand I am "just starting out" - though I'm really not sure how much that matters.

I am also afraid I'll price myself out of any potential business if my prices are too high. Though, as you so eloquently pointed out in your post, low prices can be a career-long trap.

And I think your comment on "perceived value" has a lot of merit in our society today. If something is priced too low, how can it be any good?

I am guessing many portrait artists have this dilema, thank you for your wise words. And I am now convinced that I should not be offering any discounts. (That was quick!)

Joan

[Tom Edgerton]

Well, I appreciate it.

I don't mean to sound as if I have all the answers...it's just that I've made all the mistakes and would like to see others avoid them if possible.

I had a breakthrough "flash" this past weekend myself: Any time I talk myself out of a job or out of asking for enough compensation, through my own insecurity, there always will be a less talented artist that would do it half as well for twice as much, and not feel guilty about it a bit. So that client is better off with me.

Best as always--T

[Sophie Ploeg]

Hi
Gosh, this is an old thread. I had not noticed it was brought back to life as I changed my email address and only check the old one once in a blue moon. But I updated my details on this site so I should now get notice of new posts. Sorry, I have just not been around.

Its interesting to read this thread again. It reminds me of my 'situation' 4 years ago and its interesting to re-read all the great advice here. A lot of it I can use all over again I am afraid.

4 Years ago I did loads of marketing, with your help and suggestions. I printed off cards, flyers, did the charity auction portrait I referred to earlier (clients loved the painting!) etc etc. Spent a fortune on a good printer and all the printing supplies. It paid back very little. No follow up commissions on any of my sales.

In the past 3 years I had my two children so my painting had to take a step back. Funnily I did manage to do a whole load of graphite portraits via a baby-forum on the internet. Got some follow up commissions from that as well. Good stuff. I did not market myself big time so it all went quiet again.

This summer I took up my pastels and brushes again and started painting like mad. Had planned to build a body of work that was good enough to take to galleries. Am still trying to do that. But in the mean time a few of these works sold (to the parents of the child in the painting, who were so kind to let me paint their kid) (one sold in an open exhibition) so my 'body of work' is still not big enough to go knock on galleries doors.

I found in the past that printing my own reproductions (giclees), greeting cards etc just does not work out. It costs loads and loads of time and hassle - time better spent painting.

I've just finished two commissions and sold a few paintings so feel like I am on a roll again. I plan to order some postcards from a printing company and use those to hand out and leave at shops, toddler groups and schools. With two small children I just don't have the time to design and print it myself. I try to grab every spare minute to paint!

So, marketing remains a BIG challenge.
I still aim to create some paintings that might be attractive to galleries (not many galleries sell children in art) and that keeps me going and helps me to develop my work. I hand out cards whenever I find a new toddler group to go with my own children but am aware that I don't want to come across as pushy.

So, this is where I am at now.
Thanks again for all the great advice. Its worth reading and re-reading and adjusting my methods now and then.

I better get some more cards and start marketing again......

Sophie
www.sophieploeg.com