My blog is on the move…

I THINK this should be the last time I move this blog…

Here’s the deal:  since I started blogging in June, I’ve been using the free WordPress.com blog service and it has been great.  But then I’d hear about the flexibility and cool plug-ins you could get with a WordPress.org blog…

What is the difference? you ask?

WordPress.com is easier to set up and get blogging, that’s for sure.  WordPress.org is free, except that you host it, meaning you have to have a web address and host (that costs a little) as well as a little more saavy to get things going.  But once they are going… it’s got some pretty sweet options!

SO… I’ll leave everything to date here in case you find a link somewhere but new stuff will be added to the new location.

Here it is, feel free to bookmark, read, comment and share!  www.artlicensingblog.com

Have a great day!

Tara

P.S.  One good thing about moving a blog — there are no boxes and heavy lifting involved!

How an E-mail from France changes the world…

This morning I woke up a little later than usual… I can often be found heading to buy groceries at 7 am on a Sunday.  (I like to beat the rush)  But today I slept in until 8, and awoke to show flurries going sideways by my window.

Snow “in the valley” in Portland is quite unusual.  One reason I love living here is that the temperatures are pretty moderate and the snow usually stays in the mountains.  But today it has decided to come to the city, my son is exstatic and hoping for no school tomorrow.

My morning routine always involves checking my email first thing. I have had people tell me I shouldn’t – instead recommending I get to important work before letting my email potentially side-track me.  (Of course they mean on ‘traditional’ work days, not really Sunday, but what is traditional about the business of art?)

I disagree with that email theory as that is how I know what is needed in my business.  Some days a client might email me a frantic request — if you can get me XYZ by 3 pm we can present it to a client.  Not wanting to miss opportunities, I check my email, and often.

Sometimes, too, I will have email from artists having trouble getting the download of an eBook they bought or they missed the ‘free bonus’ page.  I don’t want them waiting either!

This morning I woke up to an email with the subject line, “Can french buy your book???”

Well that intrigued me so it was the first email I decided to read.  Until this morning, I had my shopping cart set to only accept orders for the US & Canada.  That was due to my online store that shipped physical products.  I decided to end that experiment last week so now I have changed the settings and my information products (eBooks and upcoming audio) can be purchased from anywhere in the world. Remember of course that they are in English. 

That’s my interesting art story this morning!  The snowflakes are getting bigger and the road is dusted white…  my son will be so happy when he gets up.  I hope you have a magical day!

~ Tara

P.S.  I guess the email didn’t actually “change the world”, it just changed the world’s access to my info.  It will be interesting to see if the world is interested!

P.P.S.  Today is an official “Pajama Day” for me… if I can’t go anywhere, why not stay warm, cozy and comfy while I paint and write?

Go ahead… ask me anything!

About Art Licensing of course…

I’m trying something new… I love to learn new things and I’m loving “meeting” the artists and getting feedback about the eBooks I’ve done so far.

I just started a class to learn all about teleseminars and “Ask” campaigns.  “Teaching at the Speed of Sound” as teacher Alex Mandossian says.

I must admit to multi-tasking because I’m listening to a Q&A session while I type.  They are telling me that my first attempt at this won’t be the best and could provide some funny stories.  (Like dry mouth or needing to pee mid-talk.. yikes!)  Care to join in on the fun?

I already have 40 great questions for my first “Ask Tara Reed” call that will take place on Wednesday, December 17th at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST.  And since I’m not sure if I should do general questions each month (did I tell you I’m planning on doning this each month?) or if I should have a topic (like “presenting art” or “trade shows”) each month.

Well guys… you aren’t helping much!    It is about 40% no topic, 39% topic and the rest of you have no opinion.  So I need more data.  Even if you don’t have a specific question, you can still listen & learn.  Just say, “No question” — it’s all good!  And if you vote for the format and ask a question (or a “no question”) this month, you might win a free eBook.

Care to join in the fun, the bloopers, and get a chance to win?  Go to:  AskTaraReed.com

Talk to you Wednesday!

~ Tara

P.S.  Do you write books or have a cool “how-to” book out there?  Listen in and see if this might be a good format for a “Virtual Book Tour”.  Alex has a class that teaches you how to promote and sell your book through this same format.  For $20, you get a 2 hour training to see if it is for you.  I think artists can use this to educate and keep the sales coming in!  Let me know what you think!  CLICK HERE

Keeping your finger on current topics makes for good marketing

Today I received a copy of the “Northwest Examiner” in my mailbox.  A local newspaper that comes out once a month, and is mailed to everyone with a NW Portland (Oregon) address.  People try and tell me I’m not “hip” like the “real” Northwest — the trendy downtown neighborhood with cool old homes, art galleries and lots of places to eat.

Whatever!  I get the paper, my street is “NW” so there.  So I live on the “Suburb” side of the hill for the schools.  So there is an alpaca farm 300 feet from my home… it is boxed in by urban sprawl so I’m not in the country either.  But I digress… back to the paper.

As I sat, eating a piece of reheated pizza because once again I worked until I was about to pass out and needed food IMMEDIATELY if not sooner, I flipped through the paper.

In the corner of page 18, something caught my eye… (we are getting to my point, hang in)  “Pub owner may promise puppies”.  Huh?  This seemed a little unusual so I decided to read further.  This ad goes on to say that you can become president if you promise your kids a puppy so he thought he would borrow Obama’s concept and use it to sell burgers.

That is some timely, out of the box thinking!  Guess what… I was intrigued so I kept reading.

The owner went on to ponder a plan:  $200 cheeseburgers that come with a golden retriever puppy.  $500 Monday-night tacos come with an adorable chihauhua…  The final plan will be annouced after the first of the year.  (Genius!  Do you see what he is doing? I’ll now LOOK for the plan in the next issue — I like this guy!)

And he leaves us with this:  “In the meantime, the pub will continue to offer its free refill with a soft drink. Barack Obama would have never won with that deal.”

Now why am I sharing this? Unless you live in Portland, you probably won’t eat at the Nob Hill Bar & Grill, locationed at 937 NW 23rd Ave.

There are a few marketing points to ponder in this ad.

The use of color isn’t the best.  The green words on red, although seasonal, is very hard to read.  So the lesson isn’t in brilliant use of graphic design and color. (Sorry- no offense — loved the ad, it works!)

1. The image is cute – who can resist a puppy?  What image do you have that you can put front and center to catch someone’s eye? On your website, in an ad, on a blog, etc.
2. The humor is timely.  How many people take the President-elect’s promising his kids a puppy and use it to design a $200 cheeseburger?  The idea is so out there it gets your attention.  At the same time, you know it isn’t real so it doesn’t confuse.  What can you do to stand out through an unusual comparison?
3. The title is catchy. I wouldn’t have red the fine print without the “huh?” factor of a pub owner promising puppies.  How can you put a little “huh?” into your message?
4. By promising a plan after the new year, the puppie-pedaling pub owner has me intrigued and wanting more.  I may even drive over the hill and try a burger.  What can you do to create suspense and a desire for more with your audience?

That is the end of my story and I leave you with this… what do you see in the world today that you can use to make yourself and your art stand out?

~ Tara

P.S.  They have sold 639,690 burgers so far, which also leaves me wondering how long they have been in business and how long it took to sling so many burgers.

5 ways to keep your trade show costs down…

It is amazing how your costs can add up when you exhibit at a trade show.
Here are some things I do to keep my expenses low and my money in my pocket.

1.Carry your booth with you. It is possible to design a booth that you can pack in your suitcase or carry on.  There is no need to have art in heavy frames.

2.Ship things to your hotel. Most hotels will accept packages about a week before you arrive – you need to tip the person who brings them to your room, of course.  But, a $5 tip is a lot less than you will pay for storage and drayage at the show site.  So if you just don’t want to carry a box of brochures or drapes for your walls with you, ship ahead. And plan far enough ahead to ship it by ground and avoid overnight charges.

3.Pay for a “trade show” suitcase when you fly. If what you need to get to a show is heavy, but under 50 lbs, you might consider paying the $25-50 for an extra checked bag and bring it on the plane with you.  That is often cheaper than shipping ahead to your hotel.  Weigh your options.

4.Buy water and snacks at a local drug store. When I do a show in New York, my first stop is Duane Reade, a drug store that seems to be on every corner.  I stock up on bottles of water to take to the show, as well as a gallon or 2 for the room.  Ditto for some snacks.  Water can run $3+ at a show so I suggest you plan ahead!  Of course, check the show rules before trying to bring water in by the case, you might only be allowed one or two that you can put in a bag.

5.Book your hotel, usually through the show site, as early as possible. Most trade shows negotiate better rates than you will find on your own, and often at very nice hotels.  But make your reservation early as there are limited numbers of rooms at the show rate.  I usually book for the following year while I’m working the show.  Another upside to booking through the show travel planners – you can usually change your hotel, dates, etc. without fees that you would incur on most online travel sites.

Have a great show and keep some of your hard-earned cash in your pocket!

~ Tara

PS: This information can be found in the eBook: How to Maximize your Time and Investment in Trade Shows.  Click here for more details

How to Maximize Your Time & Investment in Trade Shows

My latest eBook is READY! And it is just for you… the artist wanting to learn from the experience of others.  There is a lot of generic information about trade shows but I haven’t found any that was specific to ART LICENSING trade shows.  If you are exhibiting or thinking about exhibiting at SURTEX, Licensing International, CHA, AmericasMart or Printsource New York, you should consider this eBook.

I remember being so unsure of what to do when I got on the plane to head to my very first show. Would my booth, my art, my presentation be good enough or would it pale in comparison to others around me?  What should I wear?  What should I say?  So many questions, so few answers targeted to me and my specific show.

Well the wait is over! I decided to tap, tap, tap away and create the book I wish I had when I was starting.

Maybe you have exhibited before, there are still tips and tricks that you may not have thought of.

You get tried-and-true information, not only from me, but from two other veteran artists: Ingrid of Nutshell Designs and Randy of Finkstrom International.  They were kind enough to share their tips and insights which you will find scattered throughout the book.

Divided into 7 parts, I will walk you through the before, during and after of trade show success.
Here is the basic outline:

1. Deciding Where to Exhibit
2. You Picked a Show, Now Make a Plan
3. Booth Design
4. Set-Up Day
5. Show Time!
6. Follow Up After the Show
7. Shows for Artists Who License Their Art

For a minimal investment, you can shorten your learning curve and hit the ground confident and running!

Click here for more details… and have a great show!

~ Tara

PS: There are 4 great ‘freebies’ as well that will help you plan, budget and track your way to a booming business.  Be sure to read to the bottom of the page to see what they are!

Deck the Halls with a Complementary Color Scheme!

Yesterday I realized I haven’t talked about color for a while… as I was decorating my tree with my son, spreading green garland and red ribbon about the house I thought of what a great example Christmas provides for complementary color schemes.

A complementary color scheme consists of 2 colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. Because they are so far from each other on the color wheel, they are high contrast.  The way in which you combine the colors in your art, decorations or any other application, will determine how easy it is on the eye.

A general rule of thumb when working with complementary colors is to choose one color as your main color and then use its compliment for an accent color.  Lots of one, a splash of the compliment.  See how Santa has a lot of red and then a dash of green in his mittens and on the wreath?  It works.  Main color: Red.  Complement: Green.

When used outside of Christmas, complementary color schemes are a great way to draw maximum attention to your message.  I wouldn’t recommend using red and green for a logo, since you will send the message of “Christmas” along with the intended concept, but most others will work.

See how the orange text jumps off the blue? You guessed it!  Blue and orange are complementary colors and will grab your attention.  (Don’t worry, it is just an example, I’m not trying to sell you anything today.)

Next time you head out to a store, try to notice who is using complementary color schemes and how they are using them.  It’s an interesting way to do a color study!  Then give it a try in your studio…

~ Tara

Mail call! Why you may want a mailbox away from home…

By “away” I don’t mean in another country, state, county or even town…  I just mean a place other than your front door.

“But Tara, that would cost money and I’d have to go and check the mail” you say?

I know. I know.  It took me 6 years to take the plunge and pay for a little box in a nearby UPS Store.  But I’d like to share the reasons why it might be a good idea for you to do it as well.

SAFETY.   Perhaps you want to keep your home address private so when you become a big, well-known artist your groupies will have a harder time finding you.

INTERNET BUSINESS. It was when I started doing my online business that I finally got a mailbox.  I had been thinking about it (for reason #1) but hadn’t taken action.  When I needed to accept credit cards online it was required that I have a physical mailing address.

My first instinct was to head to the post office and get a P.O. Box.  But then I remembered a conversation I had a few years ago with a friend who chose to get a box at a local Mailboxes, Etc. store.  Not only could you receive mail from the post office, but they would sign for and hold packages from UPS, FedEx and the like as well.  Can’t do that with a P.O. Box!

So I headed over to the UPS Store near me (I chose it because I really like the owners and it is the closest place with good parking) and got a box.

Since I’d had my home address on business cards for years, I can’t really change everything over so my box gets cob webs at times.  But it has been great when I order something that needs a signature, or something that I don’t want sitting on my front step.  You also save that extra $1 or so they charge when delivering to a home, rather than a business address.

I consider it money well spent.  You might too.  I just thought I’d share some things to consider if you want to separate your business and personal mail.

Here’s to checks in the mail!

~ Tara

The New York Times talks about licensing…

Remember last week when I was telling you about Google Alerts?  Have you set any up?  I know it is one (or more) more email in your inbox but you can find things you wouldn’t have stumbled across before.

Here is a case in point — yesterday I got a Google Alert for “art licensing” — several things, many not of any great interest.  But there was one article that caught my eye.

The New York Times did a story in their “Shifting Careers” section called “Turning Art into a More Lucrative Career Choice”.   Read the article

The talk about what we talk about — dis-connecting the words “starving” and “artist”.  Looking at art and selling art differently.

I think it is wonderful to have someone like the New York Times talking about art licensing… it brings more understanding and awareness.

So read the article.  And try a Google Alert — I never would have found this information without it!

~ Tara

It’s a “thankful” time of year…

With Thanksgiving upon us, I thought it would be a good time to put some of my ‘gratitudes’ out in the universe.

As I wake up each morning, in that space between sleep and my feet hitting the floor, I have made it a habit to think of the many things I have to be grateful for in my life. It really helps keep things in perspective, I highly recommend it!

Here is my list for today, as they come to me while I type:

• my fabulous son – how lucky am I that he’s mine!
• my ‘boyfriend’ Craig – again, I’m SO very lucky!
• a wonderful support system of positive-minded people — friends, family, neighbors and more
• YOU!  The artists reading my blog, chatting with me on Twitter, allowing me to share the ’stuff’ in my head and heart.
• my clients — who allow me to share my art with the world in new and fun ways each day
• my teachers who have and continue to teach me new skills, expand my mind and challenge me to try new and sometimes scary things.  It has always been worth it!
• my trainer, who has pushed me to really commit to getting in shape & having a more healthy lifestyle.
• my creativity and passion – I am thankful every day that I know what makes me feel alive and that I have the opportunity to do it each and every day!
• technology — I marvel at how my life has changed in 10 years with advances in technology — especially opportunities to create and connect online
• Portland — I LOVE where I live!  It is so green and beautiful.  Even if it is a bit “damp” for many, I chose this as my home and can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.
• My home, my studio, my Honda – the material “stuff” that gives me shelter, takes me places, brings me comfort and just plain makes me smile!

OK… going to stop before I make myself cry from all the things I have to be thankful for.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday, share it with those you love, celebrate the way you choose and most importantly, take a few minutes to reflect on all that you have to be thankful for.

~ Tara

P.S.  Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for reading and interacting with me about all things.  I am looking forward to more exciting adventures together in the coming months… are you ready?