Another Great Man Falls

If you've ever tried to get into sales and marketing with any amount of seriousness, you've probably heard the name Zig Ziglar.

Zig Ziglar passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. He was 86 years old.

Zig has been in the sales, marketing and motivational business since the 1960's. He's written several books on sales, performance, and motivation.

Thank you Zig, for inspiring this struggling salesman!

Bold Brush Painting Contest

John French - Lonely City, Acoma Pueblo- Oil - Painting entry - November 2012 | BoldBrush Painting Competition
I've entered an art contest! It's kind of big news for me, since I've avoided such competitions, wishing for sales to be my prize.

I'd really like to get my name out to the rest of the country! Don't get me wrong, the local art market in Upper Michigan is decent, but I can't fulfill my goal by selling just here. That problem has been fully understood today (11-9-12) as one of my galleries closed. The Vertin Gallery in Calumet has stunned its artists by announcing yesterday that they'd be done today.

So I'm looking at distant horizons, trying to figure out how to get there. I decided to test the market a little by seeing how I measure up to hundreds of other artists. So far, my painting, shown below, is doing well as far as Facebook 'likes' go. Check it out; click the link above or the picture below, give it a thumbs up, and visit my website for new art!

Crazy Goal hits a Bump

Sometimes when you make plans, they fall through. No matter how solid the ideas are, how well thought-out they are, or how excited the planners may be, there will always be some sort of threat. There's always something that can go wrong.

So it is with an exhibit and a reception I had been working on with a financial advisory office in downtown Marquette. 

It all looked so promising! They were willing to show my work, sometime in November or December. They even brought up the idea of a reception. This was sounding great!

I wanted to plan it right! So, I created a survey and shared it on Facebook and emailed it to my list. I learned what kind of art people wanted and when they'd like to see it. I was getting ready!


Then the call came: "We're just too busy right now."


Damn.

I must admit, I was mad for a few minutes.Then I realized that being involved with a busy place is much better than being involved with a ghost town of a business.

I was depressed for a couple of days. But I won't stay down! It's deadly to my crazy goal.


Part of my big plan for this reception was to introduce my new work to my collectors, friends and fans. Well, since I can't bring you to the newest John French art, I'm bringing the new art to you. There are two new pieces at http://www.artofjohnfrench.com/John_French_Landscapes.php
and NINE new pieces at http://www.artofjohnfrench.com/southwestart.html .


Enjoy!

Two pieces in-process.

Baby Steps, First Downs, and Mini Goals

I've done a lot of thinking. Here are some of my not-so-random thoughts concerning my new goal.

I've been hearing and reading about baby steps a lot lately. Seems every other video or piece of selling advice talks about baby steps. The longest journey starts with the first step. Take care of the first step, and then the next one, and pretty soon you'll be on your way to your goal.

When I was driving from Michigan to New Mexico with my eleven-year-old son, I broke the route down into several smaller routes for him so he could keep up with the distance and the travel time. For instance, driving from Chamberlain, South Dakota to The Badlands National Park would take about two hours. Colorado Springs to Raton New Mexico would take us about two and a half hours. This made the trip seem a little shorter and more manageable for him. He knew what to expect in the next couple of hours.

I was watching football this weekend. Fans get excited when their team gets a first down. A first down in football is like a mini touchdown. It means that team gets to keep the ball, and keep trying to score. It's a mini goal within a larger goal. It's a baby step, but more manly!

To reach a goal, you must make that goal, then start planning backwards. What will it take to reach that goal? What will it take to reach the pre-goal goal? How many mini-goals will it take? How many first downs will I need to get a touchdown? How many 150 mile trips to get home?

Well... To make $40,000 each year with my art, I will need to:
1) sell a $110 painting each day, seven days a week. Or...
2) I can sell a $154 painting each day, five days a week. Or...
3) Or I can sell three $256 paintings each week. Or...
4) Or one $770 painting each week. Or...
5) Any combination will do.  



Since I've sold a lot of paintings for around $150, option 2 seems the most logical. But there are problems: I need to be able to paint that much, AND find the buyers.

I've also sold several $200-$300 paintings. Option 3 looks viable if I can paint that many larger pieces in a few days, then use the rest of the week to sell them.

I've only ever sold one painting over $500. I think that's something I should work for. Once I figure that out, I can shoot for $1000.

In the meantime, I'm exploring the market. (I've designed a survey. Please take it here!) I'm painting different scenes, experimenting with new subjects and even new techniques. I'm offering smaller paintings for lower prices to see what catches on. Popular subjects will become larger paintings.

  

An Insane New Goal

In August, I took a long, fifteen-day, 4200 mile vacation. I drove my little Chevy Aveo from Upper Michigan to New Mexico and back. I came back with a lot of inspiration, a lot of pictures, and a crazy new goal for me and my art.

I told my lovely wife about my new goal; she got wide-eyed and said "That's too soon!" I told my mother about my new goal; she gave me that "isn't that nice, dear" look. I've told a few friends about my goal; they laughed at me.

It's a lofty goal, but obtainable if I work hard at it, stay focused, and get incredibly lucky. Of course, I believe we make our own luck by doing.

So here's what I want to do: I want to retire from my job within ten years, travel all over the place, and make a living selling my art.

Are you laughing? Go ahead. I don't blame you.

Before I decided on this goal, I marketed myself and sold my art in an attempt to make more money helping people brighten their lives. That was it. I didn't decide how much to make, as long as I made some. Now I have a definite financial level to reach as well as a definite time frame to do it in.

It's like planning a long 4200 mile trip. I started with a destination. Then I figured out a time frame. Then I plotted my course, made sure I knew my way, gathered my resources, and got going. Right now I know where I want to be as an artist, and I know when I want to get there. I just need to figure out the route, and decide what else I need.

So this blog will take take you on that journey. Care to ride along?

Rain over the Mountains with the Rio Grande far below.

Painting inspired by the photo above, and by the experience!

Solved: Why email scammers say they're from Nigeria | Fox News

Interesting way to find your target audience!

Solved: Why email scammers say they're from Nigeria | Fox News

Sharing video Clients From Hell

"Clients from Hell" is a hilarious blog on Tumblr about a freelance designer's adventures with some really stupid people. This video is sort of a dramatised montage of some of the more common scenarios.

I'm proud to say, I can't relate!

How does an elephant hunter advertise?

The Weirdest Advertising Question Ever — Tim Miles | The Daily Blur

Sometimes I forget about the fundamentals, the basics, the foundation to a good advertising and marketing campaign.

This article is a great reminder.

Three Myths about What Customers Want - Karen Freeman, Patrick Spenner and Anna Bird - Harvard Business Review

Three Myths about What Customers Want - Karen Freeman, Patrick Spenner and Anna Bird - Harvard Business Review

Always something new...!

In the Slow Lane

My marketing machine has broken down. Well, not completely. More like it's running low on gas and I have to slow it down... keep it in the slow lane.


It's kind of sad, but this is the way it must be... for now.


2011 was a good year for me artistically. I earned enough to put me somewhere between the bottom 10%  of artists and the top 10%.  According to artist Jack White (not the singer), the bottom 10% make $1000 or less from their art. The top 10% make a great living from their art. I did OK, but if not for my wonderful day career, I'd be a starving artist. Then again, I might have more time to make art and properly market it with the extra 9 hours a day. Don't get me wrong; I love my job CNC Prototype machinist job!

2012 has brought several challenges, mostly financial ones, that have caused me to slow down the marketing machine:

After years of avoiding the Gates of Hell (the dentist's office), I'm finally faced with some expensive and time consuming dental work. Please take it from me: when the dentist tells you to get a check up and a cleaning every six months, they aren't just trying to get your money.


I'm also the president of The West End Community Arts Network (WeCan). That's a new group, and we're beginning to get more active. WeCan has a great board of directors, and we all take a lot of time to get things done. Recently I was on the Doug Garrison Show. My stage fright is getting well under control! Unfortunately, we're a small board, and we can only do so much. 


I'm also the Vice President of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra. That means I must learn how to be president. I must keep up with things in case the president can't. That means a lot of meetings, emails and thinking (or trying to think. I admit it: I don't know what I'm doing in this regard!). I went to the Marquette Arts and Culture Center annual awards ceremony last week to accept an award on behalf of the MSO, and of course I had to say a few words from the stage.


It isn't all doom an gloom!

I'm planning a long trip to New Mexico to see the family I have there. We're taking the long way through South Dakota and Colorado to see Mt Rushmore, the Badlands,  Rocky Mountain National Park, and whatever else crosses our path! That has occupied a lot of time and money. But it will be a blast! And I plan to take a lot of pictures for future paintings. 

Because of the time and cash dedicated to my health and vacation, I will not be at The Outback Art Fair this year. They say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." In marketing, absence makes the heart go wandering!


Not having the extra cash for postcards and ads has given me the freedom to simply paint. I've churned out quite a few great paintings this year. I've tried to tighten my style, explore other subjects, and improve myself. I've also pursued galleries and opportunities outside of my immediate area. These items are part of the plan I made for myself this year.


Also part of my plan: I've also done more low cost marketing. I've increased my Facebook activity. I've made a few videos and posted them on You Tube. Please subscribe to my AofJF Channel!  

Not part of my plan, but a great chance: I've created an Art of John French app (available on the Android market only for now) with Conduit Mobile. 


I've also decided to rededicate myself to this blog, and create another more collector-oriented blog. I'm just looking for the right platform and deciding on the right theme and direction.


So even though my marketing machine is in the slow lane, it's still going.

The art world 'Screams'... is it worth $120 million?

Why yes, it is. Value in the art world is all about perception and desire. Art sales depend on us artists -and the galleries which sell our art- to sell perception. Often that can be an emotional connection to a painting or sculpture. Buyers don't care how much our materials were, or how late we stayed up to finish the work. They care about what the art says to them.

 I'm sure the person who bought this piece is thrilled to own such a recognizable  piece of history and culture!

Munch's 'The Scream' sells for record $119.9M at NYC auction | Fox News

The Passing of a Great Marketer

Today, I woke up and checked the latest Google trends. At number two was Thomas Kinkade. I clicked the link to see what was so news worthy. I was surprised to see he had died.

I've blogged about Kinkade before. I'm no fan of his business practices, and I think his art is over produced. However, I also understand that he was a master marketer. He skillfully painted idealic and candy coated scenes and people loved them. He made millions by creating what people love. He introduced a popular product and delivered it over and over to a hungry public. For that, Thomas Kinkade has my respect.

After reading his Bio, I've softener my opinion of him. He got rich doing what he loved, and he gave a lot of his money away to charity.

So rest in peace, Thomas Kinkade. Thanks for making the world a better place, one idealic scene at a time!

People Don't Think McD's Has Great Food... But Does it Matter? - Forbes

People Don't Think McD's Has Great Food... But Does it Matter? - Forbes

Here's more evidence that we often must market an experience and a feeling, not just a product.

Another lesson here: McDonald's is doing great as a business, despite the bad rap (wrap?) their food has been getting for years. Are they satisfied with that? NO.... they know that sooner or later, concerns over food quality will eclipse the bells and whistles in Playland. So now they're working on food quality, and most importantly, the PERCEPTION of the food quality.

I want to market a god product AND a feeling!

How Raising Prices Can Increase Your Sales - Forbes

How Raising Prices Can Increase Your Sales - Forbes

Here's an article from Forbes on raising prices. I like this article because it specifically mentions art.

So have you raised your prices recently? What has been the result?

Reaching the Affluent Market Online - eMarketer

Who is your target collector? It should be someone with some extra money. I found the info in the following link very helpful.

Reaching the Affluent Market Online - eMarketer

I found it interesting that only 1/3 of the people surveyed had a smart phone. Whatever the number was at the time the survey was conducted, I've seen other indications that both iOS and Android markets are growing by leaps and bounds. I think it's time to take advantage of this trend!

Scammer Names used to target Artists

Update: scammers are now offering to pay via paypal so don't be fooled. How they continue their scam is they end up sending what looks like a completely legitimate payment confirmation from paypal, with even a link to view the details of the payment. But it turns out it is not from paypal. It is a copycat site that looks like its paypal. And some even ask you to log in and then the scammer has your paypal log in information and you are now in MORE trouble than before! The only way to be sure is to never visit paypal from a link in an email. Always independently log in from a new browser window, hand typing in the paypal website address (and not the address in the email! google the correct address if you have to).

Scammer Names used to target Artists

Website Scams « Mike Caddy's Art & Marketing Blog

I hate deceitful people. Let's fight them! In relation to my last blog entry about scams, here's more for you to read!

Website Scams « Mike Caddy's Art & Marketing Blog

Another Art Scam

I just waved off another scam attempt. This one came from someone with a wonderfully comfortably familiar name of Melissa. It read:

Hello,

I am interested in some of your items , but will like to know how long it will take to deliver items to Slovenia as that is the destination. More also i will like to confirm what kind of Credit Card do you accept as form of payment? Kindly get back to me with answer to my inquiry and don't forget to include your updated website link for me to browse through.

God Bless.

   Slovenia? I've gotten art scam emails from that part of the world before, so I was immediately suspicious. Still, this email was better written than the others I'd gotten. 

   I read it again. I had questions.

   ItemS? Plural? Too good to be true. 

   What kind of credit card do I accept? It's pretty plain and simple: Paypal. 

    Updated website link? To browse through? Now that's just odd. I don't even know what to say about that.

   So I selected the body of the email, copied it and pasted it into Google's search box. The first page of the results showed no less than six anti spam forums reporting the very same email. I even found a Facebook page called Stop Art Scams.

   These scammers aren't out to steal your art. They probably don't even like art. They want to buy your art with a stolen credit card number. Then, they want to pay outrageous shipping charges to a nonexistent company that communicates with a hotmail or live.com address. They get all the cash from the shipping company, and you lose your art.*
*UPDATE: I've become more familiar with these scams. You don't always lose your art. Most of the time you don't. Once you wire the stolen money to the bogus shipping company, contact stops. They don't care about your art.

   Apparently, they don't just target 2-D artists, but jewelers, sculptors, crafters, and general e-commerce sellers. They're playing numbers games. If they fail with you, they'll just move on to someone else. Every reply is set up in advance. Once an artist nibbles, they start the reeling-in process. 

   As I was investigating, I was surprised by how many people had actually gone through part of the process before they became suspicious. I wonder how many went all the way?

    I'm told it's best to simply delete and ignore these emails. But I can't help myself. I told the person they should be ashamed of themselves for using God's good name to imply trust so they can steal from people. I'm sure my scolding did little good. I'm sure these scumballs are still out there. So be careful, be educated, and share the warning!