Hi There,

Give and take requires balance in not just your business but all aspects of life. Whether it's your time, energy, or creating your artwork, make sure that you're setting boundaries for yourself so you can continue to flourish as an artist and a person.

The article below details the constant give and take that artists are battling from the perspective of artist, Debra Kierce, and how to use what you're given to maximize your potential.

I've found that artists are constantly trying to balance it all - creating, marketing, selling, living. Our FASO platform allows you to give more energy to your art so you can take more time doing what you love.

By the way, for my latest thoughts on art marketing, posted daily, follow me on Twitter. Let's connect there! I'd love to hear what you thought of this article.

Enjoy,

Clint Watson

When we are working hard to market and sell our art, we often forget this. Connection is really what we should be seeking.

Sales happen through connections. We like to focus on the giving. We are always sharing about our art and giving ways for collectors to understand it better, to buy it easier. But connections happen best when we take more than just the sales check.

What can we give? You've probably explored this already. Give your followers gifts of art, share glimpses into your personal life, offer tours of your studio, post about your process. Donations, favors and co-promotions, kind words... all of these things can foster relationships that result in future sales.

You can also give kindnesses. If someone is discouraged or struggling, a compliment or just spending time listening may inspire them. Social media can be a brutal place at times.

I don't personally spend much time on it. But when I do, I try to find at least one person's post that has had zero comments or views, and I post something encouraging on it.

Know what NOT to give.

Everyone has a different idea of what they should not give away. I learned early on to never give unsolicited critiques.

And even now, when people repeatedly ask for a critique of their work, I rarely give them. This is because nine times out of ten they don't want an honest answer.

If forced to provide a critique or opinion, I try to point out all the good things about their art. Another reason not to offer critiques - people know in their hearts how good they think their work is. They really don't need you to tell them. And it's true that any piece of art has value to the right collector.

Another thing I don't give away is my art. I will make donations to support special non profit organizations, but I won't give even a dear friend a painting.

I'll give away, or price very low, sketches and demonstrations that are not worthy of a full gallery or museum presentation. But the art that is fully rendered and similar in quality to the pieces I have sold to fine art collectors, I won't ever give away.

This is because our art has a secondary market that sales venues work hard to protect. Some even include a clause in their contracts about this. Nobody wants to deal with an irate collector who bought a $500 painting from your gallery, but now sees you have one just like it listed on eBay for $20.

Along the same lines, I have students who have invested hundreds of dollars in learning from me during workshops and private mentoring sessions. Yet several times each month I am approached by artists who ask me to outline my process, or parts of it, for free. That would not be fair to the students who have confirmed that my teaching has value, and I would be betraying their trust if I gave it away.

What should we take?

Again, some of these are common knowledge. Email addresses are a gift we not only take, but seek out. Of course, we exist to take sales and awards. Referrals are so valuable. We all have files of testimonials, because we know that word of mouth is one of THE most successful sales strategies for small businesses.

This one is so hard for me personally, but we need to learn to take compliments. I always feel like I could be doing better, or doing more. So when relatives, neighbors, friends, Instagram followers, etc. say nice things like "You're so gifted!" or "I can't draw a straight line. Your art is amazing!" let's be honest - my first impulse is to ignore it.

But these folks took the time to reach out and make a nice comment to me. Who am I to ignore them? I make a point of thanking each one personally. And in doing so, it reminds me that what we do really IS amazing.

I may not be as good as I want to be yet, but heck - If I ever get that good it means I've reached the end of my journey, and I don't ever want this journey to end.

So take those compliments, and relish every one!

Take on students. When someone asks you to share what you have learned, figure out what your time is worth to you, and find a way to share!

Teaching is also a two way street. When you are teaching your process, you'll be surprised at how explaining it to someone teaches you new things about what you do.

Plus, knowledge is the gift that keeps on giving. Soon, your students will be recommending you to others. And when they find their own successes, they will think of you when a museum needs someone to do an art talk, or an art center is looking for more instructors.

Take the emotions that come your way when people interact with your art. I love a collector in tears when I unveil a piece they commissioned me to paint. Really, this is why I love commissions.

Know what NOT to take.

Don't take rejection or criticism to heart. Shield yourself against it. Haters gonna hate. They just aren't your collectors.

Don't take sales or marketing advice that doesn't feel right for you. Marketing strategies are very specific to each business. The way a New York auction house sells art by Miro is worlds away from how cruise ships sell prints signed by Mohammad Ali or how galleries sell my art.

Set boundaries. For example, just because someone is your student, does not mean they are allowed to text and email you for information or feedback on their work routinely... no matter how many compliments they give you before asking. Once in awhile is fine, but decide how much extra time and support you will provide them.

Don't take the number of followers on social media, the number of awards you won this year, the number of months it took a gallery to sell your work, or any of these other statistics at face value.

Just like the google analytics on our FASOsites, the data always has a story if you dig deep enough to find it.

Lastly, and this may be a personal feeling... I don't think we should take more than we give. When you do, especially on the internet where most people don't know your whole story, or what an awesome personality you have, you can quickly develop a sense in onlookers that you are only in the art world for the money.

(Laugh, cough, clear throat) For most of us there are a lot of easier ways to make money. But that's what people will think if you don't pay attention to your balance of giving and taking, on public platforms in particular.

Notice and enjoy the results of your give and takes. Once you start paying attention to this balance of give and take, you will notice trends. Sometimes it takes years between something we give and something we get.

Be patient. Your kindnesses will come back to you ten fold, but maybe not right away. Eventually, you will fall into a rhythm where you sense that it's been awhile since you asked people to follow you or sign up for your newsletter, or posted art that is for sale.

And then you will notice that it's been awhile since you signed up for someone else's newsletter or shared someone else's post.

Depending on your price point, the number of artworks you create and the number of interactions you have with people, this ratio may vary. I can share that for me, it's about half giving and half taking because I am very prolific and my art is all $6,000 or less, with most in the $1,000 and less price range.

Plus I interact with my followers about once each week on average. I try to give something to the universe every time I take something from it. But I have no marketing guru credentials.

It's just what is working for me.

Just remember to give AND take to optimize networking. Marketing relationships are about maintaining connections. They are two way streets. We can't always be giving. We can't always be taking. Or, the connections break down.

Where in your art career can you be a more conscious giver? Is it time to accept some of the things that others in your circles have been trying to give to you?

Share what you decide to NOT to give or take. People want to know.

Regards,

Debra Kierce

Regular Contributing Author, FineArtViews

www.DebKArt.com

PS - This is Clint again. Click here to register now for the How to Grow a High Quality Email Marketing List webinar on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM CT / 10:00 AM MT / 9:00 AM PT to learn even more about building those important connections with your audience.