FineArtViews - The AMP Newsletter

Hi There,

I've been pondering what Janis Joplin meant when she said, "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." I mentioned that on the occasions that it seems like we're all already free, just imprisoned by our own thoughts.

If I sit down in a quiet room and meditate, by which I mean "observe my own thoughts", I start to see that these feelings are constructs of my worldly self, my ego, and society's programming. One by one we can learn to let go of these thoughts... to "lose" these feelings of the world.

At their root, these worldly feelings, I think, come from fear... a fear of loss. We might fear a loss of income, a loss of a loved one, a loss of social status, or the loss of an opportunity. But ironically, the thing we truly need to lose is the fear of losing things! "Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose." Yoda told Luke Skywalker.

All the great mystics teach this idea. Jesus said, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." "Eternal" doesn't just mean "forever." The "Eternal" can be here and now and refer to an "eternal truth" or "eternal self." Your worldly self has to "die", so that your eternal self can live.

And, perhaps, once we've done that, once we have "nothing left to lose", then, and only then, will you be truly, "eternally" free.

Perhaps, that's what she meant. Or perhaps, as I mentioned, I'd just had a little too much wine.

On to today's art marketing thoughts...

Marketing your art requires a unique approach that most other products and services just don't need. Building a connection and creating personal relationships with your buyers is a piece of the marketing puzzle.

Our Art Marketing Program (AMP) provides artists with a roadmap to use our marketing resources to build new connections and deepen existing connections. In the article below, I'll dive into personal outreach and how simple little personal touches can truly make a big difference in the eyes of collectors.

By the way, for my latest thoughts on art marketing, posted daily, please follow me on Twitter.

Don't forget to send in your questions so they can be answered in an upcoming newsletter!

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Enjoy,

Clint Watson

I recently spoke with a man who is an art collector, an art lover and has been a director of several major art galleries over the past few decades. We'll call him "Jim."

He told me a story about how much he enjoys the Boldbrush Contest and how he loves discovering great new artists who enter the contest.

Recently, he was delighted to discover a new artist whose work caught his eye.

So he "liked" her work on our contest page. That's something that happens millions of times a day somewhere on the internet - somebody "likes" something on social media.

What usually happens next? Nothing, right?

How many people do you think respond to people who like their posts personally?

How many artists do you think take the time to send a heartfelt thank you to the people who "like" their art online?

I would guess it's extremely rare.

Most of us "like" something and move on, never to think of it again. We don't expect any kind of response.

In this particular case, however, something very different happened.

The artist in this case responded directly to "Jim" and let him know that she really appreciated the fact he took the time to like her art and that, coming from him, it meant a lot to her.

He then excitedly told me, "Now that's marketing! That's how artists should market themselves!"

He was already a fan of the artist's works, but after that reply he's become a huge fan of the artist herself. He now follows her everywhere online - Instagram, her newsletter, the BoldBrush contest and Facebook.

And now he pays attention to everything she produces.

It's yet another illustration of the marketing principle that personal outreach works the best, while generic posting gets lost with the rest.

Until next time, please remember that Fortune Favors the Bold Brush.

Sincerely,

Clint Watson

BoldBrush/FASO Founder & Art Fanatic

PS - Every FASO membership comes with the Art Marketing Program (AMP) that is a proven method for selling more art in less time - so you spend more time in the studio, doing what you love. Click here to sign up for your free trial now.

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