From the category archives:
Whew. That felt good.
I just got a new post up on my Bead Nerd Site. You know, the one where I tell everyone how to be successful in their bead businesses? Yes, it still exists but I hadn’t posted in ::gasp:: over a month!
The most recent post is about ProPay and using it to accept credit cards in lieu of a traditional merchant account. It’s worth reading if you don’t accept credit cards outside of PayPal.
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This is an interesting day and age for being a professional artist. Or craftsperson that sells their work. I’ve written about our changing art market before and I think about it a lot because it interests me. I know. I’m weird.
Recently, I’m feeling called to give more. I’m not talking about upcoming contests I have planned but FREE information. This is the internet age. It is a time when you can find almost anything you want on the internet and often times, for free. In one way I feel like, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” But of course, I want to do it better and more uniquely and with purpose.
I was having a discussion with a few other artists and we kicked around the idea of why would someone want to pay for information (i.e., books, magazines, etc.) when almost everything, in some form, can be found on You Tube or elsewhere for free? Well, I will tell you.
1. The free stuff is usually not as good as the stuff you pay for. And if it is, the person putting it out there is either independently wealthy or is missing out on an opportunity. It would be great if we could all do our best work and give it away. But life doesn’t work that way…for long.
2. Free stuff usually whets your whistle for the good stuff. If you liked what you saw then you would probably be safe paying for more of it.
3. The free stuff is usually pretty basic. Don’t get me wrong though. There are some really good tutorials out there and great information. So no offense to those of you out there that have written some juicy articles. (I’m one of them: Digital Imaging for Glass Beads). The information that costs a little moolah is probably beyond basic (unless it says otherwise).
4. The extent of the good free stuff won’t last long. If it’s good stuff the author will eventually realize that they have something to offer and if they like writing they will find a way to make it their vocation rather than their avocation.
5. Support the Artist. If you like what they write and you want more of it, buy it. If you support them they will be able to continue on. If they can’t make a living at it they will have to quit and all of that information will be stuck in their head, never to reach you and others.
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The topic this week at Flaming Hot! Goals and Objectives.
I’m back on the bandwagon of setting goals and objectives. In 2006 I set clear goals and it was a great year. In 2007 I was more loose in my goals and didn’t give them much thought. Not that 2007 wasn’t a good, but it felt more scattered and out of focus.
So, this year I’m back on the goals bandwagon. I’ve even written a series of blog posts, based on what I’ve learned, to help others set and achieve their own goals over at my Bead Nerd Blog.
In the past I’ve tracked my goals by dollar amounts and projects finished. Target sales figures were in my goals along with a list of things I wanted to accomplish. Check, check, check. Goals measured. Objectives achieved. This year I didn’t track anything and I bet I could have done even better if I had that mapped out ahead of time.
This years goals are going to be interesting, indeed, because I’m working on a combination of the 2006 and 2007 styles. 2008 I am declaring for myself a year of “Art for Art’s Sake.” It is focused more on competitions, juried events, creativity and writing projects. Of course, sales will happen in there too but the dollar amount is not the measuring stick in 2008. Wouldn’t it be interesting though if those directions produce that by-product?
It will be an experiment. Anyone that knows me, knows that I like to forge out there and try new things. Take some risks. Some pay off and some don’t but you never know which ones work unless you try, right?
What about you? Do you have goals? Do you desire to push forward? Leave a comment!
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