Well, I did it. I got a business license and am officially in the business of selling landscape prints. And I am off to a great start, with 20 large prints ordered already. And the possibility for more later.
But there is so much to do. To find the market I have to show my work to the greatest effect. Creating a portfolio is one. How would you design a portfolio? I have been showing my work by passing CD's around to some people. But that is hardly a portfolio.
Creating a cataloque is another idea. A local art gallery has catalogues featuring the work of artists from which you can order prints. Have any of you made a catalogue or is your website the catalogue?
Is having a website vital to the success of the business? I know it doesn't hurt to have one. But should it be my first project before the portfolio and catalogue? The portfolio and cataloque I can carry about with me, while a website I can only refer to.
Finally when I have all these things I need to find the people who may be interested in seeing them. Is making appointments the only option?
Thank you for your response to all or any of my many questions.
I am doing the same thing now myself. I am pretty sure that if you don't decide what is most important, you can make yourself nuts feeling that everything needs to be done at once. Maybe it does, but what I am doing is creating a schedule for myself to make sure time is spent on things in the proportions needed.
Marketing is the key thing. Get more exposure, think about how to do that. Chunk everything else up and do some each week. You will get there.
I'm guilty of letting a web site slide for many years now, so I'm probably not the best reference on whether or not you need one. But I'd build the portfolio, then the catalog, and finally the web site. They're interrelated, and to my way of thinking the portfolio (both the printed version and the digital version you keep on disc for client reviews) is the bottom line and anchor for everything else. Also know this on web sites- A good friend has several, and between them she garners more than 500 junk emails on a slow day. Over and above all the security issues, there will be considerable time demands for ongoing management, even if sales are low. And almost everyone I know finally admits that they make very little if any money directly from their sites. I put it on the "nice to have" list, and therefore have let it slide. There are so many more important things to do which will contribute more to your money-making abilities, in my book.
Along those lines, talk to an accountant sooner rather than later, if you haven't already. When the money is flowing it's easy to spend, and you desperately need to put together a business plan that includes not only a marketing strategy but priorities for spending and saving. A clear understanding of what you can and can't do under the Canadian tax code should be a major parameter in how and when you should spend or save, if the US tax system is anything like yours.
Posted by William Vrolyk on September 1, 2007 at 6:41 PM
Thank you Hank and Michael. Your response is very useful to me. Clearly I must give priority to the portfolio and I have did a little research on that and am in the process of creating one. The catalog will follow and from what you say about websites, Hank, I do not think I am too much in a hurry to create one of those although having one those reach a lot of people.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on September 3, 2007 at 12:03 AM
There is a really interesting website called www.blurb.com that has very nice free software and reasonable prices for making soft or hard cover books. I've heard very positive reviews on the print quality and the prices are great. Software for both PC and Mac, too !!
Posted by Gary Crabbe on September 7, 2007 at 11:47 PM
Simply Put; the website should be your first priority when marketing yourself as a professional. It is your first line of offense in marketing. It should clearly represent you. If you want to be seen as a pro, have something more than just a jury-rigged I'll finish it later, or even something like a smugmug or Pbase portfolio. Buyers know instantly based on that whether you're a serious professional, or just someone having a go at it, and could be more easily taken advantage of. The key to being professional is to both act and look professional in all aspects of your business.
Discussion
5 repliesBut there is so much to do. To find the market I have to show my work to the greatest effect. Creating a portfolio is one. How would you design a portfolio? I have been showing my work by passing CD's around to some people. But that is hardly a portfolio.
Creating a cataloque is another idea. A local art gallery has catalogues featuring the work of artists from which you can order prints. Have any of you made a catalogue or is your website the catalogue?
Is having a website vital to the success of the business? I know it doesn't hurt to have one. But should it be my first project before the portfolio and catalogue? The portfolio and cataloque I can carry about with me, while a website I can only refer to.
Finally when I have all these things I need to find the people who may be interested in seeing them. Is making appointments the only option?
Thank you for your response to all or any of my many questions.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Marketing is the key thing. Get more exposure, think about how to do that. Chunk everything else up and do some each week. You will get there.
Michael Dougherty
Compton, Arkansas
Along those lines, talk to an accountant sooner rather than later, if you haven't already. When the money is flowing it's easy to spend, and you desperately need to put together a business plan that includes not only a marketing strategy but priorities for spending and saving. A clear understanding of what you can and can't do under the Canadian tax code should be a major parameter in how and when you should spend or save, if the US tax system is anything like yours.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Best of luck & congrats on your sale.