Resilience: An Interview with Mark McGuinness
Last summer I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark McGuinness, author of Resilience: Facing Down Rejection and Criticism on the Road to Success.
Originally recorded for my members in the Art Biz Incubator, I am able to share this interview now that my members have benefited from it for a number of months.
How Artists Can Apply Youtility Marketing
Jay Baer, author of Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is About Help, Not Hype, says “If you sell something, you make a customer today. If you help someone, you may create a customer for life.
Artists are often left out in the cold with marketing practices that seem to be suggested for more service- or product-oriented businesses. You can create resources for your buyers and collectors, students, other artists, and/or your local community, which are as helpful to them as your tools are to you.
You Are Not Your Art
One of my coaching mentors used to say that she couldn’t separate business coaching from personal coaching. “It’s all personal,” she would say.
If you read enough business motivation, you will come across attempts to help coach you through rejection and criticism with some form of the following. . . . “You are not your business.” . . .
Get Over Blog Envy and Learn to Love Your Blog Again
Guest blogger Cynthia Morris writes: “There’s a certain someone in my field who has a huge following. This certain someone also has a great blog. I found myself constantly referring to the blog as an example of what a good blog should be. And I admit it, I had blog envy. . . . “
Artist Donations: Testing the Limits of Your Love
How often are you hit up for a donation of your art?
All artists are, at some point, asked to donate their work for a good cause. Most artists have soft hearts and want to help out anyone who asks.
The problem is that U.S. tax laws prevent artists from deducting fair market value for their donations. You can only deduct the cost of materials.
In light of this rule disfavoring artists, you might think these philanthropists are testing the limits of your love and commitment to their cause. But they’re only doing their job.
Rather than get upset about being asked, resign yourself to the fact that you will be asked for donations. You need to be prepared with a response that reflects your boundaries while educating those doing the asking.
It’s perfectly fine to have a policy against donating your art under any circumstances.
If you choose to donate, you’ll be well served with written guidelines that you can share in a moment’s notice. These donation guidelines could include the following three aspects.
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Book Review
I highly recommend the book Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, a book of 40 artist essays edited by Sharon Louden.
From these successful artists, you’ll discover: You are not alone . . . The life of an artist doesn’t get easier with success. More people depend on you as you add to your list of obligations . . .
