artists

The Art Of Promotion by Post…

It’s been a long time since I last posted, well, all I can say I nearly never posted again after my run in with Little Miss Covid last year.

Today I thought I would turn my attention to much brighter topics. I believe that many people’s value systems have changed over the last two years. Health, wellbeing, friends, family, small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness have been the mood board of the early 2020s…well until this terrible and frightening war has broken out in Europe. I am sure some us now secretly yearn for those hedonistic dizzy hazy days at the height of the pandemic…but I digress.

I was going to write a blog about returning to a more personal approach with marketing, back to phone or zoom calls and posting beautiful creative paper art through to post to capture the attention of potential clients, and remain connected to and thanking current ones. People are returning back to studios and offices, though Covid is still very much with us. However, many are still only partially returned to workplaces and now with the new fuel crisis it is likely once again drivers will be asked to reduce journeys due to the spiralling of petrol and diesel, but also the financial squeeze of rocketing gas and electric costs.

Marketing material sent as an introduction or a thank you, must have impact, be memorable, delightful, and impressive. Designed and made by artist/designer Cintia Bertaccini

However, as they say…nothing ventured nothing gained…sending promotional materials by post is slow, its not like social media at all, but you can link it to your social media activity and content. A good example of this is Nikki Groom, known as Miss Magpie Fashion Spy on Twitter and Instagram. She often posts photographs of her beautiful creative promotional materials on Twitter. The thing about being a bit more creative, not simply dispatching postcards or packs of your work, is more importantly it demonstrates your imagination. Whether, creatively designed stationery, (Papergang) beautiful books of your work, (Blurb) or paper art, paper engineering and origami are all options. Equally, once you have checked with the art director, business, or media concerned if they would like to receive some materials, is then the opportunity to follow up. So if you don’t hear anything back after a week, you could send them an email or better still pick the phone up and call them. (Avoid Mondays and Fridays) Have some rapport building positive vibe comments ready and see if they would be willing to consider you for future projects.

Yes I know social media, films, videos, reels, podcasts, gifs are great, but perhaps it is time for that personal touch once again…take great care with your presentation and packaging. Neatly handwrite the name of the person and their role/job title. Commission a gifted calligrapher or someone with friendly handwriting, especially if your handwriting looks like anything like mine. Illustrate or decorate the envelop or box. Printed ink stamps are also popular visit Blade Rubber Stamps or Craft You can have your own images, drawings or designs made into ink stamps. Never send anything precious or expensive through the post if you are not sure if they will be there to pick it up. I have heard that some publishers have simply binned promo packs as most of their staff work form home, and there is no one to look at it on site.

I thought of writing lots of words…but instead…I think it is better for you see for yourself. So I have included links to various creative specialists in this field, people who know how to paper engineer or create original origami. I’ve include some sources of inspiration, and if you are looking for a complete list of printers, photographers, etc. then take a browse through Artquest Equally in my book The Essential Guide to Business for Artists and Designers in chapters 7 and 8 I have included a range of marketing resources and creative printers you can contact for sample packs and quotes.

Cintia Bertaccini (Super Star) is also on Instagram

The Paper Artist Collective (Constellation of Stars) are also on Instagram

Rob Ryan (A Supernova) Fantastic paper artist and produces beautiful screen prints and cards and is also on Instagram

Paul Jackson, is a bit social media shy, though the genius is on Facebook

Paul Jackson has produced over 40 books inspirational books with Laurence King.

http://www.origami-artist.com

https://www.laurenc eking.com/product/superstars/

Alison Branagan (A twinkly star) is also on Instagram

Always delighted to be invited to write for this very famous publication.

Please read my contribution – How to Make a Living: Money Matters, pages 488s – 491 Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2022

Available from local libraries if a bit skint. You can also download this as an eBook or subscribe to the material online

Money Matters – Surviving Hard Times

In this blog I have written a short survival guide for artists, illustrators, makers and designers. In fact it is useful for anyone who is strapped for cash.

The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2021 is out now! I’ve been a contributing author now for four years. My section is on How to Make a Living: Money Matters on page 502. This is the 114th edition of this book. Its where many famous authors and illustrators started their journeys into publishing. It’s where I started with the 2007 (100th edition). I wrote a blog about this year or so a go. Its still up in the blog archive if you would like to take a look.

The reference to artist in the title really meant something different to today’s meaning at the start of the twentieth century…more like a commercial artist or artisan. Its still a unique and great source of information, literally saving weeks of time trying to find industry resources or support by yourself. The book is also available as a website subscription service online.

In this blog post I want to share with you some tips on surviving hard times. Robert Tressell’s The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is worth a read, if you want to experience life without unions or the welfare state, especially where Easton tries to budget and he exclaims, ‘We’d be alright if it wasn’t for the debts’, then take a look.

Here are my main tips with some useful links at the end.

Get help, if you have debts try to sort them out, this could be through an IVA which can help you clear debts. Other ways could be converting your credit card debts in to a Credit Union Loan, but you need to compare the interest rates.The Business Debt Helpline or the National Debt Helpline can also be useful.
Avoid as best you can from getting into debt as the recession deepens. For money management, saving and benefit tips follow Martin Lewis on social media
Start cancelling unnecessary direct debits or switching suppliers. Look at your out goings, subscriptions, memberships, what don’t you need? I switched my broadband supplier two months ago. I now have an improved service and it costs nearly half the price of the original provider. Try looking on Money Saving Expert or Money Supermarket and compare utilities.
If you are renting talk to your landlord or landlady, write a personal polite letter to see if you could re-negotiate the rent. Equally try skill swapping with other creatives or businesses to gain products or services in return.
Learn to cook, no really learn to cook, your will be amazed how you can reduce your shopping bills. I’m a great fan of Jack Monroe know as the Bootstrap Cook I have all her cookbooks. You can borrow books from your local library or take a look at Jack’s blog for many free recipes.
Get help, you may be aware of the various support schemes during the Covid 19 pandemic. See here for more information. If for some reason you haven’t bee able to claim and savings are running low under £16,000 or for full support under £6,000 then you might have to claim Universal Credit if you are in a Universal Credit postcode. Do not move on to Universal Credit if you are on legacy benefits like Working Tax Credits, as you may lose out. Seek advice from your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau before doing anything. What I can say until March 2021 Universal Credit has relaxed many of its onerous restrictions on the self-employed, and the system now understands ad hoc employed PAYE income, and also takes account of invoices paid and expenses incurred. Universal Credit is also a non taxable source of income. Its not perfect, nor ideal, but don’t let your pride get in the way of claiming.

What I will say is no one knows how long this state of uncertainty will last. One idea you might wish to consider is approaching businesses which have got going again and see if they need any feel good imagery for social media, new attractive signage, online messaging or traditional flyers or posters.

Useful Links Not Included Above

More about alternative sources of funding can be found in my book The Essential Guide to Business for Artists & Designers, 2019, Bloomsbury Visual Arts.

Turn to Us Useful grant and benefit checker

UK Government business-support

Arts Council Support for Individuals

The Association of Illustrators Covid 19 Support

Design Nation Resources

Craft Council Resources

A-N Resources