Ask For What You Want

There are three reasons I’ve seen for why artists won’t ask for what they want:

1. They already expect rejection, so why waste the time.

2. They think asking is a kind of weakness; a lessing of individuality.

3. In some well-hidden corner of self, they secretly believe… they don’t deserve what they want.

But in truth, if you don’t ask,

the answer is always No

And real weakness is not doing everything you are able, and know how, to put your creative fire in the world.

As for the story of being undeserving, think about this: Is your art undeserving of your commitment to making sure it’s available to those who would love it? Really?

Tonight, I followed my own advice

Now, let me be clear; this isn’t always the case. I’m like anyone else when it comes to dishing out advice that I need for myself. But tonight was different because I knew that the 879 artists who were on the call tonight for “Why Artists Need A Right Brain Business Plan“–they deserved my asking for what I wanted. 

And even though I’m running out of time to pack for my flight tomorrow to LA, I still asked.

I asked an artist who signed up for the free call tonight, and then registered for the six week smARTist Master Class, The Right Brain Business Plan for Artists, what about my conversation tonight with Jennifer Lee made her decide to register for the full course?

Her response, unedited

It’s long. You may not want to read it all. But the breadth and depth of her response begs to be put out there, unedited, so I am.

Well, My Dear Ariane,

It’s definitely a right-brained answer, but here goes.

There were 3 things that really grabbed me:

1. Business Plan as a Road Map: I love the analogy of a map and how not having a map leads to veering off course and lots of wasted time. As a commissioned portrait artist, I KNOW the steps I need to be taking to get myself out there, in front of the right people, expanding my business and, ultimately, creating and living the life of my artist dreams. I’ve been wanting to create a business plan because I know that putting the elements down “in writing” (target market, branding, marketing, finances, etc.) will propel me forward into action in those areas, maximizing use (really, minimizing waste) of my time. However, the writing part, well…YUCK!  Which leads to…

2. Business Plan as Art: Unless there is some creativity involved, putting anything down in writing is either too hard or just too darned boring! I wanted to run, shrieking with JOY around my house (but didn’t, in case it got picked up on the call!) when I heard Jennifer talking about the business plan MOBILE and especially the business plan LEATHER BRACELET!!!!! It sparked the EXACT format that I want to do mine in so that it will actually be BE portraiture AND will also allow for constant updating!!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!!! How cool is that??? I’m so excited about it, that I want to start IMMEDIATELY (big change from dreading and avoiding!), but I’m going to wait for the kick-off next week and work on my house & studio this week. (I swear, I am DROOLING over my future “Portrait Business Plan / Art on the Wall / Living “Document”!!!!!!) And I am SOOOOOO looking forward to photographing it and sharing it with the group. Oh, yeah, Baby!

3. Business Plan Supportive Community: When you shared about the artists generously sharing resources, even one you’d never heard of or considered, I just HAD to participate! I actually LOVE business and I love sharing resources! I also know that there will be times during the program when I’ll start to drag my feet, and I know that I’ll be able to find the motivation, energy and creative boost I’m looking for within our online community. You really expressed the “good vibrations” component beautifully.  :-)

And I guess what I would say to those artists who are still sitting on the fence:  

Trust the coaches to provide excellent, relevant information. You’re in good hands.

Trust your own intelligence and creativity. You WILL be able to make it uniquely yours, and put it to good use.

Trust the community. We are all in this together, and everything you could possibly want or need is just an email, a posting or a phone call away.

Big hugs and gratitude, Rena Tucker

This round was so successful, that I’m going to ask again

You.

I’m going to ask you…

to read the details for the six week smARTist Master Class, The Right Brain Business Plan For Artists, and see if this is the right time for you to lay a foundation for putting your art in the world.

I promise, at the end of the six weeks, you will have your art career business plan, 100% done.

And that will feel every bit as good as I felt when Rena emailed me tonight!