ATTENTION! REGARDING MY DRAWINGS WEBSITE!

The provider of my content managed website www.robbscottdrawings.com went bankrupt a couple days ago. Yes, it was an awesome revelation to wake up too. However, it will be a blessing in desguise for the extra work I’ll have to do to rebuild it.

For some time I’ve been intending to move this site and my drawings site into one wordpress site. I just need to get it built properly which will take some time. I’m currently working on a project with Sidney Crosby which is taking all my spare time. I’ll have to work over time to get the site running again.

Thanks for your patience!

Robb

My apologies for low output lately.

In my other life I’m a  marketing director for an automobile company. It’s been very hectic of late running the show there.

I hope to be back to a weekly blog post very soon. Thanks for your patience.

Email Marketing For Beginners

If you’ve ever asked yourself, why would email marketing benefit my business then please read on…

Simply put, email marketing is proven to be the most profitable marketing strategy available. Last year, a study by the Direct Marketing Association stated commercial email returned a whopping $43.62 for every dollar spent. The highest by far in the study.

Why does email marketing work so well?
It works because email marketing focuses on building and maintaining relationships with your customers. Many businesses focus too hard on getting new customers while studies show that your current customers are six times more likely to buy from you.

Permissions are key to a successful email marketing strategy. Don’t even think about sending your sales and deals to strangers because you will almost certainly fail. Instead, consider building a list of genuinely interested prospects and customers and provide them with something of value. It could be industry news, deals, events, cooking lessons, etc… Whatever you decide to write about, make sure you audience is interested in your topic.

What else can you do with email marketing?
When most people hear the words “email marketing” they instantly think “newsletters”. Newsletters as a sole strategy is only scratching the surface. This is what 95% of business are doing and also why there is a big opportunity for YOU to stand out. With email marketing you can:

●     Generate qualified leads offline or online

●     Send personalized messages with the subscriber’s name and interest

●     Send targeted messages to different groups/segments

●     Automate messages like birthdays, anniversaries, reminders

Measure your success
Let’s not forgot that everything you do with email marketing is measurable. For every email campaign you send, you can track:

●     How many opens

●     How many bounces (and why)

●     How many referred your email to a friend

●     What links people clicked in your email

●     And a bunch more

More and more businesses want to track their results and measure their return on investment. It’s time to reconnect with our customers and build those hard earned relationships.

Try it free: www.jmailer.ca/try_free

Jacques Desjardins

Jmailer.ca

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Jacques Desjardins is a guest blogger from Quispamsis, NB. He specializes in Email Marketing strategies and has over 10 years experince in web design and online marketing. To learn more visit his website www.jmailer.ca. You can follow his blog about email marketing at http://blog.jmailer.ca/. You can also follow his tweets at www.twitter.com/jmailer.

20 TOP NETWORKING SITES FOR ENTREPRENEURS.

Social media is the new ‘it child’ of online marketing. It’s big, it’s powerful and it’s here to stay. Having the power to reach out to other like minded individuals throughout your community (and around the world) is invaluable. 

I’ve created a list of top 20 social media business sites so help is always be at your fingertips. Learn from those who have gone before you and avoid costly mistakes. It can only accelerate your path to success.

Have a look at the list and choose the top 2-3 that feel right for you. Don’t bog yourself down with signing up to them all. It’s a waste of focus and time.

Here is a list 20 top Social Media Business Networks available online today (based on unique visitors, page views and other metrics from multiple sources). I’ve included Facebook and Twitter, which aren’t primarely  business sites, but their audiences are so large they must be added.

1. Facebook.com - No description necessary. If you’ve found my site, chances are this isn’t the first time you’ve been online and you know what Facebook is about.
2. twitter.com - Same as above, but in 140 characters or less.
3. linkedin.com - Site devoted to creating a network of business contacts.
4. plaxo.com - An online address book for businesses.
5. jigsaw.com - Yet, another way to reach business professionals.
6. zoominfo.com - Database of contacts and companies.
7. xing.com - Get in touch with people. Find jobs and business contacts.
8. naymz.com - Networking platform that allows you to build your brand and reputation online.
9. startupnation.com - Community resource for Entrepreneurs. Founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs.
10. focus.com - Connect with 1000′s of experts who will answer your questions. Gain access into world class research, events and Q&A.
11. ecademy.com - a social business community that enables people to learn, network and develop their business with a “digital mindset” for effective economic growth.
12. score.org - helpful small business and planning advice.
13. biznik.com - Another community of small business owners helping other entrepreneurs grow.
14. youngentreprenuer.com - a resource for start-up CEOs, founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors and investors worldwide, reaching an audience that very few can match.
15. amightyriver.com - Networking business community for African Americans and African Canadians.
16. gobignetwork.com - an on-line marketplace that connects the startup and small business community. The company allows startup companies, funding sources, advisors, and service providers to post requests for help on-line.
17. efactor.com - Another business social network that provides you with the people, resources and tools to succeed.
18. fastpitchnetworking.com - Network of Professionals connecting online with the primary goal to add value to their business and the community as a whole.
19. partnerup.com - online community focused on the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs.
20. ziggs.com - One stop source for building your online brand, marketing yourself on the web and simplifying communications with people.  

Public Speaking. Get to the point. Tell a Story.

What is it they say about fear and public speaking?

Only death is worse?

Personally I rate public speaking 13th on my greatest fears list. Number 12 is a piece of potato chip wedged into my gums. Hate that!

Even though I’m not great at speaking in public, luckily it isn’t something I fear. But because I make a portion of my living marketing products, presenting my ideas in a focused and thoughtful way is something I can always improve upon.

I had that opportunity recently to attend a public speaking workshop presented by former CBC producer and journalist, Halina St. James.

Halina has created a technique called Talkitout®. Talkitout® helps individuals present their ideas in a focused, clear and interesting manner.

She was very insightful and knew her stuff. We watched as she transformed one volunteers pitch into something much more focused and attention grabbing. Only in a matter of 10-15 minutes. Most of that time taken up by the volunteers own fear.

She taught us to focus our message.

Tell an interesting story.

Write in short sentences.

And draw your eye down the page.

Her technique was as much about creating good marketing messages as it was about public speaking. Which I loved. It was important to have the point hammered home that people are attracted to stories. Not sales jargon.

It’s easy to fall into sales jargon when trying to sell something.

But it’s much more interesting to tell a good story.

I picked up her book at the seminar. Actually she was kind enough to give me a copy for volunteering. When done reading it and working on the techniques myself, I’ll be creating  more blog posts about this topic.

It’s important everyone know how to sharpen their message and get to the point. In public or in print.

We all can improve how we present our message to our customers or clients. And we’re always presenting our message whether we’re aware of it or not. Why not learn  to do it in a way that is captivating.

I encourage you to check out Halina’s site www.talkitoutnow.com.

Be sure to tell my readers about your own marketing or public speaking stories. Would love to hear them.

Bye for now.

My Thoughts on Advancing Art and Culture.

I attended an interesting meeting last night. The province was seeking advice and opinions from the Arts and Culture sector on government’s role in supporting and fostering artistic and cultural activity. They were having consultations right across the province and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to attend.

There was a decent crowd of 25-30 people. It was fun to sit around the table with fellow artists and cultural representatives and listen to their ideas to help the artistic community become more economically viable. Unfortunately, it appeared I was alone in myopinion that you can’t give an artist a fish to eat for a day, but in fact must teach them to fish so he/she can eat for life.

Many of the ideas centred around hand outs from the goverment and propping up artists with tax breaks and funding.

Although I think tax breaks and funding should be part of the solution it will all be wasted money if artists have no idea how to properly use the tools their given.  Whether we like it or not artists are self employed entrepreneurs.  A very tiny minority of artists have agents working for them. Therefore they must learn the business skills needed in order to grow their careers.

If I could create a perfect world for artists from government funds, it wouldn’t go to a few select artists to promote their shows. It would be used to build business centres for artists across the province. 

These would need to be run by working artists with real life experience selling and promoting their art. It can not be staffed by hired hands straight out of college with little to no experience or success. These business centres would provide artists with the learning tools, advice and the resources needed to understand how to build the foundation of a business.

Government handouts rarely work in any industry. It’s time for artists to look beyond those limited funds and take more control of their careers.

Developing a Social Media Strategy for Success.

Social Media is the new “it” child of internet marketing and a powerful force in growing your career. Primarily social media are Internet and mobile based tools for sharing information with others through text, audio and video. Some of the most popular sites that come to mind are Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Foursquare.

But be careful! How you use these tools is as important as the tools themselves. Creating social media accounts and grabbing friends, followers or subscribers wherever you find them does not equal success. Don’t be fooled into thinking that having 10,000 followers on Twitter means you’re succeeding. If those followers are not interacting with you, retweeting your content or adding you to their lists than how many followers do you really have?

Social Media success is about finding the right followers and leveraging their influence in their social circles in a way that positively affects your needs. This can be done using just one social media, or many. But don’t overdo it because you can have too many conversations at once and lose focus of your objectives.

In order to create a strong social media strategy first determine your needs. Are you looking to meet other artists? Gallery owners? How about those interested in art classes? Figure that out than target the social media tool that best fit your needs. For example, my three most important needs are networking with other artists, networking with future customers and networking with potential investors.

I’ve determined the best way to accomplish this is by using three different social media tools to target these audiences. All three overlap but the primary use of each is to reach a separate targeted audience.

For example Facebook is my primary tool for networking with artists, friends and potential customers. I use Linkedin to connect with potential investors, gallery owners and business types. My blog is used to help target both audiences, as well as the mainstream media.

In a sense I’ve created three separate businesses with their own needs and objectives. Each has a different approach and I must have a different way of relating and communicating with each. Focus your objectives, target the audience you want to reach and grow your career through Social Meda.

Here is a long list of social media sites that might want to check out. Find what works best for your and go for it!

Your Online Presence: Where to Start.

I’ll assume if you’re reading this blog you’re an artist with access to the internet. The importance of an online presence can not be overstated. In fact I believe it’s the number one way to market your art, ahead of art galleries, ahead of trade shows, ahead of any other marketing concept I know.

That being said the best marketing strategy always combines both online and offline efforts. But for the sake of this post I’ll stress the importance of getting your work online through a website, Facebook & Social Media sites or Online Galleries. Everything considered (costs, worldwide reach, tracking statistics) nothing beats an online presence for growing your career in a cost effective manner.

Where you begin depends on where you are today. If you’re a beginner with relatively basic technical skills I’d suggest starting with Facebook and/or Free Online Galleries. A beginner’s top priority should be posting your images online, receiving feedback and networking with potential customers or like-minded artists. Art Discussion forms such as ART PAPA are also great places to hang out and learn. They often post tutorials, let you chat with other artists and offer marketing advice.

If you’ve already done that and you’re ready for your own website basically you have two options: A.) You can build your own from scratch or B.) purchase or find a free content management or template site.

The advantages of each depend entirely on your own skill set. My own website (www.RobbScottDrawings.com) is a content management site, meaning I make updates on my own without the need to know coding. Content sites tend to be simple cut and paste sites for people with limited technical skills. The limitations tend to be placement of graphics and slow image upload speeds. However because of the minimal costs, ease of use and functionality don’t hesitate to go this route.

If you know how to code your own site your golden and the options are limitless.

Good luck getting started. In future posts I’ll be going much more in-depth on marketing online which includes devising a social media strategy and SEO design for placement on google.

ARTISTS: A NATURAL EYE FOR BUSINESS

Contrary to popular belief (and the starving artist cliché) artists are ideally suited to be successful business men and women. Here’s a list of some essential traits artists and business people have in common:

1. CREATIVE: Creativity isn’t only about conjuring up imaginative works of art, it’s also being able to think on your feet, reassess plans and overcome obstacles. When a new solution is needed on the spot this is a skill you can’t do without.

2. OBSERVANT: Being able to objectively watch what is happening in front of you (either on a canvas or financial spreadsheet) helps with identify problems and finding the holes in your system. Artists by nature are watchers and interpreters. Use this power to your advantage.

3. HIGH LEVEL OF ENERGY: Artists are usually quite restless and eager to keep moving and creating. This skill is important in business where long days are the norm and projects need to be completed.

4. OPEN MINDED: Artists and business people alike need to be able to walk a mile in other people’s shoes. Walking around with blinders on is not a recipe for success. Learn from others, watch what makes them successful and add it to your repertoire.

5. CONFIDENCE: Artists by nature walk around naked everyday. They create art and show it to the world knowing they will be judged. That takes confidence. That’s the same confidence you need to make business decisions that may ultimately grow or end your business.

But let me speak more personally about what else I’ve learned you’ll need for survival.

Making any dream happen requires an unwavering commitment to your goal, hard work and vision. If you believe you will succeed, are willing to work toward at goal and will get up each time you fall, I guarantee you will find success.

Refusing to give up has been my most important personality trait. But refusing to quit alone is not enough. If you refuse to quit and continue to make the same mistakes over and over again you have crossed the line of sanity.

No plan ever goes according to script and constant revaluation is a must. Continue to ask yourself, “how can I do it better, how can I move forward?” You need the ability to assess your future failures you will inevitably face and not be defeated by them.

Finally you will also need a great work ethic. You won’t necessarily have to work 12 hours every day but you should get in the habit of doing at least one thing everyday toward reaching your goal. By the end of the year you’ll be amazed with your accomplishments.

If I was only granted one wish to choose between talent or hard work I would choose hard work every time. Talent alone means nothing. There are hundreds of truly gifted people no one will ever know about because they’re lazy or unwilling. Hard workers with a plan almost always get noticed.

Get a plan, stick to it and work to make it happen.

Are You A Sell-Out Artist? I Finally Am! Just Wish It Didn’t Take So Long.

I began my career as an artist  a decade ago with one goal in mind. I was determined to become a success on my own terms without selling my soul in order to pay the bills.

I would not draw famous tourist landmarks, I would not pander to those with money, I would only create what my heart told me to create. If it was not meant to sell immediately than it would sell in it’s own time. All great work takes time to discover, right?

As idealic as those thoughts are they were constructed during my life when I had little responsibility. I didn’t have a car, I had no children, no house, no cares. It was easy to pretend I didn’t have to do the little things necessary to get where I wanted.  And where I want to be was creating great art without caring if it sells.

However, I’m married now, I have two cars,  three children, 1 house and hundreds of kilometres worth of cares. I have to care that my art makes money and doesn’t just leave someone with a nice feeling. It feels great to be appreciated as an artist but that alone doesn’t pay the bills. Because of this I’ve been told often by other artists that I’m selling out.

This post is aimed at those artists who see business as a bad word and that purposely creating art for profit is paramount to selling out.

Very rarely in life are we able to jump to the top of the mountain without preparing your gear and taking the first steps. No matter how desperately you might want to be a lawyer, no law firm will hire you for  the big case right out of high school. You must put the work in preparing your gear and taking those first wobbly steps in order to get where you want to be at the top of the mountain.

The same is true for every successful business person, every electrician, every doctor and every artist.

I say go. Be a sell out! Do it well and do it with pride. Before you know it you’ll be back where you really want to be.