Jim Hopkinson is an author, speaker, teacher, and, entrepreneur. Jim has worked at startups, big corporations, and for himself at SalaryTutor.com. In this episode, Jim talks about the lessons he learned while working at ESPN and WIRED, why side projects are important, and the best ways to negotiate your salary.
Author: Kevin Chung (Page 11 of 21)
Art Marketing Online – How To Go From Discovering Your Audience to Building a Passionate Fan Base
This is a long article. If you want to read a summary of what is covered in it, you can jump to and read the conclusion.
One of the most commonly asked questions artists ask is “How can I market and sell my art online?” While it can be very beneficial to sell your art online, it is also a lot of work. There is no magic bullet for selling your work online.
Everyone wants a shortcut. We see other people doing the things we want to do and assume they got there overnight. We want success, but are we willing to put in the work?
You are different. You are here because you want to learn exactly what it takes to build an audience. You are willing to put in the work. You want to build a business around your art.
[bctt tweet=”In order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience.”]
In order to sell your art online, you must first build an audience. You might think this is common sense, but many artists overlook this basic fact. If you want to sell your art online and build a lasting business from it, there are some very important things you must do.
This guide is intended to teach you some of these essential elements. It will help you turn your art from a hobby into a business. It will cover everything from finding your audience to building a passionate group of fans. So, let’s get started.
“Someday is not a day of the week.” – Denise Brennan-Nelson Quote Art
“Someday is not a day of the week.”- Denise Brennan-Nelson
Print available on Storenvy.
We all have excuses built into ourselves. I am as guilty of it as anyone. That excuse is thinking we can hold off on doing something. I’ll do it later, I’ll do it tomorrow, and the dreaded I’ll do it someday.
What would happen if we all decided someday was good enough? How many great inventions or pieces of art would we be missing out on?
Did Thomas Edison wait for someday to create an efficient light bulb, the phonograph, or electricity?
Did Steve Jobs wait for someday to revolutionize the world with the iPhone or the iPad?
Did George Lucas wait for someday to create one the most influential movies of all time in Star Wars?
[bctt tweet=”We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come”]
We love to give ourselves the excuse of someday, but someday may never come. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Our lives can be gone in an instant.
I’m not saying this to be morbid. I’m saying this so you’ll get off your ass and do that thing you’ve been waiting to do.
[bctt tweet=”Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you”]
Would you happy with yourself if you left this world without giving it the gift of your work? As artists, we have something beautiful to offer the world. Don’t let your beautiful idea rot away locked up inside you.
[bctt tweet=”Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.”]
Don’t wait for someday. What is the smallest action you can take towards letting that idea free? Release the shackles of uncertainty and doubt. Get started today. Not tomorrow, not next week, not someday. Today.
Michael Zaytsev is a life coach and founder of High NY. Before taking on his current roles, he was a financial analyst for J.P. Morgan and a sales rep for Google. In this episode, Michael talks about lessons he learned at J.P. Morgan and Google, why coaching is important, and why he took up the mantle at High NY.
Tam Pham is an author, speaker, podcaster, and teacher. He has spoken to high school students on networking and entrepreneurship and wrote a best-selling Amazon book How To Network: Build Instant Trust & Respect With Anyone You Meet. In this episode, Tam talks about the getting over your doubts, the importance of mentors, and the key to networking.
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams Quote Art
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams
Print available on Storenvy.
Creativity and art are two separate yet interconnected pieces of the same puzzle. They exist in a constant ebb and flow. They can, and do, exist separately but they are better when they work together.
People often mistake creativity as a thing only artists have and use. “I’m not creative. I don’t know how to draw or paint.” That sentiment is shared by many people, but it is a mistake to do so.
I have spoken to many people about the topic of creativity and there are a few common things that consistently come up:
Be Open to Play
Creative people have one thing in common. They are open to exploration and play. They are not hindered by pre-conceived notions. They don’t worry about whether something will succeed or fail. Just like children, they are willing and open to try new things.
You Can’t Force It
Creative people do not try to force their ideas onto a problem. They look at problems from multiple angles. They scrape the depths of their mind looking for a solution that fits the problem at hand. They are not hindered by the idea of a single best solution. They don’t let mistakes discourage them. They turn those impediments into action.
Constantly Create
[bctt tweet=”Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them”]
Creative people are constantly creating. They do not wait for the muse to sing to them. They find the muse through consistent and persistent action. Some of their art will be better than others, but that doesn’t stop them from creating.
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Art, on the other hand requires discernment. When you are creating art, you use your creativity to come up with ideas, but you also have to decide what to keep and what to leave out.
Art allows you to express your feelings in a way that makes sense. It takes your ideas and brings them to life.
As artists, we all want to be perfectionists, but if you want to keep your sanity, you will know when to stop. That moment of finality is the difference between creativity and art.
Art is the end result of all that creativity. It is the final product that of all that experimentation.
[bctt tweet=”Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it”]
Creativity is an endless cycle. Art is what you have to show for it.
Colin McCann is a web developer who is trying to revolutionize the way we view productivity. In this episode Colin talks about his take on productivity and how he approaches his goals, taking on such an ambitious project, and how beliefs can have a huge impact on self-improvement.
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – W.B. Yeats Quote Art
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” – W.B. Yeats
Print available on Storenvy.
For a long time, I believed in the myth of sudden and instantaneous inspiration. I believed that an apple would hit me while sitting under a tree. I believed that lightning would strike my key while flying a kite in a storm. I believed that a tiny lightbulb would appear above my head when I had an insight.
The biggest myth about creativity is that you will have these moments of clarity. That you don’t have to do any work for inspiration to strike. That you just have to wait for the muse to descend upon you.
[bctt tweet=”If you want great ideas to come to you, you must seek them first.”]
What I’ve learned through a lot of reading, some interviews, and a lot of effort is inspiration doesn’t work like that. If you want great ideas to come to you, you must seek them first.
Creativity is a muscle, just like any other muscle. You must put it to use or it will atrophy. If you want to be creative, you must follow the stages of creativity.
According to psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, creativity comes in four basic stages.
Preparation
In order to come up with new solutions, you have to first learn a lot about the subject you are tackling. This is the information gathering stage.
Incubation
Then, you must walk away. This is the stage many people neglect. They pour over the problem until they can’t think anymore. But, you must let your mind wander if you want it to come up with a creative solution.
Illumination
This is the spark of inspiration many of us have been looking for. It is that moment when all those ideas you were exploring come together and finally make sense.
Verification
Most people will stop once they have that eureka moment, but creativity doesn’t end there. Your idea must be put into action. Anyone can have a good idea, but true creativity is harnessing your ideas and putting them to use.
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[bctt tweet=”Far too many people wait for the right moment before they take action”]
Far too many people wait for the right moment before they take action. They want the benefits of success without the work required to achieve it. Luckily for you, you now know better.
[bctt tweet=”If you want to find success for your art, you have to do the work”]
If you want good ideas to come to you, you must seek them. If you want to find success for your art, you have to do the work.
Taking action is the only way to make your dreams come true. Don’t wait around for someone or something to give you an opportunity. Make your own opportunities.
Natalie Kim is an actress, writer, and artist. She also hosted It’s a Draw With Natalie Kim, where she interviewed comedians and cartoonist while they drew. On this episode, Natalie talks about why you need to work on your own projects, lessons she’s learned from stand-up and improv, and why vulnerability helps with acting and in life.
“I am still learning.” – Michelangelo Quote Art
“I am still learning.” – Michelangelo
Print available on Storenvy.
Michelangelo is considered one of the greatest artists to ever live. His art defines the Renaissance, one of the most prolific art periods in human history.
People flock from far and wide to view his statue of David and frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He even had a cartoon ninja turtle named after him.
Unlike many artists, Michelangelo did not die in obscurity. After his death, he was revered by the people of Florence and was given the title “father and master of all the arts”. He also lived to see two biographies written about him.
Through all of this, you might assume Michelangelo had it all figured out. You might think his mastery of painting, sculpture, and architecture would make him content with his own skills. But that is not the case.
[bctt tweet=”Learning helps us grow our minds and ourselves. “]
Michelangelo’s quote about learning shows us the futility of settling. We should never stop learning. Learning helps us grow our minds and ourselves. It helps us build our skill set and also helps us relate to others.
If you ever become content with your knowledge of a craft, remember the masters like Michelangelo. They were not happy with what they knew. They did not settle for good enough. You shouldn’t either.
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