I really needed to read this today!! I also love how all of these tips can translate to other artforms as well.
The downplay of ones work (or self) is something that's bothered me for years. I've had friends who seem to use it as a marketing tool. A friend of ours in California marketed his band as "Another loser rock band". I have other musicians that I network with who frequently say things like "not that anyone cares, but you can hear a new song here". That doesn't work, unless your goal is to drive potential followers away.
The fact is that not a person will believe in you if you don't believe in yourself, and not a person will sing your praises if you're not willing to hum them the tune.
Re: Thank you!!!katequicksilvrDecember 16 2008, 18:42:40 UTC
Thanks, kiddo! I just edited it again to punch it up a little more. I feel really strongly about this, as you can tell.
I've heard WAY too many people whose confidence was undermined when they were young, and I just want to reach back through time and POKE that teacher or parent.
Since I can't, this is the next best thing. Our lives ARE our responsibility.
(And yeah, everytime I see an artists' blog entitled "wasting time" or "scribbles" or hear somebody say "not that you'd want to hear the latest song," as you mention, I cringe a little. What's important to us--creativity, whether it be art, music, dance or other performance--is important to the WORLD.)
Re: Thank you!!!svpaulDecember 16 2008, 19:31:24 UTC
As Artists we tend to be a bit on the sensitive side (I know, duh!), and we tend to internalize things that are either said or done by people we look to for acceptance.
Through this it's easy to have our confidence rattled (or crushed) by a poorly thought out statement from a loved one.
It's only by taking personal responsibility and personal acceptance that we will have the confidence to market our work to the masses.
Develop that deep love for your own work and others will see it in you and want to know more.
If you project to others that it's a waste of their time to pay attention to what you're doing, they will believe you.
Likewise, if you project to others that they'll be missing out on something GREAT if they don't pay attention to what you're doing, chances are they'll believe you then too. At the very least they'll be more likely to follow the link and see what you're making a fuss over.
Re: Thank you!!!katequicksilvrDecember 16 2008, 19:54:39 UTC
I think I REALLY lucked out with my parents. Not that they really encouraged a career in the arts, per se, but my dad did always instill in me that I could do whatever I was willing to work hard enough for. No matter that I was "a girl," or far from rich, or from the wrong side of the tracks (of course having grown up between two sets of railroad tracks, maybe I was on the right side of BOTH of 'em!), I was expected to do my best, and follow my own path.
But whether we come to that early or late in our lives, I believe it is NEVER too late to give life a go!
first time visitor
anonymous
March 9 2009, 03:46:57 UTC
Hello Cathy, I am so! glad I found you. Thank you for sharing so much about your art-marketing experiences. I am really eager to explore your site some more. very best wishes, Anne Bevan wncpainter@aol.com
Re: first time visitorkatequicksilvrMarch 9 2009, 21:13:42 UTC
Hi Anne! I hope it's helpful. It's a lot of what I've done over the years, and I haven't had a "regular job" since the early 70s. Still eating and paying the bills!
Comments 11
The downplay of ones work (or self) is something that's bothered me for years. I've had friends who seem to use it as a marketing tool. A friend of ours in California marketed his band as "Another loser rock band". I have other musicians that I network with who frequently say things like "not that anyone cares, but you can hear a new song here". That doesn't work, unless your goal is to drive potential followers away.
The fact is that not a person will believe in you if you don't believe in yourself, and not a person will sing your praises if you're not willing to hum them the tune.
Great post Kate!!
Reply
I've heard WAY too many people whose confidence was undermined when they were young, and I just want to reach back through time and POKE that teacher or parent.
Since I can't, this is the next best thing. Our lives ARE our responsibility.
(And yeah, everytime I see an artists' blog entitled "wasting time" or "scribbles" or hear somebody say "not that you'd want to hear the latest song," as you mention, I cringe a little. What's important to us--creativity, whether it be art, music, dance or other performance--is important to the WORLD.)
Reply
Through this it's easy to have our confidence rattled (or crushed) by a poorly thought out statement from a loved one.
It's only by taking personal responsibility and personal acceptance that we will have the confidence to market our work to the masses.
Develop that deep love for your own work and others will see it in you and want to know more.
If you project to others that it's a waste of their time to pay attention to what you're doing, they will believe you.
Likewise, if you project to others that they'll be missing out on something GREAT if they don't pay attention to what you're doing, chances are they'll believe you then too. At the very least they'll be more likely to follow the link and see what you're making a fuss over.
Reply
But whether we come to that early or late in our lives, I believe it is NEVER too late to give life a go!
Reply
Reply
Reply
I am so! glad I found you. Thank you for sharing so much about your art-marketing experiences. I am really eager to explore your site some more.
very best wishes,
Anne Bevan
wncpainter@aol.com
Reply
Reply
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