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I’d Rather Be In The Studio
Reviewer: Alyice Edrich
Art Business Book
I'd Rather Be In The Studio!: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide To Self-Promotion
Author
Alyson B. Stanfiled
Review
As if I needed another book to review, let alone read, I couldn’t help but feel obligated to review I’d rather be in the studio by Alyson Stanfield. No, she didn’t contact me for the review. In fact, upon researching information with regards to building a business around art, I contacted her. Upon reviewing the table of contents and her website, I knew right away that this would be a book my readers could sink their money into and not be disappointed. And guess what? I was right!
In I’d rather be in the studio: The Artist’s No Excuse Guide To Self-Promotion, Alyson takes you by the hand and walks you through the steps necessary to take your hobby (whether it be painting, sculpture, or mixed media) and turn it into a profitable art business.
You’ll learn many things within the pages of Alyson’s book, all designed to take you from amateur to professional. But none of that will mean a thing if you don’t understand why you do what you do and how it relates to others and that’s why I fully recommend this book for Action 4 (chapter 4) alone! Action 4 is a real eye-opener. Especially when you discover that your artist’s statement can either open doors or close them!
In 16 chapters you’ll discover 11 secrets guaranteed to help you gain a better understanding of how to successfully run an art business. Secrets like:
- Understanding what success really means to you and how others interpretations of success could actually hinder your creativity and the financial rewards you’ll receive from selling your art.
- Why organization is important to the success of an artist, even if the mess in your studio aids in your creativity.
- Why a little routine is a good thing and how it helps move your art business forward.
- Writing the perfect artist’s statement—one that builds self-confidence and recognition in the industry.
- How speaking and teaching engagements help promote your art and provide additional income—income that can sustain you during lean times.
- Why creating portfolios and marketing materials should be done in baby steps.
- Why blogs are more than online journals about your personal lives and how focusing your blog on what your target audience wants to hear can increase sales, readership, and even gain you a little free publicity.
- How to follow up with past buyers and interested parties without actually “bothering them”.
- How to communicate with past buyers and interested parties in such a way that you actually gain a few sales.
- Non-intrusive persistence tactics that finally gain you the media coverage you’ve been craving.
- How to maintain momentum when your creative juices are all used up.
The only drawback, and this is really minor and in no way affects the overall greatness of the book, is that artists are usually very visual people so it would have been good to see some actual samples with regards to the marketing materials she discussed, and maybe even a few supporting photos that would truly bring home some of the stronger points she makes in the book.
If you’re serious about starting an art business, increasing awareness about your art, or expanding your current art business, you can’t go wrong with I’d rather be in the studio. Heck, I’d even recommend this book for anyone interested in building a homebased business around a product that is not art based; even freelance writers can get something out of it. There are many chapters that can relate to any type of business.
Order I'd Rather Be In The Studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide To Self-Promotion Today!
Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.
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