Category: marketing

In anticipation of the upcoming election, Goldman Global Arts and When We All Vote have partnered with thirteen diverse artists to create a digital art campaign that will be displayed in stadiums and arenas across the United States. Goldman Global Arts is a creative agency that curated the iconic Wynwood Walls in Miami and the Houston Bowery Wall in New York City. Michelle Obama’s nonpartisan voting organization, When We All Vote, has commissioned Goldman Global Arts to produce original artworks of American artists to create a digital platform to not only spread the message to vote, but also to inspire those to vote.

The group of world-renowned artists includes Aliyah Sidge, Beau Stanton, Buff Monster, David Flores, Greg Mike, Hueman, Kayla Mahaffey, Kai, Mojo, Peter Tunney, Reggie “RAL86” Le Flore, Shepard Fairey, and Queen Andrea. These artists will create digital murals that will be showcased in locations across the US including, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks United Center, Portland Trail Blazers Moda Center, Sacramento Kings Golden 1 Center, Los Angeles Football Club Band of California Stadium, Miami Heat American Airlines Arena, Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum, Washington Wizards Capital One Arena, Washington Nationals Park, Cleveland Cavaliers Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, San Francisco Giants Oracle Park, Oakland A’s Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, and Times Square in New York City.

Founder of Goldman Global Arts, Jessica Goldman Srebnick, believes “art has the power to unite. It has the power to amplify messages of hope and encourage dialogue. Art has the power to create change. We are proud to work with When We All Vote to bring together 13 American Artists to amplify the importance of every vote and broadcast that message on billboards across the country while also sharing these original works in a vibrant social media campaign. It is a project I am exceedingly proud of. No matter your party, we must do our part to protect democracy, we must all VOTE.”

The murals launched on Monday, October 5th, 2020 featuring the city’s local artist and a rotating exhibit of each digital piece. The focus is to encourage civic engagement and voting among Americans. Each artist was selected for their talent and contribution to art around the world.

Shepard Fairey

“This vote ballot box is a visual call to action that your vote counts. It’s there at the ballot box so when we all vote, democracy really does work!”

Queen Andrea

“The style of my art piece harkens back to retro American 1970’s sassy script lettering that has character and flare. I combined this classic and bold script with colorful 3D block letters to complete the phrase “Vote Loud Vote Proud!”, which is further amplified by bands of gradation color that outline the words. The bold color palette is exciting, fun, and engaging. Voting is so important during any and every election, so I chose a classic retro style to honor the longevity of sustained democracy through voting.”

David Flores

“This piece serves as a reminder of the many individuals that are impacted by our right to vote and how it should not be taken lightly. For me, I often think about my ancestors and the various Black Americans that fought for our own justice and equality, and how this same energy can be utilized for the rights of others—in my current and surrounding communities and for those that will come after.”

Greg Mike

“My WWAV piece is a representation of a vast community of characters all coming together collectively to VOTE. The artwork was inspired by a piece I created in 2014 titled “PEACE OF MIND”, which featured a group of characters coming together to form a Peace Symbol in a similar fashion. I hope it’ll catch some eyes and tell a story of how it’s our duty to hit the polls and VOTE LOUD!”

Mojo

“‘Up 2 Us’ is an exhibition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” speech. As we stand on the shoulders of our American ancestors who declared their humanity with the right to vote, it’s our duty to use our voices and ballots to unite and walk side by side into our Peace Filled Promise Land.”

Buff Monster

“Every election year, the stakes seem to get higher and higher. This election comes at such a stressful and trying time for so many, and will dramatically affect how we recover, collectively. Earlier this year, I donated art for some PSA posters that went up around NYC; this project allows me to continue to use my work to inspire and motivate.”

Kai

“I thought using the iconic Statue of Liberty was important because for immigrants it has always been such a powerful symbol of the American Dream and the chance to have a fair and fresh new start. Many immigrants came from poverty and unfair circumstances and the statue symbolize freedom and hope. Go vote and don’t stop pursuing your American Dream.”

Reggie “RAL86” LeFlore

“I see this project as an opportunity to remind everyone on how the incredibly simple act of voting can impact so much more than who we elect for the Oval Office – especially with regards to the many marginalized communities in America that are affected by it.”

Peter Tunney

“Words do matter! Language remains our most powerful tool and form of communication. I like to sit and with each one of these 4 words. Each word is densely packed with meaning—so I like to use words—it’s what I do!”

Beau Stanton

“If we can make some art to encourage a more representative outcome in this election, I am 100% into that. By voting, we are keeping the torch lit and illuminating our ability to imagine progress. Let’s make it happen.”

Heuman

“My design is of many hands holding ballots, their arms draped in green robes that allude to the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of our free country. Textiles play a big part in my work, and this image illustrates that voting is the fabric of our democracy.”

Aliyah Sidge

“So many people have fought for our right to vote. My artwork represents past and present. I hope that it gives people a sense of pride and honor when they view it.”

Kayla Mahaffey

“While making this piece, I wanted to highlight the importance of the youth growing up and eventually being able to vote. They will grow up and be the voices of the next generation and we should all make sure they see this opportunity in a positive light of bettering their future.”

Explore the world of printmaker Carol Morrison, whose work is inspired by the complex urban environment. See more of her portfolio on her website.

I’m a city kid. I’ve been infused with the geography of Brooklyn’s streets and structures as well as the rowdy green flourishing in its parks and gardens and sidewalk cracks. I grew up making art here in this place of unpredictable creative collaboration. All of that is expressed in my work as a fine art printmaker.

“Bright Points, Like Stars” Woodcut, Edition Variable I/IV, Image 18″ x 24″, Paper 22″ x 30″

When I start a plate, I never have a plan. I just take one step after another. It’s like how I walk through this city of chaos and boundaries with no need for a map. I draw with a blade, cutting across the surfaces of wood, metal, plexiglass or mat board. I am expressing ever-changing waves of noisy urban buildings, serene trees and plants, and my own inner knowing.

“All Up” Woodcut, Edition Variable I/IV, Image 17 1/4″ x 23 3/5″, Paper 22″ x 30″

Human-made trash—foil, mesh, cardboard and milk cartons—as well as flowers and leaves, find their way into the making. I then collaborate with skilled master printers such as Kathy Caraccio, Marina Ancona and Sheila Goloborotko, to ink the plate using relief or intaglio techniques. There is always the delight of pulling a print off the press, each one a unique surprise.

“Superimposed” Collagraph, Edition Variable I/II, Image 20 3/5″ x 28 3/8″, Paper 20 3/5″ x 28 3/8″

I started out with an art degree from New York University. Then I worked as a layout artist before there were computer graphics. The experience of using a blade, separating colors and composing on an X-Y axis are essential skills for my work now.

“The One Delighting” Woodcut, Edition Variable I/II, Image 17 5/16″ x 23 3/4″, Paper 20 5/16″ x 30″

I am in constant intimate conversation with this unfathomable city. I do this not only as an artist, but as a social worker who’s been serving New Yorkers in need for decades. In both roles, I’m passionate about giving people the gifts I’ve been graced with and making the world a better place. Being a social worker is both deeply gratifying and challenging. Art-making is an essential oasis for me. It’s a moment of balance and serenity that I then enjoy sharing with others.

“The Space Between” Woodcut, Edition Variable I/II, Image 18″ x 24″, Paper 22″ x 30″

I’m very grateful to all my collectors and excited about new opportunities to exhibit my work. My prints have been shown at galleries in New York City and received awards in international juried shows.

“Be Still! Be Still. Look at Me!” (Homage to H. Hesse), Woodcut, Edition Variable I/II, Image 18″ x 24″, Paper: 22″ x 30″

My home, this place beyond words and all its people, continues to inspire me to reach for new expression, new exploration, new expansion.

Carol Morrison invites you to follow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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What is an Infographic?

An infographic is a dynamic visual representation of information, data, or knowledge that is designed to be easy to comprehend quickly. It typically combines text and illustrations to effectively communicate a message, but infographics can also be interactive and animated in certain cases.

Infographics are used in a variety of contexts, such as marketing campaigns, to help readers understand complex topics or highlight essential information. They are also often used for educational purposes, to explain difficult concepts in an engaging way.

How Can Infographics Be Used for Visual Marketing?

Infographics can be an effective tool to promote your business, products, or services. By sharing visually appealing content that is easy to grasp, you can engage potential customers and drive them to your website, blog, or social media channels.

Using infographics in your visual marketing strategy can lead to better engagement, higher click-through rates (CTR), more website visits, and improved brand awareness. Additionally, relevant and engaging infographics may be shared by other websites, which can increase traffic back to your site.

Infographics can also be used to convey complex topics in a simple and attractive way. This makes it much easier to explain certain services or products to potential customers, as well as making it easier for them to share this information on their own websites or social media accounts.

Infographics can also be used to enhance essay writing. Instead of relying solely on text to convey your message, you can use infographics to illustrate key points or data. This can make your essay more engaging and easier to understand for your audience.

For example, if you’re writing an essay about the effects of climate change on the planet, you could include an infographic that shows the rise in global temperatures over the past century. By presenting this data in a visually engaging way, you can help your audience to better understand the severity of the issue and the importance of taking action to address it.

If you’re interested in incorporating infographics into your essay writing, you can order custom research and infographics at IBstudenthelp.com. This can help you to create more engaging and informative essays that will capture the attention of your audience and leave a lasting impression.

In addition to infographics, IBstudenthelp.com also offers a range of other academic writing services, including essay writing, research papers, and editing and proofreading. With their help, you can ensure that your academic work is of the highest quality and meets the requirements of your instructors or professors. Finally, infographics can boost your search engine optimization efforts. When you create an infographic, you can include relevant keywords and link back to your website, which can help to improve your search engine rankings.

The Benefits of Using Infographics in a Visual Marketing Campaign

Infographics have become increasingly popular over time as a way to present information in an engaging, visually appealing way. They are used widely across the web, as well as in print, and can be incredibly powerful tools for visual marketing campaigns. Here, we’ll look at why infographics are so beneficial to a visual marketing campaign and what you can do to make sure your own infographics stand out from the crowd.

What Are the Benefits?

The primary benefit of using infographics in a visual marketing campaign is that it makes complex information easier to understand. When done correctly, an infographic can take a lot of data and facts, break it down into easily digestible chunks, and present it in a visually interesting manner. This helps readers to better understand the message that’s being communicated, which increases the chances of them engaging with it. Additionally, this makes it much easier for viewers to remember what they’ve seen, as visuals tend to be easier to recall than text alone.

Infographics are also highly shareable, making them great for online campaigns. Not only does this help to spread brand awareness, but it also increases the reach of your message significantly. People love to share visual content, so creating an eye-catching infographic can be a great way to grow your audience and build relationships with your customers.

Finally, infographics are great for search engine optimization (SEO). Due to their visual nature, they can often rank higher on Google, which means they can appear near the top of the search engine results page (SERP) when someone searches for a related keyword. This can lead to increased web traffic and more visibility for your company.

Tips for Creating an Effective Infographic

When it comes to creating an effective infographic for your visual marketing campaign, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to make sure that the visuals are high quality and add something to the information being conveyed. This means including visuals that are relevant to the topic and that are easy to understand. Additionally, you should try to keep the design clean and uncluttered, and use shapes, icons, and other elements to break up the text.

You should also be sure to include a clear call to action at the end of the infographic. This could be something like “”Share this infographic”” or “”Visit our website to learn more””. These calls to action help to ensure that viewers will actually take action after engaging with the infographic.

Overall, infographics are a great way to convey a lot of information in a visually engaging way. They can help to increase engagement and brand awareness, as well as provide a great opportunity for SEO. So, if you’re looking to improve your visual marketing campaign, creating an infographic might be the perfect solution.

Design Process for Creating Effective Infographics

Creating effective infographics is not a simple task. It involves several stages to make sure the design communicates your message efficiently and effectively.

Research

The first step to creating any infographic is to conduct proper research. The research should include both general research about the topic and target audience, as well as data gathering specific to the brand. Taking the time to do this upfront will ensure that the graphic is relevant to your prospects and resonates with them. It will also help ensure that the design process runs smoothly.

Planning

Once the research is complete, it’s time to plan out the infographic. Start by making a list of key points that you want to make, then decide how to arrange those points in a visually appealing way. This may require additional research, such as understanding what types of imagery are best suited to communicate the message.

Layout and Design

The next step is to create a rough layout of the infographic. This can be done either on paper or using a design program like Photoshop or Illustrator. Consider the color scheme, typeface, and other design elements that will help the message stand out. It’s also important to make sure the infographic is mobile-friendly, as many people view them on their phones.

Revisions and Feedback

Before the final version is published, it’s important to get feedback from others in order to ensure that the infographic is effective. Take their comments and suggestions into consideration and make revisions as necessary. Once everyone is happy with the design, it’s ready for publication.

Final Touches

The last step is to give the infographic a final polish. This includes adding any extra details, such as credits, logos, company info, etc. If needed, make a few tweaks to the design and check that everything looks perfect. Once all these steps are complete, the infographic is ready to be shared on social media, blogs, and other online platforms.

Effective Use of Imagery

Using imagery effectively in an infographic can make all the difference in your visual marketing strategy. Imagery is a great way to grab people’s attention and communicate your message quickly and clearly. However, it is important to consider the types of visuals you use as well as how you use them.

Types of Visuals for Infographics

There are many different types of visuals that can be used in infographics. These include photographs, icons, illustrations, charts, and graphs. You can also combine multiple types of visuals together in one infographic. When choosing your visuals, think about how they will help to convey your message or story. You want visuals that are engaging and eye-catching but not overly complicated.

Using Imagery for Maximum Effect

In order to make the most out of your imagery, it is important to consider the layout and size of your visuals. Keep in mind the size of the infographic and the size of the images you will be using. You also want to make sure the visuals are laid out in a way that is visually appealing and easy to follow. Additionally, you should ensure that your visuals are properly labeled and that they are relevant to your message.

Conclusion

Using imagery effectively in an infographic is a great way to grab people’s attention and get your message across. It is important to consider the types of visuals you use, how you use them, your layout, and the size of your visuals. With careful consideration, you can create an infographic that is both engaging and effective.

Strategies for Sharing Infographics

If you want to get the most out of your infographics and make sure that they reach as many people as possible, it’s important to have a good strategy for sharing them.

One great way to share them is through social media channels. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are all great options for promoting infographics and reaching new audiences with your content. You should also consider using other social media platforms such as Instagram or Pinterest that are popular with certain demographics or industries.

In addition to social media, email campaigns can be another effective way to share infographics. For example, if you already have an email list of customers or potential customers, you can use infographics to both educate and engage them in the content you’re sending out.

Finally, you should also consider using paid advertising services to promote your infographics. Services such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific audiences and increase the reach of your infographic.

By using a combination of these various strategies, you can ensure that your infographics reach the widest possible audience and generate as much engagement and interest as possible.

SEO Strategies for Infographics

Infographics are an effective way to present information and boost engagement with your visual marketing strategy. To make sure that your infographics reach the widest possible audience, it’s important to optimize your infographics for search engines. This will help ensure that your infographics are found and shared by a larger audience.

When it comes to SEO strategies for your infographics, there are several steps you can take. First, you’ll want to make sure that you create good titles and meta descriptions that accurately describe your infographic. The title should be no more than 65 characters, and the meta description should be between 150-160 characters.

You should also create an optimized URL for your infographic that is easy for people to remember. Use keywords in the URL to help search engines understand what your infographic is about.

Include text along with your infographic so that search engines can better understand what the infographic is about. You should also make sure to use keywords throughout the text to help search engines find and index your infographic.

Finally, link to your infographic from other related content on your website so that search engines can easily find it. Adding social media sharing buttons to your infographic can also help spread the word and drive more traffic to your site.

By following these SEO strategies, you can ensure that your infographics reach a wider audience and get the attention they deserve!

Analytics and ROI for Infographics

When creating an infographic, it is important to track analytics and measure its return on investment (ROI). Tracking analytics can help you understand how effective your infographic is and how it can be improved. With the right analytics, you can also determine whether or not your infographic is actually producing the desired results.

There are several steps involved in evaluating the effectiveness of an infographic. The first step is to set up an analytics platform in order to track the performance of your infographic. Google Analytics is a great tool for tracking the performance of an infographic, as it offers detailed reports about user engagement, traffic sources, and more. It is also important to track the number of viewers, shares, and clicks that your infographic receives.

Once you have gathered the data from your analytics platform, you can start to calculate your return on investment (ROI). To do this, you need to determine how much money and time you invested in creating the infographic and how much value it has generated. For example, if you spent $500 on designing and promoting your infographic and it led to 10,000 extra website visits, calculating the ROI would be fairly straightforward.

By understanding the analytics and ROI of an infographic, you can better evaluate how effective it is and determine how to improve it. Tracking analytics is an essential part of creating and evaluating an effective infographic.

Conclusion

Infographics are an effective and powerful tool that can be used to boost your visual marketing strategy. They provide a great way to present complex data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format, allowing you to engage a wider audience who would otherwise be put off by dense text. And when optimized for search engines, infographics can help increase site traffic and generate more leads.

Designing effective infographics requires careful consideration of design elements such as typography, color, and imagery. Once an infographic has been created, there are various strategies that can be employed to ensure it reaches its intended audience, including sharing on social media and email campaigns.

Collecting data and analyzing analytics are important for measuring the effectiveness of an infographic, and understanding the return on investment. Additionally, effective SEO practices should be implemented to optimize infographics for search engine visibility.

In summary, infographics are an ideal way to add interest and engagement to your visual marketing strategy. By leveraging their potential, you can powerfully communicate complex information to a wider range of viewers and boost your online presence.

Links to Helpful Resources

Adding links to helpful resources at the end of your post is a great way to help readers find more information and get even more out of the content you provide. It’s a good idea to include links to reputable websites, blogs, and other resources related to the topic. Here are some tips for including helpful links in your guide:

• Make sure any link you include is relevant to the content and adds value to the post.
• Do a quick Google search to see if there are any websites or articles that could be useful for your readers.
• Try to find multiple sources for each topic to give readers more options.
• Include a brief description of the website or resource to give readers an idea of what they’ll find before clicking the link.

These tips should help you find the best resources to include in your guide. By providing helpful links, you can ensure your readers have access to all the information they need to make the most of their visual marketing strategy using infographics.

Invite Your Audience to Engage with You

If you want to get the most out of using infographics in your visual marketing strategy, it’s important to continuously engage with your audience. A great way to do this is by inviting them to contact you with questions about using infographics or to inquire about how they can use infographics for their own campaigns.

This kind of call to action will show your audience that you are eager to help them further understand and use infographics, as well as willing to explore more possibilities with them. It can also build a sense of trust and connection, demonstrating that you are knowledgeable and invested in their success.

When inviting your audience to engage with you, make sure to note that you have the expertise to discuss their individual needs and provide tailored solutions. For example, you could say, “Let’s discuss your needs and create a custom infographic that will maximize your visual impact”. This type of statement will show that you are willing to provide customized solutions to your audience, leading to more engagement.

On top of that, make sure to include your contact information on your website and in any emails related to your visual marketing campaigns. This will ensure that your audience knows how to get in touch with you when they’re ready to take advantage of your services.

With a strong call to action, you can encourage your audience to contact you with questions or inquiries about using infographics in their visual marketing strategies. This will help you nurture a relationship with your audience and increase conversions in the long run.

FAQs

Many people have questions about using infographics as part of their visual marketing strategy. Here are some of the most common ones:

• What are some benefits of using infographics?
• How do I design an effective infographic?
• How can I make sure my infographic stands out?
• What strategies should I use for sharing my infographic?
• How can I optimize my infographic for SEO?
• How do I measure the success of my infographic?

The answers to all of these questions can be found in this guide. Read through each section to learn more about using infographics in your visual marketing strategy.

Credits & Acknowledgements

It’s important to give credit to any sources used in the blog post and to acknowledge people who have provided valuable feedback. So if you have been researching ideas, include a section at the end of the post where you can cite your sources. This will ensure those who have created the original content are credited for their work.

Acknowledging people who have given feedback is also a fantastic way to show appreciation for the help they’ve given. Even if the feedback wasn’t 100% positive, thanking people for their input shows that you value their opinion and encourages them to provide more feedback down the line.

If you make use of external resources, be sure to include information about where the resources came from. Give proper credit to the original creators of the resources, as well as any other organizations or businesses that helped in creating them.

Finally, don’t forget to thank the people who are actually publishing the post. Whether you’re working with a media outlet or self-publishing, expressing your gratitude for the platform is a nice way to complete the blog post.

Welcome to season five, episode 21 of The Abundant Artist, the show that dispels the myth of “the starving artist” and shares how you can live an abundant life as an artist and make a living from your talent one interview at a time.

Our podcast usually features professional artists, but this week’s guest has such a vast experience in the art world, we decided to shake up our usual!

Maria Brito is an Art Advisor, Art Consultant, and Curator. She has spent more than a decade working with a multitude of well-known artists as well as emerging talent, getting them in touch with her clients and building long-term relationships. She also works with corporate clients, helping foster creativity wherever she can.

“My mission was to open up the doors of this obscure, snob world of galleries and auction houses, and give people a gateway to that world.” — Maria Brito

Maria comes on the show to discuss her unique perspective on the art business, and how it intersects with the rest of the world. Cory and Maria discuss the revolutionary changes that technology has enabled, decentralizing the art practice and collectors’ markets. They also touch on what artists need to succeed in the free markets as well as in the official art machinery, and how an increasingly polarized world requires open-mindedness and curiosity to move forward.

Join in for a lively discussion on the ever-evolving business of art making.

In this episode:

[:30] Cory welcomes Maria Brito to the podcast and dives right in with a question about failure.

[1:30] Always remember that failure is impersonal. Maria shares her perspective on the importance of self-reflection and the piecing together of clues to build future projects. She shares a personal story of learning and growth through failure.

[6:50] Maria encourages listeners to take time to review past failures and how they were used to better their practice.

[8:11] What does an art advisor do?

[11:19] From very unhappy corporate attorney to art advisor, consultant, and curator, Maria talks about how her path diverged almost 14 years ago.

[19:22] “Emergent artist” is a term that has changed meaning over time, but belongs to the official machinery of art galleries. Maria speaks about the label “outsider artists,” used for people who evolve away from those official structures.

[24:55] Many cities all over the world are brimming with art ecosystems because technology has enabled a wonderful decentralization of opportunities.

[26:20] How galleries contact Maria, and what they share as information for consideration.

[31:00] A substantial percentage of the art market originates from Instagram, close to $7.5 billion!

[33:25] The three things artists should get good at to build their following on Instagram.

[35:03] Teaching the creative process to corporate clients was years in the making, Maria shares how it came to fruition and some of what she teaches.

[40:00] The starving artist myth needs to be broken. From Picasso to O’Keefe, Maria explains why artists need to stop underestimating themselves as entrepreneurs.

[44:23] Maria’s favorite art and entrepreneurship studies.

[49:00] Pursuing a career for the sake of happiness and creativity versus that of safety has nurtured in Maria a need to share her knowledge to inspire other people to follow their passion.

[53:28] The consistent habits of the creative mind as well as the counter-productive nature of anger and self-righteousness.

[1:08:12] Maria’s advice for aspiring artists in a world that is rife with excellent competition: train your eye and choose your platform.

[1:15:40] Cory thanks Maria for joining the podcast and sharing so much of her knowledge!

Resources mentioned:

Maria Brito’s website
@MariaBrito_NY on Instagram
@MariaBrito_NY on Twitter
Maria on Facebook
Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2021
Harvard Business School:
“Christo and Jeanne-Claude, The Art of the Entrepreneur”
“Theaster Gates: Artist as Catalyst for Community Development”
“Building an Aspirational High-End Brand through Cultural Engagement: Absolut Vodka’s Love Affair with Art”
The Warhol Economy: How Fashion, Art, and Music Drive New York City, by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett
Paducah Kentucky art scene

About the guest:

Maria is an award-winning New York-based contemporary art advisor, author, and curator. She’s the author of the bestselling book How Creativity Rules The World (HarperCollins). She has written for publications such as Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Elle, and Forbes, just to name a few. For several years, Maria has taught her creativity course in companies and, in 2019, she launched “Jumpstart”, an online program on creativity for entrepreneurs based on years of research and observation in both the areas of business and art. She works with a number of celebrities, including Sean Combs, Gwyneth Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson.

“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.”
~William Shakespeare

Jealous much?

Let’s face it, now that almost every artist and their creative brother are online showing off their handiwork,  it’s easier than ever to become jealous of …

• their artwork/writing/music
• their sales
• their really cool website
• the hundreds of comments on their blog
• hearing about all of their recent exhibitions and gushing publicity
• not to mention their legions of fawning friends and followers on Twitter and Facebook

I mean, sometimes it’s enough to make you want to crawl back into your creative little hole and hibernate until the coming zombie apocalypse.

Let’s not kid ourselves here. Ten years ago, we all knew that these over-achieving creative folks were out there, but at the same time, we didn’t have to sit there and stare at their virtual trophy shelf every single day.

Not that I’m blaming any of these artists for their success.  After all, kudos to them for working their tails off and achieving some level of success in their creative field.  I certainly don’t begrudge them that, but that doesn’t necessarily change the fact that sometimes I’m jealous as hell of them.

I can’t even read books anymore…

It’s been said that one of the requirements of being an artist or writer is to fully immerse yourself in your art.  Not just diving into your own work, but also the works of others.  For writers, this means reading the great works of literature, for musicians listening to the classics in your chosen genre, and for visual artists, this means studying the masterworks of those who came before you.

That’s fine.  I have no problem with that.  After all, everyone needs someone to look up to and model themselves after.  I don’t have a problem with studying the old masters.  What I seem to have a problem with, is studying the work of my contemporaries.

You see when it comes to the old dead masters of our craft,  I can usually rationalize their success.  After all, maybe they received a better education, perhaps they had more time to practice their craft, or maybe they had some wise old mentor who shared some ancient secrets with them.  Whatever may have been going on there, they all ended up doing very well for themselves and that’s great.  And if nothing else, at least I can take comfort in the fact that since they’re dead, they are not very likely to steal my really great idea for that book that I’ve been meaning to write.

It’s not the old masters who make me jealous… it’s you!

I’m talking about the regular old artist/writer/musician that you just met on Twitter who seemingly has it all together.  You know the one I’m talking about here.  That artist who just booked that big show, that writer who just published their first book or that photographer who just published a coffee table book the size of Texas [Editor: for our international readers, that’s pretty darn big]

Damn, I wish I would have thought of that!  ~Me

Please don’t get the wrong idea here. It’s not that I dislike these creative contemporaries for their success.  In fact, some of them are the nicest people you will ever meet, but I still can’t help but feel a little jealous of their success.

Now is this just some kind of flaw in my character — probably.  Look, logically I know that we’re not out here competing with one another and I realize that another artist’s success in no way diminishes my own chances of achieving my goals.

I get that.

Now having said that,  I still find myself getting jealous every time I read a really good book.  I still feel a bit envious whenever I see a younger writer being featured in some magazine article.  And I still get upset when someone else comes up with a really good idea that may have been sitting right there in front of me the entire time.

It all comes back to the evil twins of Fear & Doubt

In the end, of course, it’s not about any of them — it’s about me.  It’s about me not living up to my own expectations.  It’s about me having a vision that seems to be constantly just beyond my reach and ability.  It’s about me not always feeling worthy of the path I have chosen for myself.  And it’s about me feeling as if I have wasted so much of my time by not starting sooner and getting distracted by endless shiny objects along the way.

The author Julia Cameron put it this way in her extraordinary book “The Artist’s Way“:

“Jealousy is always a mask for fear: fear that we aren’t able to get what we want; frustration that somebody else seems to be getting what is rightfully ours even if we are too frightened to reach for it.  At its root, jealousy is a stingy emotion.  It doesn’t allow for the abundance and multiplicity of the universe.  Jealousy tells us there is room for only one — one poet, on painter, one whatever you dream of being. . . The biggest lie that jealousy tells us is that we have no choice but to be jealous.  Perversely, jealousy strips us of our will to act when action is the key to our freedom.”

This constant sense of fear, inadequacy, and jealousy is certainly not something I’m proud of, and the only reason I’m sharing any of this with you is because I suspect that I’m not entirely alone.

So I guess my question to you is….

• How do you not get discouraged by all of this?
• How do you get past that nagging feeling that somehow it has all been done before?
• How do you celebrate in the success of others without getting down on yourself?
• How do you not beat yourself up for losing focus and wasting so much time along the way?

Please tell me that I’m not the only one who feels these things!

“Any plan for increasing your art income begins with identifying revenue categories in a way that makes the most sense for you, the work you do, and the way you want your life to be.”

“There is nothing wrong with having a day job. It will ease some of the pressure to make money from your art.”

“You must look out for yourself, which includes attending to your financial well-being.”

“When you do this work and take the time to really dive into the numbers—on your own or with me in The Money Plan—a story will emerge. You will discover things you didn’t know before.”

“The numbers tell a story.”

Creativity is an incredibly powerful characteristic of humans. It drives progress and propels the wave of change. The process by which creatives generate novel ideas remains a mystery, but their contributions enable us to immerse ourselves in wonderful books, captivating movies, and awe-inspiring architectural marvels.

Creativity knows no bounds – it drifts lightly like a feather in the wind, requiring time to emerge and flourish. In contrast, project management embodies a different approach. It entails meticulous planning, the establishment of deadlines, and the coordination of teams of skilled professionals.

WHAT IS CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT?

Creative project management is more than just traditional task-based management. It’s about managing and coordinating creative projects to achieve high-quality work efficiently and quickly. This could involve creating videos, designing logos or websites, crafting campaigns, or other visual projects.

Creative project management helps project managers and creative teams stay on track with tasks, progress, and priorities in real-time. With the right tools, every stage of the creative process. This is done for the sake of enabling seamless collaboration, efficient content creation, and timely project delivery.

Tracking project milestones becomes crucial, especially in uncertain creative work. Without a creative project management system, team members and stakeholders may lack access to real-time progress updates, leading to confusion.

GUIDE TO CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project management in the creative project lifecycle includes the initiation, planning, execution, and delivery of creative projects.

1. Initiation involves setting the scope, purpose, and timeline. The goal is to establish a clear path for execution and define why we’re working on the project and what it’ll bring to our organization’s goals.
2. During the planning phase, creative agencies in project management define workflows, allocate resources, identify constraints, and set milestones and dependencies, among other things.
3. In the execution phase, we put our workflow plan into action, monitor progress, communicate with team members, and adjust as needed to stay on track.
4. Lastly, in the delivery phase of creative project management, our focus is on sharing the deliverables with the client. We also analyze whether the project meets stakeholders’ expectations and conduct a post-project evaluation to find areas for improvement.

In order not to slow down the creative process and achieve effective creative collaboration, you need to prepare ways of communication between all interested parties. It can be a fax – for the secure transfer of documents or secure messengers. If you’re linking a fax machine to a fax machine, you’re missing out on a lot. You just need to install the application on iOS to enjoy the benefits of faxing. This is useful both at the resource allocation stage and during project completion.

Image courtesy of Antoni Shkraba for Pexels

WHAT MAKES A GREAT CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGER?

#1 People-oriented

Managing people requires being people-oriented. This crucial skill is essential for leading creatives because you should understand their quirks and give space for their ideas to shine. By demonstrating yourself as a team player, you can expect your team to achieve success.

#2 Communicative

Communication plays a vital role in various professions, but it truly shines in the realm of creative project management. The creative manager serves as a crucial liaison between the project team and clients, carefully selecting the perfect words when interacting with team members. To stimulate their creative potential and address their shortcomings, creative managers must exhibit great tactfulness.

#3 Technical Skills

Technical skills are categorized as hard skills in project management and are acquired through education and training. In creative project management, these skills encompass a working knowledge of software programs, visual art platforms, graphic design, and more. Creative project managers are aware of the advantages of using software for organizing and planning, as it simplifies their work.

#4 Industry Knowledge

Having industry knowledge means possessing specialized knowledge of the client’s industry. Creative managers within marketing teams should understand how to effectively target the appropriate audience, cater to the right demographic, and choose the most suitable platforms. Conducting thorough research is crucial during the creative project process, as it enhances professionalism and impresses the client. Let’s face it – leading successful creative teams requires immense dedication. However, we can offer some tips to alleviate pressure and help you excel in your role.

Image courtesy of Fauxels for Pexels

TIPS FOR CREATING A CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGER

#1 Create a Transparent Process

If you’re aiming to foster trust between your team and the client, it’s crucial to establish a transparent process. Your team should possess a solid understanding of the creative workflow, comprehending the steps and their purpose to accomplish project objectives. Furthermore, by providing stakeholders with clear insights into the project’s progress, you demonstrate respect and a willingness to collaborate.

#2 Be Flexible

Making changes is never easy. That’s why it’s so important to be able to adapt your work and quickly reallocate resources in creative project management. Your client may ask for more features, a key team member could take sick leave, or it might rain on the day you’re supposed to do a beach photoshoot. All these things are possibilities, and it’s crucial to learn to be flexible and avoid panicking.

#3 Team Recognition

Surprises are common and you need to be prepared for them. All of them can be overcome if you have the recognition of the team and everyone works fruitfully to achieve the goal. Showing appreciation for their efforts will be greatly appreciated by your team.

#4 Avoid Micromanagement

Frequently monitoring your team members can harm their performance. Creatives flourish in a relaxed working environment, and if you attempt to micromanage every aspect, you’ll hinder their true potential. Instead, consider adapting your approach and allowing some freedom. Set clear goals and schedule check-ins to track progress, address obstacles, and provide motivation to keep them motivated.

#5 Have Empathy

A fantastic creative project manager always recognizes and values the personal needs of their team members. The wellspring of their creativity lies in finding inner peace, and if anything hinders their ability to perform at their best, providing assistance and understanding is crucial. After all, you are managing real people, not machines. Moreover, extending your understanding to clients is paramount. Take the time to elucidate anything they wish to understand, exhibit patience in addressing their inquiries, and demonstrate your reliability.

Conclusion

Creative project management tools are crucial for high-performing marketing teams. With the right ones, they can stay focused on their goals and maintain their competitive edge. These tools offer real-time project progress tracking and enhance team collaboration, streamlining the creative process for exceptional outputs.

Investing in creative project management tools such as DAM and PM solutions can streamline workflows, minimize administrative tasks, and boost efficiency, resulting in improved outcomes and successful projects.

_____________________________

About author:

Angela Green is a content writer for websites and social media. She is interested in technology and cybersecurity and offers advice and recommendations in these industries.

This past year has taken a toll on in-person art events, to say the least. From galleries to museums to art fairs, experiencing live art seems to be a thing of the past and has unfortunately led to more struggling artists now more than ever.

But in a time full of darkness, there is a beacon of light for both art lovers and artists as The Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art (mowna) announces their new online Biennial, a museum born out of the pandemic and specifically designed for the digital age. Launching Friday, April 30, 2021, the show will run until September 22, 2021, and features an international pool of artists selected from 44 countries throughout the world.

Co-founders Cari Ann and Joey Zaza created this new online Biennial with the goal of supporting artists by not only showcasing their work, but also helping them make a living. In fact, 70% of the profits earned by the museum through membership sales, store sales, and ticket sales go directly to the artists!

The Museum spent the greater half of January and February selecting artists to participate in their new online Biennial and they are proud to announce they will be supporting over 100 artists on their digital platform with over 20 hours of content to be viewed from images, paintings, drawings, videos, fashion, sculptures, photography, and much more.

Co-founder Joey Zaza says “there’s nowhere else that you can see this collection of art, in this way. There are hours of artwork to explore, play with, and listen to, twenty-four hours a day.”

Above Sea Level by Zhongyao Wang

Featured works include “The Lockdown”, a VR sonic memory installation by Mana Saei, “Planes of resistance” an empathy experiment to explore the world from the vantage point of a black woman using autobiographical acrylic compositions and sound by Linda Rebeiz, a Lebanese-Senegalese artist living in Accra, Ghana, “ERRANDS”, a portrait series documenting our shared shelter-in-place experiences by Zachary Handler of Baltimore, Maryland who will perform 3 slots of portraits per week for the month of May to museum guests, first come, first serve. “Susan” is an interactive augmented/virtual reality and video sculpture web experience by Sue Roh, a Brooklyn-based Korean-American multimedia artist navigating the IRL and URL. “Black Man in America” is a film by Vance Brown and Justina Kamiel Grayman from New York, NY. An interactive new-media installation, “AuxeticBreath”, visualizes the rhythmic respiratory rate, as well as tidal volume of collective human breaths using soft robotics covered with auxetic structures by Hyejun Younof Salzburg, Austria. “PETSCII leaks” by ailadi, an Italian artist whose works have been viewed hundreds of millions of times, are a series of ASCII inspired gif comics. A series of experimental music videos from the opera “The Magic Hummingbird” by Joseph Martin Waters from San Diego, CA will also be shown.

To kick off the Biennial, mowna will host a special screening of the feature doc The Faithful: The King, The Pope, The Princess, by Annie Berman on April 30th at 9 pm Eastern Time. The opening event will also be followed by a Q&A and a first look at the entrance to the Biennial!

Tickets and museum memberships can be purchased on their website, https://www.mowna.org/.

Doses of Feelings Blue mood blue heart by Gianlluca Carneiro

About mowna

mowna seeks to create an ever changing, fun, thoughtful, beautifully designed space to encourage awareness and mindfulness through the exhibition and experience of art and serves the public’s need for art for the highest good of all. By addressing the current needs of not only the artist but also the audience, mowna is breaking barriers within the global art community.

mowna offers the preservation of artworks through an online collection that is an educational resource and archive for its members and its artists, and aims to find, display, and support wild and newfangled art through the incorporation of innovative new technologies and mediums. mowna provides artists with financial compensation for their art and expands awareness of their talents via a sustainable platform where they can flourish.

by Carolyn Edlund

The easiest and best place to sell your work might be near your home. Use these tips to meet local business people, contacts and collectors.

Sell your work at fairs and festivals in your area.

There is no better way to interact with people and see their response to your art than exhibiting at in-person events. Evaluate local opportunities and select those which fit your work and attract your target customers. Art Fair Insiders is a free online resource that reviews shows, and can help you with this task.

Once you have compiled a list of the most suitable events, put together your best application and submit it with excellent photos of your art or craft. Then, prepare for art shows by focusing on putting together a great booth display and get ready to greet the local public.

Reach out to local businesses directly.

Shows and galleries are not the only places where artists can sell. Alternative venues provide more ways to gain exposure for your work. Banks, coffee shops, libraries and theaters are places where art can be displayed. Make a point to meet business owners and speak with them about showing your art. When you get some interest,consider suggesting an informal opening. Send out invitations and announce on social media to draw customers through their doors for both of you.

Have an open studio.

Bring local shoppers right to your own creative space by participating in an open studio or art walk event. This helps you build a collector base and attract locals who are proven to have an interest in art, which is a very powerful thing. Gather email addresses and mailing addresses to grow your list. Then, keep invitations going out to these interested parties for future sales.

Join an art community.

Not only does an art council, group or salon provide resources and assistance, you can make some very good friends at this type of event. You can also learn about local exhibition opportunities, fairs and festivals, or a co-op gallery that will help sell your work.

Join a business networking group.

These popular groups are where business people meet each other for the purpose of furthering their own businesses, as well as giving referrals to others. Do you want to meet local interior designers who are looking for artists like you? Or perhaps a realtor who may be able to bring you in on a home staging project with your art? This is a great way to come to know all types of people who have their own networks of contacts.

Some of them might know others who are a perfect match for your creative business. You should be willing to pay it forward and recommend resources and give referrals as well, which is the essence of networking.

Get some local press.

Writers and reporters always need material for stories, and artists are interesting people! Put together great photos of your work, and a compelling story for their readers. You can reach out to press members and bloggers through email, social media, or better yet through a mutual local connection.

Once you have received interest about a story, prepare yourself and your materials to give a great interview. And after you have gotten press exposure, stay in touch with the reporter. If they know you as an expert who has fascinating things to say, they will likely use you again in their writing.

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

User-generated content (UGC) has become a popular buzzword in recent years, and for good reason. Not only does it allow companies to create more cost-effective content, but it also adds a layer of authenticity and credibility to their marketing campaigns. In this article, we’ll explore the role of user-generated content in visual marketing, the benefits of incorporating it into your marketing strategy, successful campaign examples, and tips for doing it right.

Benefits of using UGC in visual marketing

UGC can provide many benefits when used in visual marketing. First and foremost, UGC allows for increased authenticity and credibility in your content. Traditional marketing content can come across as self-promotional, which can turn off potential customers. UGC, on the other hand, is created by your customers or followers, which makes it more genuine and trustworthy.

In addition to the authenticity factor, UGC can also drive higher engagement and user involvement. When your customers see that their content is being featured on your social media channels or website, they’re more likely to engage with your brand and create more content. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in followers, comments, and shares.

Finally, UGC can be a cost-effective way to create content. Traditional marketing content can be time-consuming and expensive to produce. UGC, on the other hand, is created by your customers or followers for free. By leveraging UGC, you can save time and money on content creation while still providing valuable content for your followers.

Examples of successful UGC campaigns in visual marketing

Some of the most successful campaigns in visual marketing have leveraged UGC. One example is the “Share a Coke” campaign by Coca-Cola. The company printed popular names on their soda cans and encouraged customers to take photos of themselves with their personalized cans and share them on social media. The campaign went viral, with millions of people sharing photos of their personalized cans, and it led to a significant increase in sales for the company.

Another example is the #ShotOniPhone campaign by Apple. The campaign featured photos and videos shot on iPhones by regular people, and it showcased the quality of the iPhone camera. The campaign was a huge success, and it helped to establish the iPhone as a leading smartphone for photography.

How to incorporate UGC in your visual marketing strategy

If you’re interested in incorporating UGC into your visual marketing strategy, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you need to encourage your customers and followers to create and share content. This can be done by creating branded hashtags or hosting contests that encourage user submissions.

It’s also important to make it easy for your customers to create and share content. For example, you can feature a gallery of UGC on your website or social media channels, which can encourage others to submit their content as well.

Finally, it’s important to ensure that your UGC fits in with your overall brand image and values. You should have guidelines in place for the type of content you’re looking for, and you should monitor submissions to ensure that they align with your brand.

Potential challenges and risks of using UGC in visual marketing

While UGC can provide many benefits for your marketing campaigns, there are also potential challenges and risks that you should be aware of. One risk is that UGC can sometimes be negative or off-brand. For example, a customer might submit a photo that is inappropriate or offensive.

To mitigate this risk, you should have clear guidelines in place for the type of content you’re looking for, and you should monitor submissions to ensure that they align with your brand. You can also consider using a platform that allows you to moderate submissions before they’re posted.

Another potential risk is copyright infringement. When customers submit photos or videos, they own the rights to that content.

To avoid any potential legal issues, you should make it clear in your guidelines that users must have the rights to any content they submit. You should also consider using a platform that allows you to verify ownership or obtain permission from the creator before using their content.

Finally, it’s important to ensure that you’re giving proper credit to the creators of any UGC that you use. This can help to build goodwill with your customers and followers and can also help to establish your brand as one that values authenticity and community.

Conclusion

Incorporating user-generated content into your visual marketing strategy can provide many benefits for your brand. By leveraging UGC, you can create more authentic and engaging content, while also saving time and money on content creation.

When done right, UGC can help to establish your brand as one that values community and authenticity, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and sales. To get started with UGC, consider hosting a contest or creating a branded hashtag that encourages your customers to create and share content. With a little creativity and planning, you can use UGC to take your visual marketing to the next level.

Welcome to season five, episode 22 of The Abundant Artist, the show that dispels the myth of “the starving artist” and shares how you can live an abundant life as an artist and make a living from your talent one interview at a time.

“My life is designed to sell paintings. If I was not selling that many paintings, I would need to change something.” — Adam Hall

Joining the podcast today is Adam Hall, who describes himself as “an artist who paints New Orleans”. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Adam’s tryst with New Orleans started when he joined Tulane University there to obtain an undergraduate degree in studio art and history. Although later Adam studied in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA) and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (MFA), he eventually decided to move back to New Orleans and settle there.

The impact of Hurricane Katrina is visible in Adam’s art, especially in his black-and-white, burnt-paper three-dimensional collages that explored themes of loss and upheaval. A visit to Paris in 2009 and the study of impressionist painters convinced him to switch to impressionist oil paintings.

In this episode, Adam explains why he calls New Orleans his home, his metamorphosis from a sculptor/installation artist to an impressionist painter, how Hurricane Katrina has inspired his artworks, and how he manages the business side of his art career.

In this episode:

[:33] Cory reminisces how he has known Adam since 2013.
[4:05] Why Adam has found his “artistic home” in New Orleans.
[5:45] How Adam’s website captures the fascinating evolution of his artworks.
[7:15] Adam was more into sculptures and installations during grad school. Why has he taken up painting after moving to New Orleans?
[10:05] How has Hurricane Katrina shaped Adam’s artistic expressions?
[12:38] Why it was important for Adam to create artworks that looked similar to oak trees.
[20:12] How over time Adam coached himself to make impressionist paintings of New Orleans.
[32:30] How Adam has designed his life for selling paintings.
[33:40] Adam enjoys the business side of his art career. It’s not “work” for him.
[36:40] How Adam’s New Orleans paintings changed over time and why.
[38:14] How the pandemic impacted Adam’s choice of subjects for paintings.
[41:11] How did Adam figure out what works for him in the business side? How TAA class helped Adam with finding his “voice”.
[46:14] What kind of write-ups Adam does regularly for his collectors. How does he decide on what to write?
[49:07] Social media and his website helped Adam sell his paintings more than outdoor shows.
[51:11] What’s working for Adam on social media?
[53:00] What’s Adam excited about his art business at the moment?
[55:03] Cory thanks Adam for joining the podcast!

Resources mentioned:

Adam Hall’s Website
Adam’s Blogs

About the guest:

Adam’s paintings are inspired by the vibrancy and distinctive character of New Orleans. His early work (2005-2010) expressed his reaction to Hurricane Katrina through black-and-white, burnt-paper three-dimensional collages that explored themes of loss and upheaval. Adam’s work has been exhibited in New Orleans, Martha’s Vineyard, Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, the University of Alabama, at the Duke University Law School, and at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge; and featured in the book Papercraft, published by the Gestalten press. His large 12-foot painting titled “Resolve” was installed on the campus of Tulane University’s Flower Hall in 2017, and in the same year he won “Best in Show” at the Red River Revel, a music and arts festival in Shreveport, Louisiana. Adam shows his work at arts markets in New Orleans and from his home studio.

Let’s face it, you’ve probably been working way too hard.

Forget about all of those years toiling away in obscurity

Forget about putting in your 10,000 hours of practice to master your craft.

In fact, forget about creating any creative work at all, now it’s all about becoming famous for the sake of being famous.

Somewhere along the way, fame has become a goal in itself.  It’s not necessarily to become a famous musician, a famous writer, or a famous artist — it’s simply enough to become famous.

Creative artists have always been provocateurs.  Artists such as Picasso, Duchamp, O’Keeffe, Cerny, Pollock, Banksy, Christo, and Hirst specialized in works that stir the emotions and push the boundaries (and buttons) of their viewing audience.  Their primary purpose, however, was never simply to get attention, it was an attempt to alter our perspective and offer us something new using their own unique creative voice.

Now having said that, why does it feel like so many of us these days are just screaming to get attention?

Breaking through the Background Noise

Look I get it, the internet is getting awfully crowded.

Now that virtually everyone has their own Twitter account, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and blog — it has become harder than ever to breakthrough the background chatter and get ourselves noticed.  We’ve got more news outlets and low-cost ways to spread our creative work around than ever before.

What seems to be disappearing, however, is our attention.

So what happened?

There are no spectators any more.

You have to remember that not that long ago there were only a handful of television channels, movie studios, and music recording companies out there.  They produced the content and we dutifully watched, listened, and purchased whatever it was they created.

It didn’t even have to be all that good because we only had a few choices available to choose from (unless of course, you were one of those weird “book readers”).  They had the professional actors and musicians, and we were the spectators. They performed while we sat on the sidelines clapping and purchasing our tickets.

Back then we even watched the commercials on TV because we were simply too lazy to get up and change the channel.  It was the glory days of Mad Men and everyone played their part — They talked and we listened.

But here’s the problem….things changed

No one is listening

The world wide web has changed all of that.  There are no more spectators sitting on the sidelines waiting to be entertained because we all to some degree have become content creators ourselves.

We are now so busy creating and sharing our own content that we don’t have the time to notice anyone else’s stuff.

We update our blog, we blast out dozens of Facebook and Twitter updates daily only to discover that fewer and fewer people are listening to what we have to say.  So we end up spending the majority of our time talking about (and to) ourselves.

It’s kind of like Thanksgiving dinner, where everyone is talking at the same time but no one is really listening.  We are simply talking over one another. The conversation around the table keeps getting louder and louder until you can’t even hear what you are saying yourself.

In economics, this is called the law of diminishing returns.  In other words, the first person to start shouting in a quiet room is almost guaranteed to get noticed.  Maybe even the second of the third person as well–but as soon as everyone in the room starts shouting, nobody can hear anyone and we just tune it out.  Unfortunately, it seems that we have now reached that point online where everyone is shouting to get themselves noticed but nobody is bothering to listen anymore.

When everyone is standing, nobody can see

So in this type of environment where there is already so much noise and commotion, how can anyone ever hope to stand out and get themselves noticed?

Well this all comes back to the title of this post which is  “How to Become Famous in 3 Shockingly Easy Steps”
(you weren’t sure we’d actually get back there did you?)

So here it is…. the secret to getting yourself noticed online is to shock your audience into paying attention to you.

Shock & Awe

Let’s face it, the fastest way to get attention is to scream

Shock = Attention = Fame

As you can see, our formula here is fairly simple. If you want to become famous, you’ve simply have to find a way to get people’s attention. Once you get people’s attention, you become famous.

You see fame (unlike talent) is nothing more than capturing someone’s attention.

Shocking people by doing something stupid and outlandish used to be the province of disc jockeys, graffiti artists, and Jerry Springer but now it has apparently become mainstream.

So not only is Picasso famous for his artwork but now so is the idiot who walked into a museum and vandalized one of his paintings.   It doesn’t take talent, hard work, or skill to become famous.  All it really takes is the ability to capture someone else’s attention by doing something completely unexpected.  It doesn’t even matter whether you do something “good” or something “bad” to get attention — the result is exactly the same. 

Fame you’ll be famous, as famous as can be, with everyone watching you win on TV, Except when they don’t because sometimes they won’t. ~Dr. Seuss

And it’s not just beginners who are struggling to get noticed, it’s also those who may already be famous but want to become even more famous.  Do you think that it’s merely coincidence that so many washed up celebrities publicly announce the fact they are checking into rehab or “accidentally” leak a sex tape.  Even these B-list celebrities understand that fame demands attention, and if they are no longer getting enough attention, they need to do something that will.

As a culture we used to try and hide these little indiscretions, now we go out of our way to record and publicize them.

This tried and true formula has revived the careers fame of countless actors and musicians who have then gone on to a lucrative second career in reality television.  After all, everyone loves to tune into Bravo and watch a good celebrity train wreck because it makes us feel morally superior to these idiots and their self-serving shenanigans.

Okay, that’s great, but what if you’re not already a washed up celebrity?  What are your options?

Well lucky for you, there have been plenty of other people who have used controversy to worm their way into our collective consciousness. In the process, they’ve left us a detailed blueprint on how to become famous for being infamous.

So without further adieu, I bring you…

The Idiot’s Guide to Becoming Famous with Minimal Effort

Step 1.) Do something incredibly stupid and obnoxious to attract attention to yourself

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box here. This can be in the form of a video, stunt, hoax, or just good old-fashioned vandalism.  Keep in mind that as a culture we have become somewhat desensitized to people doing stupid things from years of watching people do stupid things, so try to think big.

Step 2.) Be sure to record your act of stupidity and publish it on YouTube.

Remember that recording and documenting your act of idiocy is not optional here. These days if you don’t capture something on video, you might as well go back to live in your primitive cave of obscurity.

It’s the whole tree falling in the forest kind of thing.  This isn’t 2005 and nobody wants to sit down and read about it in some old-fashioned newspaper, they want to actually see it happen so they can shake their head in disbelief as they are clicking on the share buttons.

Although it’s true that you might get fined or arrested for your stunt, don’t worry about it because you will also get your name in the papers, the blogs, cable news channels, and other ridiculous websites (like this one) that have nothing better to do than to give you more free publicity.

Just make sure that they spell your name correctly.

Step 3.) Get rewarded for your idiocy and bask in your new-found fame

Congratulations you are now famous!  Please keep in mind, however, that although your fame may be immediate, it is far from permanent. So while you are soaking in your 15 minutes of fame, be sure to be thinking about your next public spectacle of stupidity. Because as much as we enjoy watching your personal train-wreck on YouTube, there is always another idiot just around the corner waiting to shock and amuse us.

Then again, there is nothing wrong with fame itself.

Don’t get the wrong idea here. There is nothing wrong with being famous. Just as there is no inherent goodness from spending your life toiling in obscurity.

Being famous doesn’t make you any better of a creative artist. In fact, those who achieve a certain amount of fame often feel trapped by it (I know boo-boo right?).  As soon as someone achieves some degree of fame and success, however, the temptation is always there for them to stick with that same tried-and-true formula, instead of risking potential failure by trying something new. They find themselves suddenly trapped in a creative rut because of the expectations of their audience. 

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great. ~Ray Charles

Fame is (or at least should be) the public recognition that you have achieved some degree of mastery in your chosen profession.  What fame shouldn’t be, however, is a goal in itself.

So maybe we should stop wasting all of this energy trying to get ourselves noticed and perhaps spend some of that time working on becoming a better creative artist.

Despite what you may have heard, there are no shortcuts.

There is no “easy” button.

You just have to sit down and do the work.

What do you think?

• What is your take on our celebrity obsessed culture?
• Do you think we are sending the wrong message by rewarding art vandals with their own gallery show?
• When exactly does getting “noticed” and marketing ourselves as an artist cross the line?

While I’m in the midst of discussing multiple income sources on The Art Biz podcast and on the Art Biz Success YouTube channel, I don’t think Jan considers her interests in terms of income sources. She just follows her curiosity and her heart. If those leads turn into income sources, well, that’s fine.

In this conversation, Jan and I discuss:

• The creativity workshops she has organized for corporations.
• How she has brought together monthly mastermind meetings of women, and why a casual dinner party was the best format for them.
• Why her project Art for the Heart is important for her as someone who has lived with heart disease for more than 25 years.
• How she makes connections with interior designers, what the best social media platforms are for designers, and some of their concerns.
• How she gets such great photos of herself.

Jan confesses to not using her email list of 2000 names to its fullest advantage. (She advises to do as she says, not as she does.) She knows that emailing her list is the most valuable thing she could do from a marketing standpoint.

Jan's vibrant optimism is infectious. She wants you to know that there is plenty of life to live after 50. And even 60.