Id Rather Be in the Studio

Artists Say Nice Things About Alyson

Alyson — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:53:48 +0000

I have purchased your book, your Artist Statement e-book and your Art Marketing Materials e-book package. In addition to these materials, I also bought other authors’ works . . . somewhat helpful, but at bottom, mostly inconsequential and redundant.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your sense of humor, insight, and clarity with regard to your real messages on how to market one’s self as an artist. Not only do you tell it well (and in real-time) you do it with panache and sponge-ability. That is, for an info-sponge, I can soak up what you’re saying and it really sinks in.

Kudos to you, and please keep doing what you’re doing. As Zig Ziglar (another verifiable marketing guru) has said, your salesmanship is only serving the customer’s very best interest. Absolutely true in your case.

–Elaine Kehew

I learned nearly as much in your Blast Off class as I did in 4 years of university.

–Diana Hume

You have opened my eyes and unlocked my mind concerning the phenomenal internet marketing and promotional opportunities of the 21st century. Thanks to you, I am fired – up about being as creative and forward thinking in my business strategies, as I am with my approach to my art.

–Parker Nicholls

Your customized consulting is an essential part of my business success. From developing website content in the initial stages to later discussing social media and marketing strategies, your expert guidance has saved me from numerous pitfalls, unnecessary frustration, and countless lost hours.

–Kim Hatzold

Thank you so much for the big dose of inspiration you shared at the workshop. But even more than that, thank you the huge pile of actions that I can DO — starting today!

So many times I go to a conference or workshop, and it’s great for motivation, but limited when it comes to answering the question “Yes, but WHAT to I do NOW?”

You were so helpful, and so sweet too. It’s refreshing to meet someone with your enthusiasm and willingness to share.

–Bo Mackison

Spread the Word

Alyson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:42:35 +0000

for your blog

Here’s a start for your blog post:

I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion is for artists of all kinds. Painters, sculptors, ceramist, jewelers, photographers, and others will benefit from the easy-to-follow self-promotion practices in this book.

Author and art-marketing consultant Alyson B. Stanfield, of Art Biz Coach, focuses on sharing the artwork directly with potential buyers through electronic and traditional communication outlets—in a manner that is comfortable, not artificial. Artists match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of their art careers.

The book includes access to worksheets for in-depth self-promotion.

Snag some images for your blog in the Media Room.

Or, maybe you’d like to post 6 different blog entries? Feel free to post my 6 Principles for No-Excuse Self-Promotion.

social media updates

We think the best thing you can do to promote the book through social media is to give your sincere thumbs up. We encourage you to be bold and creative when promoting IRBITS, as we affectionately refer to the book. We can’t do any better than that.

amazon

Help spread the word! Please consider writing a review on Amazon.

This is easy and also gives you a link on Amazon! To write a review on Amazon, you have to be registered with them. This means you have to have ordered something from them in the past. Just go to the book’s Amazon page, scroll about halfway down and click on “Rate this item.”

Write a short review (fewer than 250 words) with a catchy title (5 stars always appreciated!). It might be useful to write it in a document first and then copy and paste it into the Amazon site. It would be helpful to other readers if you pointed to something in the book that is particularly valuable information for you.

giveaways

Do you have an art event coming up where you could hand out bookmarks? Email Alyson and she’ll send you a handful. Just give her a number.

help us reach more artists with . . .

A written review in a magazine or newspaper
A post to an online artist forum
A tweet or two
A post on your blog – feel free to use this pre-formatted text
A comment on someone else’s blog
A “Recommended Reading” link on your blog or website to www.idratherbeinthestudio.com (Alyson has an Affiliate Program if you are interested in making some money from that link)
A mention at a workshop you’re conducting or artist talk you’re giving
A whisper into the ear of the manager at your favorite bookstore, noting that they can get copies through their wholesale distributor
A mention on your Facebook page or profile
Public display of affection: Stand on the street corner, wave the book overhead, and shout, “All artists must have this book!”

get the book

Shipping late April 2011. Order now! $25

$24.00 for the 218-page e-book (PDF format)
(saves on shipping for international orders and gives you instant access to the content)

Request a Review Copy

Alyson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:37:54 +0000

Thank you for your interest in I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion.

Review copies are available to legitimate reviewers. These might include writers for newspapers and magazines, as well as bloggers who can demonstrate consistent, thoughtful posting and a significant number of readers. Copies might also be available for review in your art or artist publication.

To request your copy, please call the author, Alyson Stanfield, at 303.273.5904.

For Instructors

Alyson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:50:05 +0000

Thank you for your interest in I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion.

Review copies are available in limited number to art school instructors who are genuinely considering it for use in their classroom curriculum.

To request your copy, please call the author, Alyson Stanfield, at 303.273.5904.

Be sure to see the course syllabus provided by Sandra Reed of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Rave About the Book

Alyson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:24:14 +0000

We want to hear what you say about the book in a comment below, but first we thought we’d let you know what others have told us.

Young entrepreneurs. Photo courtesy Donna Iona Drozda.

they really said it

All but about 14 pages of my book copy have been dog-eared as a place marked to revisit. The margins are filled with checkmarks and stars, and there is repeated underlining and highlighting throughout. I have told many other artists about the book they cannot and should not be without.—Myra Knapp

When I was reading the book, I felt like a mentor was whispering in my ear. I hope this book is required reading in art schools.—Kim Harrell

I’d Rather Be In The Studio is hands down THE BEST book I have ever read on art business and marketing and I have read them all! You nailed every single thing that I am up against and have given totally workable solutions. You write as though you have been in my studio peering over my shoulder and taking notes! I can’t thank you enough! I am recommending it to all of my artist friends—Deborah Bollman-O’Sullivan

I’d Rather Be in the Studio was the perfect textbook for my Art Business class. Though the book embraces brevity it contains abundant information about self-promotion for artists and is presented in a humorous, excuse-blasting format. The book also serves as an excellent introduction to topics such as portfolio construction and writing proposals, providing a convenient segue into more in-depth modules on these topics. The price of this book is also significantly less than the average textbook. This book gets an A+.—Ronda Jones, Art Entrepreneurship, Finlandia University

You are responsible for getting me off my backside and selling myself in a way I never have before.—Annie Burke

I got your book at a particularly low point. I started reading it that very day and pulled together the missing pieces of my marketing plan. I want to thank you for your inspiration and nuts and bolts advice. I now have the gallery I’d been shooting for and feel ready to find a second one in another state.—Suzanne DeCuir

Reading your book was like sitting with you there having a conversation . . . so easy to read and understand each action.—Kelly Walker

I can see that artists who read your book will be poised to take over the world.—Mary Ann Archibald

Thank you so much for this book. It is really a resource that will be used over and over. At first, I thought it would be another marketing book that would end up in the collection that sits on the shelf, so I was reluctant to purchase it. After a few other artists kept bringing it up, I gambled and purchased it. Thank you again. It is already pretty dog-eared. You definitely provide a positive guide to “getting out there.”—Cliffton Austin

your turn

What have you implemented from I’d Rather Be in the Studio that has had the biggest impact on your career?

What Aha! moments have you had?

Share your personal insights here.

The 6 Principles of No-Excuse Self-Promotion

Alyson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:15:12 +0000

1. You are in charge. You have control over words, prices, artwork, and your image. People will take as much power from you as you give them. Guard your power carefully. Accept 100% responsibility for your actions and make no excuses.

2. Connections are critical to your success. Ignore meeting new people and maintaining relationships at your peril.

3. Life isn’t fair. The artworld isn’t fair. No one owes you anything. Building a successful career and reputation is hard work. There are no shortcuts, no easy ways out.

4. If you ignore the latest technology, you’ll quickly fall behind.

5. Your artwork doesn’t speak for itself. The right language can help you sell your art. Sure, some art sells by itself, but have you ever heard of marketing anything without words?

6. No one can promote your work better than you. No one believes in it more than you do. No one wants you to succeed more than you do. The motivation and ambition must start within you. Unless you are working with a coach or business mentor, no one is going to ask you to set goals. No one is going to tell you that you have to make a certain amount of money or achieve a certain level of success in order to be satisfied. You absolutely have to do this for yourself.

IRBITS Syllabus from SCAD

Alyson — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:25:25 +0000

Attention all college professors! Need help preparing your students for life after school?

Painting professor Sandra Reed has designed a course for graduate students at the Savannah College of Art and Design using my book as the required text. The course is “Fine Art M.F.A. Self-Promotion.”

With her permission, I am thrilled to share the IRBITS syllabus with you.

Professor Reed notes:

The Course Description, Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes are developed by the entire department (these areas are the same for all sections of this course, no matter who teaches it). The Grading Standards, all seven items following College Policy, and the graphic design are identical in all syllabi at SCAD. Everything else in the syllabus is my work. Like most professors, I put a lot of heart and soul into course structure, and hope that the syllabus conveys both the spirit and the letter of the course intent.

I’d love to hear from you if you teach and have used my book in your classroom. And, if you’re a professor who would like input on your syllabus, feel free to contact me.

Download the IRBITS syllabus now!

Order now! $25
Includes instant download of the PDF version.*

$24.00 for the 197-page e-book (PDF format)
(saves on shipping for international orders and gives you instant access to the content)

*Offer not available when book purchased on other websites.

Request a review copy for your curriculum.

Read more details about the book.