Too good to be true?

Advice is tricky.  Recently, I watched a video aimed at helping artists with marketing.  There was a big focus on just doing what you love and watching the money come in.  Would you believe, I actually started to feel insecure when they started talking numbers?  I thought, "I must be doing something wrong!  Why isn't this as easy for me as it is for them?"  Then, I came out from under the video's spell.  I remembered all the hard work that happens behind the scenes.  I remembered that it is very rarely a case of creating something, putting it online, and watching the money walk through the door.  Being in this business, I know that it is much more complicated than that.

I could only imagine the impact of watching a video like this could have on someone just starting out or someone who works their butt off, alone at home, to get their work licensed.  Constantly hearing about how work was manifested through putting it out into the universe or how a dream job just magically dropped into a successful artist’s lap would shake even the strongest, artist's confidence.  Worse than this, it usually just isn’t true.  People are quick to forget their hard work in the face of success and everyone wants a positive story to share.  This can result in misinformation being distributed on what it actually takes create success.

This misinformation and the idea that there is such a thing as “making it” exacerbates the FOMO we all experience.  It also creates a huge space for people to come in and exploit the gap by offering less-than-helpful classes and workshops on how to get big as an artist.  It is alarming the amount of money artists can spend in the hopes of making it.  Especially when they are often paying for information that is not valuable or realistic.

As a result, it is vital to be discriminating on what advice you accept (or pay for) and which you leave behind.  And that includes the advice you're reading right now!  Whenever I consume new information, I constantly check in with my reactions.  Am I feeling enlightened?  Challenged in a positive way?  Motivated?  Great!  I’m going to keep going.

On the other hand, do I feel like I’m missing out?  Discouraged?  Confused why this has worked so well for other people and not me?  If the answer to any of these is yes, I pick apart what I’m watching to rebuild my sense of self, and the industry, which I know to be true.  Even if you don’t know the industry well, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

After all, one of the most important resources you have as an artist is your self-regard.  Keeping your positivity and confidence in-tact will protect you from burnout and keep you creating work that you, and clients, will love.  As our close-knit and positive community grows, it is vital to make sure you are consuming information that nourishes and motivates you.  By vetting who you follow on Social Media, what newsletters and blogs you read, and what classes you take, you are doing vital work for your career and your self. —Jennifer

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YOU GUYS ARE LOADED WITH SMARTS!: I love your questions. That's why we have a terrific Facebook group where we can all share our knowledge. Join me here in our supergroup - the conversation is already underway!

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Advice for Artists: Many Hands

A long time ago, a British author penned the phrase “Many hands make light work.” This still rings as true today as it did in the 1400s.  

For artists, there seems to be a sense that you’ve got to do it all yourself in order to succeed. Either that or you need to get an agent who does everything so you can focus solely on creating art. This all-or-nothing idea adds an immense amount of pressure to an already challenging situation. By now, you are doing work that is creative and, therefore, inherently vulnerable. You may be feeling isolated and competitive in an industry that is a little rogue and off-the-beaten-path. And now you’ve got to either become the most organized person alive or an artist so good, with timing so perfect (because timing plays an important role in things like this) to get an agent.

For some people, one of the first two options may very well work. You might be a creative person who loves spreadsheets or you might be able to make a great connection with an agent. Most people, though, fall into a category in between. I am happy to tell you that there’s a world of gray between these black-and-white notions! To quote Mr. Rogers, a little out of context, you need to “look for the helpers.”

In this case, helpers are people who can support you in being successful as an artist with or without an agent. For example, when I started JNA, I found the work could be isolating and discovered that I needed outside motivation to keep me going. So, I hired a friend who was also a savvy business consultant to join me in weekly meetings until I felt like the company had launched successfully. Then, as the business grew, I needed someone to help with my finances and I hired a bookkeeper. All along the way, I’ve had people in my life who acted as true supporters and coaches. Some I’ve outgrown and some I am even growing into as I write this. Instead of all or nothing, there’s a sprinkle of this and a dab of that. 

Here, I do want to quickly add a note about trustworthy people. It is incredibly important that the relationships you take on, in regards to your art, are people who are worthy of that relationship. Many encounters can seem like they’re beneficial and end with you feeling disempowered. A quick way to know if someone in your life is not a good source for this kind of support is if you feel tired or insecure after talking to them. You’ll be seeing more on this topic in another newsletter soon!

I also encourage you to be creative when it comes to looking for and paying people. Maybe you know another artist who loves marketing and can help you put together a portfolio in exchange for you giving them prompts every week. Perhaps you could hire an intern or college student or look for virtual helpers online. A close friend with a head for numbers could put together a spreadsheet for you, in exchange for dinner. As your business grows, as mine did, you may find you have the money to hire people full-time.

Here is a list of potential helpers who might make your work lighter and free up space to do what you love most. See if any of these sound helpful or inspire you to think of other resources you can tap into.  

• A core person/people who can help with big picture planning

• A trusted artist friend who will hold you accountable and vice versa

• A therapist or life coach

• Bookkeeper

• A business consultant or coach

• An assistant

• Someone to manage your social media accounts

• A writer

• Sometime to manage your digital files and galleries

• Hire someone to scan artwork, clean it up and catalog it

• A person to handle your marketing/newsletters

• Trusted + proven sources for education 

• Who can you add to your team that I haven’t mentioned?

If you think I could be one of your helpers, just ask about scheduling a session. —Jennifer

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YOU GUYS ARE LOADED WITH SMARTS!: I love your questions. That's why we have a terrific Facebook group where we can all share the knowledge. Join me here in our super group - the conversation is already underway!

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I offer small group presentations on Advice For Artists Fridays and One-on-One private sessions upon request. I am glad to share my thoughts and suggestions with you. 

Advice for Artists: Let Go or Lean In?

You know how there comes a point in your creative life when you have to decide whether to let go or lean in? Well, recently, I came to my own kind of crossroads in this regard.  While I love one-on-one consultation with artists and helping to set the score straight on how to “make it” and what that means in the art industry, I also found that these sessions weren’t sparking joy like they once did.  I knew that, if I wanted to continue playing this role in our intimate and wonderful world of art, I was going to have to make a decision.  I could either let go of this part of the business or, I could lean in.

I decided to lean in. This means making some exciting changes to Advice for Artists, which I am not only thrilled about but, more importantly, will pass along benefits to you!  Below, I am detailing a new initiative: Business Basics Roundtables.

I noticed that, in many of my one-on-one sessions with artists, I was going over a lot of the same basic information. And I realized there was a way I could restructure the education offering at JNA so that it would be more productive for me and less expensive for you. This restructuring not only allows more access to artists who want to learn about breaking into the industry but also more tailored time for individuals who want personalized feedback. Sound good? Read on!

Business Basics Roundtables (Fridays) 
$100  | 1 Hour
In this intimate, 5 person or fewer course, I will share tricks of the trade that I’ve learned in my time in the art industry. Participants will come away with actionable information about markets, popular subject matter and styles, and the basics of how to market yourself (even if you are trying to get an agent). Register for sessions online.  They are available on a first-come, first served basis.

One-on-One Consulting Sessions are still available upon request.
These are reserved for individuals who have already joined in our group session or have had a previous one-on-one consulting session with me. During our time together, we will review your portfolio, discuss next steps for your work, audit your social media, website, and personal marketing plans, as well as discuss any particular concerns or questions you have. Send a note to a4a@jennifer-nelson-artists.com to book your time.

There will be more Advice for Artists offerings to come! I can’t share all the details with you now, but I can say that we are working hard to make information about making a living as an artist more accessible to everyone!

This is the beginning of what I hope will be a more extensive and accessible source of education for artists, everywhere.

I am so excited to launch the program and hope to see you online! —Jennifer

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I LOVE YOUR QUESTIONS. That's why we have a terrific Facebook group where we can all share our knowledge. Join me here in our super group - the conversation is already underway!

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Advice for Artists: Instagram is mysterious and fickle

One of the conversations I often have in the land of creatives is how to get more Instagram followers. This goes hand-in-hand with commiserating around how much time is spent on Instagram, why some posts do better than others, and why followers sometimes drop off like stampeding elephants.

Instagram is mysterious and fickle which makes it a potentially serious threat to motivation and confidence. Conversely, it can be a source of community,encouragementand inspiration.  So, how to manage this complicated relationship?

From my own experience managing JNA’s Instagram feed as well as partaking in these conversations, here are some tips & insights I’ve learned:

• Just because no one liked your post doesn’t mean your art is bad.  JNA sometime goes through days where likes are low.  When I first started posting, I was admittedly freaked out.  Then, I realized; this isn’t just people, it’s software—software with potentially ulterior motives!  Likes do not reflect the quality of art nor how much people value your work.  Many of the pieces I’ve posted that didn’t get high likes were amazing art which have licensed multiple times. Remember, as Instagram members, we are all prey to an alogorithm which can hide us from followers without them or us ever knowing it.  

• Know when to stop.  Shocked at how many hours you’ve spend on Instagram? Tell me about it!  The platform is like potato chips; built to suck you in with little hints of satisfaction here and there.  I’ve developed two rules to reclaim my time a la Maxine Waters (though not nearly as cool).  Rule #1: If I keep picking up my phone and looking at Instagram every minute, as if it’s going to reveal the secret to happiness, it is time to PUT THE PHONE DOWN.  Rule #2: Set clear posting & time spent goals and stick to them.  I typically post to Instagram three times a day, tops.  And I’ll spend maybe every three days stalking artists I like, responding to comments, and seeing what’s new in the creative community.  Any more than that and I’m taking time away from real life.

• People on Instagram can be jerks!  Let’s face it, social media can be a cess pool of bad attitudes and desperate feelings.  People go on there to blow off steam, find approval, confirm their best and worst fears.  Many times, trolls are trying to spread negativity, like it’s an illness.  Remember this.  Remember that you don’t know these people and they do not know you.  You can take a jerky response as an opportunity to practice mindfulness.  Notice the upset feelings you have, accept them, and watch how they change—instead of replying with your own negativity and spreading the illness (or giving the troll the satisfaction!).

• Instagram vacations are magic, in more ways than one!  Over the holidays, we took a break from posting on Instagram.  It was so nice to unplug and not be beholden to the invisible world of Social Media.  Do you know what else happened?  We earned over a two-thousand new followers.  Now, I’m not trying to undo the message that getting Instagram followers is the end-all-be-all, because it isn’t.  I’m just saying that taking a break from Instagram might get Instagram to want you back.  And how do they get you back?  By recommending you to other users, so you’ll get more followers and they hope you’ll come back.  Maybe take a break and see what happens?

Let us know in the comments below! Kindly, Jennifer

Jennifer Nelson Artists Made A Big Splash in The City By The Bay

Whew! What a terrific trip I had traveling to San Francisco for our first-ever West Coast trade show. The city was beautiful (and I have pictures to prove it) and the show was a big success. We will definitely be coming back to Blue Print San Francisco next fall!

I met up with other artists and agents at the Fort Mason Center to set up for Blue Print (special thanks to Katy Tanis who helped me so much with the booth). The show was three good days punctuated with eating super yummy foods. I loved meeting all of you (many for the first time) and celebrating our mutual love of art.

Our booth looked great. I got to hang out with my agent friends, Abby, Brenda and Paul (founder and mastermind behind Blue Print) and Patrick too!

The flight from Boston was 3,234 miles. I brought more than 90 pounds of artwork to the show, on foot. Quite a workout, but it was well worth it! :)

A very sweet client brought Jill Howarth’s latest book up from LA for us. It’s so satisfying to see the artist’s work out in the wild.

The setting was gorgeous, right next to the water. At one point I looked out the window of the hotel and saw a seal basking in the sun. We don’t get those in Boston!

 The show was a huge success and we will definitely be there next autumn!

After three fun-but-exhausting days I had some time off. While in San Francisco I visited Alcatraz with my friend Brenda and hiked all around town.

I walked (just under 10 miles - and met not one but TWO corgis!) from Japantown to the Painted Ladies… down Haight Street to Market Street… to Lombard Street back down to the water… and back to the bayside, where a friend and Advice for Artist client, Shannon McNab, kindly drove me back to the airport.

I had a great time but it’s good to be back home. The succulents out west are so pretty, I brought one back to see if I can let it live in my studio. A little souvenir of my week in San Francisco.

Enter To Win A FREE Workshop!

The big day is coming. My three-day workshop on Modern Thrive entitled “How To Get An Agent (And Do I Really Need One?)” will be here before you know it. March 16th to be exact. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m really eager to share a ton of useful information with you. If you haven’t signed up yet, click here. 

Although I have included every bit of important info I can think of, there are always questions. So I’m leaving a few minutes in each session to answer pertinent questions about the topic. To make this even more fun than it already is, I’m giving away one FREE workshop (a $97 value) to a lucky winner. To be automatically entered, just post a relevant question in the comments section below. I’ll choose the winner at random on Monday, March 7th. It’s so easy. (One question per person, please.)

Have you already signed up? Don’t worry! If you’re randomly chosen as the winner I’ll simply refund your payment.

I’m looking forward to reading your questions. And I’m anticipating a great three days giving you the benefit of my knowledge and experience. See you on March 16th! - Jennifer

Happy Birthday to US!

We’re celebrating – it’s our first birthday! Yes, it was just last January that we launched Jennifer Nelson Artists and got to know all of you. The Little Agency That Could is now nearly one year old and there’s no better way to share the joy than to give one lucky winner a nice prize.

Anisa Makhoul's YAY! Cake

As you may know from our newsletters, we have almost daily sessions with artists offering information on all kinds of business issues. Done by Skype, I spend an hour with an artist giving advice on portfolios, contracts, marketing, even getting an agent. I answer whatever questions you may have and leave you better equipped for success in the art world.

Masthead design by Victoria Johnson

You can win a FREE one-on-one Advice For Artists session with me,  just by entering.

Post a comment below about what you’re interested in learning for 2016. It could be about illustration marketplace, how to negotiate fees, what to look for in an agent, or how to read the fine print on a contract. Whatever interests you most!

I’ll select a winner at random on January 20th and we can schedule an hour-long session together. It’s that easy.

Even if you’re not the lucky winner your input still helps me to decide what to discuss in future Advice for Artists newsletters so please participate.

Happy Birthday to (ALL of) us! - Jennifer 

Jennifer Nelson Artists + Heart 2 Art Talk!

This past Tuesday, I had the privilege of wonderful Periscope interview with Ann Was Here and Jeanetta Gonzalez, both illustrators, surface designers, very clever teachers & co-hosts of #Heart2ArtTalk.

It was so fun (even though I was a tad nervous)... we talked about newsletters, agents, treating your business like a business, building a client list and so much more. Click here to watch the Heart-to-Art interview. 

Anne Bollman, myself + Jeanetta Gonzalez

If you need advice on a personal basis, schedule an appointment with me for one of our hour-long Advice For Artists sessions. 

That "warm and fuzzy" feeling...

Of course, it’s always nice to get publicity and it helps generate awareness for our eight talented artists and the wonderful work they do. That’s a given.
 
More important is the satisfaction in being recognized by our peers in the industry. Knowing that all of our hard work building this agency over the past few months has not gone unnoticed gives us a great deal of pride, both personally and professionally. We’re feeling all warm and fuzzy inside to see these gorgeous spreads in such a prestigious magazine.

Perhaps the best part – the warmest and fuzziest aspect – is the validation of our approach to art, to business, and to life in general. We’re nice people, we work with wonderful clients, and our artists strive to do their best. What we have created here is more than an agency, it’s a community. Artists working with agents serving clients with the most beautiful artwork we can deliver. We truly feel that we’re making the world a better place, just by being here doing what we do.

The thing is, we’re all in this together. (You can take this to mean the licensing industry, the art world, or just being alive on Planet Earth in 2015.) 

A very happy me!

Next week, we add our 8th artist to the agency - and once again, I can barely contain myself! Tune in on Wednesday to help us celebrate!

Finally, thank YOU for being part of this community. Your continued support is what keeps us going. Magazine articles like this one only confirm what we already know – we all have art in common and we’re overjoyed to have you here with us.

My fondest regards, Jennifer

News about a New Newsletter

Would you be interested in a JNA newsletter that goes directly from agent to artist? Can you agree to keep it just between us?

And maybe you could benefit from some of my coping skills. You might like to hear how I deal with insecurities, celebrate victories, and create balanced life. (Life isn’t just art. There must also be pancakes!)

So, if you are game (and I really hope you are), please sign up here and be sure to check the “I am interested in: representation +/or advice for artists” box.

Hope to hear from you! - Jennifer

As you probably know, we send out a newsletter every few weeks which goes to thousands (yikes!) of folks in the art world. Most are art buyers, some are business associates, some are graphic designers. And some are artists just like you! But I realized that there may be a need for a newsletter that goes to artists only.

After all, there are some inside tips I can offer to artists that I don’t necessarily want everyone to know. When it comes to how to negotiate a contract, how to market your work to art directors, how to promote yourself through social media – that’s information I would like to share only with the artists themselves.

I am hoping to share some practical tidbits on licensing, reveal how art buyers search the web, and coach you on how to get the most out of your online hours.

This is the kind of thing that happens during my Advice For Artists sessions, where I do one-on-one coaching with illustrators over Skype. It has been very helpful to artists and for me too!

Advice for Artists gets results

Shortly after I launched Advice for Artists, the amazingly talented Flora Chang contacted me! Flora needed help with a book project. The client had been in touch with her directly, but there were many hurdles to be cleared in finalizing the deal.

Flora at work on the book

First the terms of the offer needed to be completely understood: How many illustrations did the client need? Where would the book be distributed? What was the earning potential on the book? What terms did the client require? What was the deadline? What was the financial offer? A flat fee, an advance on royalties, or royalties only?

With that information clear, Flora and I had several conversations about other issues. Could she deliver that amount of work according to the deadline? Did we think the offer was fair for the amount of work she would have to do? Did she want to do this project? She did!

Pages 1 + 3 from the book

Once we formulated our game plan, I contacted the client to begin the negotiation process. I outlined our response to the offer, our agreements and our points of inquiry. The first draft of the contract came. As luck would have it, the contract was a short 7 pages – but loaded with legal details and fine points to be thoroughly understood such as grant of rights, delivery of manuscript alterations, publication, marketing, royalties, copyright and infringement, kill fee… the list went on (and on). I went back and forth with the client's very smart attorney several times before we reached an agreement we all felt good about.

The result: a happy artist + a happy client = a tremendously rewarding and lucrative project! If you don't have an agent, and you have a project you need help with – call me!  - Jennifer

You can find Flora in her delightful Happy Doodle Land here and on Instagram here. The book is available for pre-order and, after January 5th, for purchase here + here + here!

The Six Secrets Of Selecting An Artist

I’m frequently asked, “What do you look for in an artist?” Since you asked nicely, I’m going to reveal my secret system.

Secret 1) Of course, not every agent handles this important decision the same way, but I look for three main ingredients in an artist: Excellent work (obviously), talents that match the needs of art buyers I work with (and those I hope to work with soon) and kind-heartedness, both in business and personal behavior. Yes, it’s nice to be important but it’s important to be nice.

Secret 2) Regarding style, I seek out artists with a unique eye and a personal perspective. I love a quirky sense of design myself, and my customers tend to like what I like. I look for someone who understands color and design, who has a vision for the overall composition, and who pays attention to the finest details. It’s about seeing the Big Picture while dealing with the small stuff.

Secret 3) I always keep in mind the needs of art buyers. I look for excellent artwork with a different take on readily licensable content. That means popular subject matter like florals, winter holiday themes, hand lettering, etc. The art buyers I work with are looking for clarity, mastery of color and an image that will, in turn, appeal to their customers.

Their company will invest a lot of money in making products with that art on it. Art buyers look to me to help them discern what is marketable. Tip: Flowers are in most years, snakes are not in very often. ;)

Secret 4) Being dependable is as essential as being talented. I have been in business for many years and have worked with oodles of gifted people. The ones who are committed, timely and accurate get hired time and time again. Among those, the artists I remember and want to work with are those who are also decent human beings. If an artist is good to me and the online community, they will in turn be pleasant toward our clients. This reflects well on the artist, the agency, and on me personally.

Secret 5) A successful artist needs to be have good work habits. That means being organized (knowing where to find that piece of art we need), neat (art can get messy but digital files have to be clean), friendly and easy to talk with, and ready and willing to collaborate with clients. In short, an artist has to have the same standards as anyone in business.

Secret 6) As opposed to fine art, commercial art is about solving problems. How do we want to design this pillow to make it marketable? What image should go on this Mother’s Day card? How do we make this ordinary object more desirable with art? Self-expression and creativity are wonderful, but we still need art that does what it’s required to do. I look for artists whose approach to illustration includes problem-solving skills.

So… now that the secrets are out, they’re not really secrets at all! Just good common sense and smart business practices. Pretty obvious, really. - Jennifer

BIG NEWS: coming up on Friday, we will announce our seventh artist! Like the six that came before her, she fits all the criteria above. I love her work and I can’t wait to share her amazing art with all of you.