So my last post, Asking is Free, immediately drew some biting reactions which included a few personal passive aggressive attacks, you know who you are.
“Never surprised, always appalled.”
However, most of the feedback was very positive and seen as an affirming reminder for professional artists to value their business and their time.
Now if you are approaching your art making and your art selling as a hobby. That’s cool. But that is not what Artists Who THRIVE is all about.
The definition of Artists Who THRIVE is “creative freedom + business savvy,” emphasis on the word business.
If you are selling your art, according to the IRS, and your local taxing authority, you are by their definition, operating a business.
So. Why not operate your business to your most profitable and productive advantage?
We run into trouble when our boundaries are blurred in business. That’s why businesses have written terms, set prices, and posted hours of operation.
If you don’t, well then. That’s not smart business and you need to get on it if you want to be an artist who THRIVES.
Not communicating and adhering to your business terms is not only confusing to your market; it is very costly to you.
I have often heard my patrons complain that they want to buy art but too often artists make it too difficult for them to do business.
These unprofessional artists don’t know what to charge. They don’t do things on time. They go over budget in time and materials and expect their customer to just eat it.
Back to my point from my last post, no matter what business you are in, if prospects want your limited time then they need to make an appointment with a start and end time.
That means that you should not allow patrons or other folks just to hang out in your studio.
Do you think the Gap would allow someone to try on a pair of jeans and then just hang out to chat with the sales staff and other customers? I don’t think so.
Time is money. You can make more money. You cannot make more time.
Protect your time as you would your bank account.
And when you enforce your boundaries, remember this. You don’t owe anyone anything, including an explanation or an apology for running your business.
If they don’t get it, that’s their problem and they either will or they won’t figure it out.
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It is obvious that people who are sending you such passive aggressive messages are not the people you would like to have for clients. Not to mention for friends! So why would you even consider giving them your (free) time?
The fact is, if they would value your work/advice enough, they would find a way to pay for it. They obviously do not want it badly enough. I agree with you, there is nothing wrong in asking. And there is nothing wrong in giving a free advice to anyone if that is your choice, but for ANYONE to expect a free anything and then turning (passive) aggressive because not getting what (s)he wants, just reconfirms you did the right thing.
Yes, boundaries are very important. And not just in (art) business. There will always be people, who will try walking all over you and they will succeed if you do not enforce your boundaries.
They are like children (or better yet: teenagers) testing your boundaries, see what they can get from you. If they don’t get what they want, they will try emotional blackmail, be passive aggressive or just openly aggressive, calling you names, sending hate messages. It is just bullying. No more, no less. And if you are not clear about your boundaries, you will be bullied until you are clear about them and start enforcing them. I learned this the hard way and truth to be told, I am still learning.
Thank you Stan!
Great last few posts. For what it’s worth, I’m totally on your side. You have helped me in the past with your advice, and I’m sure you will help me many times more in the future with your art business philosophy.
Hi Ann,
I just checked out your beautiful site and work. Bravo!
Yes, I agree with what you are saying. The more we artist treat our art production as a business the more others will respect us of what we do.
Hello JG,
Please post your questions here:
https://artistswhothrive.com/2009/11/got-a-question-ask-ann/
As soon as we receive your booking payment we will contact you within 48 hours via email to schedule a Monday appointment.
Looking forward to working with you!
Ann
Hi again, Ann. Do you have any slots open on Monday for a phone consult? Is there another email to contact you with regarding that?
Thanks!
JG
Looking forward to speaking with you JG!
Yep! i am definitely going to schedule a consult with you, Ann.
PEACE&BLESSINGS,
JG
Thank you JG!
If there’s something you really want to do, do it NOW!
Hi Ann. I just found out about you and your work, thanks to Agnese Aljēna. She was very kind, and highly recommended you. I must say, your approach is a revelation — it feels like something I’ve been waiting for, for a long time. Who knows? Maybe I’m just absolutely READY. Anyway, thanks for what you’re doing!
JG
J.G. Boccella
Music, Art, & Ideas
https://www.jgboccella.com
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Thank you Louise!
I don’t know what some people don’t get about this. It’s one thing to offer your time to someone as a gift, which I’m sure you do from time to time (helping out a friend, mentoring someone you think has promise, painting something for charity etc.) and quite another for someone to assume they can ask for your time and just be granted it as an entitlement.
I actually don’t think there’s anything wrong in asking – if you don’t ask, you don’t get and sometimes the answer is a nice surprise – but when the answer is a polite no, that’s also fine. At that point, move on!
Sorry that people have been attacking you for saying what you said – you’re absolutely right of course but that doesn’t make it any more pleasant to receive nasty comments.