Inflikt

Have you ever wondered why you often find a coupon tucked inside your cereal box, or get invited to a customer preview sale at your favorite department store? Those companies know that their existing customers are the best - and most profitable - customers they’ll ever have. So it’s not surprising that they’ll do whatever they can to keep these customers happy and coming back again and again.

Believe it or not, the same concept holds true for your art career. While you don’t want to ignore potential customers, you’ll find that when you pay a little more attention to the customers and collectors you already have, it will really pay off - in increased sales and profits for your art business. The following 10 practical strategies will get you started.

1 - Understand how and why your customers buy art

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. What’s in it for them when they purchase your art? Maybe they feel great about owning a piece of original artwork. Or they’re happy to support an emerging artist. Perhaps they’re looking forward to showing their new painting to friends. Start listening to your customers and asking questions, and you’ll learn a lot - fast.

Don’t underestimate the power of being an art collector yourself. You’ll know firsthand how your collectors feel when they purchase your work, and you’ll be a great role model for them. Even better, you’ll be supporting other artists.

2 - Make the first purchase a fabulous experience

When you sell a piece of artwork, remember that it’s also an exciting event for your customers. So let them be excited about their purchase. Accept any compliments graciously. Then share something personal that lets them know that you’re excited about the sale, too. Tell them how the sale is meaningful to you: It’s your first; your first to someone in New Jersey; your first in this series, or your last one like this. A positive connection now can pay off for years to come.

3 - Be businesslike in everything you do

Treat your art as a business, and treat your customers in a businesslike manner. Be meticulous about meeting deadlines and keeping appointments. Always provide the materials or information you promised - complete, and on time. And remember to thank your collectors personally when they attend one of your shows or support you in any way. A quick note or an e-mail will be appreciated, and remembered.

In addition, be businesslike when you price your artwork. Keep your pricing consistent: from the gallery to your studio, and from city to city. And stick to your prices no matter what; never discount your work.

Naturally, it makes sense to present yourself in a professional manner every time you show someone your work. That said, never try to be someone you’re not. Let your personality come through, and you’ll be the best businessperson you can be: you.

4 - Make it easy for your customers to purchase more of your work

I was at a friend’s house recently and admired a beautiful hand-made journal she’d purchased at a local craft fair. Thinking it would make a perfect gift for another friend, I asked for the artist’s name. When she didn’t remember, we looked inside the journal and discovered the artist’s name and phone number were nowhere to be found. The result? He or she lost a sale.

Put your contact information on everything that leaves your studio: letterhead, invitations, show announcements, note cards, etc. Affix a personalized label on the back of each painting that includes your name, plus your e-mail address or Web site.

And send your new collectors home with an “Artist Pack”: a professional-looking folder with your business card, resume, artist statement, bio, articles about you and by you, and so on. Youll be amazed at how often your customers will share it with their friends and associates.

5 - Ask for another sale

When liquid shampoo first came out, it gave consumers a convenient and easy way to wash their hair. “Lather and rinse,” the label said. But shampoo sales really took off when just one word was added. Your shampoo bottle now says, “Lather, rinse, and repeat if desired.”

Repeat sales can revolutionize your business, too. So display your work in your home and studio where visitors will see it. And when customers are making a purchase, be bold: Ask them if they’d like to purchase a second (or third) piece. Ask your collectors for referrals to another collector, or to a shop or gallery where they think your work might fit in. Or suggest a commissioned piece you’d like to do for them. The key here is to ask for the sale.

6 - Upgrade your customers

Another way to increase your income is to upgrade your customers to a more profitable product (”deluxe” shampoo for color treated hair, for example). It’s really pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. Here are some upgrade ideas that have worked well for my clients:

• Encourage your customers who ordinarily buy giclee reproductions to purchase an original painting.

• Introduce your existing customers to some of your more expensive or larger pieces of art.

• If you have collectors who so far have bought only your sketches or drawings, suggest they purchase one of your paintings next time.

7 - Cross-sell your customers

Cross-selling is simply selling your customers something different from - but related to - what they’re already buying. Think back to the shampoo example. Wouldn’t it be relatively easy to cross-sell hair conditioner to someone who already uses shampoo?

Now take a look at your own artwork. Cross-selling might mean selling a piece of your pottery to one of your painting customers, selling a painting to one of your sculpture collectors, or suggesting your art note cards as an add-on sale when a customer stops by to pick up his pet portrait. Be imaginative, and you can increase both sales and profits.

8 - Get to know your customers and collectors

Remember that your customers are people first, customers second. Take your relationships beyond “business” and build personal relationships, as well. If appropriate, invite them to social gatherings, send a holiday card or drop them a postcard from your favorite vacation spot.

When you’re chatting with your collectors, make it a habit to listen for important dates and occasions. Then remember their very special occasions with an artwork gift. Imagine having a small piece of your artwork forever connected in your collectors’ minds with their 50th anniversary, the birth of their first child or grandchild, or their son’s graduation from medical school. Sometimes a little goes a very long way.

9 - Let your customers get to know you - and your art

Don’t you just love it when you get to watch another artist at work and see for yourself how they do what they do? You’re not alone.

Almost all art collectors are curious about how you create. So it makes good business sense to find ways to share your process with them. You might invite them to an informal demo. Show them photographs of the location that inspired you. Or even let them try the process themselves. Take the time to show your customers what makes you and your art unique.

Customers who understand how you apply your paint, why you use those strange-looking long brushes, or how you get so many layers of color onto your canvas are not only educated about what you do - they’re interested in what you do. And that will translate into more sales, and more referrals.

10 - Build strong, ongoing relationships with your collectors

Don’t be shy about asking your customers for advice and input, whether it’s on how you showcase or hang your work, or on new projects or techniques you’re trying out. Do it one-on-one, or host a studio open house (notice I did not say “studio sale”) to find out what they think.

And when you’ve just finished a new series or collection, or you’re ready to hang a new gallery show, invite your best customers to your studio for a special preview of your new work. They’ll love it.

Most importantly, be yourself with your customers and collectors. Yes, you may meet a collector or two who wants to be dazzled by art double-talk and rhetoric. Most collectors, however, will want to get to know the real you. They’ll love hearing about your feelings about your artwork, some of your artistic quirks - and even some of the mistake youve made.

Once customers and collectors really connect with you and your work, they’ll be back for more. And that’s good for every artist’s business.

Best-selling author Kathy Gulrich helps clients get from idea, to action, to results - more quickly, and more easily - whether they’re looking to write a book, develop a new product, or market their product or business. Clients love her direct, no-nonsense approach - and her gentle insistence on great results. Find out for yourself: Check out one of Kathy’s teleclasses, or pick up a free worksheet, at http://www.smARTbusinessCoaching.com

How to write a sentence.

Writing is rarely easy. This is probably because writing has developed over countless centuries. During this time the technique of writing was evolved to meet the need for more accurate communications in language and writing between peoples. Writing was needed to record what was said or what wished to be said over distance and what was agreed.

Communications of all sorts are needed for people to simply survive. The development of the technique of language and writing was not the result of a desire to establish a literary tradition but to enable the transfer of information and knowledge with reliability simplicity accuracy and precision by leaders in rule trade and war. From this need to survive exchange the technique also accommodated the need for natural teachers of ideas in knowledge politics religion social arts and commerce whose job it was to pass on the culture of the older generation to its young.

To become a good writer it is not too far fetched to agree we should employ those good writing technique standards already in use by writing an exercise piece every day to get the feel of writing and learn to identify the common problems faced by every other writer.

Most people think unless a writer earns a million dollars a year the writer is no good. This is untrue. Whether a writer receives payment or not is more likely to be due to personality traits and cannot imply of itself good or bad quality in the author’s ability to write. It is true incompetent writers will not be able to sell their work but these writers are by definition bad writers or not even writers.

Most problems encountered in writing arise from confused thinking - not from the lack of creative power. If we feel we have no creative power this is more likely to be the result of a block of some sort. By block is meant not writers’ block we hear so much about but a more basic block - a conviction we are not cut out for writing. It is not the absence of talent that blocks the writer but probably a misunderstanding of the exact nature of the parts forming a piece of writing.

This article is about getting rid of this misunderstanding.

Let us accept this very simple truth to clear the core of the problem.

Words build sentences. Sentences build paragraphs. Paragraphs build chapters. Chapters build books.
It follows if the writer can write a sentence then the writer can at least write a paragraph and so has the potential to write an article or even a book.

The sentence therefore is a basic building block of writing - from this everything or nothing else flows.

Each sentence contains a single idea and only one idea that can be expressed in words. The sentence has a structure. If the sentence does not have this structure the sentence is meaningless - it cannot be understood because it contains an incomplete thought. Neither can it be edited until this structure is complete.

If the sentence is not properly constructed it cannot become part of a paragraph. No paragraph no article no chapter. No article no chapter - no book!

A sentence consists of three essential parts:

A Subject

A Verb

An Object.

These three parts must be present if the sentence is to have meaning.

Subject: who or what the sentence is about.

Verb: what is said about the Subject.

Object: what is affected by what is said about the Subject.

Subject The cat The sentence is about - The cat.

Verb sat What is said about the cat is it - sat.

Object on the mat What is affected by the cat sat - on the mat.

How do we decide on the order in which the words are written/?

Consider the alternatives for an even simpler sentence:

1 Cats sleep often.

2 Cats often sleep

3 Sleep cats often.

4 Sleep often cats.

5 Often sleep cats.

6 Often cats sleep.

Of the six word order sentences only 1 - 2 and 6 seem make sense.

1 Subject verb object.

2 Subject object verb. [This sentence appears to be a reply to a question.]

6 Object subject verb. [This sentence appears to be a reply to a question.]

Most sentences are more detailed than this otherwise each part is too vague.

Which cat is the one in the sentence? The black cat.

How did the cat sit? Very still.

Where was the mat? By the open door.

Now we get:

The black cat sat very still on the mat by the open door.

Note: this sentence is still divided into its three-part structure:

The black cat | sat very still | on the mat by the open door.

Further information is only added with the part of the sentence to which it refers orlimits. The end of each sentence has to be linked with the beginning of the following sentence. This establishes a flow or story line for the reader.

The black cat with the torn ear | sat still and listening | on the mat by the open door in the freezing draught.
The black cat with the torn ear sat still and listening on the mat by the open door in the freezing draught.

It can be seen from this example how a complex sentence can be constructed retaining its basic simple form. This provides an easy way to get all the facts we want to use into the sentence without worrying too much about the writing.

The next step is to construct the second or following sentence.

This will depend on the direction we intend the piece to take. In a work of fiction the next sentence is obviously what happens next to the Subject - the cat - and should flow naturally from the content of the first sentence

The cat got up frightened.

Her black fur rose at a loud cry somewhere in the dark.

Group the sentences next - still listed one under the other - till those about the same specific part of the piece are together. Each group of related sentences form paragraphs.

The black cat with the torn ear sat still and listening on the mat by the open door in the freezing draught. The cat got up frightened. Her black fur rose at a loud cry somewhere in the dark.

We can edit these three lines as follows:

The black cat with the torn ear sat still listening on the mat by the open door in the freezing draught. The cat arched her back ready for any danger. Then her black fur spiked as she heard a long low moan of intense pain outside in the night.

Analyzing these three sentences we obtain the following structure:

The black cat with the torn ear sat still listening on the mat by the open door in the freezing draught.

The cat arched her back ready for any danger.

Then her black fur spiked as she heard a long low moan of intense pain outside in the night.

This is an example of how writing a simple three-sentence paragraph is actually written whether the writer is conscious of doing so or not. Having placed all the facts of the sentence in place we can check for ease of comprehension simplicity accuracy and precision.

Fortunately we have word processors now to make this task of editing easier than it used to be and sentences may be written as they come to mind in and out of context. We may then easily group the sentences for paragraph content and continuity by cut and paste until the paragraph is complete. The writer’s original thought thread or idea has become clear in the final form of the paragraph.

Unclear thinking affects all writers to some degree. No writer is completely immune. Clear thought and expression is the essence of all the arts of which writing perhaps is the one key to understanding all of them.

Many writers strive to write high-density content even though their texts may already be crystal clear. Others aim to continually enrich and enhance their style. A few search endlessly for simplicity.

My very best wishes.

John Blenkin is a retired architect and is now a watercolor painter and article writer. His interests are wide covering both technical and philosophical subjects. He also writes online articles on the technique of watercolor painting.
http://www.freefolios.com/
foka@spidernet.com.cy

Are You In The Market For A New Dryer?

Did you know that the first dryer was invented in the early 1800’s, and was made by putting a vented drum over a fire and turning it until the clothes were dry. This technique evolved into the dryer machines on the market today. Now you can choose from a gas or electric powered dryer, those with many different settings (heat, time, strength), and machines with other special amenities, such as a separate drying rack. If you are in the market for a new machine, take the following points under consideration.

Does Size Matter?

Yes, size of your machine does indeed matter. When looking at different models, think about your drying needs. Do you use the machine daily? Once a week? Every two weeks? Does your load size stay consistent, or does it vary? Will you need a large capacity size to ensure you fulfill all of your drying needs? Also, when it comes to size of your potential dryer, think about the actual space you have. Are you rebuilding, and need a new dryer to fill up more space? Are you downsizing and need a dryer washing machine stacked combination? These are important factors for you to assess when looking for your new dryer.

Energy Star

Energy efficiency is currently a big issue. If you look on most appliances you may notice an government issued energy efficiency rating, which tells you approximately how much energy the appliance will use in a year and roughly how much it will cost you. If you are concerned about energy usage you should choose a machine with a low cost per year and an “energy star” rating.

Special Amenities

The final factor to think about when shopping for a new dryer is what special features you want and/or need it to have. Nearly all dryer models manufactured today have a moisture sensor in them, which detects how dry the clothing is and then turns the machine off when done. Some of the machines also turn off automatically if they get too hot as a safety feature. One new and unique feature many people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for is a drying rack. It has racks and hangers, and sits on top or to the side of the machine to dries the clothing that cannot be dried.

Buying a clothes drying machine is a large investment for your home and your pocketbook. With the right amount of pre-shopping assessment and research, you will be certain to find a machine to match your drying needs.

Margarette Tustle writes ideas for home and family. Find dryer resources at dryerltd.com.

In a business enterprise, finance is the connecting link of all the functional areas such as production, personnel and marketing, so the management of finance is vital to the smooth performance of the organization. The basic financial operations are investment, which deals with acquisition of fixed assets; financing, which deals with raising required funds from various sources; and profit appropriation, which deals with appropriating the profit earned by the enterprise among the suppliers of funds.

Regarding investment, assets/ projects are to be selected only by considering their net returns. Regarding financing, it is to be ensured that the firm gets the required financing at the lowest possible cost. Similarly, regarding profit appropriation it is to be seen that sufficient funds are provided for the developmental activities of the enterprise, without impairing the interest of the suppliers. In a firm where these operations are planned and controlled properly it can be said that there exists efficient investment management. Thus, investment management may be defined as that part of managerial activity which is concerned with the planning and controlling of the financial resources of a firm.

As every business activity requires investments, investment management is closely related with other areas of management. When investment is managed properly, other areas will also show good performance. Investment management helps in monitoring the effective deployment of funds in fixed and working capital. This will, in turn, ensure better working of the enterprise.

All the operations and resources in a business organization are managed with the same broad objective, i.e., to attain the objective of the enterprise. So each resource or area should be managed in such a way as to contribute to the fulfillment of the objective of enterprise. However, there are specific objectives for each functional area. In the case of investment, the objective is to ensure that the firm obtains the required finance at the lowest possible cost, and uses it in the maximum beneficial way.

Investment Management provides detailed information on Investment Management, Investment Management Firms, Investment Portfolio Management, Investment Management Training and more. Investment Management is affiliated with Investment Management Advice.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2006–New York, New York– Blameshift is
rapidly becoming a major force in independent music on the heels
of their successful metal-punk-rock album Drop Down.

Blameshift is a five-piece band with original male/female dual
vocals and a sound that takes a foundation of early
metal-hardcore-punk injected with hyperactively charged modern
rock.

This is definitely not music for the faint of heart; it snarls,
spits, then scratches and claws its way into your soul. Tim
Barbour and Jenny Mann supply the animated vocals, playing off
each other like a possessed rock ‘n’ roll tag team on steroids.
The chunky heavy-duty guitar riffs of Dan Leto drive the
foundation of this musical juggernaut and a powerhouse rhythm
section held down by Dave Kaplan (bass) and James Miller (drums)
provide the fuel that sets it all in motion.

With energy to spare, a tandem vocal team with a powerful
presence, and music that will not quit, Blameshift provides a
killer musical experience tailor made for blowing your speakers
and making your heart race every step of the way. Are you
looking for an exciting and memorable experience that only an
independent band can provide? This band will set you straight.

Blameshift is currently ranked as a top ten best selling FYE
local artist. A Southeast Winter Tour kicks off December 27th
from NYC to Miami, FL. Drop Down is available through the
F.Y.E. Localeyez program and in selected CD stores nationwide.

“Written, recorded, and produced by the band, Drop Down is
balls-to-the-wall aggressive and uncompromising.” - Good
Times Magazine

“No Doubt meets Godsmack at a Linkin Park show”- Skratch
Magazine

Contact:

Can’t Stop Records

Tim Barbour PO Box 88

Syosset, NY, 11791

Tel: 516-319-5764

Email

Website

My Space

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com for Stretch The Skies

When an individual has made the difficult decision to get gastric bypass weight loss surgery in Mexico, he or she has also decided to take on a lifestyle modification that includes a dramatic revision in their way of eating. Gastric bypass surgery requires that its patients abide by a precise, post-surgical diet. Failure to do this can dramatically alter consequences and be possibly unsafe.

After gastric bypass surgery, patients can only drink liquids to start. The post-gastric bypass surgery diet develops in stages, allowing patients to steadily add solid foods to their diet. It’s also important that patients get enough vitamins and minerals following surgery, as the strict diet often doesn’t supply sufficient nutrition. It’s common for weight loss doctors to instruct taking a multivitamin to gastric bypass patients to ensure adequate nutrition.

Following gastric bypass weight loss surgery in Mexico, the stomach is able to hold 1/2 cup of food or liquid at one time. Because of this reason, consuming small amounts at intervals during the day is the preferred option for patients to stay away from eating too much. Aside from drastically reducing the volume of food and liquid consumed, patients have to eat and drink slowly to prepare for for the best results.

Gastric bypass surgery in Mexico is becoming a common weight loss surgery for American patients for several reasons. First, the excellence of services and care in Mexico are high, but the relative price in comparison to the same procedure in the U.S. American patients are hearing about weight loss surgery in Mexico to better the value of their lives.