Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Where to go? How to reach my potential clients?

Debra Jones · 12-31-2003, 09:55 PM

As you know we are kicking a lot of the same roadblocks.

A very odd sort of phenomenon is happening lately. I have been doing those puppy portraits, a lot from friends I already had, but they were taking my brochures and sneaking them into vets offices where other artists had material. One of them put it in the holder of the only visible competition. She makes a glossy post card with a single sample picture and her name and Pet Portraits on the card. On the back is a description of her work, that she can take photos or work from yours and a phone number and address block. Last week this woman called ME. I think she is feeling me out to perhaps buy (that is the cynical side of me) her business or just pass on her pastels and oils. She said she is going to move out of state and apparently is not the most computer literate in the world so she believes her client base will be left behind. I have shut my mouth and listened.

I will be meeting her next week at my earliest opportunity and what I have already garnered from her is pretty valuable.

Aside from the previous good advice of making the statement about your price, she has made it clear that you DO have to wait for them to ask! If they don't consider it an issue, neither should you. She assumes they are buying something they want and she will provide it. Because I do not ever buy without making sure I have the best possible price does not mean that EVERYONE works that way. I do know these people who see things and buy them (not really my art so far but -) in the mall or online. I have had a friend who recently started a store on Amazon remark how surprised she was that someone will buy a $5 item and ship it for $30! I am not one of them, but I want to cater to them. I have to assume they know what they want.

This brings me to the thought that I got drummed into me lately. Unless I wanted my portrait clientele to be Indians on the reservation, I should maybe not paint many Indians. If I want to sell to wealthy successful people, I should begin working on wealthy successful people.

I have donated 4 or 5 portraits to schools and churches and not received ONE commission. All they have to do is call me but nobody does. They just send the cash to the charity. However the last friend who asked, said I was not putting a brochure or book out, I was going to SIT there at the event and show them what I did. I did a picture right through the auction. I actually had a bidding war going. The winner upgraded to the only double portrait I have done so far and I made a 200% profit over the price of the donation.

Something becoming very clear to me is to aim high.

I am also realizing that you are doing much more homework than I am. I have my little sample brochure which I thought would cover me, but I am now beginning to actually organize print-outs on glossy paper in a larger format as a real presentation book. I have had little luck meeting face to face, but it make much more sense to have it ready at all times, just in case.

I think the single stunning piece approach is also a real winner. I recently did an 18 year old girl with a simple white top. Although it is not a real wedding dress, I think it is a nice sample for bride shops. I have a few cowboys. What the heck, I think I will take a card or two to the local boot and saddle places for the horsie set and maybe even the horse show double up with a person and a horse. As Linda said, it is not really difficult to set up a print out and make many different single pieces specific to the general client type.

My point here to myself, is to start thinking that I have the value. I recently saw a really bad artist who was doing crayon drawings of local buildings, smile at my always-friendly mom and when she said "hi", opened his portfolio right there and made a presentation. It was beguilingly direct and he was not offended that she said no. They had a pleasant chat while I talked to the gallery owner. BUT this man is making a sale now and then.

Did I help or just ramble? It is a pep talk for me as much as for you.
dj*

12-31-2003, 09:55 PM	#9
Debra Jones Juried Member Featured in Pastel Journal Joined: Jan 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 457	Hi Soap! As you know we are kicking a lot of the same roadblocks. A very odd sort of phenomenon is happening lately. I have been doing those puppy portraits, a lot from friends I already had, but they were taking my brochures and sneaking them into vets offices where other artists had material. One of them put it in the holder of the only visible competition. She makes a glossy post card with a single sample picture and her name and Pet Portraits on the card. On the back is a description of her work, that she can take photos or work from yours and a phone number and address block. Last week this woman called ME. I think she is feeling me out to perhaps buy (that is the cynical side of me) her business or just pass on her pastels and oils. She said she is going to move out of state and apparently is not the most computer literate in the world so she believes her client base will be left behind. I have shut my mouth and listened. I will be meeting her next week at my earliest opportunity and what I have already garnered from her is pretty valuable. Aside from the previous good advice of making the statement about your price, she has made it clear that you DO have to wait for them to ask! If they don't consider it an issue, neither should you. She assumes they are buying something they want and she will provide it. Because I do not ever buy without making sure I have the best possible price does not mean that EVERYONE works that way. I do know these people who see things and buy them (not really my art so far but -) in the mall or online. I have had a friend who recently started a store on Amazon remark how surprised she was that someone will buy a $5 item and ship it for $30! I am not one of them, but I want to cater to them. I have to assume they know what they want. This brings me to the thought that I got drummed into me lately. Unless I wanted my portrait clientele to be Indians on the reservation, I should maybe not paint many Indians. If I want to sell to wealthy successful people, I should begin working on wealthy successful people. I have donated 4 or 5 portraits to schools and churches and not received ONE commission. All they have to do is call me but nobody does. They just send the cash to the charity. However the last friend who asked, said I was not putting a brochure or book out, I was going to SIT there at the event and show them what I did. I did a picture right through the auction. I actually had a bidding war going. The winner upgraded to the only double portrait I have done so far and I made a 200% profit over the price of the donation. Something becoming very clear to me is to aim high. I am also realizing that you are doing much more homework than I am. I have my little sample brochure which I thought would cover me, but I am now beginning to actually organize print-outs on glossy paper in a larger format as a real presentation book. I have had little luck meeting face to face, but it make much more sense to have it ready at all times, just in case. I think the single stunning piece approach is also a real winner. I recently did an 18 year old girl with a simple white top. Although it is not a real wedding dress, I think it is a nice sample for bride shops. I have a few cowboys. What the heck, I think I will take a card or two to the local boot and saddle places for the horsie set and maybe even the horse show double up with a person and a horse. As Linda said, it is not really difficult to set up a print out and make many different single pieces specific to the general client type. My point here to myself, is to start thinking that I have the value. I recently saw a really bad artist who was doing crayon drawings of local buildings, smile at my always-friendly mom and when she said "hi", opened his portfolio right there and made a presentation. It was beguilingly direct and he was not offended that she said no. They had a pleasant chat while I talked to the gallery owner. BUT this man is making a sale now and then. Did I help or just ramble? It is a pep talk for me as much as for you. dj* __________________ http://dog-a-dayartblog.blogspot.com/ Because some people have four legs.