Lisa Vogt Art Adventure Blog

Professionals in any field know that a well written, informative and personalized biography, plays an important role in building a successful career. Often, your bio will be the publics first introduction to you and the type of work you do. This is where they go to get insight into your unique approach to your art, to learn about your background, your accomplishments and your personal interests. But more importantly, it’s your opportunity to demonstration the professionalism and expertise they can expect when working with you.

Writing a bio is easy once you understand reader expectation and what key material you should include. First to appear on your bio is your name, contact information and website. The body of the bio is broken up into three basic parts: the introduction, your background and where you live.

Let’s break it down.

In the introductory paragraph begin with your name, in bold type, followed by something dynamic that sets you apart from other artists. Be original, come up with something they haven’t read before. Get personal. In the remainder of this paragraph give information about how you work or why you choose to do what you do. This is where you let your artistic personality shine. Phrase the content in such a way that the reader feels a connection with you. This is known as the hook. Take your time and craft a unique description that’s all your own.

In the second paragraph summarize your career highlights including accomplishments, awards, exhibitions, publications and any other noteworthy activities and achievements. Keep in mind, less is more. All pertinent information should be covered but in a concise, reader friendly way.

The third paragraph is the easy one. Even so, you should still make it brilliant. This is where you tell the length of your career, where you live and work, plus your living arrangements.

By the way, including your lifestyle is optional. If you’re’ uncomfortable about it, leave it out.

Artist Picture

You can make your bio more inviting and personal by including a picture of you, the artist, at work. The most effective pictures also show some aspect of your work space and a flashy piece of your art. Now, if you really want to step it up, include your loyal pet in the photo and you’re sure to make a long lasting impression.

Example Bio

Lisa Vogt Bio

Lisa Vogt Custom Art Glass Studio

Wesley Chapel, FL.

(813) 220-4987

Lisa@LisaVogt.net

www.LisaVogt.net

Lisa Vogt is an award winning artist. She became interested in glass while pursuing an education in fine art. For Lisa, working in glass allows her to draw upon her fine arts background and own sense of style, drama and whimsy. She combines a historic medium with innovative glass techniques, for limitless design possibilities.

Lisa is the author of fourteen design books and a series of instructional videos. She frequently writes articles for industry magazines and fiction for publication. In addition to her writing, she lectures at national and regional seminars. Her work has been on exhibit in major cities throughout the country. She has been a featured artist on HGTV and PBS. A huge supporter of public art, Lisa regularly contributes artwork for auction to benefit local, regional and national charities.

For more than 30 years, Lisa has been expanding her body of work in glass art. Her home and studio are located north of Tampa Bay in Wesley Chapel, Florida, where she resides with her family.

Writing the Artist Card

The artist card, also known as the romance card is less formal than the artist bio. This card is often included in the purchase of original art. Here you offer the recipient a romanticized view of your fairy-tale life. Here again, be original. This should reflect your unique artistic style.

Example Artist Card

If writing is not your strong suit, you can still have a terrific bio and artist card. Trade a piece of your art with someone who does write well. Often, they’ll have a different, refreshing perspective on your creativity that they can use to make your bio really special. And that’s a huge plus.

Remember, the key is to make a glowing first impression.

You got this!
Lisa

Upcoming Class

Advanced Glass Fusing with Lisa Vogt

October 18-21, 2016

Hands-on, 4-Day, Glass Fusing Workshop

Lisa’s Private Studio, Wesley Chapel, FL

Seats are limited. Register today.

http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=477

Check out the video here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVc6EfUkuws

Part 2 Selling Wholesale to Galleries, Gift Shops and other Retail Locations

It’s a real compliment to any artist when a buyer recognizes your hard work, professionalism and creative flare and shows interest in selling your unique creations in their retail store or on their website. But to be successful, you have to be prepared to sell your hand-crafted wares at wholesale prices. Due to the increasing cost of buying and getting materials, plus the time consuming task of producing hand-made goods, making money while selling wholesale is challenging at best. But, if you’re a savvy business minded artist, you can do it.

Selling wholesale has its advantages.

1 Create a buzz. The absolute best endorsement any artistic career can hope for is a third party recommendation. You can go on about your awards all day long, but you’ll never really be taken seriously as an artist. Now in contrast, have someone else say you’re a great up-and-coming star and suddenly everyone is attracted to your work. People start to pay attention; they take notice and show more interest in your artwork. When a gallery owner dedicates valuable shelf space (or wall space) to display your work they’re telling their customers, loud and clear, that they believe in you. They admire your talent and would be honored to have your work in their own personal collection. It’s a huge complement; you can’t buy that kind of advertising.

2 Cash flow. Galleries and gift shops buy in multiples, often purchasing items by the dozen, which increases your sales. They also tend to carry a variety of different pieces from the same artist. They group the items together in their store to make a greater visual impact that’ll entice their customers to buy. Once a gallery commits to carrying an artist’s series they stick with it. (Provided you deliver what was promised on time and on budget, of course.) And therefore, you can expect repeat orders on a regular basis. And, when you come out with something new, it’s likely they’ll want to inventory that as well. Once you establish a relationship with a gallery or gift store buyer, you can count on more consistent cash flow. You can take that to the bank.

3 Work in series. A series is a group of companion pieces that share a similar theme. A good series has items that are sold at several different price points. The larger items draw attention to the series, while the smaller items make up the bulk of the sales. The advantages to working in in series are numerous. The most obvious, it simplifies production and therefor reduces the cost of making your handmade products. For the buyer, it streamlines ordering and simplifies merchandising efforts. For the customer, it builds trust in the artist by showing confidence in your own unique style, long term commitment to the craft and consistency when it comes to construction.

4 Point of sale charm. You’ve heard the phrase, the whole package. I refer to it here as the extra steps you take to make your artwork retail ready so it stands out from the rest of the clutter. Point of sale refers to prominent places in a retail space where high volume items are displayed such as the end caps of isles, or on/near the sales counter. These products are merchandised/marketed to make them hard to resist. The goal it to increase spontaneous sales. These products are presented in such a way that they look complete: ready to use, ready to display, or ready to give as a gift. There are several inexpensive ways to boost the salability and also increase the perceived value of your work. (See my last post for more info on perceived value.)

Add packaging. A ribbon tied cellophane bag is great way to add charm to bottle stoppers or ornaments. A box makes a candle or small dish more appealing. Include a romance card. This is the Hallmark card version of an artist bio. It’s a romanticized description of the artist and artistic process and possibly the artist’s creative vision. It should be disgustingly mushy. It gives the potential buyer insight into the charmed life we artists live. If you’re not good at BS-ing, trade a piece of art with someone who is. C’mon we all know a person who can really, really fluff things. Maybe they write real-estate descriptions. You know, they write cozy, fixer upper when what they really mean is rundown, money-pit.

Years ago, I overheard a friend talking about an artist. I thought wow, that sounds like a really accomplished artist. I was impressed. Then the friend pointed to me! Yikes! I looked behind me to see who she was talking about. No one was there. To this day, I don’t think I live up to her exuberant description of me, but I keep trying.

She wrote my first bio over 25 years ago and I continue to use her opening paragraph today.

My Bio Opening

Lisa Vogt is an award winning artist. She became interested in glass while pursuing an education in fine art. For Lisa, working in glass allows her to draw upon her fine arts background and own sense of style, drama and whimsy. She combines a historic medium with innovative glass techniques, for limitless design possibilities.

Here's my Romance Card, also written by a friend

Lisa Vogt

Lisa Vogt finds peace in the quiet moments she enjoys surrounded by the beauty of nature. Located in a pastoral setting in sunny Florida, her private studio is nestled beneath century old Live Oak trees. While tending to the fourteen kilns of her studio, Lisa is often interrupted by the sight of spotted fawns drinking from the bird bath in her garden or the sounds of wild turkey preening through the palmettos. Themes of nature and her personal interests of gardening and cooking are often woven into the fabric of her work. For more than 25 years, Lisa has been expanding her body of work in glass art.

Her home and studio are located north of Tampa Bay in Wesley Chapel, Florida, where she resides with her husband and daughter.

www.LisaVogt.net

Can’t you just see me skipping around my studio in a hoop skirt singing, Over the Rainbow?

5 Pricing. The reality is, when buyers bring your work into their gallery or shop they’re advertising you. They dedicate valuable retail and website space to display your hand-crafted wares. They handle and inventory your babies like any other product. And so, they have to make money on the sale of every item, including your pride and joy. When pricing your work, keep in mind the wholesale price will be more than doubled to cover the replacement cost, shipping, handling, marketing and overhead (rent, payroll, utilities… the cost of doing business).

A $3.00 or $4.00 item may retail for $9.95. An $11.00-dollar item may retail for $24.95. A $16.00-dolalr item may retail for $36.00. A $500.00 item may retail for $1,200.00.

Don’t be discouraged by small ticket items; they add up. A $3.00-dollar item will be sold by the dozen making the sale $36.00. And it’s unlikely the buyer would bring in a single item. They either like your stuff or they don’t. It’s likely they will order 4 dozen, $3.00 items boosting the sale to $144.00. Do that with several galleries and you’re in the money.

Unlike retail customers, wholesale buyers aren’t moved to purchase by a popular price point. Instead, their focus is on the wholesale prices as it compares to the perceived value of the artwork. Can they reasonably, more than double their money, and make sales? It’s your job as the supplier, to make sure they can!

You are business partners, give them the tools to SELL!

You’ll do well to consider the gallery or gift store your business partner. Make every effort to give them the tools to sell your art. Voluntarily supply an artist bio, high quality images of your artwork, care / cleaning instructions for your work, display guidelines if applicable, assembly instructions if appropriate etc. Offer whatever you can think of to set yourself apart from all of the other outstanding artists they represent. If you’re an easy to work with professional, they’re more likely to favor your pieces next time they have shelves to fill.

Good luck!

Lisa

New Webinar!

Creative Slumping with Lisa Vogt

Next week! August 30, 2016, September 1, 2016

Join me for this new webinar and learn how thinking outside-the-box and using readymade molds in new ways, offers numerous and exciting opportunities to produce unique forms.

https://www.glasspatterns.com/glass-patterns-quarterly-store/category/172-glass-expert-webinars-no-traveling-required.html