It's Not the End of the Year Yet!

I'm in the middle of producing the last two exhibit events for 2008, and leading one last class on Saturday Dec. 6th. After that, I'm free and clear of events, presentations, exhibits and meetings until mid January 2009. I'll be attending a couple of holiday parties, and even hostessing one at my home.

And, even more importantly than all that, I'll be completing both my 2009 detailed Marketing Action Plan and my new Business Plan for Working Artists LLC. Why do that instead of resting on my laurels the rest of December?

Because I agree with Kevin Eikenberry, author of the wonderful book Remarkable Leadership. Kevin writes in his article Making the End of the Year Count:
"...there is still 34 days left in the year.  That means there is ample time for you to:

• reach the goals you set for the year
• stand out from your competitors because you are still hustling during this season.
• set yourself up for a fabulous 2009"

And he's right. Especially in the face of our challenged economy. Especially because completing 2008 in the manner we'd intended, and having thought about the specific, measurable goals we want to achieve in 2009, will give us freedom and flexibility in our artistic lives.

You read that right. Having a well designed structure to follow [your Marketing or/and your Business Plan] gives room in your mind to be creative, be adventurous, be bold. It gives you mental and emotional freedom, plus room to be flexible so you can take advantage of opportunities that will arise throughout the year.

This Saturday I'm leading a Marketing/Sales Strategy and Planning workshop to artists and creatives who see value in planning 2009. You can download the worksheet they are using to get organized for our full day session together HERE. If you fill in this one worksheet - and I mean REALLY fill it in - this alone will make a difference for your arts-based business in 2009. Seriously.

The topics on the worksheet include:

• BUSINESS VISION | What I am building
• MISSION | The reason I do this work and offer these services
• PRODUCTS | The products and services I offer, and their current prices
• ENVIRONMENTS | Places people go to get information related to, and to buy, products and services like what I offer
• BUDGETS | I must bring in this much money to pay all the bills and build my savings

Download the form (it has two examples of arts-based businesses attached - one for an individual artist, the other for an arts-business (I'm sure you'll recognize both)). Fill it out, then drop me a line and let me know what you learn from the exercise [I'm interested in it improving your business so feedback and results help me improve the worksheet for others who will download it for their own use later].

If you think the workshop would benefit you as well, visit the detail page describing it at http://workingartistsonline.com/gxmarketing.html and if you are inspired to do so, join us. A team of artists and creatives working together on the business of their art is a joyous experience - one to which I am looking forward!

And as always, your comments, remarks, feedback and questions are welcome.

To a fruitful December and 2009!

Best,
A.