Marketing . . . Grumble, Grumble.

[Steve T. Laws]

I'm no good at it. marketing, that is. I'm no good at it, but I got-sta do it. What a world, eh?

I know, I know. Persistence, persistence. Practice, practice. Even so, having more failure than success certainly takes a toll on ones spirits.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to give up. I'm just a little down about it and figure some helpful talk while I recharged might help out.

So I toss this here thread into the forums to see what I can catch. The game of the day is just discussion about marketing in general, what you like about it, hate about it, suggestions, stories, and what not.

[buffaloe]

I know exactly how you feel, Steve! I've been seriously trying to find a job myself since January, and so far, nothing! It sucks to keep getting rejected, but the whole time I'm still building my portfolio, and getting better, so hopefully one day..... :D

By the way, what kind of work are you looking for?

[jester]

Marketing is my profession - and thus I like it. I've never done marketing for artists, yet - but I think i understood that you don't want to sell single pieces of your work but looking for a job. I think I can give some valuable advice:

It's not only to show your best works but also how you present them (at least that's how it works here in Germany). So instead of stuffing it all into a binder, try thinking about mounting your works on special carton, using passepartouts and so on. You can also try to be different: Why not hand in a multimedia/HTML programmed CD? Or create a six page flyer which you let print digitally (keeps the costs low).

And: learn to talk about your work in a selfconfident but nice way. Accept praise and criticisms well. Tell them your visions - but also in a nice way. It has never led anybody anywhere telling the interviewer "I want to sit on your chair in two years latest." Let them know what kind of person you are - they'll have to work for quite a span of time each day with you.

You probably know all this already. But most people I know (especially artists, but some other people, too) can't talk positively about themselves. You have to be convinced that you are able to do a very good job for that company - and you can only transport this message by talking about it. But - this can't be stated too often: Don't become cocky!

Jester

[Steve T. Laws]

Hi Buffaloe. You know, just like you I've been at this here marketing thing hardcore since January, unfortunately I do it more than my art (Boo!). But still, I'm not pro enough to know if it's too soon to reap of what I sow, or if I'm just terrible at what I do, I'm pitching freezers to Eskimos. While I've been prolific, I've been confused. I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong soes I do get a hair flustered.

As to what work I'm a lookin' fer. Well, I'm too humble and too poor right now to turn down anything for money (And unfortunately I mean ANYTHING). So I've been pitching to printers and publishers and studios around town seeing if they need a employee or a freelancer. I've also been approaching a gallery or two seeing as how a show couldn't possibly hurt . . . Or could it with all the costs involved?

Jester, you're a better man than I. I've been alright in my presentation. I have CD's with a lil interfaces on them, my portfolio looks pretty nice I dress it up with flowers and incense and ribbons, I have business cards, postcards, nicely assembled package pieces.

Hmmm . . . Talk about my work in a self confident way . . . I might have been underdoing this idear, which is a good one and I thank you for. I'm not sure what to say about my artwork so I usually keep my yapper shut. However if I emphasized the good, that certainly would put a better glow on things.

No, I'm too neurotic and obsessive to be cocky. I don't think you have to worry about that. ;)

[buffaloe]

thanks for the tips jester (hehe, maybe we should hire him, Steve!)

Yeah, I'm getting a little tired of finding the time to look for a job and still be able to make art...man, if i ever find a job, i may just have a little free time ;) Hopefully soon we will both have awesome jobs, and can spend all our free time making fun art....yay!

[Yuri]

Actually, I suggest this book written by one of the best marketing gurus.

It's called

Marketing: An introduction by Philip Kotler

It will teach you how to market even on the internet(a full chapter is dedicated to it) and how to segmentise and target your audience.

[jester]

For small companies all Guerrilla-Marketing books give much better tips. Kotler is great and has all the background, but most tips are only suitable for large companies.

Jester

[Yuri]

Yes but it would help to read a book like that to know what the bigger companies are up to, so you can steer clear of them if they decide to come your way. T__T;;

[jester]

Yuri, true. Still, Kotler can be disencouraging, boring and takes ages to read...

:rolleyes:

Jester