Getting Noticed

http://www.lorigordon.blogspot.com/ Have you visited this site. She has the right idea. If you have a website it makes you a little more visible to the outside world.

I mentioned to Lori that she should teach others how to do what she is doing. She replied
"About a year before the storm, I printed up and mailed out a bunch of fliers to every artist I could find on every list on the coast, offering to write bios, press releases etc, and teach others how to do it-I did not get a single response. Maybe it is true, that artists are the worst at being willing to represent themselves. The Arts just finished up a whole series of workshops on things like that-bios, resumes, press releases etc etc-and there is talk of running some more-if it happens, I will make sure that you get the info. I offered to do one on setting up a blog. "

If this happens you would be wise to join in. I know everything takes time that you do not have but being media savvy can get you all kinds of free press. Knowing people to write to, giving interviews, having interesting information about yourself - these are the kinds of things that can get you hooked up with manufacturing companies wanting to reproduce your work on their wares and a blog seems like a good way to share a story. Your art is your story and your community gains from you visibility.

I recently spoke with one of my reps and told her that the artists down here were absolute geniuses and wanted to know if her company was looking for some fresh ideas. She said tell them to call me and she would put you in touch with the right people. She works for Silvestri. If you are unfamiliar with that company they have been recently acquired by EToys and are big in the gift industry. Larger companies license artwork from artists and reproduce it on different items they are selling. I would say look at their website http://www.silvestriinc.com/ .

Julie Minton's email address is julieminton AT midsouth.rr.com Julie also mentioned that she is trying to go independent. What that means is instead of only representing Silvestri, she would be able to choose other things that she would like to sell. Which means she could sell your items to other stores in her territory. She lives in Memphis and has that area too. Most reps take a percentage for selling your items. So make sure when pricing them that you have enough to include those fees.

Don't have a website? visit www.carolepigott.com. Shaun Lea of Meridian, MS is offering to create websites free of charge.