Art and bricks, Any bright ideas out there?

[dilyku]

It seems as though I have hit a brick wall. I am an artist who specializes in line drawings. You can check out my work at dianalynnonline.com. I live in a rural area and I have dried up all the local business I can draw. I thought that if I could get my work on line and some how contact real estate agents all over the US I would have a blossoming business. I've contacted about 200 and I have had not one reply for months. Does anyone out there have any ideas?

Stilted, Diana

[sheilaboneham]

Diana, your work is outstanding, and I think if you look through what you have on your web site, you have the key to several potentially rich veins. Here are a few ideas that struck me, and I suspect that there are discussion lists for a lot of them. I don't know what your advertising budget is like, but you might also consider small ads in some magazines, including upscale home magazines. Anyway, a few thoughts on potential groups to approach...

-- owners of historical homes and homesteads (I don't know about other states, but Indiana has a special registry for families who have owned their farms for a certain number of years).

-- owners of bed & breakfasts

-- owners of spas, resorts, spiffy hotels

-- owners of big stables with show or racing horses

-- PR departments of colleges, universities, hospitals, nursing homes, and so forth

Maybe you could make up some flyers and deliver them to some local realtors and ask them to put them into their "new home owner packets" -- the homeowners are more likely to commission you than a realtor is.

If there's a home show or parade of homes in your area, prepare a brochure (3-fold works well) to make available. You might also hold a drawing for a freebie to attract attention, and if you do that, be sure to get the word out to your local press.

See if you can interest the features editor of a decent size newspaper in your area in doing a story on you and your work. In fact, maybe you can interest a writer in doing a piece on your work for a magazine (or several non-competing magazines).

[dilyku]

Thank you for your input and I am going to start using some of the new ideas you have suggested asap. I do have a trifold glossy and I planed on attending one of those home shows you mentioned but never have done it because they are at least an hour away. First I'll have to consider changing my charges if I have to travel. I have thought B&B's might be a good place to check out too but I've been afraid that they would want a whole brochure and I'm not set up for that, I do have a couple of friends that are though. We could do it together, I'm sure that they wouldn't mind me sending some work their way. Gee, who wouldn't, how silly.

I checked out some of your other notes on the board. I am interested in joining a group too. Please keep me in mind if you find one on your own. If we get enough people together we could start one. I have also found we have a few things in common as well, I am a gardener with a small landscaping business and have a couple of dogs, one is a retreiver and the other is a Heinz 57.

Anyhow, I am looking forward to a reply. Sincerely, Diana

[sheilaboneham]

Diana, and whosever else may tell me what I'm doing wrong!, I tried to email you privately but I get a response that says I don't have the right to access that page. Please email me about starting a group!

Can someone tell me why I get that response? I can't seem to find the solution to the puzzle, and it's the second time I've gotten that (2 different people).

Lonely in Indiana.... :-)

[skaycee]

Hi Diana, what a wonderful talent you have. Your artwork is beautiful and I am so envious! I thought Sheila's ideas for you are great, and I would also suggest going to whatever meetings of local chambers of commerce you can join. You will go far if you can just get this artwork seen. This website is a great starting point. What about going to a real estate/realtors convention, state or national, and setting up a booth with samples of your work & brochures to take. Art fairs and art exhibits out of your local area also might help. An artist friend of mine tells me that many people enjoy and will pay well for having an artist do a rendering of their home. Good luck to you, and don't be discouraged. A way will open for you. sue

[dilyku]

I am a little discouraged right now but I plan on putting these ideas to work as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for your input. Are you an artist?

Sincerely, Diana

[Jan]

Hi All,

Sheila asked why two private messages she has tried to send, have not gone through. In order to send or receive private messages, you must check off the "yes" box in your "Edit Options" in your "User CP" to enable private messaging. Otherwise, when someone tries to send a private message, this is the messsage you will get:

"Username" has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.

To Send/Receive private messages, here's what you need to do:

1. Click on the "User CP" box
2. Click on the box "Edit Options"
3. Scroll down and answer "Yes" to "Enable Private Messaging?"

Thanks!
Jan