As a woman artist who owns a business, by default, because I am an artist, all artists are business owners by default. We just are all not always aware of that because there is zero to little emphasis placed on the fact that as artists in our society at this point in time we are business owners. We are looked at as freelancers by the IRS, we have write-offs just like business owners do and we are expected to figure out on our own how to create and maintain a career that is sustainable otherwise we have to fend for ourselves by getting other jobs, by finding work that takes away from the career path we know we're meant to take. Now there's somewhat of an illusion that people who make it to the "top" meaning "spotlight" there's a perception there are very few spots available at that "top". When really when we sit down and look at the reality we realize in our heart of hearts that that is just an illusion. There is no such thing as the top of the top, there's simply where we are, our own space and how we choose to fill that space that we are meant to fill in this world and that in of itself can lead us to equal levels if not more so success then those at the "top" that we perceive are doing so well and so much better then everybody else.

But that aside, it occurred to me and it occurs to me pretty much on a daily basis, with talking to and working with the incredible artists in the Artists in Business community and how blessed I am on a daily basis to be surrounded by such beautiful artistic minds and talent that there is, in fact, a disconnect between the confidence to take your business in your own hands and put that out into the world with a sense of empowerment and the actual work you do. Now, artists if this is something that you have experienced then this episode is for you.

One of the hardest points of my career in online marketing and as a consultant, so many of you know as an artist my goal was to learn how to run a successful business as an artist and help other artists to do the same because I knew in my heart of hearts, number one it couldn't be that hard and number two that we needed to do this. Because as artists we are business owners by default and then no one really teaches us the skills, the skill-set and the tools to understand how to run our businesses. So I was coming to a standstill all too often and working these day jobs that did not coincide at all with my business as an artist and I wanted to put a stop to that.

I had a short-lived career as an online marketing consultant because I learned online marketing, I started my own business online that failed miserably within the first 12 months because I didn't know what I was doing in terms of combining my revenue goal with my marketing plan. So I worked with a mentor who showed me exactly what I was doing wrong, how to fix that and I started consulting to practice what I had learned from him on his clients, who included, the American Cancer Society, Central Park & Servancy, Fund For Park Avenue, Lenox Hill Hospital. I was the online marketing consultant for those accounts that were his. I then segued into consulting for some of my own personal clients and as I did that and moved away from my mentor's business I realized I was now in position where I was going to need to negotiate my own contract and the best thing in the world and the worst thing at the same time happened when this hit me. Artists, if this intrigues you then listen to this episode to learn more.

Today, I have to address something that has been the biggest eureka moment in my life so far in this year 2018. Now we're only 2 weeks into the year so there is time for aha moments to occur but this one, in particular, I'm so grateful for. I woke up and thought "Oh my gosh, this is such an incredible feeling' and I really wanted to share this with you because it relates so deeply to growing our businesses as artists.

So right before the holidays, most of you know, that in the year 2017 I was faced with multiple challenges personally. Just on a personal level, my father passed away and enough said, there was enough there for me to deal with in my personal/family life and what that did was it forced me to pivot in the way in which I approached my business and in the way I approached my whole life in general. It was a challenging year. One thing I noticed was by the end I was pretty much kind of forcing myself to keep on going. And I had to stop for a second and say 'I know what the problem is I am completely and totally out of shape.' Now I know that sounds like "well you were out of shape so what was the big deal?' But I will tell you what the big deal is. I'm, as a dancer, usually in pretty good shape only because I constantly need to be moving my body. For me, when I'm moving and I'm in my physical body more so then my head that is the time where the magic starts to happen in my life. Now if this is something that resonants with you, Artists, then this episode is for you.

Today, I am really excited that we're starting off the year on the right foot. I've had so many artists write to me and say 'Thanks so much for the 12-month revenue plan'. If you did not get your 12-month revenue plan yet you can get it right now. Simply text artistrevenue to 44222.

Now, I have another surprise for you today and it's something I mentioned last week but I want to make sure that as many people in the Artist in Business community get this as possible which is the Artist 2018 Holiday Sales Guide. So, let's talk about why this is so important for a moment. One of the greatest challenges every single business owner has who's not as prepared as they should be is that when holidays come around they don't have an offer. They don't have a special offer to give to their ideal clients. Now, this becomes a problem because number one the holidays are the best time of the year to have special offers for your ideal clients. Not because you're trying to be manipulative or sleazy around the holidays. Not because you're trying to make a fast buck but because simply people are ready to buy from you at holidays. They want to give and they want to receive. If holidays sales is an issue in your business then this episode is for you.

So I have a question for you, have you been thinking about recently your relationship to money? And sort of coming into touch with what your relationship really looks like. Well, I ask this question because I know a lot of artists in my community are in the midst of doing that right now because the topic has come up time and time again. Mainly because I ask that question when we start talking about putting together a 12-month revenue plan for your business with your art. So there is a bit of a buzz in the Artists in Business community about your relationship to money, what that looks like, what your first money memory is and I'm really quite happy that a lot of people have been talking about it recently, in quite a bit of detail in my community.

Now the reason I find this so intriguing as well as extremely important as a business owner is because making money, as I've said in the past, as a business, is not as hard as getting over your own issues, fears and stories you have around money that are holding you back from actually bringing that money in. Now, Artists, if this is something you struggle within your business this episode is for you.

I have had many people ask me recently what's the hardest business hurdle to overcome in order to take your business to that six-figure level and beyond? I think this is such an important question. I think it really important to address the fact that when we start talking about a business moving into the six-figure range and beyond that we aren't talking about the importance of making money and we're also not really talking about the money side of the business. That's not the topic that we're addressing.

What we are addressing is that fact that a business, in order to not only survive but thrive in this day and age needs to bring in at least six-figures. And the reason we have to talk about that is because artists, especially, don't understand that that is the case and they don't understand the reason for it. If you're not understanding that right from the get-go then you are most likely not setting your goals correctly or accurately monetarily for your business and that's where the struggle begins. And that's where most businesses will fold or flail for a really long time because they are not able to bring in enough. Artists if this is something you struggle with then this episode is for you.

I'm working with the most brilliant artist in my Profit Canvas course right now. And the biggest question that came up at the beginning of Module 3, which is our last module, where we start to put together all your marketing and really start to bring in sales was, "can I actually sell via email? I don't believe it's true." Well, guess what, I have news for you. You actually can and you can do so in a way that is not only ethical but built with integrity and get your people on the other side super excited about what you have to offer and gets them engaged with you more and it makes them trust you as a business owner on a deeper level.

So, are you ready to hear about how that happens and how you can make that happen yourself? Let me just dive into that right now. I'm so super excited to be talking to you about this today. Because it is the hugest myth for artists to think that you can never sell over email and I understand why. Because a lot of people are weary of emailing at all.

Here's something you should understand, it takes people about 7 points of contact to begin to trust that a business is for real. That a business is serious, that there here to stay. It takes people 7 points of contact on average. Have you questioned the idea of selling through email, then this episode is for you.

I'm really excited to talk about this topic today called Email Service Providers. I've had a number of artists who are taking my course, called The Profit Canvas right now, along with other artists in the Artists in Business community writing to me asking me about really important questions about how to treat and approach and use your email service provider in your business with your art.

So what I thought I would do, this is such an important topic that I want to expand upon but for the moment I just want to touch upon some of the most important points that you need to take into consideration as you begin to use your email service provider. And then afterward I'm going to talk to you about how you can get more information on this in a workshop I've put together for you.

So, first and foremost, is your email service provider is essentially the home for your list. You really want to take it seriously because it's the home for all your past and potential clients. Now if this an issue you are dealing with in your art business then this episode is for you.

My coach and mentor is Ryan Levesque best selling author and founder of the ASK Method. A method that helps business owners from every industry discover and connect on a deeper level with their true ideal clients. So they can have businesses that serve people, the right people, on the highest level.

I was honored to speak at the very first ever ASK Live event that took place in Las Vegas just a couple of weeks ago. Now I was really excited because I was asked to give a small talk called a moment of inspiration. The inspiration and drive came from a series of events in the past that helped build my business to what it is today.

The bottom line here is that we don't do this alone. Running a business is tricky. It's not that it's harder than being an employee and doing a great job for another business. It's that the work we do to in order to make it run, successfully, feels like a risk. Now if this is something that you struggle with in your business then this episode is for you.

This week I'm talking a lot about stopping short because it's truly the main reason most artists fail to have successful businesses. In fact, it's arguably, the main reason most business owners fail before their businesses hit the one year mark.

There are so many factors to consider when you try to build a business that matters and actually makes money. The key for a business to survive, of course. But sometimes there are just too many setbacks that cause to have to pause, go back to the drawing board and start again. And that can cause even the strongest and bravest of them all to throw in the towel and give up. But the truth is that those who find a way to keep on going in spite of what anyone else might be saying are the ones that break through and thrive. Artists, if you are struggling with breaking through that barrier, then this episode is for you.