Creatives Get Real

We are refreshing an archived episode about Creating in the Midst of Chaos. If ever there was a time to reach out to each other and connect, this is it. Life can be uncertain, stressful and we are all trying to find a new normal and art can be that for us. We wish you and yours well. Be safe, Be healthy and Stay Creative!

During times of stress - art can be so therapeutic and a chance to breathe, to relax, to do repetitive motions that soothe the soul.

In times of stress and trauma, consider:

• reaching out in this wonderfully supportive creative community
• creating with no expectations at all
• organizing your supplies in a small way
• creating alongside a friend
• breathing through repetitive motions

OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

Let's talk about technology disaster! Roben-Marie is dealing with a dysfunctional hard drive on her computer. There are lessons here for all of us on how to protect our valuable memories and art pieces.

• Make sure your backup is larger than your hard drive.
• Back up your files in several places
• Have a back up that is not in your home
• Consider a backup service like BackBlaze 

Think about this before disaster strikes!

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

Roben-Marie and Sandi talk about Instagram Stories. We start at the very beginning and talk about the where, how and why of Instagram Stories.

• Where & what are Instagram Stories?
• How do you navigate Stories as a viewer? Commenting on Stories.
• How do you start using Stories? Why should I use it?
• How do you archive/save your Stories?
• Posting other's Stories in your Stories

OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

In this episode, Sandi Keene interviews Roben-Marie about her creative service venture called Maker's Tech U.  Maker's Tech U is tech made simple for the overwhelmed creative. MTU is a membership community that partners you with an expert guide, making the tech easier and fun so you spend more time focused on your art passion!

Roben-Marie created Maker's Tech U after 16+ years of running her own businesses online and having many artists reach out to her for tech help. It was a natural transition for her to offer her services to artists and makers who just need a life line to help them navigate on their journey.

Topics:
- Learn how membership communities work
- What does a membership platform look like inside?
- What types of trainings are in side MTU?
- How do you join a membership? What does "closed" mean?
- What are the most common topics that members are wanting to learn?
- How is a "Success Path" helpful?  

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

Sandi Keene & Roben-Marie Smith discuss what you should (and probably should not) wear on camera and how to create fun background that is not distracting to your audience.   

We share tips on things to watch for when you set up your scene. We also discuss what rules and tips you should use when you are doing a spontaneous video (spoiler alert: there are no rules for that situation.)

OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

In this episode, Roben-Marie Smith and Sandi Keene discuss the Top 10 Social Media Mistakes that Most Creatives Make.

We discuss the mistake, the likely consequences and solutions that have worked for us. Audience building is one of the biggest areas that creatives are focusing on as they decide if they want to grow into a business.  Hobbyists enjoy the sense of community that occurs as you build a following of like minded souls.

Items Mentioned:
Trello.com
Planoly.com

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

Find the confidence to understand your value and price appropriately. Sandi & Roben-Marie discuss pricing online courses, digital products and physical products.

Take Aways:

•Get outside feedback on your pricing
•Early Bird pricing strategies including the length of the special pricing.
•Should your business run sales? We say NO. Do you agree?
•Consider ALL your costs before you determine pricing.


OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

In this episode, Roben-Marie and Sandi talk about the importance of getting your face on camera to build a real relationship with your audience.

Roben-Marie and Sandi discuss:

• How do you find the balance between professionalism and being real.
• 75% - 25% guideline
• How camera time helps you find your audience
• Practice, practice, practice
• Perfection is unrealistic
• Class videos require a more professional appearance

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching

What do you take in vacation with you? How do you like to store your travel supplies?

Take Aways:
•Plein air art - can be inspiring and different
•Photography can be the perfect vacation medium for creativity
•Narrow down to the supplies you must have and keep it simple
•Art books on vacation
•Pouches, pouches - zip pouches!

Roben-Marie and Sandi also talk about their Christmas gifts and what they received from the Wish List episode.


OUR LINKS
Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching
Instagram

Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U
Instagram

Roben-Marie Smith & Sandi Keene talk about their very different approaches to motivations and organization.  We both agree that Trello.com has changed our lives.

How do you maintain discipline (or structure) when you are your own boss?
What motivations work and don't?
How do you meet deadlines?
How do you prevent overworking?
How do you make yourself accountable?

Take-aways:
•Forcing yourself into someone else's idea of productivity can be frustrating and detrimental.
•Cherry picking from the approaches you research and tweaking it to match your personality works well.
•Overworking is a temptation we need to avoid.
•Transitions can be difficult and we struggle with them.
•Constant procrastination signal a project that is a bad fit for you.
•Rewards can work for you to get you through that unpleasant task.

LINKS
Roben-Marie:
Website
Courses
Maker's Tech U

Sandi Keene:
Website
Popup Art Classes
Coaching