The Inspiration Place

A lot of people think about sharing their story and writing their own book. As a creative, my bets are that you've considered this idea as well. But the publishing world can be intimidating, and figuring out where to get started can be overwhelming.

Our guest today is Michele Martin. Michele is a literary agent and the founder of MDM Management. She started in the book publishing industry in the 1970s and has worked as an associate publisher at Random House, Simon Schuster, and other major book publishers. Most importantly, she's my book agent for Artpreneur.

What makes your book proposal stand out to an agent? What makes them take a second look at your proposal in the middle of looking at hundreds of other proposals each week? Here are three pieces of advice from Michele:

• Have a unique idea

• Have an established platform

• Have a defined, personal voice

"Your book has to be clearly new enough that they're willing to take another book off the shelf to put yours on it." - Michele Martin

Writing a book is a fun process. The journey to getting it published can be exciting. And there's nothing like the feeling you get when people tell you that your book helped them, or that they connected with your story.

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/248

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you.

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast

++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories!

++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

Have you ever encountered trolls and critics? In this day and age, anyone who puts anything of themselves out there can get criticized and receive negative comments. Even artists.

This episode is inspired by one such troll. This is a response to a troll who said, "You have an ugly voice."

Negative comments aren't about you. It's a reflection of the person spreading negativity.

Everyone who's ever done anything significant has faced criticism. You can't change that. The only thing you can do is decide whether you'll let them affect you. Will you?

"You have to love your voice, your style, and your art as it's developing, as you're uncovering it, as it is growing." - Miriam Schulman

In this short episode, these are the three points I want to leave you with:

• Marketing and mindset trump talent every time.

• Stay true to the authentic you.

• Find your voice, own, and express it.

"Some people will find fault with you no matter what you do. But if they hate you for your uniqueness, at least they're hating you for the right reasons." - Miriam Schulman

Resources:

Get my book Artpreneur: www.artpreneurbook.com

Get bonus goodies when you purchase Artpreneur: www.schulmanart.com/book

Get Chapter 1 for free by going to Schulman Art on Instagram and DM the word "Believe."

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/247 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

There's no one way to go through the branding process, but today we'll learn there are ways to make sure it will be effective, creative and fun.

What makes effective and memorable branding? Do we get to define our brand or does our brand define our work? Tiffany shares her expertise on the following points:

• Discover how to use Brand development as a self-development process

• understand how Inconsistencies in visuals and other branding mistakes cost you sales

• How to have effective branding no matter what you sell

"Make sure that your brand is in alignment, and you can feel like you're truly embodying it, because if it feels off to you, and if you're not truly loving it, then the energy shows through." - Tiffany Neuman

Branding is such a fun process. We get to play around with colors, fonts, graphics, and images. We get to choose how we present ourselves, our company, and our art to the world. Let your branding be true to you.

Free Masterclass "How to Sell More Art": www.schulmanart.com/sellmoreart

Get my book Artpreneur and other book freebies: www.artpreneurbook.com

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/246

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you.

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast

++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories!

++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

One of the biggest concerns of artists is pricing. What is the value of my art? Am I selling too high? Will anyone pay for this? And a lot of times, artists sell their art too low. The problem is whenever art is priced too low, it rings alarm bells in buyer's mind and makes them ask "What's wrong with it? Why is it too low? Is this real?"

"Not all buyers are looking for what's cheapest, or even what's most popular. A conscious consumer may care more about a company's alignment with their values." - Miriam Schulman

People are willing to pay for art and the value they see in it. And for us to be comfortable with charging for our art, we need to have a mindset shift around pricing.

Here are some things you might be wondering:

• How to scale art and what sizes sell best?

• How did the pandemic and the recession affect art sales??

• Is it too late to start an art career?

When buyers buy art, they aren't just paying for the piece. They are paying for the story, the fantasy, and the connection that comes with the piece. In fact, the recent global crises just further reminded people how much they want that escape and connection, and this is a good thing for artists. When you talk about your art, whether it's on your website, in emails, or directly, in person, tell stories. Talk about your process, why you create art and the story behind each piece. Also, tell them stories of your past clients, and how they were able to connect with your art. You'll never know which ones they'll be able to connect with.

And never stop creating art. The world is always in need of more art.

Resources:

Free Ebook Artist Profit Plan: www.schulmanart.com/profit

Free Masterclass www.schulmanart.com/sellmoreart

Get my book Artpreneur: www.artpreneurbook.com

Get bonus goodies when you purchase Artpreneur: www.schulmanart.com/book

Get Chapter 1 for free by going to @SchulmanArt on Instagram and DM the word "Believe."

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/245 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

Do you remember "finishing" a painting, or a writing and looking back at it a few days later and realizing that it's not quite done yet? Did you ever wake up at 3 am only to be plagued by the voices that say just how terrible of an artist you are? These are universal experiences all artists share and our guest shares more about these.

Today's guest is Jerry Saltz, and he's seen enough art to know what he's talking about. Jerry is an art critic, a columnist, and Senior Art Critic for New York Magazine. He was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism and is a two-time ASME Award winner. He's authored several books including NYT Best Seller How to Be an Artist and Art is Life.

For many years now, Jerry's days have been completely filled with art. From waking up in the morning trying to get to work as soon as possible, going through the New York art scene with his wife (who is also an art critic), discussing their thoughts over some classic NY pizza, and going home to write about what he just saw, he's amassed a wide knowledge of art. And he talks more about the realizations he's had throughout the years and the universal truths about art.

"Just get to work, artists. It's not that hard to make bad art." - Jerry Saltz

So what are these universal truths about art? Here are some that we talk about in this episode:

• All artists make bad art
• The impact of art and the statements they make
• The process of making art and "leaving everything on the canvas."

Art is powerful. Art leaves an impact. Everything you create will leave an impact, and maybe you'll never even know what that impact is. But you can make a change. So keep on making art, even if it's mediocre. Even if it's bad. Because only you can make your art, and only you are capable of making your change. Listen to this episode to receive more inspiration, and hear Jerry's story and funny, yet extremely relatable, anecdotes on art.

"Art does change lives and minds. And lives and people change the world." - Jerry Saltz

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/244

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you.

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast

++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories!

++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

Artpreneur is officially out in the stores and you can now go out and grab your own copy.

In celebration of this launch, I did something different for this episode. Today's guests are artists just like you. With varied backgrounds and experiences, they ask their questions, share their stories while I share mine and a couple of excerpts from my book. It's a fun, inspiring, conversation that I'm sure you'll appreciate.

Here are some excerpts I share in this episode:

Chapter 1 "Choose to Believe"

There's an artist in each of us wanting to break free. Your muse is tired of staying quiet and waiting for you to feel ready. Take the next step and dream bigger. You are enough. You are more than capable.

Chapter 3 "Start Before You're Ready"

Understand that regardless of the kind of art you create… you must love your art so fiercely that you truly feel the world will miss out if they don't want what you're offering.

Chapter 10 "Listen to Understand"

This chapter details a 9-step process for selling, both for in-person and online selling. There's also an Overcoming Objections Chart, which has actions steps and scripts you can use when you encounter objections.

"Your muse is tired of staying quiet and waiting for you to feel ready" - Miriam Schulman

Chapter 12 "Why Your Art Matters"

Your art matters in so many ways beyond what selling it will do for you professionally. Art helps us process the world around us and serves both a spiritual and social function, not unlike religion.

I hope this episode will encourage you to pursue your art and improve your business. Know that you can do it, that you're capable, and you have what it takes. Stay inspired!

Get Artpreneur: www.artpreneurbook.com

Get Chapter 1 for free by going to Schulman Art on Instagram and DM the word "Believe."

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/243 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

When I submitted the book proposal for Artpreneur, the most pushback I got was on why I didn't include a chapter on social media. I wanted my book to be a classic, to still be relevant in five years, and social media is evolving so often that I knew adding it would be a mistake. Instead of just dropping the topic completely, I decided to dive deeper and make a stronger case for why social media isn't as important as you might believe.

The thing is, social media is no longer what it was. It's constantly changing so the techniques that work now could no longer work in six months. The average engagement on some platforms is so low it's not worth the time you need to put in to get those engagements.

"Marketing and mindset trump talent." - Miriam Schulman

So how can you still use social media today so that it's still worth your time and effort? Here are three topics I talk about more in this episode:

• Secure earned media coverage to effectively expand your online presence.
• Identify the most valuable social media platforms for your art and avoid the time wasters
• Use social media to build relationships and engage with your audience, rather than a substitute for traditional marketing

"Traditional marketing trumps social media." - Miriam Schulman

I'm not going to tell you to stop using social media. It still has its place. But you can't let it be your only platform and it's better to explore methods and channels beyond social media.

Message me on Instagram, DM me "Believe" and see for yourself how social media can be used to connect and you'll receive the first chapter of my book Artpreneur for free.

Get Artpreneur: www.artpreneurbook.com

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/242 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

I'm sure you've seen less talented people rise to the top while those with the talent don't. It's baffling and might even seem unfair. But what if I tell you that it's all in the marketing?

In this episode, we discuss how marketing and mindset play important roles in your success, even more than talent. I talk about how famous artists (yes, even those from hundreds of years ago) utilized marketing to sell their art. And I even share personal stories where I saw and experienced how consistency led to better results than talent.

"I do believe anyone can be an artist. However, you need to develop the right mindset and learn the skills and techniques to get the results you want." - Miriam Schulman

Why are marketing and mindset so important? Is talent still important? Here are the three thoughts I share that I want you to take home:

• You need to learn marketing to be able to share and sell your art
• Mindset is more important than marketing because marketing won't work well without the right mindset behind it
• Consistent effort over time trumps talent. All the time

"If you want to think like a famous artist, marketing matters." - Miriam Schulman

I know it can be discouraging to see child prodigies paraded in the media or look at the works of the great masters and feel like we'll never achieve what they did. I know that it can be baffling to see not-so-great art sell for a lot of money. But once you learn that it's not just about the art, you can achieve your goal. Once you develop the mindset, learn the skills, and put in the effort, you'll be able surprised by what you can achieve.

Get Artpreneur: www.artpreneurbook.com

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/241 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

Your beliefs hold power.

"Our thoughts create our feelings, which drive our actions, and the actions are what create the results." - Miriam Schulman

So how exactly do we build confidence?

• Write down the future you want as if it's absolutely going to happen
• Push aside the fear and doubt and do it anyway!
• Start this year by choosing to believe in your dreams.

"When you choose to believe, you're acting from that place of choosing-to-believe, so you can't fail." - Miriam Schulman

Make the decision to believe in yourself, your future, and your work. Start this year by choosing to believe.

Stay inspired.

For a free chapter of Artpreneur, go to SchulmanArt.com/Believe

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/240 ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you. ++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast ++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout out over on my IG stories! ++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart

In marketing your business or selling your products through the traditional marketing methods, did you ever feel uncomfortable, unsure, or question whether this is really you? That's exactly what our guest Sarah Santacroce felt while learning the trade of online marketing.

Sarah is an entrepreneur in the Marketing Space. She's the Founder of the Humane Business Revolution and an internationally recognized LinkedIn Consultant, entrepreneur, podcaster, 'Hippie turned Business Coach' and author of 'Marketing Like We're Human' and 'Selling Like We're Human' books.

"We need a different way for entrepreneurs to … do marketing, and not just cookie cutter approaches. Yes, it has to do with the scarcity and the urgency, but… let's look at what they're meant for and let's use them in a different way with empathy and kindness." - Sarah Santacroce

So how do you start marketing with a humane approach? Here are some of the points Sarah raised that you can start applying today:

• False urgency, scarcity, wealth-signaling, ang gap selling marketing are some of the anxiety-inducing marketing methods. With how much the world has consciously evolved in the past few years, they are now an outdated approach to marketing.
• The reason why you are uncomfortable with selling and marketing has to do with worthiness and really believing in yourself.
• Share the positive outcome of your product/service and use empathy and perspective-taking to connect with your clients.

"Let's empower our clients. Let's treat them as the smart human beings they are." - Sarah Santacroce

The voices that say, "In order to succeed, you need to run your business this way," or "In order to sell, you need to market this way," can be overwhelming, especially when you feel that these methods aren't true to who you are. The good news is that this is YOUR business. YOU are the one running it. YOU get to make the decision. And it's possible to make decisions that are true to you, allows you to connect with your clients, and still be profitable.

For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/239

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎉FREE GOODIES!🎉 Don't forget to check out the Inspiration Place goodie bag. Go pick up your party favor over at SchulmanArt.com/freebies. Whether you're a passionista or a passion professional, I've got something just for you.

++++++++++++++++++++ 🎤NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! If you loved this, I've got more inspirational episodes coming your way! Please make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button in your podcast app. And if you're feeling extra generous- leave me a review-- https://schulmanart.com/review-podcast

++++++++++++++++++++ BTW If you pop your Instagram handle at the end of the review, I'll even give you a shout-out over on my IG stories!

++++++++++++++++++++ I'd love to chat with you on Instagram: http://instagram.com/schulmanart