2013 Workshop Series

"MAKE MORE MONEY" SERIES

The 3 workshops below are offered by Bettsie Park. Each has information that builds on the previous workshop. The first, "How to Develop" is new to CAP. Take one or all three! (If you have already taken "The Art of the Sale" or "Selling to a Store..." , and have been practicing what you have learned, it can't hurt to take it again. Bettsie does revise the workshop each year.)
Bettsie has been co-owner of 15 STEPS for over 30 years and
before that was a practicing fiber artist, selling her work to galleries across the U.S.  Bettsie has mentored many emerging artists since opening 15 STEPS.

Bettsie Park Series: How to Develop, Price & Evolve Your Work to Maximize Sales & Profit
Thursday, April 4, 5:30 to 8:00pm

From the initial creative idea, it is essential that the artist or craft person develop a cohesive body of work - a story, if you will. It is equally essential to undertake a cost analysis in order to price one's work correctly, thereby allowing one to determine appropriate venues for the work. In order to stay fresh and in demand, the artist/maker must also evolve. Bettsie will give you definitions, tips and formulas that will help you develop, price and evolve your work in a logical dynamic way to maximize sales and profit. The topics in this workshop apply to both 2D and 3D artists and craftspeople. We will cover: Is my idea worth pursuing?; How do I price my work to make a living (and not lose my shirt!)?; How do I find outlets for my work that fit my price point?; How do I make enough money from the sales of my work to cover time for research and development?(There will plenty of time for your questions.)

Bettsie Park Series: The Art of the Sale
Thursday, May 2, 5:30pm to 8:00pm
(see info about practicums below)

The ability to talk to people about your work in a way that promotes a sale is a skill that can be taught, and with practice, a skill that will change your bottom line. Bettsie will help you build your own "selling tool box" filled with the strategies and personal tips she has accrued in over 35 years of selling. This workshop will cover: All of the many steps to take before you hit the selling floor; Understanding the seven steps of the sale & how these steps build on one another; How to sell your work when the customer comes to you. There will be plenty of time for answering your questions. (Artists who take this workshop report more sales.) If you would like to see comments from artists who have taken this workshop, e-mail programs@artspartner.org (Robin).

Bettsie Park Series: Selling Your Work to a Store or Gallery
Thursday, June 6, 5:30 to 8:00pm
(see info about practicums below)

Many artists would like to have representation through a store or gallery but find the idea of getting ready and actually making the "pitch" daunting. Bettsie will guide you through the entire process so you will be confident in making that appointment to show your work. This workshop will cover: Wholesale vs. retail - the right choice for you; How to present yourself as a professional; Making the appointment; The meeting - do's and don'ts; Maximize your success and close the sale; You've got the order, now what?; Tips for getting reorders; What the store's owner might expect from you; Your relationship with the store owner; What if your work isn't selling; A brief word about wholesale shows and why doing a few retail shows might be a good thing. (There will be plenty of time for your questions.)

Social Media  - Where It Is, Where It's Going
September, date and time tba
Brett Bossard, CAP Executive Director

Face it- using social media tools has become a requirement to reach out and cultivate new audiences, supporters, and consumers.  This workshop covers the ever changing landscape of social media and picks out the most useful tools and methods with which to spend your valuable time.  Brett will demonstrate using Facebook, twitter, Tumblr (a micro blogging site), email service providers, and whatever other new tools have popped up by September 2013! This introductory workshop will provide tips to individuals and non-profits of every type on how to create a social media schedule and stick to it, how to integrate social media into your overall marketing plan, and using social media tools to engage in a controlled dialogue with the public.

Finding the Time to Make Your Art and Avoid Procrastination
Thursday, September 19, 5:30 to 7:30pm
Robin Schwartz, Organizing Consultant & Speaker; CAP Program Director

There is a distinction between not having enough hours in the day to be creative, and procrastinating. This workshop will address both subjects. Through a series of
discussions, participants will set goals and identify time in their lives for their creative work. Identifying the reasons why we procrastinate will also be discussed. Participants will gain needed insight into this annoying and sometimes depressing problem and learn ways to overcome it.

Build a REAL Website Using WordPress and Blogger
Thursday, October 24, 5:30 to 7:30pm
Alex Solla, Artist/Teacher/Consultant

Many artists either need a website and don't know where to begin, or they have one that they can't update themselves.  Alex has put together a comprehensive, clear and informative presentation to show you the ropes.  In this workshop, he will demonstrate creating a web presence with free or inexpensive blog software and guide you through the process.  The goal for this class is to give you the tools you need to go home and create your own site.

One-on-One Consultations
By Appointment
with Carrie Chalmers or Bettsie Park

Visit our Visual Artist Consultation page to learn about the consultations, the consultants and how to make an appointment. 

Carrie Chalmers, a photographer and NYFA trained Consultant, is available to assist visual artists with their promotional materials, specifically Artist Statements, Bios, Website presentation and Resumes. $30/half hour, $50/hour at the CAP office

Bettsie Park is available by appointment for one-on-one mentoring sessions on any of, but not limited to, the topics in her above workshops. $50/hour at the CAP office, $65/hour at your place (depending on distance.) 

Payment is made directly to the consultants. 

Practicums
Scheduled after their pre-requisite class
Bettsie Park

Bettsie Park will offer 3 practicums that will be scheduled at the conclusion of the pre-requisite class. Each is designed to be an in-depth study of the workshop subject.

Practicum: The Art of the Sale
3 sessions, 1.5 hours each
6 participant max.  $80 per person.

Pre-requisite: CAP workshop, "The Art of the Sale". (You can take the practicum if you have taken the workshop in previous years.)

Develop and practice your selling skills, in a supportive and affirming atmosphere. As a group, we will spend 3 sessions (1 ½ hours each) learning and practicing the finer points of highly successful sales techniques. You will come away with opening lines that work for you, questions to ask that are applicable to, and demonstrations that best fit, the type of work that you do. You will learn how to add on, counter objections and ask for the sale in your own voice. Last but not least, we will explore simple but effective methods to confirm the buyers selection and generate referrals for future sales.

Practicum: Selling to the Customer Who Come
to Your Booth or Studio.
3 sessions, 1½ hours each.
6 participant max. $80 per person.

Pre-requisite: CAP Workshop, "The Art of the Sale". (You can take the practicum if you have taken the workshop in previous years.)

Have you ever wondered how to maximize sales when the customer comes to you? As a group we will spend Session 1 learning time- honored techniques that relate to merchandising, floor plan and customer flow, as well as lighting, music and creating a welcoming and suitable atmosphere conducive to sales. During Session 2 we will apply the above techniques to slides that you have provided of your booth and/ or your studio space. Session 3 is a field trip to a participant's studio where we will talk about what is already working well and what might be changed to maximize sales.

Practicum: Selling Your Work to a Store or Gallery
3 sessions: 1½ hours each.
6 participant max. $80 per person.

Pre-requisite: CAP Workshop, "Selling Your Work to a Store or Gallery". (You can take the practicum if you have taken this workshop in previous years.)

Session 1 will review and expand upon how to put together a professional sales kit and the "paper" that supports your work, to determine if wholesaling or gallery representation is right for you. Each of you will write an elevator speech and practice presenting it to the group so that it sounds easy and natural. We will identify and expand upon all of the ways one might market one's work. We will finish the session with a brief overview of the steps of selling to and partnering with a shop or gallery. In Sessions 2 and 3 we will take a look at your kits/portfolios, websites, brochures etc. and discuss what works and what might be done to make improvements. The time remaining will be devoted to answering your real life and/or hypothetical questions regarding your experiences or concerns rising from approaching a shop or gallery.

Other Self Development Workshops: 

Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Alternatives.org

Saltonstall Foundation. Saltonstall.org

Robin Schwartz, Declutter Workshops. RobinDeclutter.wordpress.com

Other places to take workshops locally on our Resource Pages