What Does It Mean When an Online Artist Ask to Not Use Their Art Work
As an artist, I do a lot of marketing to the outside globe. I present my work and my make in all the familiar channels, like social media and websites geared toward art. Because of that, I field a lot of requests to publish my work in books, magazines, or to use in an article someone is writing.
All of it good. All of it encouraged. Still, I exercise occasionally get requests to use my work that middle purely effectually "The Inquire" and benefits the Asker but, leaving the artistic provider out in the cold. This generally leaves me with a not-and then-friendly feeling.
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Unfortunately, this i way "Ask-only" mentality is all as well common. So much and then, I've started wondering if people outside of the artistic field assume creative people are horrible business owners. That we, as artistic people, have no sense of what business organisation goals await like, or the bottom line for that matter. Or what assigning value to a product even looks like.
Considering of those experiences, I think the time has come to re-brainwash the Asker. Information technology'south up to the Creative (which is you and me) to not back down for fear of being construed as rude, difficult to work with, or even "dyspeptic" when the Enquire ends with ". . . and yous'll become nifty exposure!" instead of cold hard compensation.
Notation: It'south always smart to use your discretion for each Ask, fifty-fifty those without bounty. In that location may exist other benefits, for both Creative and Asker, equally long as both parties are in common alignment, understanding and understanding.
For the sake of saving time for all concern owners involved, I propose a new criteria an Asker should follow before approaching a creative business organisation person. . .
This adjacent section is for the Asker:
If yous would like to use an artist's work for a project, it's non cool to advise that the employ of the artwork volition be "costless marketing for artist'southward piece of work" and leave it at that. Many times those kinds of requests become hand-in-hand with the assumption that the artist volition fall all over themselves thanking the Asker for this amazing "opportunity," considering, after all, the Asker is doing the artist a "favor" with this gift of generosity.
My gut reaction to these types of Asks is a quick "No."
Why? Considering it's but not okay to approach a Artistic with the desire to employ their work, and however wait to provide zippo payout or bounty. That is simply a bad manner to do business organization. You do not see people bargaining with the cashier in line at Target, saying, "if yous permit me take my groceries habitation for gratis, I'll love you forever!"
It'south a poor assumption to recollect that any kind of artist volition jump at the take chances to work with you simply considering "nosotros all know that artists are starving and throwing out a bread nibble would be a prissy thing to practise." Artists accept been business owners for as long as business owners have been around. Only because some artists are in the spotlight as being broke depressed geniuses does non make it true for all artists. (Well, the genius part maybe. . .)
Lest we forget, professional artists and all the other professional folks who fall nether the creative umbrella are business people, too. We create goals effectually building said creative businesses, and are striving to attain the highest level of success and excellence just as much as the side by side professional business person.
Then if y'all're a potential Asker, don't click "ship" on that e-mail but yet! You may save yourself a lot of embarrassment. Instead, reply the following questions to brand sure you lot're "Request" in the right way.
iii questions to answer before yous Ask:
ane. Have I properly introduced myself to the Creative who I'k interested in working with? (This includes familiarizing yourself with the artist'southward websites, Facebook page, Google search results, etc. Basically, it's five infinitesimal of due diligence.)
two. Have I properly explained who I am in this email, what my projection is, and why I am budgeted Artistic about working with me?
3. Have I properly addressed the "partnership" gene of working with said Creative – to show that I'g not just trying to take something, only as well offering something of equal value in the transaction?
If you tin can answer those three basic questions before making contact with a Creative, not only will your email sound more knowledgeable and professional, but you lot'll likewise be much more probable to get a positive response.
Here's how I know information technology works:
Recently I was approached by someone who was interested in my artwork. She introduced herself in her email, gave me some background, provided a link to her work, and told me why she was interested in partnering with me to use my work. Considering her request and explanation aligned with my vision, branding, and concern integrity, I gave her a big whopping "Yes!"
The takeaway?
Information technology'southward simply incredibly important to recognize artists and other creative people as valid concern people, and to conduct the business of "Asking" with respect and proficient candor. If you can practice that, your Ask may end up leading to a long happy partnership.
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Source: https://emptyeasel.com/2014/05/20/the-right-way-to-approach-artists-about-using-their-artwork/
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