I was going over my shows for this year and one thing caught my eye my caust have gone up an what I used to receive is gotten less. The one item that dose concern me is how much a show is promoted. I know this cost but I would think that would be one of the reason for growing fees. But have had a few shows where if 20 people come through your lucky to name on Long Grove Il. If promoters expenses are getting to high than get ride of the other things they offer but never cut promotion it's the life line of the artist. Just so you know I reaserched Long Grove because I really got burned so I know what they did for promotion. And I think this is a growing concern especially sine this year more and more promoters are asking me to hook up to their Facebook page. Hey check it for your self there are a lot of people that do not use or care about Facebook I did a couple of test at a show. If I am not getting these benefits that I am paying for and they are to provide not me well won't wrong with that picture. This industry use to be where the promoters and artist use to take care of each other but know with them able to bring in these home based business and other vendores they don't care about anything but the money. And I can tell you there are a few promoters that make 3-4 figures a year off our backs the one I know of is in Illino she runs the Millennium Art show in Chicago Il and 3rd Ward Days In Milwaukee Wi and about 10 others. Good shows but they are getting slowly over taken by home based business and other vendors due to the high booth fees. Years before this promoter the millennium use to be a great show. I guess maybe the Gods are trying to tell me to retier and do my art for family,friends and for me.
Kassy I agree with many things you said regarding Facebook but I believe there is one thing people do not look at and that is demographics. See that is the thing I concentrate on when looking for shows. It's taken me a lot of years to find out the demographics for my art. The age the income level and the area that the show is in. My perfect customer is between 45 & 65 working and $55,000 a year. This is my perfect customer do I always get that no but this is what I use to pick show to hopefully insure good sales. And in my reaserch I have found that Facebook is not that prevalent in their lives in fact some of my customers do not like or use it and if you can believe this they do not own a computer. And the reason I say this is for one year I had a sign out that said like me on face book and get 45% of your purchase I also put this on the back of my business cards with no expiration date for it. An when I was getting no response to it I started telling people to like me on Facebook for the 45% of and the said no thank you. Yes I will say that as time goes by this should change because the younger people are in tune with all of this. But the people that by from me are not going to change so I need to make sure the shows I enter are doing more than Facebook and giving me their best for the money I am paying them and lately it has not been happening but my fees are going up. So I guess I need to make some changes I just am not sure what kind.
Putting on my online marketing hat (I've been doing marketing for 15 years and specialize in online marketing and social media for small businesses -- but am back with the Peoria Fine Art Fair as the co-director, which is why I'm reading posts here)
I want to say a few things about social media advertising. Specifically Facebook as it's what I do most. As with all marketing efforts, Facebook advertising has to be done right to be effective. It's a skill. Not all ads will generate results. Savvy marketers often do small tests to see which variables help them perform better. On a website, the color of a button can increase conversions (people signing up, making purchases, etc.) by 20%. Simply changing the color of a button!
Facebook advertising is touted among the marketing and advertising community as a whole as one of the most cost effective ways to advertise (and get results). I'm not saying everyone who uses FB is going to be successful, but please know that it can be very successful if done correctly. There are so many tools and strategies that can be used. I personally discourage my clients from ever using the "boost" option on FB, it's the least effective, yet the easiest so many do use it.
For anyone wanting to improve your own use of FB advertising 2 of my favorite experts are Jon Loomer and Andrea Vahl. Social Media Examiner is another great resource. Jon and Andrea are selling their workshops and services, which are probably worth it, but they also have free resources too.
(now putting on my show director hat only since I'm already commenting) I have to say I appreciate this conversation. I've been away from from the show organization side for 10 years and in that time for our show, I think the booth fees have only gone up $25 or maybe it's even the same. The jury fee has gone up $10 I think. I also feel like we offer many of the same benefits, but I do welcome any artist to contact me personally about what we offer vs our costs. I see this as something we are in together as a team and want to make sure we're running our Fair in a way that is as beneficial to our artists as to our community and mission of promoting the arts.
Jan Hubbard, I totally get how you feeling. That is the way felt most of last year until I talk to Bob Stern at Cincinnati Winter Fair. What you feeling is the same feeling that we all have. Some people have better ways to cover it. You find that the artist that only have the art as main income are more worry about what is going on.
People try to give suggestion but sometimes people do not see that you are doing everything you can and some times nothing works. My solution for this year is to go with my instinct and focus in my concepts. I work in the things that show some progress and keep pushing that path. I got set friends that trust and follow the suggestion by heart because they are not bad people and if you artist friends like that I suggest you talk to them and see what ideas you come with.
Doing less show is no a solution because the income will go down and what happen if does good show get rain out. You need to find better shows and replace the weaker shows.
One great advice from Howard Allan you need to give a show three tries assuming that you a least breaking even. Amy in podcast in here said is very hard to find effective advertising for the shows. I think that all promoters care one way or other and understand the mutual relationship is need it.
At end you need to do what is best for you and only you can make that choice. Do not worry about the promoters because you can do anything about that. It is business and approach it that way. It may be late for this year but try pass this year and see what market are working normally for you and stay in those. If you need to travel please do so. Do not let your pride get the best of you and just believe in yourself and do not loose hope.
It's nice to hear that other people are seeing the somethings I and my other artists are seeing. I do have to say to Oscars,s comments that Ardmur dose do advertising for her shows but it's just a minimal amount when it comes to the advertising and she dose have a lot of extra benefits that she hopes makes people they are getting their money's worth for her high fees. Because her fees are high she still can offer the extras like the morning coffee and donuts, help loading in and out and booth sitting. But these do not coast her much in fact some of it is done by volunteers but you can keep all of that because that dose not helps sales. Hey we are all looking for ways to cut expenses. I have cut mine by doing less shows and being more selective in the ones I enter. This is something I never thought I would be doing to be able to continue. I do not see many other ways me to make changes not increase my profits but just staying even. The way I view it is the artist and the promoters need to work together not the attitude of I got mine now you get yours and if they are not doing enough to get people in they are going to find out that they need us as much as we need them and for this and other things our industry is headed down a rocky road.
Amy Amdur those what she can to promote her shows. She had put a lot of the shows under one big umbrella. The sense is there are to many shows in Chicago, IL. I used to complain why people do not talk about Howard as they do of her but the difference is the Florida is a State and Chicago is a big city. Some show like Long Grove show not be held anymore. Some show in general should not be held anymore. I think if the promoter is doing everything she or he can do and traffic is really bad during a period of three years and artist constantly changing it is time to let show go to grave. Another thing we forget that cost of producing a show are going up just the same way our COGS are going up.
The key is to understand the market and what is going on in general. Kids are paying most of the stuff cash on hand (or pay in full at the end of the month). The are saving at least 5% of the check.They prefer the experience over stuff. The stuff they tent to buy is digital games, clothes, etc. The demographic for most artist are couples looking for decorating there homes. Some people do not appreciated art as they use to and art studies in high school is almost not there.
If you are doing everything you can, email and mailing blast, You are adding new work, The booth looks neat, You present yourself properly, At the show you are in your booth trying moving your work, following leads, adding contacts, etc and after all that your show does not work is time to let go that show and find another show. At end nobody is forcing you do that event. It is your choice to walk way to better event.
I personally cut the amount of shows in my hometown to possible handful. I am electing to travel because doing an event out town cost the same that event in my hometown and the profit is higher. I know that I done everything I can and won't blame anyone but myself for any decline in my sales. I will joy the profit because is me working hard and understanding. Yes I had made people mad. The one thing I know after putting a happy face at the show and fake a smile when I wanted to cry that when I end closing the door in my trailer and driver door. I am driving way thinking do have enough to paid my bills. If I do I drive happy even is not lot money. If do not have enough I wonder what I can paid late.
Jan, good observation, I feel the same as you. Everything is going up in price, promoters are still making money, and I'm not. Are you now ordering water in Denny's rather than pay $2.50 for a ice filled glass of Pepsi. Some promoters are going to Facebook for promotions and cutting back their direct campaign costs. I thought I would try a Facebook business page last month. I did a one week ad to promote my website for $52. It reached 4,718 people , had 52 responses, and no sales. Much worse than any show with 5,000 attendees. I therefore don't think Facebook will do much for promoters. This will be the year when we all must think about what we are doing.
I have a similar problem (costs up/sales down) with what used to be my "big show": Comic Con International's Art Show. Not because attendance is down-- rather, the opposite. Attendance is at max allowed by the fire marshal, ticket sales are capped and by lottery, which means many former annual attendees can no longer attend. Including those who "always" bought something from me. Ticket sales, and parking fees, have also gone way up-- as, of course, have transportation and hotel costs.... The cost for ART SHOW space has remained the same... but vendor space (if you can get it at all...) has gone up significantly from what it was when I started there.
Good memory I could not remember Cynthia Qiucks name those were the good old days and you hit it right on the head with respects to Long Grove. It's just sad to see what is happening to the industry. I have always had a dream to maybe get a group of artist together and have are own show. But having been involved putting together a small art walk I know it would take total commitment of allot of people to get it done. And I guess my number one concern is not enough interest so it has just stayed a dream. So I guess I will just and see how long it will take for the industry to hit the skids or make changes by the artists or the promoters.
The Long Grove show isn't a good example except as a worst case example. The attendance was dropping for several years, and for a while was ran by a school PTO group with coordinators changing frequently. I finally threw the towel in on that show when I saw that jewellers and photographers were over half of the show. I had received the booth assignments, saw that, and cancelled two weeks before the show a couple of years ago. Since then, the show has been taken over by a commercial promoter, but I can't see trying it again.
The Millenium show was under a different name back then as the NEw Eastside Artworks Festival and was ran by Cynthia Quick, who is unfortunately is out of the art business now. The current fees are much greater than they were back then, but commensurate with Amdur's other shows. I won't pay that much for a show so I don't do those. I did the New Eastside show for several years and enjoyed doing that one, and yes it is missed.
Comments
Putting on my online marketing hat (I've been doing marketing for 15 years and specialize in online marketing and social media for small businesses -- but am back with the Peoria Fine Art Fair as the co-director, which is why I'm reading posts here)
I want to say a few things about social media advertising. Specifically Facebook as it's what I do most. As with all marketing efforts, Facebook advertising has to be done right to be effective. It's a skill. Not all ads will generate results. Savvy marketers often do small tests to see which variables help them perform better. On a website, the color of a button can increase conversions (people signing up, making purchases, etc.) by 20%. Simply changing the color of a button!
Facebook advertising is touted among the marketing and advertising community as a whole as one of the most cost effective ways to advertise (and get results). I'm not saying everyone who uses FB is going to be successful, but please know that it can be very successful if done correctly. There are so many tools and strategies that can be used. I personally discourage my clients from ever using the "boost" option on FB, it's the least effective, yet the easiest so many do use it.
For anyone wanting to improve your own use of FB advertising 2 of my favorite experts are Jon Loomer and Andrea Vahl. Social Media Examiner is another great resource. Jon and Andrea are selling their workshops and services, which are probably worth it, but they also have free resources too.
(now putting on my show director hat only since I'm already commenting) I have to say I appreciate this conversation. I've been away from from the show organization side for 10 years and in that time for our show, I think the booth fees have only gone up $25 or maybe it's even the same. The jury fee has gone up $10 I think. I also feel like we offer many of the same benefits, but I do welcome any artist to contact me personally about what we offer vs our costs. I see this as something we are in together as a team and want to make sure we're running our Fair in a way that is as beneficial to our artists as to our community and mission of promoting the arts.
Jan Hubbard, I totally get how you feeling. That is the way felt most of last year until I talk to Bob Stern at Cincinnati Winter Fair. What you feeling is the same feeling that we all have. Some people have better ways to cover it. You find that the artist that only have the art as main income are more worry about what is going on.
People try to give suggestion but sometimes people do not see that you are doing everything you can and some times nothing works. My solution for this year is to go with my instinct and focus in my concepts. I work in the things that show some progress and keep pushing that path. I got set friends that trust and follow the suggestion by heart because they are not bad people and if you artist friends like that I suggest you talk to them and see what ideas you come with.
Doing less show is no a solution because the income will go down and what happen if does good show get rain out. You need to find better shows and replace the weaker shows.
One great advice from Howard Allan you need to give a show three tries assuming that you a least breaking even. Amy in podcast in here said is very hard to find effective advertising for the shows. I think that all promoters care one way or other and understand the mutual relationship is need it.
At end you need to do what is best for you and only you can make that choice. Do not worry about the promoters because you can do anything about that. It is business and approach it that way. It may be late for this year but try pass this year and see what market are working normally for you and stay in those. If you need to travel please do so. Do not let your pride get the best of you and just believe in yourself and do not loose hope.
Amy Amdur those what she can to promote her shows. She had put a lot of the shows under one big umbrella. The sense is there are to many shows in Chicago, IL. I used to complain why people do not talk about Howard as they do of her but the difference is the Florida is a State and Chicago is a big city. Some show like Long Grove show not be held anymore. Some show in general should not be held anymore. I think if the promoter is doing everything she or he can do and traffic is really bad during a period of three years and artist constantly changing it is time to let show go to grave. Another thing we forget that cost of producing a show are going up just the same way our COGS are going up.
The key is to understand the market and what is going on in general. Kids are paying most of the stuff cash on hand (or pay in full at the end of the month). The are saving at least 5% of the check.They prefer the experience over stuff. The stuff they tent to buy is digital games, clothes, etc. The demographic for most artist are couples looking for decorating there homes. Some people do not appreciated art as they use to and art studies in high school is almost not there.
If you are doing everything you can, email and mailing blast, You are adding new work, The booth looks neat, You present yourself properly, At the show you are in your booth trying moving your work, following leads, adding contacts, etc and after all that your show does not work is time to let go that show and find another show. At end nobody is forcing you do that event. It is your choice to walk way to better event.
I personally cut the amount of shows in my hometown to possible handful. I am electing to travel because doing an event out town cost the same that event in my hometown and the profit is higher. I know that I done everything I can and won't blame anyone but myself for any decline in my sales. I will joy the profit because is me working hard and understanding. Yes I had made people mad. The one thing I know after putting a happy face at the show and fake a smile when I wanted to cry that when I end closing the door in my trailer and driver door. I am driving way thinking do have enough to paid my bills. If I do I drive happy even is not lot money. If do not have enough I wonder what I can paid late.
Jan, good observation, I feel the same as you. Everything is going up in price, promoters are still making money, and I'm not. Are you now ordering water in Denny's rather than pay $2.50 for a ice filled glass of Pepsi. Some promoters are going to Facebook for promotions and cutting back their direct campaign costs. I thought I would try a Facebook business page last month. I did a one week ad to promote my website for $52. It reached 4,718 people , had 52 responses, and no sales. Much worse than any show with 5,000 attendees. I therefore don't think Facebook will do much for promoters. This will be the year when we all must think about what we are doing.
I have a similar problem (costs up/sales down) with what used to be my "big show": Comic Con International's Art Show. Not because attendance is down-- rather, the opposite. Attendance is at max allowed by the fire marshal, ticket sales are capped and by lottery, which means many former annual attendees can no longer attend. Including those who "always" bought something from me. Ticket sales, and parking fees, have also gone way up-- as, of course, have transportation and hotel costs.... The cost for ART SHOW space has remained the same... but vendor space (if you can get it at all...) has gone up significantly from what it was when I started there.
The Long Grove show isn't a good example except as a worst case example. The attendance was dropping for several years, and for a while was ran by a school PTO group with coordinators changing frequently. I finally threw the towel in on that show when I saw that jewellers and photographers were over half of the show. I had received the booth assignments, saw that, and cancelled two weeks before the show a couple of years ago. Since then, the show has been taken over by a commercial promoter, but I can't see trying it again.
The Millenium show was under a different name back then as the NEw Eastside Artworks Festival and was ran by Cynthia Quick, who is unfortunately is out of the art business now. The current fees are much greater than they were back then, but commensurate with Amdur's other shows. I won't pay that much for a show so I don't do those. I did the New Eastside show for several years and enjoyed doing that one, and yes it is missed.