Leslie Saeta Fine Art
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the everyday life of a working artist

The Last Five Steps

2/5/2016

21 Comments

 
Over the years I have made it a priority to share marketing ideas with other artists. I believe that artists helping artists is a good concept and we should all try to do more to help one another. But how far should this help go?

Let's take the example of how I like to post my abstracts in rooms. It's been a huge marketing tool for me this past year and it has taken a lot of work. I use photoshop to place the photos in the rooms. The photos I use have been gathered from a year of hard work. I use my own photos, I have taken photos of friends homes, I have purchased some and I have emailed and contacted hundreds of photographers and designers. It's been a lot of work.

This past year I have received hundreds of emails asking how I create these photos, where I get the photos of the rooms and why I don't share my photos with other artists. Here is my response.

I will help you but I won't do it for you. Marketing is a lot of hard work. It doesn't come that easy. I share a lot but you need to do those last five steps. You need to find your own photos. And you need to figure out how to edit them. (I use photoshop.)

I had the same issue with the Thirty in Thirty Painting Challenge. I know for many artists it was hard to figure out how to upload their daily photos on my blog. So that's why I created a step by step instruction page and also why I personally answered hundreds of emails to help the artists figure it out. I did however say no to the artists who emailed me photos of their paintings and asked me to upload them everyday to my blog. It's the last five steps that I just can't and should not do. I promise I am not being mean. Rather, I know you will be better off it you spend the time to figure it out. And I have to be honest. I just don't have the time.

So don't hesitate to try new things. But understand that you have to take those last five steps.
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21 Comments
Lissa
2/5/2016 05:44:16 am

You are spot on! I found your website a few weeks ago and find it extremely helpful and I think you are very generous with providing tips and advice.

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:23:48 am

Thanks Lissa. It's fun to share ideas. Maybe some day I will do a blog post about all of the ideas that did not work!

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Bobbi Heath link
2/5/2016 07:12:07 am

Leslie, I'm so glad you wrote this post. The most important thing you've taught me about art marketing is that sharing is the key to selling. You continually do so much for us artists, and when you learn something new, you promptly share it with all of us. (I actualy thought you were using iArtView for the wonderful room photos, but I shouldhave realized you would be doing it in a way that is free!) But people can't move forward with their own careers unless they can learn to do it themselves. Like you say, it those last five steps! - Bobbi

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:25:09 am

Bobbi,
I am so glad you agree. You know that if we take the time to figure things out then we will be able to do them forever!

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Carol Tufford link
2/8/2016 02:14:26 am

Bobbi..I thought the same thing that Leslie was using iArtView. I have to say that I agree with Leslie also... I don't think she is being mean and she has put in a lot of hard work when it comes to marketing. One must be willing to put in the time to research how to do something. It is not impossible... She shares so much on AHA already.

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Mary Walsh
2/5/2016 07:44:59 am

I am amazed at how much FREE information that you share online.
I took one of your classes in Pasadena and have been a fan ever since. Thanks for all your hard work and answering all the emails!

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:26:31 am

The best information is free. I am astounded how many marketing ideas are right in front of us being done successfully for another business. That's where I get my best ideas!

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Jacqueline Davis
2/5/2016 08:13:43 am

Well said! It amazes me how much of this you do yourself. It is the reason you are so successful!

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Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:27:28 am

Jacqueline,
Most might think I am just too cheap. But in truth I love all of the marketing stuff!

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Kim VanDerHoek link
2/5/2016 06:06:58 pm

You said it very well! Part of being a professional artist is figuring out the business side of things. It's great to get tips or some help but there are a number of things you have to learn how to do on your own and those lessons will make you a better artist and business person in the long run.

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Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:27:53 am

Thanks Kim. So well said!

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Robin Johnson link
2/7/2016 04:43:26 am

Thank you Leslie for all you share and all the encouragement you freely give your fellow artists. I found you through AHA about five years ago and I wouldn't be where I am today without your great advise. I'll admit to being guilty as charged - asking how you created those great photos - still honing my editing skills with photoshop! Hoping to take one of you workshops in the future - until then there's always webinArts.

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:29:24 am

You are not guilty for asking! I am so glad you did. I was just frustrated from the few who expected me to share my hard earned room photos. It has taken me a year to build this database!

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Sue Furrow link
2/7/2016 07:03:16 am

I also ask you this question. I thought perhaps there was a website of room photos a person could use. It will take years to get photos such as yours, but I can probably use one over and over. I for one, certainly have appreciated all you have done for us, the internet illiterates . Enjoy your life and thanks a ton. Sue

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 07:31:38 am

Sue,
I am glad you asked me. I just know I wasn't able to get back to some of the emails promptly as there were so many! And I have already used some of my photos over and over.

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Molly Tuttle
2/7/2016 09:43:57 am

Well said. You are more than generous with sharing info.

And whether a person will take the last 5 steps is usually a sign of whether or not they are serious about their art career or serious about learning.

Kudos for all you share and double Kudos for saying no when you should!

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/7/2016 10:00:39 am

Thanks Molly! And you are so right that taking those last five steps does reflect on being serious about ones art career! It's not that the steps are hard, it's just that they take time. That's all.

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Mercedes franklin link
2/13/2016 06:52:41 am

I rec & read the article on "last five steps. I saw ... Collect photos, edit & upload. I don't see the other 2 steps?
Mercedes

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Lavette
2/14/2016 10:18:23 am

Leslie, I can vouch for you helping so many of us artists. I send you an email and within minutes you respond, and you answer my questions or help with whatever I am "stuck" on. I don't know how you do it but I am so thankful that you share with us all on this colorful road.

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Roxanne Steed link
2/16/2016 09:00:22 am

Leslie, I am LOVING the new focus of your blog...it is visually beautiful, and oh- so helpful, and inspiring as well! Can't say enough good things about it! and yes, one of these days I'd like to take an abstract painting workshop with you!

Reply
Leslie Saeta
2/27/2016 07:40:52 am

Thanks Roxanne! I am really happy with the new focus of my blog too. I was feeling really guilty about not posting on my blog and finally realized it was because I was bored with it! Plus it was just saying the same old thing as my Facebook posts and website. So the "reinvention" has been a great thing. Hopefully I won't run out of things to talk about ...

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