Last time I asked for your "Best Thing I Ever Learned" and got some replies.  Here they are:

Gayle Rappaport-Weiland said, "I have enjoyed reading your insights. My feeling is your word and your integrity is the most important thing you have. Say what you mean and do what you say. People then will trust you and learn they can count on you." I agree with Gayle. It's the basis for building those critical relationships during your art marketing. If people trust and respect you, that's the best foundation piece you can have.

Judy Warner added, "No one gives you credit for doing your job (that's what you're getting paid for)--it's the extra that you do that people appreciate and remember."  Good point Judy. Going above and beyond gets you noticed.  An example:  I recently bought two prints, from different artists. One sent me the print with signed documentation on the back, it was in a clear plastic protective sleeve. She also included her business card and a nice gift of one a couple of her greeting cards that I can use (and it will promote her as well, good thinking on her part). The other artist sent the print. No wrapping, no documentation, no reciept, nothing. The prices were the same, and even if they were not it wouldn't matter. The first artist really stood out and I appreciate her efforts.  Guess which artist I will be buying from again?

From Harry Sagara (thanks hubs!), "The best favor you can do for yourself is get a colonoscopy." He asked me to say that a friend from work told him that, he did, and they found cancer. That was five years ago. Luckily, it was caught early and he's fine now. If he hadn't taken his friend's advice, he would not be here with me today. And the meaning goes further as well. It's always best not to be afriad to do what you know needs to be done, whether it's your health, or your art career. Small steps, one thing at a time, can be life-changing!

What are YOUR gems?



New series!  Would love your help on this because we all have `em. You know, those wonderful little things you've picked up along life's path that really helped you, that you use every day, the precious gems that should be shared with everyone.

I'll start, but please send me yours or add it here on the blog as a comment!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Best Thing I Ever Learned #1:
While shopping with my daughter for shoes, many moons ago. From the very nice, older shoe salesman.  He said, "Whatever happens first, and last, are the things people will remember."

He was talking about his marriage, and why he felt it was a success. But it applies to just about everything in life as well. He believed that the most important things in life and relationships are what happens first and last. Like, in the morning when he and his wife got up, they tried to make sure the first thing that happened was pleasant, and the last before they went to sleep.  A kind word, a shared moment, a smile, a hug.  I tried it, he was right.

Years later I was reading a book about marketing and the author said the same thing. That the first and last contact you have with a customer, a client, a potential client are the most important. That's what they remember.

It's quite true, it works. So, when a client of mine told me that a friend had advised him to inundate his mailing list with emails because "It's not like they're customers, it's only email, they can always delete it," I protested and explained, "That little email is your first contact with a client or a potential client. It may be your last. They'll remember it.  Do you want to alienate and insult them by basically stalking them with email? Is that what you want them to remember most about you?"

Years ago, when I was an event coordinator for a restaurant I taught my staff the same thing. We were young, we made a lot of mistakes, but we really tried to make sure that our first and last contact with customers and clients were positive.  It's amazing how forgiving people were of the mistakes, and how they remembered those first and last encounters.

Okay, so what's YOUR gem?  Send it on over and we'll share it here so we all can benefit.

All my best to you and yours,