Laughter is Good Medicine
This weekend I laughed and laughed and laughed. Notice you can’t read the word laugh without at least smiling and maybe giving a little chuckle. It has magical powers, laughter that is. It can transform situations and shared experiences. Usually, I am pretty good about laughing at my own foibles; however, this time it was…
Creating Collectors of Your Art
This weekend I was at the Porcelain Convention in San Diego learning throwing and surface decoration techniques from 4 celebrated ceramic artists. I took a lot of notes on tips and tricks and jotted reminders to try the new things I was learning. Going to a conference this like gives you a creative boost and…
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
There is a moment in the creative process when you know what the end result is going to be no matter what you do. With ceramics, this moment sometimes comes early (the piece is perfect in every way), but often occurs when you open the kiln; especially when you have taken a chance on a…
Finding Inspiration
I admit it, I regularly lack inspiration. And, I don’t know about you but when I lack inspiration, I think about quitting. The problem is quitting is not an option for me. Letting go of things that are no longer working for me, yes. But not quitting. What’s the difference? It’s really a mind-set shift. …
Seeking Out Marketing Opportunities
Imagine you are in a box and you are trying to get out. Because of my theatre training, in my mind I am already pantomiming (with white gloves) the four walls. So, you are stuck in this box looking for a way out. What you fail to notice is that there is no top on…
Picking Apples
It’s that time of the year . . . apple picking season. It’s one of my favorite times of year because I have an apple tree in my yard that produces enough apples for me to not have to buy from the store for several months. I love apples and eat one almost every day. …
It’s a Celebration – Using Holidays in Your Marketing Message
Avast! As I write this article, on Sunday, September 19, 2010, it is the International “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” I could attempt to continue writing in pirate speak; however, I’m going to walk the plank and tell you how I’ve successfully used holidays in my marketing messages over the past couple of years. First,…
Who Do You Know?
There is an old saying about getting a job (especially in Los Angeles), that it’s not what you know, but who you know. Well, this is true not only in getting a job but also in getting and keeping customers. Success (rather than, guilt) by association. If you know or have met a “celebrity,” somehow…
Putting Yourself Out There
I was a production/directing theatre major and as part of my education, I had to go out on stage. One time I was sent out in a full beard as Polonius in Hamlet, but that’s a story for another time. I hated being on stage, because like 90% of the population, I had stage fright. …
What is the Number 1 Question Your Customers Are Asking Themselves?
Can I trust you? No, really . . . this is a very important question that I must ask before we do business together and this is what your customers are asking themselves before they start doing business with you. The reality is we are living a hostile world – full of crooks and criminals…