Hi Geoffrey!

I noticed that most of the artists, including myself have a problem figuring out where and how to start.
The scariest thing is how much proper marketing is going to cost?
Obviously "spot marketing" - doing little bits here or there when it is affordable - sort of an "amateur mode", will produce little or no results and at times can even work against the artist. Professional help from the specialist like yourself is a necessity not a luxury.
However if the artist can deal with the marketing advisor fees - ask how much is the fee and go. The expenses associated with all of the necessary things, that you listed above, are a big mystery. Art marketing manuals, that I have read, do not give even "raw" number of how much the artist should plan to spend on marketing.
This is an important question because if you have enough money to print invitations per say, but not sure that you can pay for stamps in time for the show - what is the point of printing?
Another thing - my friend an established muralist says that every copy of his portfolio cost him $50 not counting the time for assembling. To assemble the original portfolio he invested over $2000. Forget the stamps...

It is obvious that artist should plan his marketing 1-2 years in advance. At this moment professional help is crucial - to check on the artist if he/she follows the plan and help adapting to always changing art market.

My question is "How much money should be budgeted for a successful campain?
How much artist should plan to spend?
I understand that the one could not buy success or talent, but what is the point of buying "fancy seats" when one needs the whole "car"?

>Things to consider when making short
>and long term goals for
>getting your work out there
>on a regular basis include:
>studio shows, juried and invitational
>shows, group shows, art fairs,
>internet shows, galleries, museums, non-profit
>spaces, art consultants, interior designers,
>architects, framers, publishers, multiple prints,
>posters, cards, calendars, offering workshops,
>writing about your specialty, etc...
>
>
>A big challenge for each artist
>is to figure out which
>marketing strategy is the most
>productive one. I can help
>artists in that area.

What number will all of those things will add up to?

Lets say like with the car purchase one knows the total and all is needed is to work out and follow the payment plan.

Please, scare us! "To fight this evil - one must face it!" - by me