Monday, June 27, 2016

3 years into Art Licensing - Things are starting to grab hold.

Hey Everyone!

Can you believe I started blogging 3 years ago last March?! Time flies when you are having fun ;-)

I thought I would chat a bit about where I am 3 years in. This isn't a gauge of where you should be, but from what I have heard and read, I look to be about 'average' ;-) Some say it takes 3-5 years to get going in this business.

 

Art

My art and patterns are SO MUCH better than 3 years ago thanks to the input of my agent ArtsDG.com and manufacturers. Art Licensing really is a wonderful community of support! Creating art almost every day really has done the trick too ;-) Practice makes perfect.

Licensing

I will rattle off a few licenses. Halloween figurines coming out this fall, Patriotic Notepads and note cards on Amazon and other sites. Flags and soft goods (to be announced soon) through a manufacturer that also sells through Wayfair, Amazon and Walmart. Thankful for a handful of manufacturers shopping some of my art around. - Things are starting to grab hold! :-D I need to take a minute and give a shout out to ArtLicensingShow.com - 3 exciting opportunities have come my way through this site - Cool Beans! Thankful for all the hard work my agent ArtsDG.com has done and continues to do <3


Blogging/Social Media 

Social media and blogging has been great for me and hopefully good information for all of you too. I get a front row seat and learn new things with each post. Nothing is better than when a manufacturer recognizes you at a trade show and raves about you & the blog! I am really blessed. It has been a fabulous way to connect with you. I appreciate all of you who have sent money to support the blog & newsletter. I could use more support. (Tip jar and PayPal link, top of right-hand column).


My "2nd Thursdays" group on ArtLicensingShow.com is a monthly text chat group. We put our heads together and great ideas and information come from it! Recently Susan January, VP Leanin' Tree was in the hot seat while the group asked her questions. If you are a paid member of ArtlicensingShow.com, you can get the PDF of the chat on the 2nd Thursdays group wall.

I recently decided to put the Pattern Parade on hold. I hope to pick it back up when I can afford an intern. Over the last 3 years I have added more to my social media plate and it was time to trim back a bit.

If you haven't already, I would LOVE to connect with you on social media sites. I enjoy seeing what all of you are up to :-D Go to my website and scroll to the bottom for the list/links of social media sites I am on http://www.annietroe.com. If you like, sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss any of the action here on the blog.

Advice?

While I haven't been in the licensing business that many years AND this is what I have to remind myself of once in awhile –– If you want it, you will get there. Stick to it, and one step at a time works beautifully. It won't be a straight path. Go where the opportunities pop up.

Any of you have advice you would like to share in the comments below? That would be great! Looking forward to hearing about your journey. Hugs!


12 comments:

  1. Love how you share your experiences :-) Thank you for that. Looks like you have come a long way in three years. Time flies!

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    1. Pam! I have a lot more art after 3 years of working at it ;-) So great of you to stop by the blog, Thanks!

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  2. Congrats Ann for making progresses in so many areas and thank you for sharing your experieces.

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    1. So great to 'see' you May! Thank you for stopping by the blog :-D

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  3. So happy for you! I am going to become a paid member of the Art Licensing Show, instead, the free loading one I am now- then maybe something will happen! Thanks for the update and all the info!! Xxoo

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    1. Hey Tracy! Be sure to get involved with the site. I upload portfolio pages to speed up the process of getting art on the site (rather than uploading one image at a time). Share them with all the art directors ;-) Post in the 'current' stream etc.

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  4. Great post and so inspiring for us newbies to keep going. I've been on the fence for a while about joining art licencing show. I think I'll take another look ��

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    1. You can join for free and look around if you like. I like that it is a LOT less expensive than a booth at Surtex. Thanks for stopping by the blog!

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  5. Lovely to know that all your hard work is paying off!

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    1. Hi Artistretreat! Great to "see" you and thanks so much <3

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  6. You are a perfect example of someone who has stayed focused, kept moving in a forward direction and reached out when you needed to--oh, and continue to grow as an artist. Kind of a winning formula if you ask me! Thank you for your generosity within this community--it's all good!

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    1. Hey Ronnie! THANK you for such kind words! I enjoy looking back and seeing how much better my art is getting <3 Thanks a bunch for stopping by the blog :-D

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