Online Workshops!
Welcome back! We took a bit of a break but now we're back to continue our conversation about all of the different ways that you can build a career in surface design.
Pre COVID, you might have been doing paint parties or other types of workshops in-person around the type of art that you love to do. Hopefully, you can offer those in-person events again soon. In the meantime, however, it’s great to learn how to offer them online. Just think of the expanded reach that provides.
We all learned how to use Zoom. Many of us became more active in private Facebook groups. Both of those tools allow you to teach online - live or recorded. Really all you need to do is share your screen when you’re demonstrating or showcasing a technique. I love to use an app called ecamm live and you can check out a free trial HERE.
The reason that workshops are an interesting category is because they offer the personal connection people want, and the global reach you can achieve online. That is a big advantage because you don't have to be limited to just the number of people who can show up to your creative studio.
My tips for you around this category are:
#1 - Think about your reach.
If you do an online workshop, your reach is much, much broader than if you are just teaching in person and people have to physically come to one particular location. This leads to higher levels of impact and income for you as an artist, while helping you establish a relationship with a wider audience.
#2 – Use workshops to fund longer term goals.
The topic you teach doesn't have to fall under Surface Design. It can be anything you love to teach that will help you bring in some money as you continue down the path of becoming a Surface Designer. This is especially important if you really like the idea of becoming licensed. As we discussed a few weeks ago, the licensing process takes quite some time. You’ll want to have some form of income to keep you going until you get those first few licensing deal. And you may want to continue with workshops as a way to diversify your income.
#3 – Offer your products during the workshop.
When you have a workshop in-person or virtually, you can also offer your products for sale. This is another way for you to get your beautiful products into the hands of customers. For in-person events, create a gift area where customers can shop before and after the workshop. For your online audience, make sure that you provide links to your website and your print on demand sites so they can shop from home.
Once customers experience your teaching style through a workshop, they're more likely to want to buy something from you. They’ll be eager to stay connected and purchase a few products that keep that connection alive after the workshop ends.
Next week, we're going to jump into memberships. Don't forget to download my free e-book, How to Craft a Career in Surface Design. I’ve included examples of students who have come into my universe, #annesuniverse, and are now selling their designs using a variety of these different techniques.
Reading student success stories is a very powerful way to bring these concepts to life and inspire you to give them a try.
Pop over to my YouTube channel to watch the video version of this blog. Please subscribe while you’re over there and I’ll see you next week.
Bye for now!
xo,
Anne
Dive even deeper into how to Craft a Career You Love in Surface Design by downloading my free ebook HERE.
Have fun and I’ll see you next week.
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
