March 2012 .:. Biz Goals

The extendo-month of February is done, and even with that bonus day, it flew on by - {AND I'm a day late posting}.

In addition to below, I joined SF Etsy, I've been meeting {in person} with a group of "-preneurs" on ce a month which Rocks, and I'm taking a painting class with Michael Cutlip {which is taking me out of my confort zone, and that's exactly why I'm doing it.}

OK, let's check out those goals:

JAN-MAR 2012 Goals

1. Identify and contact 2-3 potential licensors over the next 3 months - Have identified 25, and now need to put together queries. Query lettters put together, and images chosen to send
   
   
2. Get packages off to the 2 companies that are interested in my design work- am re-evaluating this, I'm not sure I'm interested in doing this {gulp} every time I think about it I think "sigh... I'll do something else on my list." I'm flipping this, and am going to choose some places that I'd like to work with...
3. Re-work and FINISH artist statement for website and for portfolio - STILL working on it (with some help from a friend)
   
   
4. Pattern design - create 2-3 series - have thought about this one, and actually haven't done Anything, I feel like I have a lot of other boats in the water, and need to work on them first.
   
   
5. Start flower painting series for licensing. 12 images. Seasonal. Pen & Ink and Paint. Nada, BUT I've been painting, just not that calculatedly.
6. Put a list together of 10-12 people I know and ask them about what methods they have used to market their work. Put the list together, and now need to compose an e-mail.
7. Write announcements and press releases about my current work. Target 10-15 blogs and SEND them out! Sent out 3. No responses
8. Work more on branding and ask for testimonials/words from peers. - putting a list together of people to ask for "praise". All the people on my list have been asked, I have some back already, am waiting for others!
   
   
9. Re-evaluate ALL of these things as the days and week pass, and listen to my own voice and re-evaluate their importance/priority I am re-evaluating a few things on this list. Patterns: I need to follow through with my Etsy shop and my jewelery and a few other things before I throw out another thing. Too much. Painting Series: the idea is OK, but it's too forced. At least right now. I AM painting. I need to paint what is speaking to me, and not set it up trying to pre-suppose what a licensor wants, and paint to that. Nope. not goign towork that way.
10. Add to this list with any new ideas/possibilities
11. Create for FUN and JOY. Another reason #5 wasn't working

Happy March everyone, looking forward to seeing where you're all at!

________________________

IF you are new to The Meetup or would like to play along, here's the scoop:

• Post a list of your business related goals for the current month on the 1st of each month on your blog. {If the 1st falls on a weekend, post on the following Monday.}
• Come back over here and leave a link to your goals blog post in the comments of my current month's goals.
• And then {and this is the most important part, since we are a community} visit all the links in the comments, stop in and say hello, have a conversation, meet and greet and etc.

Comments

[Deborah]

Liz,
Your month sounds pretty darn productive to me. While I obviously think it is important to have goals I also think it is important to listen when you mind and body are pushing you in another direction. The best things happen to me when I do this. For the last two months I have been doing an "in-house" artist residency. Yes, that's right -- a residency right in my own studio. I set some loose goals and then just let the clay, pencils and fabric fly. I have never made better work or been more happy. I wish the same for you!!!

http://www.graysonstudios.com/2012/03/01/too-enjoyable-to-stop/

[Genevieve]

I was a bit late on this one myself. I saw it approaching and then suddenly the 1st was over. It looks like you've made some good progress on your goals and most importantly are getting clear on what you really want to be doing. Way to go Liz!

And here's my post, http://www.lightboxsf.com/journal/2012/3/1/march-business-goals.html

[Account Deleted]

Thanks for this impressive stuff. Excellent post.

http://www.wordpresstemplates.net

[Lindsey]

Congrats on the things you accomplished, it sounds like you are really moving forward on a lot of your goals :)

here are mine,

http://fallenpeach.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/meetup-march-2012/

[adrianacreations]

Hi Liz,

This is the link to the post that I just made on my blog.

http://adrianacreations.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/goals/

I'm sorry that I'm late but, I'm new at this. Hope you all don't mind.
Also I included a button of your blog on "the blogs that I love to read" section.

Thank you for your talent.
xoxo

[Debbie]

All your goals are really connecting with me this month. I'm trying to just get painting instead of being too pushy with myself. I like that you are really thinking about where you want to bring your work. I think sometimes we get so desperate to get our stuff somewhere we don't think about if we truly want to be there. Here's to deep thinking and planning with your work. As always you continue to inspire me. Thank you, Liz.

Here's mine...sorry I'm a bit late.
http://bluehourstudio.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-time-for-march-meetup.html

[Kristen]

Hi Liz, I'm late, I'm late for a very important date! lol. I finally posted my goals today. Feb was insane and creative and wonderful. From your list it sounds like it was really productive for you as well. I am so excited about you meeting "-preneurs" once a month. I did that all last year and have made wonderful friendships and it has been a blessing for my biz too. I am also excited about your painting class - yeah for stretching out of your comfort zone! Sounds like you are getting closer to making contacts about your work and revisiting what are you are up to and if it feels right. Keep it fun and the ideas will flow. I find I rebel against things that are too rigid. It is smart to listen if you keep putting something to the end of the list. i have a few of those I need to revisit too ;)

Well, here are my goals for March: http://kf-creativestash.blogspot.com/