katie rose on thu 21 nov 96
hi clayart folks,
like most artists, i prefer to be doing art rather than selling my work.
lately i have been thinking about having someone else show my work to
galleries. have any of you worked with an artist's sales rep and, if so,
could you share your experience around it? also, need to know what kinds of
arrangements (commissions etc) were set up.
thanks for all input.
katie rose
****************************************************
katie rose
raven@sedona.net
"Love is the reflection of God's unity in the world of duality. It
constitutes the entire significance of creation." (Meher Baba)
Jeff Lawrence on fri 22 nov 96
Katie Rose writes:
> have any of you worked with an artist's sales rep and, if so,
>could you share your experience around it? also, need to know what kinds of
Katie,
Maybe my situation is too different -- I don't sell to galleries and my
product is more accessory than art (I make ceramic lighting fixtures,
selling to showrooms and electrical distributors). But I do use reps and
I've made the following discoveries:
-- a good sales rep will bind him/herself to you with hoops of gold. It is a
great dynamic - he/she can give you advice on marketability that you can't
get elsewhere. Customers usually lack the candor, the objectivity, and the
insight of a well-seasoned rep. And orders come in with no sweat from you.
Since you don't pay commission until you get paid, a good rep avoids no-pays
and leans on slow-pays for you.
-- a bad sales rep will cost you on several fronts. If you entrust a
territory to a slug, you lose money now because sales aren't happening. If
you stick with him/her, you are losing the gradually growing sales that
would come about from increased awareness in the territory. Worst, by
association with a someone of dubious integrity, your reputation suffers.
-- you'll always be the best salesperson for things you design or make, both
because you'll know your product best, and because prospective customers
will respond mo' better to someone who isn't "just a salesperson"
-- be businesslike if you decide to use reps, both out of fairness to them
and consideration for your own reputation. Check 'em out by calling the
galleries in the area you're focusing on and asking who the good reps are.
It shows good business sense, which is what a store owner likes to see.
Plus, it's only a quick sly lateral move into discussing getting your work
into their shop.
Good luck!
Jeff Lawrence
Route 1 Box 394L
Espanola, NM 87532
jml@sundagger.com
505-753-5913 vox/fax
Stern HQ on sat 23 nov 96
Does anyone know of a good artist's rep in the Denver, Colorado area?
His/her area needn't be limited to Colorado but I think it would be best
if my rep were in or near my home. Thanks in advance. Jeni Stern
On Fri, 22 Nov 1996, Jeff Lawrence wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Katie Rose writes:
> > have any of you worked with an artist's sales rep and, if so,
> >could you share your experience around it? also, need to know what kinds of
>
> Katie,
>
> Maybe my situation is too different -- I don't sell to galleries and my
> product is more accessory than art (I make ceramic lighting fixtures,
> selling to showrooms and electrical distributors). But I do use reps and
> I've made the following discoveries:
>
> -- a good sales rep will bind him/herself to you with hoops of gold. It is a
> great dynamic - he/she can give you advice on marketability that you can't
> get elsewhere. Customers usually lack the candor, the objectivity, and the
> insight of a well-seasoned rep. And orders come in with no sweat from you.
> Since you don't pay commission until you get paid, a good rep avoids no-pays
> and leans on slow-pays for you.
>
> -- a bad sales rep will cost you on several fronts. If you entrust a
> territory to a slug, you lose money now because sales aren't happening. If
> you stick with him/her, you are losing the gradually growing sales that
> would come about from increased awareness in the territory. Worst, by
> association with a someone of dubious integrity, your reputation suffers.
>
> -- you'll always be the best salesperson for things you design or make, both
> because you'll know your product best, and because prospective customers
> will respond mo' better to someone who isn't "just a salesperson"
>
> -- be businesslike if you decide to use reps, both out of fairness to them
> and consideration for your own reputation. Check 'em out by calling the
> galleries in the area you're focusing on and asking who the good reps are.
> It shows good business sense, which is what a store owner likes to see.
> Plus, it's only a quick sly lateral move into discussing getting your work
> into their shop.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Jeff Lawrence
> Route 1 Box 394L
> Espanola, NM 87532
> jml@sundagger.com
> 505-753-5913 vox/fax
>
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