Last Wednesday night, the 17^th of March, I did an interview (click here to listen to the full interview) with the delightful Tara Reed of www.artlicensinginfo.com. It was a question and answer about licensing and apparently she had a lot of people with a lot of questions! We were only able to cover about 12 of them, but it was very interesting for me to rethink this subject again. Licensing has changed so much since I first got started that it’s practically an entirely different business now. As with many other industries, technology has altered EVERYTHING. For the better, mostly, but  since anyone and everyone can now show and sell on the internet, it makes it a little harder to stand out in the crowd and be able to actually make a living in art licensing.

One of the most commonly asked questions is “Should I get an agent?” An agent is an excellent way to get your foot in the door at companies you otherwise would not be able to access. Agents worth their salt know the right people to talk to the first time, so you’re not wasting your time. And as long as the agent is actively working for you (and by that I mean staying in touch with the people who can keep your program going once initial contact has been made), then they’re worth their weight in gold. If you agree upon a fee up front to just have an agent get you in the door, that’s one thing (If you do that, you, or someone on your team, better have the organizational skills to manage the program because it is an astounding amount of work if you don’t want it to just be a flash-in-the-pan program). If you agree to a percentage of the whole program because supposedly the agent will be managing everything, you will still need to stay on top of things to make sure everything is being taken care of. Make sure in your contract with the agent that you have an exit plan in writing in case things don’t go as planned.

Remember, your art work is the reason you are all gathered together there– DO NOT UNDERVALUE IT.  And do not assume that just because you have a signed contract with an agent or a manufacturer or retailer that all will go smoothly now and you can just step back, make art and not worry.  You have to stay informed and you have to make sure people honor the agreements you’ve made with them. 

The other piece of advice I always offer is GET AN ATTORNEY. One who is well-versed in intellectual property law. Preferably not a friend or relative. And I don’t care if you’re going into business with your very bestest friend or even your own mother– get a contract spelling out everybody’s jobs, obligations, and exit plans. If your soon-to-be business partner balks at this, you need a different business partner.

If I sound grim, it’s because I’ve been through some grim times with just these kinds of problems and I want you to avoid them! And of course, most of my business life has been wonderful and yours will be too, with a little common-sense business planning up front. The bottom line is we’re all extremely, unbelievably lucky to be doing this for a living in any way, shape, or form, so HAVE FUN! …Just as soon as you get that contract signed.

~Mary

P.S. Going forward, I’m putting a permanent link on our website to Tara’s website, www.artlicensinginfo.com, for anyone who is looking for advice on art licensing. You can also check out Tara’s other great sites, like http://artmarketingwithtara.com/ and http://www.tarareeddesigns.com/, for more useful info and to see her own wonderful artwork. She’s a busy lady!

3, 2, 1-- Time to stuff the goodie bags!

I don’t know about you but I’ve always prepared for big events by counting down; 2 weeks before school starts, 8 days before Christmas, 2 more months before my due date and now 45 days before April 29 and the first Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Workshops begin.

I’ve been counting all the surprises that will be in the goodie bags. There will be a true goodie from all our wonderful advertisers who partnered with Home Companion over many, many years. I can’t tell you exactly what they are but look for products from Amy Butler, Glue Dots, Fiskars, Andrews & McMeel, Leisure Arts, Canvas, Ranger Ink, Swirly Design, Moda and Hambly Screen Prints. And that’s not all.

As readers you often wrote how you loved to visit the artists we profiled in every issue of Home Companion. Many of these talented and exceptional people have donated a piece from their collection to be part of our incredible drawing. As an attendee you have the chance to win a treasure from Lotta Jansdotter, Dave and Roberta Williamson, Laura Zeck, Jill Schwartz, Tamar Mogendorff, Rebecca Purcell, David Walker, Patience Brewster and there are more.

Here I am counting again. Baby Lock is donating 2 fabulous sewing machines for our luncheon drawing. OttLite is being equally generous with their specialty lighting. And you’ve known from the very beginning that Mary will give away one of her valuable originals. Crane & Co is donating stationary and Paper Source is donating certificates to their classes.  Mary tells me I can say no more or all our secret surprises will be out.

Counting has always been my way to handle the excitement and anxiety of anticipation. So as I count, I also will be counting the number of old and new friends I’ll welcome to St. Louis!

So if you’re still undecided about registering for our craft-a-ganza, don’t get COUNTED OUT. Sign up, classes are starting to close.

~ Barbara

P.S. I was delighted to read about Charlotte Lyons’ prep for her workshop Cuckoo Clocks. Check it out here.

Barbara Martin is the formor Executive Editor of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine and is now heading up the new MEHC Workshops along with Mary. You can meet Barbara in St. Louis at the first ever MEHC Workshop this April.