True-Life Tips For Creative Success – Part Two

Hello Lovely!   As promised, I’m back with five more true-life tips for creative success.  Yes – I have MORE insider tips to share with you! Pop over and read my previous blog post, <a href="https://blog.studio-m.com/marketplace/true-life-tips-for-creative-success">True-Life Tips for Creative Success</a>, to catch the first part of this two-part blog series. Each idea I share builds on the others to form a cohesive whole, so you’ll want to keep the first five tips handy as we round out our top ten today...  It can be intimidating to put your art out into the world. Our art is personal. We pour time, energy, space, and mental acuity into the works we create. So, it’s no surprise that sharing our work with an Art Director, or even just family and friends, can be scary and bring our insecurities into focus.   Studio M cares so much and stands for you, the artist. I want you to know: Your Work Matters. What you create — whether a digital artform, or tangible object — is as unique as you are, and the world NEEDS your distinctive creativity. What we are building with Studio M Marketplace is a place where artists are the focal point. Consider yourself surrounded by a creative community ready to cheer you on as you move towards your own brand of creative success!  Without further ado, let’s revisit our premise for these additional tips for creative success. We’re answering this question: “How do I stand out and get noticed in the sea of other creatives?”   Here are tips six through ten!  <h2 style="font-size: 30px;">Tip #6: BE NICE. Be On Time. Be Responsive.  </h2> Want to know the BEST way to promote both your work and work ethic? Do every job as well and as mindfully as you can. Make it easy for Art Directors to communicate with you. Be kind, organized and on the ball! These traits seriously make all the difference. In fact, the WAY you communicate your art often means as much – or more – than the actual artwork itself! If you want to work with a client for a second or third time, make sure their experience working with you is a positive one!   Do this and I really can promise that Art Directors will come back to you again and again.  <h6 style="font-size: 30px;">Tip #7: Be Smart on Social Media!   </h6> I get it! Often, we have a love/hate relationship with social media. But the bottom line is this: in today’s marketplace, social media is a must-have (whether you like it or not!). Here’s the thing, if you think I’m telling you to curate the perfect Instagram grid, think again! I say baloney to that.   IT’S NOT ABOUT PERFECTION. It’s about showing up and BEING REAL. Use your Instagram feed to show what you're working on! Let us see that you are actively creating and trying new things. Post regularly. Interact with others in the comments and DMs - both on your account and theirs! Participate in online creative challenges. Don’t be afraid to show the messy middle - but then don’t forget to show how you made it through that middle to your finished masterpiece (in all its raw, real glory)!  The heart of your social media presence should reflect your unique, quirky, interesting personality. So yes, participate on these platforms! But most of all, BE YOU. That’s how to use social media to your advantage.  Oh, and one more thing! I almost hate to give this tip away, it’s such a good one. But here it is: if you comment, tag or DM a creative decision-maker, there is a reallllly good chance that we will take the time to look at what you send. If you interact, we will too. It’s kind of human nature. If you want something to be noticed, call it out. We’ll see it most of the time. Note to selfie!    <img src="https://www.studio-m.com/content/media/wysiwyg/blog/Copy-of-“Creativity-takes-courage.”-–-Henri-Matisse.png" alt="Copy of “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse" width="700" height="700" loading="lazy" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 700px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; display: block;"> <h6 style="font-size: 18px;">  Tip #8: Be Technically Savvy, or At Least Highly Aware </h6> The easier your files are to work with, the more repeat projects you will get. Full stop.   Now that does NOT mean everything has to be built in the very latest version of Photoshop or Procreate. All mediums are totally viable: hand drawn, hand painted, delivered in layers (please!), cut, thickly drawn, all that good stuff. More than merely being viable, those mediums are actually NEEDED!  BUT you need to have a great scanner and know how to deliver hi-rez layered (if at all possible) files. Prepare these files well & to specs, understand Pantones, know how to make repeats, if possible, scan clearly, and deliver easily. It’s that simple! (Personally, I love Wetransfer or Dropbox.)  If your art is beautiful but challenging to access, it’s a “no-go.” So, keep it simple, be technically savvy, and make it as easy as possible to view all you’ve created!    <h6 style="font-size: 30px;">Tip #9: Understand the Market and Have a Creative Opinion </h6> Trends are a real thing. So are repeat product needs and categories. Consider all this when you study the market of the companies you are targeting.   Ask yourself: is this company top-tier and all about the hottest trend? If yes, it’s your job to pay attention to those details. Know colors, textures, themes, and product categories.   On the flip side, you might target a company that’s more consistently mainstream with their product offerings. These types of companies are typically looking for a new way to do a standard item. For example, they might need a fresh take on a snowman, or great-looking birds, or up-to-date lettering.  Consider the categories you are seeing everywhere and that appeal to you (tea towels! wall art!) and determine what you can design or REdesign with your unique flair!     <h6 style="font-size: 30px;">Tip #10: Netwoooork!  </h6> Everything about the creative industry is fun and interesting. I didn’t say it doesn’t take work, but I guarantee it’s never boring. My favorite part is the people I get to work, play, ideate and collaborate with. I adore having conversations with like-minded contacts who become dear friends, the people who are always there to support, problem-solve, and share ideas and tips with.   USE YOUR PEOPLE!   If you get nothing else out of these tips, I hope you resonate with this one. Networking brings connection, and connection brings results in so many beautiful ways. Help each other. Share pointers, collaborate with friends, talk trends, bolster one another, and grow together. Your network truly is what gets you over hurdles and on to your successes.   - - - - - - - -   Friend! I SO WISH I could share the perfect formula for getting the job or picking the ideal wand from Ollivanders to ensure limitless, positively delicious creative work. If only! The truth is, success is directly linked to persistence, creative originality, timing, need, and communication.   Start with building best practices. Get your art organized and in a place where Art Directors can easily view what you’re working on. Use social media to share your unique personality and proactively connect with the companies you’re looking to create for. Be technically savvy, take a course if you need to boost your expertise in a specific area. Do your homework. Understand the market and have a creative opinion that stands out! Get connected and thoughtfully build those connections!  I know it’s daunting, but I hope this handful of tips provides a roadmap to reaching your definition of success.   Your original work –  brilliantly executed and communicated clearly – WILL find admirers. I’m certain of it.  Keep shining bright. ????  <div>   </div> <img src="https://www.studio-m.com/content/media/wysiwyg/blog/Margo-Signature-1.png" alt="Margo-Signature-1" width="150" style="width: 150px; margin: 0px;" loading="lazy"> <img src="https://www.studio-m.com/content/media/wysiwyg/blog/MargoHeadshot-copy-small.png" alt="MargoHeadshot copy-small" width="145" style="width: 145px; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" loading="lazy"> Margo is a seasoned product developer, artist advocate, mentor, and creativity-sparker... aka Studio M's Director of Product Design & Innovation     P.S. I’m so glad you’re here. Studio M Marketplace is a creative, delightful space where we spotlight artists, highlight exciting work, and share updates. We’ve been busy dreaming up some new things for you. Sign up for our email newsletter <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1BtfNNRUeSlScww2GhLor-g48pyu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a> for the latest updates on Studio M Marketplace.

True-Life Tips For Creative Success – Part Two

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