It is hard to believe that April is almost over and the two biggest art licensing shows in the USA are about to begin. Are you going?

I booked my tickets to Surtex/National Stationery Show in New York and as well as the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. I am looking forward to seeing all the new styles and trends, meet some incredible people and take a few workshops while I am there.

I am a perpetual student of licensing and as you know I love to share my resources as well. With that in mind, I have an incredible woman that you must meet!

She has transformed the way I think about licensing. She has helped her clients achieve wonderful levels of success. I trust you have heard of DILBERT™for example . . . she is a genius marketing strategist and has her own business called Character Matters with partner Tom Wilson (ZIGGY™).

Her name is Jeanette Smith. I had the opportunity to learn from Jeanette last year at an advanced art licensing program she held out here in Denver. The information she has shared has really opened my eyes to new and fresh ways to do business as an art licensor (with or without an expensive trade show booth).

Like many of my art licensing friends, I am free from an agent and love it that way. Jeanette’s classes have given me the freedom, knowledge and support to venture out on this journey with out an agent. She teaches about not only finding the ideal manufacturer, but how to negotiate with them to get what you need!

As many of you know, I am honored to be the moderator on LinkedIn’s Art of Licensing Group (www.ArtOfLicensing.com). Jeanette is extending her support by offering us (the ArtOfLicensing.com community) updates on her upcoming classes. She also gave me permission to share this info on my personal SomethingToCherish.com, art licensing blog.

If that sounds like something that you might be interested in, you would be remiss not to check out Jeanette’s upcoming webinars.

Register Here:JNetClasses.ArtOfLicensing.com

**********************************************************

A quick overview:

TOMORROW!-Hot Trends in Art Licensing & the PR Tactics to Turn UP the Heat!

Next Week – Professional Creators Licensing Series – Open Doors and Close Deals

**********************************************************
artists interested in trends and PR tips:
Hot Trends in Art Licensing & the PR Tactics to Turn UP the Heat!
**********************************************************

Jeanette Smith

Presented by Jeanette Smith, DILBERT™ Marketer and Regina Cooper, former Senior Editor, Art/Home/Brand categories of License! Global Magazine, this class will explore how to pinpoint the current trends in Art Licensing, so you can follow the flock or skip ahead to the cutting edge.

We have gathered data and insights on trends from artists, publications, manufacturers, and retailers in order to give you the most up-to-date information on the state of art licensing today.

Then after talking trends, we will delve into the details of PR tactics that you can use to get the word out about your art, designs and licensing deals! We will address:

• exactly how to approach publications
• who to target and why
• how to write the most effective press releases
• plus how to use multiple press strategies for maximum coverage

Learn what you can do to increase your business potential today!

The presentation will be provided in PDF format and the TelEvent will be a combination of live phone and screen-sharing.

Presenters: Jeanette Smith, J’net Smith Inc. and Regina Cooper, freelance editor/consultant

Date: April 30th, 2009

Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Price: $60.00

Register Here:JNetClasses.ArtOfLicensing.com

**********************************************************
artists on a budget interested in licensing their artwork:
Professional Creators Licensing Series – Open Doors and Close Deals
**********************************************************

Join us for this informative and fun TelEvent!

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 — 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm PST

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 – 3:00 to 5:00 pm PST

Thursday, May 7th, 2009 – 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm PST

This is an enhanced version of the classes I took last year from Jeanette and due to the economy, Jeanette is offering it for a limited time for only $100! When she came to Denver, my friends and I paid way, way more. I told her she was a little crazy to lower her price this much, but she really wants to get this info in the hands of artists like you who really need it.

Register Here:JNetClasses.ArtOfLicensing.com

Don’t let the brevity of the descriptions fool you, this is the real deal and Jeanette will answer all of the burning questions you have about art licensing.

Presenter: Jeanette Smith, J’net Smith Inc.

PCLS-1: Introduction to Art Licensing & PCLS-2: Licensing Presentations & Websites Have you ever wondered how creators’ get their art on all those beautiful products in those small boutiques and huge retail stores? Artists, Illustrators, Cartoonists & Graphic Designers — this is a fast-paced introduction to art licensing that will show you how to begin to expand your creative and income potential.

Topics include: What exactly is licensing and how does it work – Types of licensing – What you MUST know about the retail marketplace BEFORE you start – Protecting your rights – Royalty rates – Artist requirements -Agent services – and much more! Learn how to create presentations that will sell your art and collections to manufacturers and retailers. This online course is filled with details and examples that will enable you to produce scintillating presentations and web sites that will get you noticed, clinch the deal, and put money in your pocket!

Topics include: Know your Audience – Branding “Yourself” – Preparing Materials – Productive Web Sites – Online Portfolios – Ask J’net Q & A – Get Answers to YOUR Questions

PCLS-3: Licensing Sales Techniques
An absolute MUST for artists struggling with exactly how to go about licensing their Creations. Learn the most successful strategies for approaching manufacturers and retailers; what they expect and how to give it to them; and how to go about creating and closing the sale! This class also discusses how to find reputable agents and what to expect. With low-cost and highly productive techniques, this step-by-step process has been designed to help you take your art from portfolio pages to licensed products on the retail shelves.

Topics include: Researching Manufacturers – Marketing Plans – Strategies and Timing – Sales Calls – Public Relations – Agent/Artist Relationships – and more. Don’t miss this course, unless you have more sales than you want.

PCLS-4: Licensing Negotiations and Contracts
This is a very HOT and IMPORTANT topic today. Everyone from artists and illustrators, to graphic designers and cartoonists need to learn how to negotiate and navigate the all-mighty contract with confidence. This course shows creator’s how to make the vital business decisions that go into each and every licensing contract, from royalties to product descriptions, exclusivity to protecting creative control, and other critical terms. This course also deciphers the legalese by explaining what contract elements are required and what they mean to you. J’net is not a contract lawyer and does not give legal advice, but after two decades of negotiating hundreds of contracts, her experience and perspective is an invaluable asset that no creator should be without.

Topics include: How to make licensing business decisions and have them reflected accurately in your contract -Tools to keep contracts moving forward -? Negotiation techniques…when to stand up and when to back down and WHY – Recognizing contract “tricks” that some try to pull on novices – What to do after the contract is signed – and more.

This information can easily save you a fortune in future revenues. DO NOT sign anything until you take this course!

Take all these classes for the value price of $100.00!

Register Here:JNetClasses.ArtOfLicensing.com

I look forward to hearing back from you. If you are planning at being at an upcoming show or class, let me know so we can connect.

I wish you much joy and success with your artistic goals. I am so happy that we are on this exciting journey together!

Best,

Cherish Flieder

Illustration – Design – Art Licensing - Marketing

Visual Solutions for the Young at Heart

720.298.9069 – PO Box 49 – Golden , CO 80402 – Twitter@CherishArt
SomethingToCherish.com – CherishedSolutions.com – ArtOfLicensing.com