"So, from now on I'm not asking for your advice. I don't care if you think my prices are too high and I don't care if you think they are too low. I don't care if you like the quality of my prints. I don't care if you like my product offering. I don't care if you don't understand my art or my vision. I don't care if you think I'm going to fail as an artist, a photographer, or a human being."
I'm so proud of you right now. So many "starving" artists refuse to accept what you are now embracing: consumer-driven economics are a Good Thing, but consumer-mandated business policies are retarded. If you let other people determine (or even mildly influence, in some cases) your operations, you will fail. If the ultimate goal is not profit, but just revenues supportive of your art, then you must recognize and obey real-world economics.
For every service or product you are trying to sell, you must do so at the price that will net you the most income: the price at which $REVJIMENUE where $REVJIMENUE = ($PRICE * $UNITS_SOLD) - $COSTS is the highest.
You can't derive $PRICE from what people SAY they will pay. People are liars. You've already know that. And, to properly experiment, you have to come up with models to forecast $UNITS_SOLD. The only variable you have complete control over is $COSTS. So, you have to choose a $COSTS, and stick to that budget, and then tinkey with the other two variables until you either stop losing money or give up your dreams and lobotimize yourself of the quest for outside financial support of your passion.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, right on. I know I don't verbally communicate my support of your art as often as I should, and it has been entirely too long since I've purchased any of it. I'd truly like to be more supportive in any way I can, whether it's business advice, tech support, or just congratulatory praise. If there's ever anything I can do to help, you know how to ask.
Jerusha
· 3 years ago
Good for you! You should be selfish in this respect. You're worth it, and so is your art!
bonnie
· 3 years ago
Farris: Jim has been sitting on some pics of me dressed rather provocatively. Perhaps you could buy some of those if Jim will cough 'em up.
Jenny
· 3 years ago
Bravo! This is what I like to hear. Accept yourself, be yourself, and own your work. This is your passion and your life. While it is frustrating to receive mixed messages, thats people for you. Feedback is nice but not the begin all and end all of the possibilities. Advice most often comes with good intentions but is tainted by people wanting to feel like they helped, not actually helping. Often times they are looking to get something out of it as well. Most people aren't honest enough with themselves to handle being honest with others.
You (and Jess) are your best foundation. Find your footing, set your pace, and let those you want to follow you on YOUR journey. You have amazing work. I have seen it get better and better as time has gone on and I believe the more liberated you feel, the more amazing your results.
I hope to be more supportive in more ways as time goes on. Until then, thank you for continuing to share with those of us who aren't as active with our appreciation.
joe mullins
· 3 years ago
As a photographer myself, I would probably only take advice from other successful photographers (i.e. they make money doing it) where it concerns the business of selling photographs.
Like Farris says, people are liars. That's not to say you shouldn't be soliciting feedback on your business to prevent you from making expensive mistakes, rather that you should be soliciting feedback from the right people.
danielle
· 3 years ago
rock on with your bad self!
way2tired@livejournal.com
· 3 years ago
Good. You, your wife, your closest friends, they're all that matter in the end. Really. I still hope you find some way to make all this work, even if I'm not one of those people on your important list. ;)
Mike Lachata
· 3 years ago
Live your dream, don't live everyone elses. Learn from your own mistakes and go forward. But most of all do it yourself.
Pamela
· 3 years ago
you go, Daniel. What others think of your work DOES matter, IF they're patrons but tire-kickers shouldn't really matter. (I say this even though my recent life has reduced me to being a tire-kicker ) Do your art for you, and others will find it. I certainly like what you do, and I know tons of others do as well.
BadWolf
· 3 years ago
I support you and whatever it is you chose to do. I don't know if you think I'm a friend or not, because I don't comment often, or whatever i do or don't do. I support your book and your desire to share your art with the world. I think that a lot of people who think your book is a good idea and want to buy it, and tell you so, But not everyone can actualy aford it. I'd love to buy a copy of your book, but I can't spare the money. Hell I can't even sell a print of any of my work.
I don't think that people are lieing to you or trying to mislead you, I think it's just that those who support you and want to help and buy your prints/book/etc but not everyone can spare the money, or they can when they say it but something comes up where all of a sudden they can't follow through.
I agree, don't ask peoples opinions, or do, but also do what YOU think is best, what you think is too high or low price wise for your work. Just do what you think you need to do for your work, ask opinions but only take what YOU want from it and throw the rest away, because only you can decide what the best way to handle your art.
Josh Davis
· 3 years ago
Unfortunately it seems having sufficient audience is very difficult. I truly believe your work is top notch, but I couldn't give you any clues on how to acquire the proper clientelle(sp).
I liked the idea of LuLu, not because of any great pricing, but because you can get the book listed in Amazon. From there, friends could buy, which would increase sales rank and associate the book with others, which might possibly increase sales.
But, please understand that any of my recommendations should always be taken with 2352908562986 grains of salt. I don't know nearly as much as I think I do, so "You should..." would be best translated into "Have you explored..."
The only solid recommendation I can give you is to keep trying things until it works out, because while I'm not overly well funded to be a private benefactor of yours, I definitely am happy to the world that you produce the work(s) that you do.
Bob
· 2 years ago
Welcome to the real word Daniel! Forget fame and fortune, just keep on taking photographs because you enjoy taking them. Things tend to eventually work out when we do them for the best reasons.
All Comments
I'm so proud of you right now. So many "starving" artists refuse to accept what you are now embracing: consumer-driven economics are a Good Thing, but consumer-mandated business policies are retarded. If you let other people determine (or even mildly influence, in some cases) your operations, you will fail. If the ultimate goal is not profit, but just revenues supportive of your art, then you must recognize and obey real-world economics.
For every service or product you are trying to sell, you must do so at the price that will net you the most income: the price at which $REVJIMENUE where $REVJIMENUE = ($PRICE * $UNITS_SOLD) - $COSTS is the highest.
You can't derive $PRICE from what people SAY they will pay. People are liars. You've already know that. And, to properly experiment, you have to come up with models to forecast $UNITS_SOLD. The only variable you have complete control over is $COSTS. So, you have to choose a $COSTS, and stick to that budget, and then tinkey with the other two variables until you either stop losing money or give up your dreams and lobotimize yourself of the quest for outside financial support of your passion.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, right on. I know I don't verbally communicate my support of your art as often as I should, and it has been entirely too long since I've purchased any of it. I'd truly like to be more supportive in any way I can, whether it's business advice, tech support, or just congratulatory praise. If there's ever anything I can do to help, you know how to ask.
You (and Jess) are your best foundation. Find your footing, set your pace, and let those you want to follow you on YOUR journey. You have amazing work. I have seen it get better and better as time has gone on and I believe the more liberated you feel, the more amazing your results.
I hope to be more supportive in more ways as time goes on. Until then, thank you for continuing to share with those of us who aren't as active with our appreciation.
Like Farris says, people are liars. That's not to say you shouldn't be soliciting feedback on your business to prevent you from making expensive mistakes, rather that you should be soliciting feedback from the right people.
I support your book and your desire to share your art with the world. I think that a lot of people who think your book is a good idea and want to buy it, and tell you so, But not everyone can actualy aford it.
I'd love to buy a copy of your book, but I can't spare the money. Hell I can't even sell a print of any of my work.
I don't think that people are lieing to you or trying to mislead you, I think it's just that those who support you and want to help and buy your prints/book/etc but not everyone can spare the money, or they can when they say it but something comes up where all of a sudden they can't follow through.
I agree, don't ask peoples opinions, or do, but also do what YOU think is best, what you think is too high or low price wise for your work. Just do what you think you need to do for your work, ask opinions but only take what YOU want from it and throw the rest away, because only you can decide what the best way to handle your art.
I truly believe your work is top notch, but I couldn't give you any clues on how to acquire the proper clientelle(sp).
I liked the idea of LuLu, not because of any great pricing, but because you can get the book listed in Amazon. From there, friends could buy, which would increase sales rank and associate the book with others, which might possibly increase sales.
But, please understand that any of my recommendations should always be taken with 2352908562986 grains of salt. I don't know nearly as much as I think I do, so "You should..." would be best translated into "Have you explored..."
The only solid recommendation I can give you is to keep trying things until it works out, because while I'm not overly well funded to be a private benefactor of yours, I definitely am happy to the world that you produce the work(s) that you do.
Forget fame and fortune, just keep on taking photographs because you enjoy taking them. Things tend to eventually work out when we do them for the best reasons.