Lately I have noticed a weird phenomenon…
I was trying to get in touch with a few artists recently for an exhibition opportunity. Some of the artists I really didn’t know very well so I went on to their websites to get a phone number so I could talk to them and reassure them that I wasn’t a “spam-guy” that “wants to buy a painting for his wife for their anniversary.” You know, we have all gotten contacted by that crazy scam that involves us artists sending them money so they can buy your art. And we artists are always so hungry for a sale we try to talk ourselves into the fact that this could be true.
Anyway, I went on the websites and I found something interesting… none of them had their phone numbers listed. None. Now this was a conundrum for me since I feel that if someone wants to contact me regarding my artwork I would have thought that finding my number from my site and calling me was the first thing they would do. And I get that a lot. Less frequently I get an email asking about a commission opportunity. Maybe I am showing my age, but for me talking to a potential client about a job regarding deadlines, pricing, etc. is easier than going back and forth in emails. Usually I can tell right away if a client is serious or is sticker-shocked when I talk to them. When I get an email I always hope they leave a phone number because then I typically call them instead of trying to answer all of their questions in type.
So I found myself emailing the five artists I was trying to reach, spending time “selecting the boxes that had fire hydrants” in them so they would know I was not a robot. Then putting in the wavy or moving characters so I was verified as a human being. Then I found myself waiting a few hours to a few days to see if they would see my note -which I had to write and verify five times – and call me back.
In this day and age of instant connection, isn’t this backwards?
So yes, you can tell I have always had my phone number on my site. I have asked around as to why there is a big secretive ploy to hide phone numbers and I have mostly gotten back that the reason is hacking. Hmmm… trust me, hackers can find your number much faster than I sent an email. I guess no one wants more robocalls than we get already, but I don’t think hiding a phone number is going to help that much. As someone that was very recently targeted by unscrupulous criminals I can tell you that they hacked my bank accounts, tapped into my daughter’s college applications, got social security numbers, contacted my children through social media channels and sent them lovely notes that will forever need therapy and then texted me videos on my cell phone. (You don’t want to know with what) They knew I was getting a divorce, where I lived, had kids in college and was an artist. They didn’t get all that from my website. It was such a fun experience that the FBI got involved. Yes- I said the FBI since the f**kers were from the UK. So trust me, if someone wants to hack you they will find you.
Sometimes my life reads like a Dateline Special.
But all I wanted to do was call a few artists. And it was a pain. Maybe you think after all my fun I would stop listing my phone number on my site too… nope. They will not win. I refuse. I guess I don’t have any answers here but getting opportunities for our artwork is hard enough as it is. Thanks to the criminals it is also a pain in the ass.
I know for a fact that our phones listen to us. My daughter even proved it to me. We deliberately had a conversation about socks that went on for a few minutes. That we liked fuzzy socks, that we wanted to buy some for gifts. Then we went on to our social media- Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Guess what? A few minutes later ads for socks kept coming up. Yes, this is a real thing- look it up. You will not be able to fight it unless you unplug your phone, hide in your house and never buy anything ever again. A true starving artist!
And Big Brother is not interested in buying artwork.
I would love to hear your feedback…
Yes this is interesting. My web site has my phone number on it, it is the best way to reach me (actually calling me). I have also found that many times I email somebody and they never respond (it concerns doing business with them). I then call them & they claim they never got the email (they never saw it). However they say that email is the best contact for them.
It is just a total lack of professionalism.
Also, I am on a call list for a client & they only have my home phone & work email. I have heard from the client that I am the only one to get back on the same day. (other people on the list have contact through a cell phone) Response time is critical. I usually respond within hours, if I do not the job is easily lost.
Over the past 30 years, I have seen many of the most creative and talented artists fail due to lack professionalism. I have seen photographers show up at black tie events in cloths that they would wear to a ball game (they wonder why they are not hired back). I have ordered artwork that was never produced after a year of waiting.
The first part of success is showing up, being prepared, and performing as a professional. Maybe that is why I have a busy schedule without advertising.
yes professionalism. todays artistes need a Classon that. When I was an illustrator that was key right? Following through and being prepared. glad you are busy!
I agree. When I took a workshop about 3 years ago with Desmond O’hagan he talked about that in particular. That your phone number should be at the top so people can reach out without having to use a contact form. After all, scams come from emails not phone calls.
Desmond is a smart guy! And a good guy and artist too.
I get 2 or 3 calls a day. I never answer them directly unless I already recognize the number or they leave a message as well. As for the ābig buyersā, I do admire their persistence.
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I agree . I tried to contact Joseph McGurl recently. it took lots of searching to find a phone number … listed as his wife who sells his reproductions. so I emailed him, suspecting that Maine was swamped in snow and he might be someplace warmer…. and no one had picked up his /her phone .
it took two days for an email reply , but as you say … seems a bit backward
right? by the time 2 days go by I can’t remember who I emailed……
Hi Christine . I recently added my phone number to my website because a well known artist was trying to get in touch with me and was frustrated that I didn’t have my phone number listed. After listening to his advice (mainly because he knows much more than I do) I added my phone number. As you said, I can tell if the caller is a serious potential buyer or not.
good. hope it helps you!
i will ALWAYS talk to you, in whatever media you choose. and to think you’d look at my website would be thrilling!
sure! be happy to!
Chis, you are right on: And forget that “I’m getting old..” nonsense. It’s BUSINESS. You are WISE. They are not. Wisdom comes from experience. See how many of the five are absolutely full-time professionals who are supporting themselves exclusively through their work. Any way for people to contact you, pay you, and so on is worthwhile. It IS a generational thing, in that younger people do not understand this conversation. You are trying to SERVE your potential customers, not make it more difficult to find you. What if they are driving and that is the only time they can call, and so on? I can also tell you, from drawing caricatures for over 30 years, there has DEFINITELY been a decline in conversational skills among young people. Many literally mumble into their chest when trying to talk with them. And I mean college age included!!! I can chart it on a graph re the increase. Anyone who worked as a sketch artist that long, or in retail in malls, etc will concur. Bottom line is that this is a business. People need to find you. And you need to provide all the ways possible to do this at the CUSTOMER’S convenience, not your own. How many of the five were over 50 and in business their entire adult life. Zero? I love social media, email, and so on for a first contact. As soon as possible, I then get on the phone with the potential customer (If it’s someone I already have a relationship with, that is different). Yes, many times they are almost startled, but then like it. One can cover a lot in a five-minute phone talk than is four-day clumsy email “conversation.” But you know all that. Side story: I recently donated $20 to my friend’s daughter’s charity thru her upcoming marathon dance at Penn State. I received back a form letter Thank you, which was fine. But her name was TYPED at the bottom, and not hand-written….!! I don’t have to explain to you the lack of personal touch on this. It DID start with “Uncle Vince,” but that was typed, as was the entire thing. I texted her mom to let her know, and to suggest that if this is the norm, the daughter will separate herself from the pack, nicely, by simply signing in pen or marker (preferably starting it this way, also). Mom texted back, “We’re working on it. We’ve been trying to explain this to her.” A few days later, I happened upon an article where the owner of a company hand-signs 2000 Christmas cards to employees. This is all just info. Finally, a college-aged woman had a caricature done at the mall, and paid with a credit card. When she went to sign the screen, with lounge hanging from the side of her mouth and a determined look, she began and said, “I’m not good at cursive…” (GEEZE!). The Penn State mom later told me they are not teaching cursive in school anymore. Damn lazy teachers!!!!! Sorry, can’t help myself. I’d heard of this, but it never donned on my about signing legal documents, checks, etc. It’s not you. It’s them. My two cents. (BTW, my two friends associated with Sweetwater are Pete Schlickt, a financial guy who is helping with their books; and Jessica Lee, a jazz singer that I’ve done a few exhibits with–she’s teaching out there now).
thanks for the stories Vince!
Christine Iām sure you could be a standup comic if you decide to change your profession! ( have you watched The Marvellous Mrs Maisel?) Definitely, Big Brother is a reality, but Iām with you on the phone numbers. I far prefer a human voice to these machines!
agreed. Yes I have watch ed that show and loved it although while I was watching it last winter it was eerily paralleling my life. Lost my house, cretin for a husband…. and trying to start over again. So good though.
OMG, that is scary stuff! It makes one want to go crawl in a cave, but I guess we must be bold and march onward anyway.
Thanks for your openness with not only your art, but your challenges. I often print your articles to reread.
It looks like you are off to a great start in your new community. Prayers for you that it goes well as 2020 begins.
thanks!
Love this article!
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Couldn’t agree with you more