Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver
Sunny Draw, 30x30 oil on canvas
It's Monday and I'm writing this blog post. Even though it won't be published till Thursday. I've decided to re-implement Marketing Mondays. Things have gotten sort of out of control and this seems like the best way to reign in the chaos and free up some mental space. I used to do Marketing Mondays all the time, but something got me off course quite awhile ago. (I can't remember what).
What are Marketing Mondays? It's the day I designate for doing all the things pertaining to my art business, besides making art. True, I can't really get it all done in one day each week, but I can get a big chunk of it done and it keeps things running smoothly for the rest of the week. It takes the stress off of trying to balance everything when I know I have a whole day to tend to the so important details of running this business.
What do I do on Marketing Mondays? Well, before Monday arrives, I've been jotting down things I need to do, while I'm working around he house or painting. It takes just a second to write it down. I have a notebook for this. It's my Everything Notebook. More about that another time. Jotting it down as it comes to mind gives me a running list to work on each week. It gives me a way to prioritize the list and keeps my mind free to paint on the other days, without mental distractions.
When I'm not at home and something pops in my mind, I put it in my phone notes. Then I check those later and transfer whatever I need to into the notebook. It may seem labor intensive, but it works for me.
Here's a glimpse of some of the things on the list for today -
Print shipping labels for sold paintings
Mail sold paintings
Finish one of the sold paintings (added a flower pot)
Order a frame for another sold painting
Pick up some Glassine from a friend
Make a bank deposit
Make a Facebook post
Write blog posts
Edit already begun blog posts
Start the mid month newsletter
Email collectors about the sale
Schedule Facebook posts for the week
Write Thank Yous to a couple of collectors
Clean up my email - delete things I saved for some reason I can't remember now
Plan paintings
Make notes about sale
Research a new web design
Some of these are one-time tasks and others are things to do every Monday and beyond. Just having them written down and knowing I have ALL day to work my way through the list is wonderful! It frees up my mental space for the rest of the week and I can head into tomorrow ready to paint without anything hanging over my head! Even if I didn't get everything on the list done I know I've gotten the urgent ones done and can now work on the others, throughout the week, after I get some painting done.
So, yes, even though I don't really get EVERYTHING done on Marketing Mondays, I get enough done to make the rest of the week something to celebrate! How do you handle the art related tasks in your life? I'm always looking for ways to make it easier!
