
Do you share your life with a creative?
Is a member of your family pursuing the arts?
Maybe your best friend has just jacked in her job to finally lead a truly creative life?
Can they be a right royal pain in the backside at times? Don’t worry, you can make them happy very easily with my top tips – I guarantee they’ll appreciate your efforts.
1. Creatives can be sensitive!
That doesn’t mean shower them with false praise! But try to be gentle if criticising their work; it can be tough. However, in my experience creatives are very able to take criticism about other aspects of their business, so if you know a better printer, courier service or accountant, tell them – they’ll want to know!
2. They’re doing lots of things you can’t see.
Creatives are often “one man bands” and do everything. I’d love it if every day was pure painting! But whatever it takes to keep business going, that’s what they’re doing. So if you feel you can’t really talk about their art then talk about their business. They’ll love it and again you might have some useful insight that they’d really appreciate.
4. Give them a testimonial.
Pop them an email with a nice quotable sentence.
I really appreciate the friends who have, over the years, bought work from me, attended my workshops, seen my exhibitions and visited my studio. And indeed, the new friends I’ve made by selling work or doing workshops. When they’ve written a little email with how much they enjoyed it, or how much they learnt, or how much they love my painting – it’s worth its weight in gold. It not only helps me through the tough days ( and that alone is great) but it helps fill a folder of testimonials, that help other customers develop trust in me, my work and my business..
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!