Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Keep Your Eyes Open – How to Find Inspiration


Inspiration is everywhere if you just look around. The key to unlocking your imagination and discovering new and exciting sights is being hyper-aware of your surroundings and being prepared to capture the moment. This is easy to do as long as you employ the right strategy and have the proper tools. Inspiration leads to new ideas and product innovation.

Great news! You do not need to be a detective or have as master’s degree in research to discover a person, place, or event that will forever transform the way you see life and add value to your professional experience. You only need a keen eye. If you travel while on business, be aware of those distractions that may appear as an annoyance because your next great idea may be hidden there. Most of the technology we use is based on a solution to a common, everyday problem. Think of the sleek design of a tablet as opposed to a notebook computer. It can be a bit annoying to carry a laptop bag along with a carryon through the airport. Most people will agree. Someone decided not to be annoyed and instead came up with lighter, sleeker way to conduct urgent business while waiting on the flight and people responded overwhelmingly. I see tablets everywhere, don’t you?

Inspiration is an essential part of the formula to the creative professional. If you are in any creative field such as art, entertainment, marketing, or advertising, you should know every single moment counts and your next great video or ad campaign idea could happen spontaneously while hailing a cab or walking through the park. While I was in Berlin for an international business trip, I had a bit of free time and decided to explore the city. My exploration was rewarding because I saw extremely talented street performers showcasing a range of talents; I was inspired and prepared. I had my ultra-lightweight Canon Power-Shot and took video footage, which I later uploaded to my YouTube channel.

The video features a fire thrower who was very skillful. At first glance, I knew I must capture this moment and share it with the world because it would inspire others. He had so much passion in his performance he drew a large audience to watch him defy gravity as he tossed the flame-lit sticks into the air.  His performance sparks a thought about the founder of Cirque du Soleil, a fire breather and former street performer named Guy Laliberte. Guy Laliberte is more than a success story; he is an inspiration to creative professionals everywhere. He is the example of what a brilliant mind and an active imagination can accomplish. Cirque du Soliel is a global success and an attraction that is sought out by millions.
Whether you are on vacation, traveling on business, or going through the rigors of your everyday life, look for inspirations because the payoff will be substantial. You have great ideas; you only need to explore the world that surrounds you to unleash your meaningful contribution to humanity. Go out there and be inspired. Remember to “think outside the word.”

 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Networking for the Creative Professional Part 1




Introduction

Networking is the topic of many professional discussions and business courses because it is vital to success. Networking should be a part of the art curriculum. Art college teaches many necessary skills to strengthen our natural creative ability. We take courses that broaden our social and cultural perspectives and gain knowledge of the masters that came before us. Going to college to earn an art degree is greatly beneficial; however, many artists struggle to find relevant careers that pay enough to support their ideal lifestyles. In this article, I provide the information needed to grow and maintain a network that is beneficial for all parties involved.



The Importance of Networking
Have you ever been in class or at event and heard someone say "I have an uncle..." or, "My father's friend will give me a job at his company"? Chances are you have heard the previous phrase in one form or another. You have likely heard, "It is not what you know, it is who you know." That statement is half-true: it is a combination of both.
Who you know and what you know are equally important. You must be knowledgeable and skilled in your field and make yourself valuable. Once you develop your skillset and become the best at what you do, it is vital the professionals in the position to hire you learn that you are the best. How will they know you exist? You guessed it: networking.
The more people that know your capabilities, your accomplishments, and ambition, the more successful you will be. If you are thinking, "It's not fair! Isn't it enough I am an expert and no one can create the art I can?" I challenge you to think differently. If you invent a jet pack that allows people to fly with ease, would you expect a big payday if you only flew it in your garage? You likely would not, because if no one knows your value, they will not be able to support you and promote you to their colleagues and friends. Who knows, maybe the uncle of the young man I mentioned earlier is a gallery owner and has two positions to fill. Networking is important and anyone you meet can lead to a significant connection.

What is Professional Networking?
Professional networking has been defined in many ways. It is best summed up as a group of professional people who meet up socially to make vital connections and discover business opportunities. There are many ways to network. There are professional organizations you can join based on your interest or industry. There are a large variety of social media sites that are easy to use and develop an ongoing network of valuable connections; among them are LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Keep in mind that any social gathering with like-minded professionals is a networking opportunity. In addition to all the opportunities stated above, artists should also consider art galleries, art openings, art shows, and the like as networking opportunities. With the proper strategy, networking in its many forms can be easy and enjoyable. Invest the time necessary to create, develop, and grow your professional network and you will reap great rewards.
For more information please contact me by email: tesha.haynesatheadquartershop.com or visit my blog: http://www.teshahaynes.com/teshas-blog.html
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Sunday, October 14, 2012

ROI - A Guide for Artists and Creative Professionals


Starving artists, starve no more! You read correctly: It is no longer necessary for artists to starve, because with the proper plan and investment in place, you will be well on your way to a lucrative career and notoriety. You deserve it, don't you? Well, I think you do. Artists are among the greatest innovative thinkers in history (think Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Albrecht Durer), and today's artists continue to be among the great innovative thinkers (think Stan Lee, Tim Burton, and Franz Fischnaller).


If artists have done it in the past, you can do it now, and you can also enjoy the great success that today's highly accomplished artists enjoy. You can achieve their success by learning and implementing their marketing strategy. They discovered how to best make a name for themselves as leaders in their industries. It is not by chance that we consider them masters of their craft and celebrate their innovation; it is by design. We are able to see the leaders in the creative fields as geniuses, because they are highly visible in the media, publications, and the Internet. You should make yourself visible. Yes, it is possible to be creative and "think outside the word." When you "think outside the word," you use your imagination to accomplish what was once thought impossible.
The widely accessible Internet is constantly expanding to even the remotest areas. The Internet and the popularity of social media are why all artists must develop an e-marketing strategy. Time and money invested in a smart, high quality e-marketing strategy will yield an immeasurable return on investment (ROI). ROI is term you have heard many times in the past. You should include ROI in your professional plan to measure the success of your marketing strategy, because if you do not see high ROI in any professional activity, you need to revise your approach. Be creative, and use what most artists and creative professionals have in common; that is, a highly developed imagination. Get your artwork seen by art critics, gallery owners, art museum curators, etc. You want to make sure that your masterpieces are seen by those who are in a position to positively affect your career. How is this accomplished? You must be strategic and do your research. A well-researched and strategically planned e-strategy will earn you the ROI you seek.
 

Artists go out there to the World Wide Web and share their innovative thinking with world. Use PR to get your name and brand out to those who can greatly impact your career. Remember to create a strategic e-marketing plan that will yield you a high ROI. Always measure all advertising and promotional activities for effectiveness. Continue the activities that work, and eliminate those that do not. Do your research, know your field of interest, and watch industry trends. Stay current and relevant, because you will have an advantage over those who do not. Social media is a great way to network, gain support, and develop a following for your artwork. You are the key to your successful art career. Do what it takes to have a lucrative art career, and do it now! Always remember to "think outside the word."
Please visit our website to receive your free portfolio review. http://headquarterscreation.com/
For more about me please visit the following link. http://www.teshahaynes.com/


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Friday, October 12, 2012

$25 for 25 Subscriptions

Be a part of a movement that supports art, promotes imagination, and inspires the world.
 
$25 for 25 Subscriptions
For every 25 people you get to subscribe to our HQCI you will be entered to win a $25 dollar gift card that you can use anywhere...and if that isn’t enough, you will also have your choice of a $25 gift certificate to our shop or a $25 dollar rebate on a purchase of $25 dollars or more from our art gear shop.
How to enter:
You have 25 friends subscribe to our channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HQCIChannel?feature=guide
 
You send the list of the 25 people you have subscribed, along with their email addresses to us at the following email address:
HQCI_Subscribe@headquartersshop.com
*We never sell your contact information.*
Include your contact information in the body of the email, as follows:
Full name
Phone number
Email address
Mailing address
 
Once we receive your email, we will confirm your entry and your chance to win within 24 hours.
Your entries must be submitted by 11:59pm (Central time) on November 10, 2012.
The winner will be contacted directly.
You can enter each time you obtain a new set of 25 people to subscribe.
The more you enter the greater your chance of winning.
Enter as many times as possible before the deadline.
Good Luck!
For more information, please visit our Web site.
http://headquarterscreation.com/hqci-channel

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Free Portfolio Reviews




We are now offering a free portfolio review for all artists of any medium. We will analyze your portfolio and provide you with useful feedback. If your work is compatible with the services we offer, one of our representatives will contact you to discuss your options. We look forward to viewing your artwork. We are eager to have the opportunity to partner with you to achieve your creative career goals.

http://headquarterscreation.com/portfolio-review

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Rise Above the Sea of Name

Create with Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk Maya


Now more than in the past, we have many ways to communicate and make vital connections. Social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter provide access to people who were once nearly impossible to reach. However, the aforementioned
resources on hand must be navigated strategically. Often, Twitters and the constant flow of information into our smart devices, tablets, and computers can feel like information overload. We should use social media wisely.

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