1.  Don’t think about what the granting organization wants. Think first about what you, the artist, wants. Then research which granting organizations are looking for you.

2. Make the grant writing process work for you. Let it force you do to the homework you need to do anyway. It will give you a deadline for writing down your idea and assembling a budget, artist statement and all those other key promotional pieces any successful artist needs.

3.  Don’t grant write alone. Build a team. The most important team member will be an [Read More]]]> Gigi Rosenberg is well known for her expertise in grant writing.  She wrote the book on it, so to speak….. The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing.  Recently, she presented the top 10 tips for acing your next grant application at our Author’s Extravaganza at Rain City Coffee.  She was gracious enough to let us post 5 of the top 10….. (You’ll have to see live to get the full list!)

1.  Don’t think about what the granting organization wants. Think first about what you, the artist, wants. Then research which granting organizations are looking for you.

2. Make the grant writing process work for you. Let it force you do to the homework you need to do anyway. It will give you a deadline for writing down your idea and assembling a budget, artist statement and all those other key promotional pieces any successful artist needs.

3.  Don’t grant write alone. Build a team. The most important team member will be an editor to brainstorm with you and to edit your first draft.

4.  See your project or idea from the funder’s point of view. What would make it irresistible to the people with the checkbook?

5. Study the funder’s review criteria. How will they be judging you? Make sure you pay attention to what matters to them and ace the parts of the application they will scrutinize most closely.

What’s going on with Gigi???  Check it out below and on her website www.GigiRosenberg.com

She has launched a blog –  You will get tips, artist success stories, reviews of books she can’t live without, and more at: www.gigirosenberg.com/blog

Download a free excerpt from the book at: www.igirosenberg.com/book

If you sign up for her mailing list at www.gigirosenberg.com you can download two free tips sheets.

Gigi is an amazing coach for artists, get more information at One on One Artist Caoching with Gigi .

Thanks Gigi!!!  Check out Jackie’s interview with Gigi on Solo Pro Radio.

Next Wednesday (May 16th at 10AM PDT) the award winning author Bridget Benton will be our guest on Solo Pro Radio 

To get a sneak peek and a delicious taste of Bridget Benton’s work read this excerpt from her award winning book,  The Creative Conversation: Artmaking as Playful Prayer and let the inspiration flow into something creative and amazing this weekend….. then join our conversation on Wednesday to hear about the incredible journey of this fabulous woman.

From Chapter 2, What is ArtMaking as Playful Prayer?

Artmaking as playful prayer is making art as a spiritual practice.

And it’s a lot more. It’s a way of making art that is freeing and intuitive and playful.

It’s a way of connecting with Spirit that is at once dynamic and meditative. It is a way

of deeply listening and deeply noticing. It’s an attitude, a process, and a practice.

Artmaking as playful prayer is a creative conversation.

Artmaking as playful prayer isn’t a monolog; it’s a conversation [Read More]]]>

Next Wednesday (May 16th at 10AM PDT) the award winning author Bridget Benton will be our guest on Solo Pro Radio 

To get a sneak peek and a delicious taste of Bridget Benton’s work read this excerpt from her award winning book,  The Creative Conversation: Artmaking as Playful Prayer and let the inspiration flow into something creative and amazing this weekend….. then join our conversation on Wednesday to hear about the incredible journey of this fabulous woman.

From Chapter 2, What is ArtMaking as Playful Prayer?

Artmaking as playful prayer is making art as a spiritual practice.

And it’s a lot more. It’s a way of making art that is freeing and intuitive and playful.

It’s a way of connecting with Spirit that is at once dynamic and meditative. It is a way

of deeply listening and deeply noticing. It’s an attitude, a process, and a practice.

Artmaking as playful prayer is a creative conversation.

Artmaking as playful prayer isn’t a monolog; it’s a conversation between you and

the art, a conversation between you and an energy that pulses through everything.

Then, there are those amazing moments when the conversation drops away, the sense

of separateness drops away, and you and the art and the universe all become one. In

those moments, it can feel as though you have become a channel for the flow of that

universal energy.

For me, artmaking is how I move from the monolog of my own ego and emotions

to the conversation and ultimately to the channel. And channeling that flow is a

deeply spiritual experience for me. A friend and I were recently joking that a good day

in the studio was working for four hours and having 40 seconds of flow. To make art as

part of a spiritual practice, we have to learn how to get out of the way.

Jackie B. Peterson will be presenting the business principles outlined in her book, Better, Smarter, Richer.   If you have ever asked yourself any of the following questions you will not want to miss this opportunity to experience Jackie’s workshop. 

 She was most recently a mentor to a young woman in Saudi Arabia who was part of the “Voices of Our Future Citizen Journalist” program with WorldPulse, a global media network supporting women’s voices worldwide.  

 Maura says, “As we mature, so does our “voice” — and our need to express new aspects of our passions and longings for our professional lives and our personal lives in terms of how we “give back” to the world.”

 Join our call and listen to what Maura has done to [Read More]]]>  This week my guest is Maura Conlon.  Maura has been on a journey– working as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines, working as an editor in New York City, working as a producer and project director for an international literacy organization, writing her memoir, “She’s All Eyes“, doing women and leadership empowerment work with “LegacyBeyondBorders” and staying involved with global efforts to support women finding and articulating their voices in the developing world. 

 She was most recently a mentor to a young woman in Saudi Arabia who was part of the “Voices of Our Future Citizen Journalist” program with WorldPulse, a global media network supporting women’s voices worldwide.  

 Maura says, “As we mature, so does our “voice” — and our need to express new aspects of our passions and longings for our professional lives and our personal lives in terms of how we “give back” to the world.”

 Join our call and listen to what Maura has done to find her voice and give back to the world.

Tune in to the radio show now.

 But, as we were planning the 2012 Odyssey to pick up the trailer, we realized life had become more complex.  I had made a commitment to do  a weekly radio show, Better Smarter Richer on W4WN.com, solo  pro [Read More]]]> I am far from being a technology guru of any kind.  In fact a lot of today’s technology not only baffles me, it outright scares me.  But the most wonderful thing happened this spring!  My sweet husband and I decided to take a seven week trip to Savannah, Georgia and pick up our little travel trailer that has been living there at our son-in-law’s home since August, 2010.  We had traveled with it for three months in 2010 and left it in Savannah after a trip down the Appalachian Mountains.  We stopped in Savannah and were ready to take a rest. We came home and left the trailer in Savannah.  Now it was time to bring her home.

 But, as we were planning the 2012 Odyssey to pick up the trailer, we realized life had become more complex.  I had made a commitment to do  a weekly radio show, Better Smarter Richer on W4WN.com, solo  pro radio (Be sure to tune in- every Wednesday AM at 10:00AM PST)  And, the show must go on- no matter what.

 So, I decided that I would try taking advantage of technology and see if I could have a mobile business – and a mobile radio show.  I loaded Skype on my IPad.  I bought some great ear buds with tiny mic.   I practiced, calling into the radio station using my new technology on my final show from my home office.  Then, feeling very adventurous, I headed out. 

 I am thrilled with the results.  We did radio shows from Rock Island, Ill (middle of the Mississippi river), Kennedy Space Center, Biloxi Mississippi, Lubbock Texas, Santa Fe New Mexico and Price Utah.  It was great.  My biggest concern was to make sure my phone in the radio station timing was in line with the show schedule of 10:00AM PST   (I kept checking my iPhone Clock for the correct Portland, Oregon time!)

 I gained a lot of confidence as the weeks passed.  I know I can keep in touch via email and blog.  I know I can present the principles of BSR in any city and find a group that resonates with the needs of solopreneruship.  I know my newsletter reaches readers across the country. I know we can hold a meaningful study group series via phone.   But now I also know that I can take the radio show on the road.  I think this technology is ok after all! 

*********************************************************************************************************

PS….. Our Mastermind phone series even took place on the road!  Is your business mobile?  Do you know how to use the tools to make it mobile?  It might just be your ticket to a summer adventure.  Share what you use to keep you mobile?

  Gigi Rosenberg is the author of The Artist’s Guide To Grant Writing. Her book grew out of Gigi’s popular workshops, which empower artists to craft winning proposals and fundraise for their artistic endeavors. Her writing has been published by Seal Press, Parenting, The Oregonian, Writer’s Digest, performed at Seattle’s On The Boards, and broadcast on Oregon Public Radio.  It is wonderful to work alongside this fantastic artist.

  Bridget Benton is the author of The Creative Conversation: ArtMaking as a Playful Prayer.  This is a book that takes the reader/artist on journey and give thems a fresh approach to artmaking with her 170-page workshop in a book.  The illustrations and hands on Artful Explorations will support [Read More]]]>  Join Jackie and two other fantastic local authors that are pasisonate about helping creative entrepreneurs and solopreneurs succeed at what they do best.  This wonderful event will be hosted by Rain City Coffee in Portland, OR on April 26th, next Thursday.  You are invited to be a part of it.

  Gigi Rosenberg is the author of The Artist’s Guide To Grant Writing. Her book grew out of Gigi’s popular workshops, which empower artists to craft winning proposals and fundraise for their artistic endeavors. Her writing has been published by Seal Press, Parenting, The Oregonian, Writer’s Digest, performed at Seattle’s On The Boards, and broadcast on Oregon Public Radio.  It is wonderful to work alongside this fantastic artist.

  Bridget Benton is the author of The Creative Conversation: ArtMaking as a Playful Prayer.  This is a book that takes the reader/artist on journey and give thems a fresh approach to artmaking with her 170-page workshop in a book.  The illustrations and hands on Artful Explorations will support you in a more intuitive, joyous, spontaneous and connected journey of artmaking.  Bridget loves what she does and it shows.  I’m excited to hear more about her recent success as a winner in the 2012 Nautilus book awards… a silver and gold!  I know Bridget will share more about this next Thursday.

 If you are an artist, solopreneur or creative entrepreneur or all three and you are looking for some inspiration, great mingling, LIVE social networking, and a wonderful evening out, please join us next Thursday, April 26th.

 Event begins at 4:00pm with mingling for about an hour.  Each author will do a short presentation (mini workshop) about 5:00pm and there will be socializing and book signing afterwards.  We look forward to you joining us.  

 Rain City Coffee is located at 2035 NE 41st Ave, Portland, OR 97212.  Special thanks to John and Karen Shackleford, owners of Rain City Coffee and their wonderful team at Rain City for hosting this event.

 RSVP’s are not necessary but might be nice to let Rain City know how many to plan for, Thank you in advance.  See you there!

My radio guest this week has made a brave change from working in corporate America for over 20 years to becoming a solopreneur and making her passion her livlihood.  Join me in a conversation with Sheri Joi, my business manager and so much more.  Find out what steps she had to take to rebuild her life and her career after a huge change.

Visit Sheri’s webpage Find Your Kumu

April 25, 2012 at 10 AM PDT/1:00 EDT  – Tune in to the radio show now. 

What's the Interest in Pinterest?

Pinterest is the 3rd fastest growing social website in the world.  Pinterest is a creative entrepreneur’s dream for marketing and could very well turn into your nightmare of lost time if you let it suck you in but in such a good way of delicious visual indulgence.

So what is Pinterest?

Pinterest is like a bulletin board, remember the one you had in the kitchen with push pins….. you would pin up new recipes you wanted to try, articles you wanted to read, things you needed to remember and beautiful pictures of places you wanted to visit…. This is exactly what Pinterest is and the great thing is that you get to see all of your friend’s bulletin boards too.

Now, my advice is to let yourself have a freebie the first time you visit Pinterest and just have fun, set a time [Read More]]]> What’s all the interest in Pinterest?  (Guest Blog from Sheri Joi)

What's the Interest in Pinterest?

Pinterest is the 3^rd fastest growing social website in the world.  Pinterest is a creative entrepreneur’s dream for marketing and could very well turn into your nightmare of lost time if you let it suck you in but in such a good way of delicious visual indulgence.

So what is Pinterest?

Pinterest is like a bulletin board, remember the one you had in the kitchen with push pins….. you would pin up new recipes you wanted to try, articles you wanted to read, things you needed to remember and beautiful pictures of places you wanted to visit…. This is exactly what Pinterest is and the great thing is that you get to see all of your friend’s bulletin boards too.

Now, my advice is to let yourself have a freebie the first time you visit Pinterest and just have fun, set a time limit (be generous) and just scroll down through the hundreds of wonderful pictures, words, recipes, etc.   This is like Disneyland for the senses so hang on and have fun!   The second time you visit Pinterest, put on your marketing hat and look at it with fresh eyes.  What are the things that are catching your attention and why?   How are others using pictures and words to get attention?  This is how you can use Pinterest to get your brand known, using the pictures, words and other things that catch your attention to draw people back to your blog or website is the key to using Pinterest to attract people you wouldn’t usually have access to.  The great thing is if you can get a really good ‘pin’ then your friends will ‘pin’ it on their board where their friends will see it and the potential starts becoming limitless as it begins to get ‘pinned’ on boards all over the world.  Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words so choose your pictures and words carefully and always make sure they lead the ‘pinner’ back to YOU.  Branding, branding, BRANDING!!!

The basics of signing up and getting started are fairly simply and I’m sure there are many tutorials so I’m not going to get into that here.  But one tip I will give you is to make sure you “add” the “pin it” button to your web browser so that you can then ‘pin’ anything you find on the web to your board, especially great pictures from your website…..hopefully your own creative ideas!!!   Before long you will start ‘following’ people and they will start ‘following’ you, don’t worry it’s not creepy, it’s a good thing!   Keep your content signature to what your passion is so that people get a flavor for what you are all about.

So!!!  That is what I have found interesting while Pinteresting so what do you think?  Have you had any success with Pinterest?  Please share your ideas below or on our Facebook site so together we can all be BETTER, SMARTER and RICHER with the great new digital, social expansion for creative’s.

For another great article on Pinterest, visit Zeke Camusio’s blog on How To Promote Your Business on Pinterest, Zeke is the CEO of The Outsourcing Company and a genius at social media.

Happy “pinning”!!!

-Sheri Joi

Did you know that 45% of workers in the US report that job insecurity has a significant impact on stress levels in their life. (And I’d be willing to bet it keeps increasing.)

I wonder what percentage of solopreneur’s would report they have a significant amount of stress in their life because of their chosen career.  Join me tomorrow to hear about the Alexander Technique, a technique used by Emily Clark to help others manage their pain, tension and stress.

  You can check out her website by clicking here…..

Join us Wednesday, April 11th at 10 AM PDT on Solo Pro Radio. 

 Click here to listen to the radio show…..

More about Emily…..

Emily Clark is an Alexander Technique Certified Instructor who helps equestrians and others manage their response to pain, tension and stress. She has been working with riders and others for the past 10 years. She particularly loves working with riders because they are so passionate about what they do. Emily trained [Read More]]]>

Stressed out?!

Did you know that 45% of workers in the US report that job insecurity has a significant impact on stress levels in their life. (And I’d be willing to bet it keeps increasing.)

I wonder what percentage of solopreneur’s would report they have a significant amount of stress in their life because of their chosen career.  Join me tomorrow to hear about the Alexander Technique, a technique used by Emily Clark to help others manage their pain, tension and stress.

  You can check out her website by clicking here…..

Join us Wednesday, April 11th at 10 AM PDT on Solo Pro Radio. 

 Click here to listen to the radio show…..

More about Emily…..

Emily Clark is an Alexander Technique Certified Instructor who helps equestrians and others manage their response to pain, tension and stress.
She has been working with riders and others for the past 10 years. She particularly loves working with riders because they are so passionate about what they do.
Emily trained at the Constructive Teaching Centre, London UK, and apprenticed with the Master of Movement at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

She has also taught Alexander Technique in the College of William and Mary’s Department of Theatre Speech and Dance and at the Alexander Teacher Training Center (ATTiC) in Charlottesville, VA. She is a member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique.

  PS…. Have you missed a radio show and want to listen?  Click here

Solo Pro Radio Show with Jackie B. Peterson

Today my guest is Luna Jaffe from Lunaria Financial.  Luna has never bought in to the common notion that one must sacrifice passion or forfeit creativity in order to get serious about money. Teacher, artist, entrepreneur, life enthusiast, and visionary, Luna believes that true wealth embraces all your values, not just the numbers on your ledger.  Join us today to hear about Luna’s passion for you to have a prosperity budget! 

Click here to learn more about Lunaria Financial. 

Click here to listen to the radio show…..

Please share this on your social media sites and spread the word that you can make the money you want doing what you love!