CONGRATULATIONS!

You have taken your first step towards getting
the business you want and...

MAKING MORE MONEY!

Isn't that why you're in business - to do what you enjoy, control your schedule, and make a good living? Well of course it is!

There is no reason you should be underpaid or undervalued no matter who the client is. You provide a great VALUE and DESERVE to be paid well for your creative talents, and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Now, let's talk a little about the reality of business for creative professionals.

THE REALITY OF BUSINESS FOR THE CREATIVE

There are thousands of brilliantly talented artisans out there who are literally and figuratively "starving" because they simply do not know how to effectively market, sell, or price their creative services. On the flip side, there are mediocre artists making a fortune selling their services because they understand the importance of marketing and business skills.

Now, what's wrong with this situation? Why aren't there more talented artists also being paid well for their talent?

THE REAL REASON ARTISTS AREN'T MAKING MORE MONEY

The reason is simple: most artists and creative professionals simply do not take the time to invest in their business skills. They think that if they learn a new technique or take another painting class that THEN they will find clients who value them and will pay them more.

This simply isn't true. Sadly, talent alone doesn't equal success. You need more.

Just think of all the creative and highly talented people you know. How many of them are actually finding great success simply because they are talented? Probably very few.

Too many talented people don't invest in their business skills and think that they can simply take ineffective short cuts such as copying poorly constructed contracts from other artists who copied the contract from someone else, who got the contract from a friend who had their brother-in-law lawyer (who doesn't understand artisan businesses) prepare for them. Or, they charge by the hour or the square foot because "that's how everyone else does it."

Sound familiar? Are you frustrated with your business? Do you know you have talent, but don't know how to truly make a living with your creative skills? If so, then read on.

WHAT DOES "STARVING" HAVE TO DO WITH ARTISTS?

The only profession that identifies itself with the word starving are artists and creative folks. It's somehow acceptable to struggle financially in creative fields.

What other profession can you think of where it is common to associate with financial strife?

Certainly you won't ever hear anyone say:

"Starving Doctor"
"Starving Lawyer", or even...
"Starving Sanitation Worker"

No, you won't. You will only hear the term: "Starving Artist".

IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE ANY MORE!

There is NO profession where it should be acceptable to STARVE!

So, let's just agree, from here on out that it's not acceptable and that it is simply not okay for creative people to "starve for their art." Your talents deserve to be valued and are just as worthy as any other profession or skill!

The biggest challenge among creative professionals is not that people are unwilling to pay for these services, it's that there is a common acceptance among creative professionals that their skills aren't worth anything.

The confidence level of people in creative professions is dismal.
The real problem is that creative people are simply "in their own way"
when it comes to success.

Is this information resonating with you?
Do you feel undervalued and underappreciated, but just don't know how to find the high paying clients for your services?
Are you convinced that maybe, there just aren't enough of those people out there and that you'll never find those great paying customers?

Don't despair! They exist.... And, they are more common then you think!

CLIENTS ARE WILLING TO PAY HIGH FEES FOR YOUR SERVICES

Let's talk reality.

There are people who are more than thrilled to pay a lot for creative services. There are decorative painters, photographers, wedding planners, and other artisans making thousands on just on one project and are easily clearing over $100,000 per year in income.

These people don't have extraordinary, alien super-skills which cause clients to throw gobs of money at them. Of course, they are talented and they have their own creative gifts, but they really aren't any different than anyone else. They are creative and brilliant in their own way, just as you are. The difference is: these successful creative professionals learned business skills that most creative people simply haven't yet learned. That's really all there is to it.

These successful creative professionals are people who can say they control their business and their lives and do not allow their customers to control them. They accept only the projects they want to take, they work on a schedule that suits their life, and they don't work with clients who treat them badly.

Imagine the perfect client. The client who is a breeze to work with. The client who pays on time, doesn't question your value, and refers you to all of her friends.

Now, imagine all of your clients being the perfect client. Imagine your business full of clients who value your work, refer you to others, pay you what you are worth, and are happy to be booked out for months just to wait until you have an opening in your schedule.

Does this describe your business or does it just describe your dream of what you wish your business was like? Do you have a business that you control - or does it control you?

Are you too afraid to ask for the fees you know you are worth?
Are you at the top of your profession or are you playing it safe and getting paid far below what you know you should be paid?
Is your calendar consistently booked with the perfect client or is it sparsely filled with projects you took just so you had something do work on and had some cash flow?

If your business doesn't look the way you want it to look and your not working with the perfect client, then you need to learn how to change it to become the business you dream of having.

What's interesting about working with creative people is that once they learn the basics of business, they are usually far better at selling and marketing than the corporate types. Creative people tend to be more intuitive and often have a "sixth sense" about how to work with people. The challenge comes in with the level of confidence creative people have in their own skills.

Once creative professionals have the skills and the confidence to use the business skills they learn, they are unstoppable!

What's holding you back from getting the business you want? Are you in your own way? Are you holding yourself back from getting everything you deserve and having the life you want?

WHO ARE KIRSTIN CAREY AND AMY KETTERAN

You may be wondering: Who are these people? Why should I listen to these women? Well, here's some more information about each of us.

My name is Kirstin Carey and I specialize in helping creative types learn the skills they need to make a great living doing following their gifts and passions.

I began my career in 1994 consulting small businesses on marketing and sales. Eventually, through my own marketing and sales efforts, larger organizations such as Verizon, the American Cancer Society, and Merck pharmaceuticals started hiring me to help their employees and executives communicate, lead, and sell more effectively.

A few years ago, I became disenchanted with the corporate market. Though working with big businesses was quite profitable - it wasn't very satisfying. So, I turned back to again work with smaller businesses. After picking up a client who was a muralist, one who was a fauxer, and another who was an interior decorator, I realized that there was a huge need for sound business advice for people in creative markets - especially for decorative painters.

So, I began concentrating specifically on creative professionals. I created a whole product series dedicated to business learning for the creative professional called the "Starving Artist No More" series and I present and speak for SALI, NACE, The Faux Event, and other organizations, schools, and events designed for professionals in creative services.

I'm the immediate Past-President for the National Speakers Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Past Board Member for the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, and a Chapter Leadership Consultant for the National Speakers Association.

Though I grew up and spent most of my live in the Philadelphia Area, I now live in Phoenix, AZ with my entrepreneur husband, Tom, and our two dogs, Coal and Holly (seen below at the Grand Canyon).

My name is Amy Ketteran and I have been an artist my entire life. That sounds a bit like a self-help introduction and at one point in my life it could have been. In 2000 I opened Ketteran Studios and became just like you, a working artist. Since then , I have been helping people hone their craft and create successful creative businesses.

I became successful at running my business and helping other artists because I tackle art from both sides.?

I specialize in the instruction of murals from the ground up. I emphasis learning from both the teacher ?s and the student?s perspective and realized there was often something missing.? I strive to create a relaxed environment where students can feel comfortable, try new things, and understand and work through obstacles.? I place a strong emphasis on skills that can be used in all of your work, not just the project you learn in a class.

While teaching, I began to notice that half the questions were about business. I myself had a hard time finding the right advice and help when I first started my company. Most of the business information out there is not geared toward the creative business or the creative mind. This lead to the creation of The Business of Creativity: Left Brain Advice for Right Brain People and a goal to separate the word ?starving? and ?artist? forever.

I now lecture and teach at my studio and retreat as well as for others events including the SALI National Convention, The Faux Event and other organizations.

I am a working artist and my work can be found in my client?s homes, the HEC and BSO Decorator Showhouses and Gallery 44 as well as numerous publications including The House that Faux Built, ?an Magazine, The Faux Finisher, Baltimore Magazine, Paint Decor and The Baltimore Sun.?

I currently sit on the SALI National Board. Before that I spent a lot of time honing my skills while receiving a BA in Fine Art from Grinnell College and an MFA in Theatrical Painting from Brandeis University.

I now live and work out of a 100 year old farmhouse in Mount Airy, Maryland where, with the help of my husband Mark, brand new daughter, Mara, and the ever faithful studio dog, Sasha, I am building the dream life of a successful artist.

Amy Ketteran was Kirstin Carey's first individual client in the field of decorative painting. After working together for several years and then co-presenting a class two years in a row at the SALI National Convention, the two realized how powerful the melding of Kirstin's business knowledge was with Amy's artistic perspective for creative professionals.

At the urging of their clients and students, they decided to combine their information together to create the Hearty Artist Toolkit: Everything you need to build your success as a creative entrepreneur.

WHAT YOU GET IN THE HEARTY ARTIST TOOLKIT

In this complete package, you get:

A 157 page, jam-packed, full-size, spiral-bound workbook containing:

Examples of proposals (contracts) and marketing materials
Details on how to write a newsletter and get it out on time
Descriptions on exactly how to handle a sales call
Facts on what you really need to know to be successful
Information you can't find anywhere else

8 Audio CDs: Listen and Learn

DISC 1 - "What You Need to Get Started"
- Pep Talk and Confidence Builders
- Understanding the Creative Thought Process
- How to Create A Calendar to Control Your Business
DISC 2 - "Business Structure and Set Up"
- Corporation information
- Licenses
- Insurance
- Website set up
DISC 3 - "How to Market and Get Business"
- Developing Marketing Plans
- Getting New Clients
- Ensuring Repeat Clients
- Attracting Better Clients
DISC 4 - "Selling & Proposal Writing"
- What selling really is
- Pre-qualifying customers
- Information You Need to Know from the Customer
- How to Create and Prepare a Great Proposal
- The Most Crucial Items You Need to Get the Proposal Signed
DISC 5 - "Handling the Client from Beginning to End"
- Exactly How to Handle the First Call/Contact
- Qualifying the Prospect
- What to Do in the Meeting with the Client
- Handling Your Portfolio
- Delivering the Proposal
- Discussing Budgets and Getting Paid
DISC 6 - "Making Problems Disappear"
This unique CD will contain actual case studies where you will be able to listen to other creative professionals practicing their skills on how to handle difficult situations. These examples will provide you with situations that are just like the ones you run into when dealing with potential customers so you are fully prepared.
- Handling Objections
- Recognizing Red Flags
- When to Walk Away and Move On
DISC 7 - "Getting Paid and Making Money"
- Setting Fees and How to Charge
- Confidence Building
DISC 8 - "Business Building and Foundation Stability"

An Amazing, Editable, Marketing Data CD You Can Manipulate for Your Own Use

This unbelievable Data CD contains:

Examples of Marketing "One-sheets" Crucial for Marketing

Easy-to-manipulate eNewsletters You Can Alter and Use for Yourself

Several "Top 10 Reasons to Hire" Marketing Pieces from Different Industries

Proposal Templates to Use and Alter for Your Clients

Examples of Marketing Postcards and other Marketing Materials

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Through the various items in the Hearty Artist Toolkit, you will learn proven strategies to get the business you want such as:

	The most cost effective marketing methods that get results.
	How to maximize your marketing efforts by harnessing the power of the web.
	7 free (or nearly free) marketing opportunities that get clients to call you.
	The #1 item you must have in order to market effectively.
	How to avoid the most devastating mistakes that most creative professionals make when marketing and promoting their services.
	Specific ways you can get clients to PAY YOU to market to them.
	The #1 thing prospects want from you during your sales call.
	The simple secrets of selling that great sales people don't want you to know.
	Specific strategies on finding out the prospect's budget.
	The most important item you have to have in order to turn a prospect into a paying client.
	The 9-word sentence you MUST KNOW when a prospect asks you, "How much do you charge?"
	How to know when to cut the prospect loose and move on.
	Exactly what you have to ask to get "buy-in" from the prospect.
	What to do when a client tries to get free consulting from you during the sales call so they can use your ideas and do it themselves.
	5 surefire secrets to earn instant respect from your prospects, even when they are tough business people.
	How you can become a great salesperson, even if you stink at selling, hate sales, or don't feel comfortable meeting potential clients for the first time.
	How to handle demands from prospects who want you to lower your price.
	Specific strategies to ask for what you are worth and getting it
	The #1 worst way to charge - and nearly all creative business owners and contractors are doing it.
	Exact language so you get paid up front so you never have to deal with late payments again.
	7 items you need to skyrocket your closing rate to at least 75%
	Ways to DOUBLE your fees and reduce the drama.
	Exactly what to put on your proposals so the prospect signs on the dotted line.
	The best way to take and make prints of your creative work.
	How get great stuff to use in your portfolio when you don't have tons of experience.
	What your portfolio should look like, how it should be organized, what should be in it.
	The worst items to have in your portfolio - from the client's perspective.
	When to show your portfolio and when to leave it behind.
	The best pieces to use in your portfolio and why they are important.
	The most effective ways to present your portfolio to maximize your sales opportunity.
	The best and worst E-lead generating resources to find new business using the Internet.
	The real scoop about advertising, PR, and list purchasing.
	The best places to drum up business.
	Cost effective ways to get people to know who you are so they can hire you.
	What you need to know to get your marketing to become a constant lead generator.
	What you need to do to get others to market and sell for you.
	Quick fixes when to get leads when you have no business in sight.
	The 3 biggest secrets to uncovering the easiest and most effective ways to generate leads just for you.
	Hidden lead generating resources that most people don't use or even KNOW about!

...and so much more!

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT
KIRSTIN CAREY & AMY KETTERAN

I am so thrilled not just because I GOT THE CLIENT but more so because you really helped me understand that VALUE is not just what you offer to a client but VALUE has everything to do with how you PRESENT yourself to the client! You can only offer value if you feel you are truly "valuable". I'm giddy with exhilaration!

I FINALLY GET IT!

I will never undervalue my abilities again. It was truly my GOOD KARMA and GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE FOUND [Kirstin Carey]! You can use my e-mail for a testimonial. I would even fly to a seminar and talk about how absolutely fabulous you are!

A zillion "thank yous" are not enough.

~NIKKI HODGES
WEDDING & EVENT PLANNER

Thanks to coaching from Amy [Ketteran] on what to charge for decorative painting, I was able to comfortably ask for what the job was truly worth, and got it! My income for the project was double what it would have been before I applied Amy's suggestions

-rita melnick
willow lane designs

For fifteen years my photography business was a complete failure. Then I found Kirstin [Carey] last year. Since then I have completed two projects that were each worth more than my previous average annual sales, and my new average has gone up substantially. What a coincidence!

-grant rushton
professional photograher
front porch photography

I just signed my biggest contract ever – for a Complete Production Wedding! It’s my most inclusive (and most expensive!) service package and I only have you to thank. My new attitude, proposal write-up, and fee system reinforced my professional image. Now, I’m ready to play in the big leagues! Thank you [Kirstin Carey] for helping me earn more money, save my clients stress, and make my work more enjoyable. There’s nothing better in life than loving what you do
(and getting paid for it!).

~Christina A. Hagan
wedding consultant

Amy [Ketteran] is supportive, patient and positively reinforcing. She seems to be aware of what each individual needs.

-susanne peterson
oh zanna jewelery

Amy, I can't tell you how much your tips have helped me, right now, today.
My sincere thanks to you for your clear thinking and for the resources you
shared. I feel less overwhelmed, with the knowledge that I can have you for a coach. Your insight into relieving anxiety through creating is right on the mark.
It's just what I need. You deserve to feel a huge satisfaction in your work, encouraging people like you do!

-Marguerite Trahey
Ambiance Decorative Painting

Your guidance has helped me immensely! You have been there for me 100% - especially in times of great need or sudden emergencies. More importantly your ability to GIVE unconditionally is what makes you stand out in your field. Let's face it... I have called you in times when I was in a pinch - needing advice in an instant. You have ALWAYS been there guiding me and showing me the way.

Because of you:

I set higher standards for my business.

My negotiating skills improved.

I once feared public speaking...I now speak effortlessly to large groups.

I implemented a national training program - something I was not sure
how to structure on my own.

I realize my value, never compromise my integrity and set boundaries.

If someone asked me in one sentence to describe Kirstin Carey,
I would tell them: "She's an incredibly smart woman with a ton of talent,
a mind for business and a heart of gold!"

-Melanie Serra
designer and restager
the home stager

I already used your advice regarding fact gathering questions last week
on a prospect and it went really smoothly....
I got the job and it is a relatively big one for me ($3,600)! Thanks.

~John Pompeo
muralist
A Mural for All Seasons

By simply applying the principles of listening to the client, asking questions and clarifications from the client, and letting the client tell me what her needs were (all of which I learned from Kirstin...), my client, of her own accord, raised my fee 50%! Her statement was, "When I realized what I was asking you to do, I realized I needed to pay you more." Thank you, Kirstin!

~MIKE WORTH
PROFESSIONAL COMPOSER FOR TELEVISION AND VIDEO GAME MUSIC

EVERYTHING ELSE YOU GET

Of course, you get access to all of audio CDs, the easy-to-manipulate data CD, and the jam-packed workbook in the toolkit - but there's more.

To Make Sure You are Able to APPLY the Information You Learn to Your Business, Amy & Kirstin are Generously Offering the Following Bonus listed below:

BONUS 1:
30 minutes of one-on-one consulting time with Kirstin Carey over the phone or by email. This is an incredibly valuable bonus. This one-on-one time will give you a chance to get your specific questions answered about your creative business and take your learning to the next level. You can use this consulting time at any point before, during, or after you complete the information in the Hearty Artist Toolkit. It's your choice.

BONUS 2:
30 minutes of one-on-one consulting time with Amy Ketteran over the phone or by email. This is an incredibly valuable bonus. This one-on-one time will give you a chance to get your specific questions answered about your creative business and take your learning to the next level. You can use this consulting time at any point before, during, or after you complete the information in the Hearty Artist Toolkit. It's your choice.

BONUS 3:
$500 Pre-Delivery Discount for Orders Placed by November 30, 2007. The product is at the fulfillment house right now and in production. This unbelievable discount is available only because the product hasn't been physically completed, yet. Once the first shipment of the product is sent, this $500 discount offer will no longer be available - so get it now!