Tips for artists and organizations to survive the recession

Artist's Magazine has a great article on how to survive the current economic downturn.

Fellow artists and gallery owners share 12 tips for holding your ground during a recession.

Fine art isn’t always easy to sell even when the economy is good. Now with this latest economic downturn, artists everywhere are commiserating about how to ramp up their marketing mojo to help them survive. In some ways it’s not all bad. Crisis is often an opportunity in disguise, challenging artists to focus their energies and to keep at least one eye on the big picture.

(Full disclaimer, the author is my very talented Mother)
Find the entire article here.

Before the other shoe drops

I haven't written much about how nonprofit organizations are handling layoffs- but this blog entry is exemplary of what is happening to many people in industries all over the world, but will probably lead some substantial shifts in arts organizations in this region. Are non-profits bloated, and the layoffs correcting this problem? Do nonprofits need to reevaluate their structures- to still hire and train quality people, pay them a living wage and pay-it forward in their communities? Is the industry as a whole going through a purge- because we only have the highest concentration of arts organizations for a city our size?

I for one, appreciate the value our organizations add to our communities and culture, and want them to be responsible- with regard to their practice of hiring, training and growing dedicated nonprofit workers. I know many people who have quaked about layoffs- and I, myself have not been immune. Let's hope we get through these times, with the strength of communities and reevaluating how we can run strong organizations.

Best of luck!

Professionalizing nonprofit marketing

Nonprofit organizations are amazing hybrids of grassroots organizing, and professional bastions- we truly function somewhere between the two. It is my belief that companies can learn much from how a nonprofit creates a mission and is (hopefully) conscious of mission drift and also looking to a board to be flexible to update the mission as times change. Also, organizations can look to how companies are efficient and proactive with regard to the economic climate, the needs of customers and utilizing tools - in turn much quicker than nonprofits are.

We are at a pivotal moment in time- where this hybrid can serve as a true model for public service and commerce- nonprofits have a value to offer, so perhaps utilizing tools in a similar fashion as corporations could serve as a boon to the industry- rather than tightening down the hatch as most nonprofits are.

How many nonprofits: Have linkedin "company profiles"? Are using networking events to create strategic alliances? Are engaging with tools online to boost volunteerism for their orgs and raising awareness about events, issues, opportunities to engage?

Far be it from me to suggest to just jump online- willy nilly- and create social networks, rather I believe this should be strategic- and manageable. If you are online, with a social media presence you should be updating often, and well! But... how many organizations can manage this additional task? This is a strategic development- to start a twitter or facebook or linked in profile- then not engage is worse than having no online presence at all...

Example- I am "following" multiple arts organizations on twitter and people are not updating! Someone is opening a page, posting twice then they disappear! Social Media is only as good if you are engaging!

Rather than rant- the issue at hand is- Social Media is here to stay. This isn't a passing trend, and is rapidly transforming PR, marketing and advertising for industry. To be relevant nonprofit organizations need to be considering their strategic plans, their marketing objectives and commit to what they can/should do- and do it well. Companies are adjusting their strategies- nonprofits should be on top of this too.

What nonprofits are doing it well? Who is online- and updating their channels? Who is engaging with their patrons, volunteers and donors?