Coaching with A.C.T.'s Art Licensing Mentor, Jeanette Smith
Jeanette Smith is the consummate art licensing coach—she is passionate about helping you achieve a level of success beyond imagining...she definitely knows how to do it! In just six short years, J’net turned Dilbert™ from a relatively unknown syndication-based comic strip into a 200 million dollar a year global brand. Then in 2000, J’net translated and expanded on her extensive experience to train, advise and license all types of creators. She has helped hundreds of artists, graphic designers, painters, photographers, authors, illustrators, design firms, fine artists, creative companies, non-profits and agents to maximize the power of their brands and talents.
J’net’s “specialty” is difficult to pinpoint, but she is best described by her combination of specialties—she is one of those very rare people who possess a balanced combination of creative sensibility and extraordinary business acumen. It is this combination that has served J’net over the span of a very impressive career, and has garnered her equally impressive press and testimonials!
She has achieved successes in multiple industries. From her early days in New York building new divisions for such corporate giants as Official Airline Guides, MacMillan Publishing, Paramount Communications, and VIACOM International, to her six years of work spearheading the astronomical growth of Dilbert, Jeanette has compiled a long list of satisfied clients and has gained an enormous amount of respect and experience in marketing, licensing, advertising, PR, agenting, negotiating, and much more—all of which she looks forward to passing on to you.
J’net is a knowledgeable and accessible coach. Here are just a few situations where her guidance and knowledge can save you time and money:
You Want to be Your Own Agent
Why pay an agent if you don’t have to? It’s not for everyone, but many skilled and resourceful artists are learning how to agent their own art by doing some or all of their own marketing and licensing. J’net will show you how to save as much as 50% of your income stream on agent fees by tackling it yourself. J’net will guide you, every step of the way, from that first deal to that multi-million dollar international contract. If you think you have it within you to create a great business as well as great art, then get trained by J'net, since no one will sell you like you will sell yourself.
You Want to Find an Agent
If you want to find a fantastic agent for your particular art style, one that can help you reach your licensing goals, J'net can help you find the one that's right for you. Those fantastic agents are out there, but competition for them is growing, so get J'net on your team and speed up the process. She will teach you how to get 'agent-ready' and stand out from the crowd, as well as, showing you how to work with your agent for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
You Already Have an Agent
You may already have an agent, but you want to be better informed so you can get the most out of the relationship. Or you have an agent and are finding that your business isn't what it should be. A growing area of our business is advising artists on how to maximize the artist-agent relationship. J'net can teach you how to work with your agent, manage expectations and get the most from the relationship by being a knowledgeable and well-informed client. You will see your business grow or you can move to a new and more profitable relationship instead of excessively spinning your wheels. J'net can evaluate the situation, advise and guide you to new heights in a very short amount of time.
SmartStart Session
This session is recommended as a starting point for all types of creative businesses and individuals. Prior to the two-hour private phone strategy Session, you will be asked to complete a comprehensive business questionnaire specifically designed to prepare both you and J’net for the session. It’s important for J’net to know exactly where you are with your art and business, as well as your background, needs and goals.
The SmartStart Session provides you with a ton of new knowledge - information on what to do, why to do it and how to do it, providing a much clearer vision of the exact steps you need to achieve your licensing business goals. J'net combines her sharing of knowledge and guidance with her natural exuberance, imparting the motivation and the realization to achieve your dreams! This Session also allows J'net and the artist and/or business to evaluate each other thoroughly and to determine the viability of any future relationship.
J'net's SmartStart Sessions are a true combination of coaching and consulting, as she determines exactly what is needed; a very involved, intensely informative, goal achieving, and enjoyable process. Unlike many agents and coaches, J'net is very free and giving of her information and is more than happy to teach you the industry "secrets." While these Sessions are usually utilized before accepting any long-term project or coaching arrangement, for the reasons stated above, we are also always open to discussing your specific situation and needs.
Register here for J'net's Three-Hour SmartStart Session for $500.