277. Creating Custom Sneakers for NFL Players with Dillon DeJesus

09/04/23 • 33 min

This week’s episode features Chicago-based shoe artist Dillon DeJesus. I really enjoyed chatting with Dillon about a painting subject that I knew nothing about. It became very apparent how little I knew about his industry the more he talked about it and I’m excited to share this insight with you too.
This interview emphasizes the benefits of really diving deep into research and techniques within one niche. I often feel like a jack of all trades, which has its benefits, but this chat shines a light on the pros of becoming a master in one area. Dillon has leaned into, or rather dove headfirst into, the shoe/sports/painting industry and it is serving him well. With a customer roster of several NFL players, the dude knows his stuff when it comes to designing custom sneakers!
Let me know what you think of this week’s episode with Dillon DeJesus.
www.ArtistAcademy.co

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276. Building a Decorative Painting Business via Google with Gary Gomez

This week’s episode features Denver muralist Gary Gomez. Gary has been in the decorative painting business for 20 years and his #1 tip for attracting new customers is to focus on your Google Maps page.
If you think about it, when we are looking for something new in our area, what do we do to find it? Ask Jeeves. Just kidding. 🤪 Only the early internet adopters will remember that. No, we ask Google, of course.
It would make sense to position ourselves as the go-to artist in our location by being on the first page of Google when anyone searches an art term like “muralist Missouri.”
Which, by the way, I put in my Instagram bio and it does come up on the first page of Google. 🥳
Listen to today’s episode to hear Gary’s backstory of how he got to where he is today (a booked out muralist doing all kinds of different decorative painting things) and how he lands himself on the front page of Google.
Gary's IG: https://www.instagram.com/denvermuralartist/
www.ArtistAcademy.co

Next Episode

278. How to Create a Can’t-Say-No-to-This Offer

What creates a good offer? I believe, if you make a product that appeals to your audience enough to make them want to buy, then that is a good offer in itself. You don’t need to add any gimmicks if the product sells.
However, if the products aren’t selling, then maybe adding some kind of element, like giving the buyer a reason to buy right now, is the push it needs to complete the sale. Or maybe doubling up on the product and giving more of it is the added persuasion tactic that’s needed.
The idea for this episode came about with me watching my own spending habits take place lately. I’ll give a couple of examples...
I am currently in love with this food delivery service I’ve been using: Factor75. It’s not sponsored but what made me buy the product in the first place is what makes it relevant. My friend highly recommended it, but that wasn’t enough to talk me into it since I had already tried meal delivery services in the past and wasn’t amazed. Then she gave me her free box discount code to try it for free and I was sold. The product was amazing and I’ve been using it since!
Maybe you could give out a free digital item like a downloadable Christmas card set that people could print out for free, in order to get people on your email list. There’s no cost except a couple of hours of time designing the cards with your art on them and “Happy Holidays,” or whatever, written on the inside. Customers will opt in, and you’ll have an email system in place ready to upsell them with products you’re offering for the holidays.
Maybe it’s WOWing a customer with a custom mockup to get them to say yes to the full mural.
Another item I bought lately was a bamboo sleeper for my 9-month-old baby boy. Actually, 5 sleepers because at first, I said, “absolutely not” to the price of 1 for $36. I know they are high quality and the prints were adorable, but I couldn’t get myself to spend that on something he won’t fit in next year.
Then I received a buy 2 get 1 free email... Nope, not good enough. The next day I received a 24-hour flash sale of buy 3 get 2 offer... Sold!
I realize that art is not the same as other products. It’s typically more expensive and has a different allure than buying something you can eat or wear. But I think it’s useful to look at the reason we buy other products and somewhat integrate that thinking into our art products.
After I bought those pajamas, I received an email telling me when my order was going to be shipped, thanking me for my purchase, and inviting me to their Facebook group where they post their biggest discounts. It was also written in a very cute and non-salesy way. (I’ll read it word for word on the podcast because it was THAT good)
We should all be doing this!
What’s your can’t-say-no-to-this offer?
I’ll share mine in this week’s episode of the Artist Academy Podcast. Listen to hear more about this subject and how I’m integrating these sales approaches into my art business.
Links mentioned:
Factor75
www.bumsandroses.com
Have a great week! :)
Andrea
www.ArtistAcademy.co