The Idea Behind Lettering Works' New Artist Trade Program
What would you do if you made an extra $5,000-$10,000 dollars this year? Would you buy something cool that you’ve had your eye on? Would you put it all in savings? Would you invest it back into yourself or your business?
Photo Credit: Humboldt House
I asked myself this question and realized that my answer is that I would purchase more art. More specifically, I would replace worn or cheap items in my life with higher quality, more one-of-a-kind, artistic pieces. Simply put, I would invest in other creatives and their passions.
In reflecting on that answer, I realized that there’s a good chance that there are artists out there who would choose to spend their extra dollars on their businesses, specifically on finally investing in a logo or brand to visually represent their creative efforts in a more professional way.
These thoughts made me realize there is an opportunity to connect these two things without the need for anyone to make an extra $5,000-$10,000 to make a connection happen.
I envision an opportunity to connect with artists in need of branding services who can offer their creative goods and services in place of money. Maybe in part to supplement an existing budget or maybe in full, if the opportunity is right and needs are aligned.
I think the real beauty of this is that I am coming from a place of wanting artists to build thriving businesses. I want to help them get to a place of success by valuing their work and accepting this valuable work as payment to bridge the gap between where they are at currently and where they would like to be.
Photo by Kara Hoganson Photography
Pricing artwork can feel like a chicken or egg scenario… do you charge less for your work when you are younger in business to build up a client base? or Do you charge more and wait until the right people find you and are ready to buy? Waiting is a luxury that most artists do not have. We have bills to pay and our bills aren’t willing to wait for us to make things work in business.
Bartering has been around for ages. But I want to create an opportunity that is more energizing for artists and overall more values aligned. Art is so often seen as a luxury, but I view it as a necessity. I want to build an intentional opportunity that has the power to truly support artists in their growth.
I’ve learned from bringing a trade component into much of my work that nothing immerses me in a brand more than trading. Why? I have to select and use the products and services that I am designing for. I become a customer at the same time I become a creative resource. I become a bigger part of the team by immersing myself and becoming personally invested in the brand. And the projects where this component exists are the projects that I am the most creative in, the most valuable in, and build the most love and care for. This makes sense because it shifts working together from a transaction to a collaboration, a partnership really.
After over six years in business, I’ve learned that I most enjoy working with artists and creative business owners. Often ones that are on the verge of a big break or success. Ones that are continuously taking chances on themselves. And also ones that could use an opportunity like this to accelerate their success. To feel truly supported and have more momentum for their passion. To have someone standing behind them and their work.
Early headshot (2017) by Violet + Ivy
Early product photography by Violet + Ivy
I have seen the power of this trade arrangement come to life personally when collaborating with my first photographer. She provided both branded headshots and product photography that truly helped my business reach the next level. I thought I could get by with my own photos because I was a designer and creative overall. Realizing that there are many subsets to creativity meant letting someone else step in with their unique creativity and dedicating more of my time to my creative area of genius and deepest passion.
This opportunity isn’t for just any artist, it’s for ones that consider their creative work their life’s work. Whether it is their primary income or a side hustle or may be shelved for a while as life gets in the way, it’s a constant in their life. This meaningful work will always be a part of their identity and what they strive to do with their life. It’s the work that brings the biggest smile to their face when they hit that flow state, even if it’s rare that they can cultivate the perfect conditions to create that flow.
I also understand the power of branding and how it can up level artists - get them more money for their work, get others to take them more seriously, even get them to take themselves more seriously. Branding can be such a powerful force to drive growth. Which is why I want to dedicate a part of my time to working with these high-potential artists who could use a unique opportunity like this to reach their biggest goals and grow in a way they didn’t realize was possible.
Because of all this, I am intentionally carving out time for these projects throughout all of 2023 and excited to offer this opportunity, effective immediately. I’ve built out three tiers - spanning educational resources, consulting, and logo/branding design - to meet different artists where they are at and will be accepting trade requests on a rolling basis. Values-alignment and mutual benefit will be at the forefront of accepted artists for this program.
THE BUSINESS BACKSTORY
Hi! I’m Chelsie, the artist and owner behind Lettering Works, LLC. I founded Lettering Works in 2016 after receiving $10,000 in startup funding, which means I’ve always operated from a place of security. This is a luxury that many business owners do not have. This allows me to offer flexible payment plans and trades on a regular basis. This new artist trade program is an extension of that and aligns with my values of being transparent, kind, and helpful.
