FA+
Shop
Plan for Outstanding Commissions (please read)
8 years ago
In the wake of my recent announcement, I assured you that I had a plan of sorts for addressing outstanding commissions; this plan was rough and needed fine-tuning and execution, but I hope that I made it plain that I was not welching on my outstanding work and that I would be working hard to serve my clients, who have been so patient and understanding of my situation.
Today I would like to lay out my "Road to Solvency" plan, which is a 5-part plan of action which will ensure that each customer is addressed personally and satisfied to the best of my abilities.
STEP ONE: Modify my Terms of Service
The first thing that needs done is to modify my Terms of Service to reflect my new business model. Not much will change outside of the acceptable material section; clients with outstanding commissions will not be held to the new Terms, but they will hold to all new clients after the date of revision.
STEP TWO: Contact all outstanding clients
It's very possible that some have not read my journal and will not know what's going on; so, the first step is to make contact with all outstanding clients and make them aware of my situation if they aren't already. If their commission is within the bounds of material that I am able to take on now, no adjustment will need to be made; however, if their commission is material I am unable to take on any longer, I will suggest that either the commission be altered to fit my new Terms of Service, or that they request a full refund.
STEP THREE: Re-evaluate queue timeline
I have a well-documented queue of outstanding commissions and an algorithm that I use to determine due dates. This algorithm will be adjusted to account for my increased responsibility as the primary caretaker of my children, and then the new timeline will be posted on my Trello.
In addition, Trello can now be viewed in Calendar mode, enabling clients to have a better idea of when their work will be available.
STEP FOUR: Prepare Road to Solvency Report
I'll be setting up a new page on my website for the purposes of showing my progress towards completing commissions and generating funds for refunds. This step is the most important step in communicating and working with my clients, as it presents information about my business in a transparent and easy-to-read way.
This data will be presented in the form of a graphic showing my expected sources of income, expected expenses, and where on this timeline of incoming and outgoing funds clients can expect me to have enough funds to provide refunds. As income and expenses can not all be predicted, this data will be updated regularly, so clients are encouraged to bookmark the page to keep up to date on changes.
STEP FIVE: Bronze Artist Fundraiser
The Bronze Artist Fundraiser is a Picarto event that costs $5 per ticket to view, and participants have the chance of getting free sketches valued at $15 apiece. In addition, one portrait will be drawn which will be provided exclusively to each participant. Each sketch takes roughly an hour and the event will be held over the course of 8 hours, so approximately $120 of free art will be given out.
The goal of the Bronze Artist Fundraiser is firstmost to pay for the hosting cost of my website, which, while not required, will make documenting the Road to Solvency much easier. It will be easier for clients to track my income and expenses, and when they can expect to receive their refunds. If it is successful, I will conduct further Bronze Artist events in an effort to increase income and accelerate progress towards refunds and solvency.
This plan of action does assume the cooperation of my clients. Clients who are unwilling to alter their commissions or wait for refunds will need to take action through their bank or credit card provider if they wish to receive a refund, as I am not immediately able to provide refunds.
The simple truth of the matter is that life has been extremely difficult for me these last few months, leaving me extremely behind on work and responsible for a great deal more than I was when I started this business. I believe that with time, effort, and your understanding and patience, I can get back on track and restructure this operation to fit into my new life situation.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, I am open to them. I look forward to working with you all.
Today I would like to lay out my "Road to Solvency" plan, which is a 5-part plan of action which will ensure that each customer is addressed personally and satisfied to the best of my abilities.
STEP ONE: Modify my Terms of Service
The first thing that needs done is to modify my Terms of Service to reflect my new business model. Not much will change outside of the acceptable material section; clients with outstanding commissions will not be held to the new Terms, but they will hold to all new clients after the date of revision.
STEP TWO: Contact all outstanding clients
It's very possible that some have not read my journal and will not know what's going on; so, the first step is to make contact with all outstanding clients and make them aware of my situation if they aren't already. If their commission is within the bounds of material that I am able to take on now, no adjustment will need to be made; however, if their commission is material I am unable to take on any longer, I will suggest that either the commission be altered to fit my new Terms of Service, or that they request a full refund.
STEP THREE: Re-evaluate queue timeline
I have a well-documented queue of outstanding commissions and an algorithm that I use to determine due dates. This algorithm will be adjusted to account for my increased responsibility as the primary caretaker of my children, and then the new timeline will be posted on my Trello.
In addition, Trello can now be viewed in Calendar mode, enabling clients to have a better idea of when their work will be available.
STEP FOUR: Prepare Road to Solvency Report
I'll be setting up a new page on my website for the purposes of showing my progress towards completing commissions and generating funds for refunds. This step is the most important step in communicating and working with my clients, as it presents information about my business in a transparent and easy-to-read way.
This data will be presented in the form of a graphic showing my expected sources of income, expected expenses, and where on this timeline of incoming and outgoing funds clients can expect me to have enough funds to provide refunds. As income and expenses can not all be predicted, this data will be updated regularly, so clients are encouraged to bookmark the page to keep up to date on changes.
STEP FIVE: Bronze Artist Fundraiser
The Bronze Artist Fundraiser is a Picarto event that costs $5 per ticket to view, and participants have the chance of getting free sketches valued at $15 apiece. In addition, one portrait will be drawn which will be provided exclusively to each participant. Each sketch takes roughly an hour and the event will be held over the course of 8 hours, so approximately $120 of free art will be given out.
The goal of the Bronze Artist Fundraiser is firstmost to pay for the hosting cost of my website, which, while not required, will make documenting the Road to Solvency much easier. It will be easier for clients to track my income and expenses, and when they can expect to receive their refunds. If it is successful, I will conduct further Bronze Artist events in an effort to increase income and accelerate progress towards refunds and solvency.
This plan of action does assume the cooperation of my clients. Clients who are unwilling to alter their commissions or wait for refunds will need to take action through their bank or credit card provider if they wish to receive a refund, as I am not immediately able to provide refunds.
The simple truth of the matter is that life has been extremely difficult for me these last few months, leaving me extremely behind on work and responsible for a great deal more than I was when I started this business. I believe that with time, effort, and your understanding and patience, I can get back on track and restructure this operation to fit into my new life situation.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, I am open to them. I look forward to working with you all.
