Market Art With Courage

Marketing takes courage, especially for a maker, artisan, or business artist. The word courage derives from cor, the Latin word for heart. Author and vulnerability expert Brenée Brown explains an early meaning in which the word courage meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.” We’re vulnerable when we open our hearts.

A maker myself, I bridge the language of marketing to creative thinkers.

As founder of Merrigan Group LLC, I mentor women in their 50s (and beyond) to market their talents. I advise and assist with strategic planning, social media and other choices to re-frame your status quo.

Beading, the art that brought me alive and focused me on “the place of no pattern” gives me impetus to share raw courage with you.

Services: Marketing Speak for Creative Thinkers

Marketing JumpStart

In a comfortable introductory conversation we explore a path that will fit you and your business. My focus on progressive communications lets me approach each situation differently. Using intuition and spontaneity, I guide conversations to ‘light bulb moments’ and solutions that work. Traditionalists call this strategic but I like to think of it as aligning business objectives with heart/soul values.

Some of the elements we’ll consider include your goals, your concerns, where you are now and where you want to go. Our web meeting room will let me share screens, demo solutions and give us the opportunity to interact. The resulting recording gives you the flexibility to listen again and again and use the material we cover as a resource.

Our first meeting is a get-acquainted session during which we assess your needs, talents and strengths. (And you assess me at the same time!). The follow up meeting includes recommendations for strategic direction and a written bullet-point plan. You can then elect to implement on your own or, in conjunction with my Marketing Catalyst plan.

Marketing JumpStart: $499.00

Once we complete our initial call, I draft a three-step recommendation which you may choose to implement yourself or, we follow through together. What happens next?

Marketing Catalyst

My Marketing Catalyst program is a 90-day program during which we tackle your number one priority. Of course, this also includes the Marketing JumpStart as our beginning touchpoint. Together we set weekly benchmarks and tasks. I hold you accountable and cheer your progress every step of the way. We meet every other week and keep specific communications in-between.

The beauty of plan agreement: I’m with you every step of the way for 90 days. Using an every-other-week Zoom meeting, we assess progress and set next steps.

Not sure if this is an opportunity for you? Try my marketing JumpStart program. It begins with an easy conversation and assessment. $499.00

$1350.00/$450/month, 3-month commitment

Marketing Mentor

When you add a mentor on your team, you install consistency, continuity and credibility. You add someone to your side of the desk. Do-it-Together is a powerful antidote to the burden of making decisions on your own. (Read More Below)

$2,400/$400.00/month, 6-month commitment

For example, if your goal is to be more active on social media, we will begin with some practical social media work: guidance on posting, exploring posting routines, reviewing profiles, practicing with channels, adding keywords and management tools. Your process will be easier because I’ve helped dozens of others take the guesswork out of social media. Not only will you learn to make marketing a habit, the techniques we practice will help you achieve greater visibility for your art Examples of tangible benefits other mentees have achieved:

• Narrow focus
• Prioritize next important steps
• Develop clear ways to describe yourself and your business
• Find a next step in major social channels
• Leverage messages instead of re-inventing the wheel
• Discover a posting rhythm that works for you
• Expand, using best practices you identify
• Explore editorial calendars and practice using one
• Systematize social efforts
• Identify publicity opportunities
• Develop and implement short-term publicity plans
• Complete and submit a press release or media query
• Initialize and complete a short-term project
• Track your success

Conclusion

No question. Marketing takes courage. I’ll help you find yours. This collaborative plan works with you and for you IF you’re ready to do the work. Experience fast focus and incredible success. I understand (and have likely experienced) everything in between. This is so personal. I’m ready to get on your side of the desk/studio and go forward. Are you ready?

“Thank you for the opportunity to take the class last night. The energy in the room was wonderful.  People were very kind and generous of heart. I find it fascinating that the simple act of tying a knot stopped my monkey mind in its tracks and forced me to mentally go to a different place.  It was both humbling and illuminating.  While describing the evening to my dear friend I found myself tearing up.  We spend so much time trying to fit ourselves into the molds others create in order to ensure survival (ie, a job and a paycheck) that the act itself seems to be sapping the very life force out of us. Surely there must be some way to strike a balance.  Be proud,  Mary Ellen- I received all of that wisdom by participating in your bead class! ~ Barbara F.

“Mary Ellen put her finger on how frightened I was of marketing in meeting number one. Her coaching allowed me to organize my thoughts about social media, define solutions for my business and then tweak the approach based on what was/wasn’t working.” ~ Carol Holland March, Speculative Fiction Author

“I had so much fun in Saturday’s class!” ~ Jill B.

“Your class was a success. Mary Ellen’s instructions are excellent and she keeps it light and fun. I always learn new techniques and problem-solving techniques.” ~ Pat V.

“Very interesting, informative class.” ~ Diana D.

“Mary Ellen is fun and informative! Her love of beading reflects in her work.”