As an artist, it’s natural to want to find your authentic voice and express it through your work. Yet, it can be difficult to showcase your art without feeling vulnerable or coming across as pushy. To succeed in your creative business, it’s important to learn how to connect with your audience and explain the value of your work. By learning marketing skills, you can communicate the importance of your art to potential clients, helping them see why they need it in their lives.
Marketing your Art: Presenting your work can be nerve-wracking, but it’s important to be able to describe and discuss it. This will help potential customers understand why your art is valuable to them. To succeed in your creative business, it’s crucial to master marketing skills and communicate the value of your work.
Get to know your audience: Think about what they look like. Think of their particular age group, gender, class, race, etc… Do they have particular interests? They can range from millennials interested in eco-friendly products or baby boomers who enjoy nostalgic art. When you have an idea of who you are trying to reach it makes it easier to tailor your message.
Learn where your target audience gathers: Research where your target audience gathers on and offline. Place marketing materials in these areas to maximize exposure. Focus on areas where your ideal customers are most likely to notice them.
Write to one person: Once you have identified your target audience and their preferred platforms, it’s important to tailor your writing to their interests and needs. By speaking to them in your marketing materials, you can establish a stronger connection and increase the likelihood of engagement. Avoid using a generic tone and write as if you are addressing them.
Use stories to engage: Telling stories is a wonderful way to help with marketing. They’re emotional and can connect with your customer on another level. Tell the story about the people in a photograph, the happy conscience of a video, or something that inspired the work altogether.
Recommend, don’t sell: Still worried about coming across as pushy? Here’s a helpful tip: Instead of trying to sell something, approach it as if recommending it to a friend. Try to connect the product with the customer or client. When you recommend a restaurant or book to a friend, you’re not doing it for the money but to share something you enjoyed. Apply this same approach to your artwork and start recommending it instead of trying to sell it.
Source: “9-Step Guide to Marketing Your Art Without Being Salesy.” Artwork Archive, www.artworkarchive.com/blog/9-step-guide-to-marketing-your-art-without-being-salesy.
Prepare for Events:
Have you prepared marketing materials for your booth? Items like tablecloths or runners, business cards, and banners can help you catch the attention of potential clients or your next biggest fan. It’s also worth considering adding a Thank You card, sticker, or button to show your appreciation for anyone who purchases your art.
How about Merch? Have you considered expanding beyond art prints and originals? Have you ever thought about offering gift sets that include postcards, stickers, or lapel pins? Diversifying your product offerings can increase the likelihood of sales. Gift items are especially appealing to those who want to support you as an artist but may not have a lot of money to spend. Just like crows are attracted to shiny objects, small and unique items can draw new customers to your table and pique their interest in your other offerings.
