Share your work with the world in a way that feels right to you!

In today’s episode, we explore the mindset around marketing yourself as an artist, why it is important, and the 4 non-negotiable marketing avenues that every artist needs to have. After all, your artwork can be amazing but if no one sees it it is nearly impossible to grow an audience of collectors and fans.

Marketing Yourself as an Artist

Your presence as an artist and brand should all be aligned no matter where you are (In-person, digital, or your reputation). As much as we may want to paint all day, as a career-minded artist realistically 60-70% of your job is the business and marketing side of it.

WHY: You need to market yourself as an artist

There is a stigma that artists don’t need to or “shouldn’t” market their work because that is“selling out”. But ALL other professions market their services and don’t feel “icky”. Think about it, if you’re working for a larger company, they create a marketing budget and strategy.

As an independent artist you are a small business, why wouldn't you market yourself too? Unfortunately, the art does NOT speak for itself and marketing allows us to tell OUR story. These stories are what will bring collectors in and, once they have a piece or two from you, are what they will love to tell their guests too! They build a deeper bond with you and the artwork in a way that helps you stand out.

HOW: With our experience, what have we learned?

Each part of your marketing plan needs to be inline and strategic with a larger goal. Although this can get deeper and more detailed, what it boils down to is as an artist you need at least 1 marketing effort in each of the following 4 categories. These can include in-person events, a specific social media platform, your website, blog, etc. Then as you feel comfortable you can add more to support what is already in place.

You need to have marketing channels that allow your future collectors to:

Connect (Discover) - they “discover you”
Educate (get them emotionally invested) - get them invested in you, your process, and your artwork
Sell (financially invested) - they can purchase a product or original piece of art
Build a relationship (long term) - How will you turn one-time customers into collectors and life-long fans?

Still feeling apprehensive?

Many artists do, and that is okay. Have you ever heard of the term “ARTrovert”? This is when you might be introverted at times but when people ask you about your artwork, process, or materials you could talk for hours!

It may feel vulnerable at first, but it takes PRACTICE. Also, remember the story you share through your marketing message is one you get to customize and curate. While you want to keep it authentic, you also don’t have to reveal every single little detail about your background and why you make art. Embrace the power of this control and build a strategy that feels right to you! You got this.

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