Marketing is an essential aspect of any business, and the same goes for artists. For artists, marketing helps to promote their work, connect with potential buyers, and build a reputation. It is a way of getting their art out into the world and making it visible to a wider audience. Marketing can help artists to establish themselves as professionals, and showcase their skills and talent to the public.
Marketing can also help artists to build relationships with their audience, and create a loyal fan base. By sharing their work on social media, attending events, and collaborating with other artists, they can create a strong network of supporters who are interested in their work. This can lead to increased exposure, sales, and opportunities for future projects. In short, marketing is crucial for artists because it helps them to reach their target audience, build their brand, and establish themselves as professionals in their field. By investing in marketing, artists can increase their visibility, expand their reach, and ultimately, achieve their goals.
Now that you know why marketing is important, how and where do you start? The easiest way to start is with social media. Instagram is the top platform for artists because it is focused on imagery. You are able to build a timeline showing the progression of your artwork.
Effort = Success
The amount of effort you put into something often determines the level of success you achieve. That being said, there are many other factors that can also play a role in determining success, such as natural talent, resources, and luck. However, putting in effort is a crucial component of achieving success. When you put in effort, you demonstrate dedication, persistence, and a willingness to work hard to achieve your goals. This can lead to improvements in your skills and abilities, increased confidence, and a greater likelihood of achieving your desired outcomes. So, while effort alone may not guarantee success, it is an essential ingredient in the recipe for achieving your goals.
Remember, this doesn't happen overnight. It takes time to grow and build anything. As you are building and growing you are also learning. Pay attention to what people are reacting to when you post. Be sure to comment and reply when someone leaves a comment. Follow and comment on other artists and art-related accounts as well for at least 15 minutes a day. All of these things let the algorithm know what you are interested in. Don't make this mistake
Keep your personal, personal, and your art about your art. If you already have a "personal" account great, keep it for just that. Create an artist account that is only for your art & you as an artist. Your Instagram is essentially your digital business card. Yes, galleries do look at it, and yes potential collectors do view it. If I find an artist whom I am interested in I go to their feed and see what they are sharing. If the art is scattered within other random posts of your life I am not going to follow. Why? Because I am here to see your art and follow you on that journey.
Key Points to Remember
To see results you need to post more than once a week.
Engage in other art-related accounts by commenting and sharing.
Comment and reply to people who engage with your account.
Keep your personal and art business accounts separate.
The sooner you start the sooner you will see results. Just start posting, don't worry about it being perfect, just post. Oh and get over the idea of it ever being perfect, because it won't be and it shouldn't be. Marketing today is very different, it is about sharing your story and your journey. You are inviting people to follow along as you make and share your artwork. Have fun with it and be yourself!
About the author: Alexis Arnold is the founder and president of Art Connective, Inc a non-profit art organization dedicated to helping artists gain more time to create by understanding the business side of art. She has been an entrepreneur for over twenty years and loves helping others reach their goals. Want to learn more? Enroll in any of Art Connective's online courses today at www.artconnective.org