5. Mailing List. A mailing
list can be a very useful tool if used
moderately. One very important reason is to reach your audience with
important information and announcements. If you are not a frequent blogger you can offer an email subscription that will alert your readers when
new posts are available. A mailing list
can be especially useful to promote
showcases and gallery viewing information to fans that may not use social media sites or do not use them
often. A mailing list is also a fun way
to reach out to your network during
holidays and events.
DID YOU KNOW
Online sales in 2013 were estimated to
have been in excess of €2.5bn, around 5
percent of global art and antique sales.
In 2013, dealers reported making 33
percent of their total sales through
art fairs, while sales through galleries
increased six to 50 percent.
Source: The Guardian, 03/20/2014
7. Website. Every professional needs to have a website. This is a
space where you can link all of these
different sources together. A website
is also very likely to come up if someone were to enter your name or business in a search engine. One of the
most important aspects of a website
is to keep it up to date. If you are not
capable of managing a website yourself there are several companies that
can do that for you. Hiring someone
to create your website is also something to consider, it is a great investment into yourself as an artist and to
your business. Your website can also
be where your pieces can be purchased, or list information on how to
purchase. If investing in a company to
design it for you is out of the question
(for now … until you become the next
Picasso) then use a website host that
has simple design tools so you can
put it together yourself. It’s easier that
you may imagine – give it a try!
8. Reach Out. Reach out to
local libraries, art galleries, or other
potential venues to display or promote your art in any way. This will
not only increase your local recognition as an artist but it will allow you
to use their online presence to your
advantage. It’s a win-win for both
parties involved. If you are contacted by an art gallery or organization
overseas, thoroughly research who
they are, how long they have been
in business, find the press releases
written about previous exhibits, etc. It
may be tempting to do business with
a gallery in New York City, for example, but may find out that the gallery
simply tak es advantage of artists by
overcharging them without promoting
their art.
You can use as many or as few
of the tips as you like. If you do one
or two of the above tips and see a
significantly positive response then
do not feel obligated to do the rest yet. Having an online presence is important for growing your business but
always remember the importance of
face-to-face communication.
I wish you success as you grow
your art business! Good luck!
About the Author:
Angela Capesius is a freelance writer
living Port Saint Lucie, Florida, USA.
ART
en
4. Blog. A blog is an important
tool to utilize to keep your online profile up to date. A blog is different than
social media because it gives you the
space to share and go in to depth a
bit more than you would on social
media. On social media sites, you
want to keep things short and to the
point but a blog gives you the freedom to share your thoughts, process,
or inspirations. A blog is great way
to share upcoming events, works-inprogress, or even show your process
and methods. The beauty of a blog is
that it is a space that you can share
what you choose. You can link your
blog to social media sites so that you
are allowing your audience to use
each of your outlets. Some popular
and free hosts that offer blog publishing services are Blogger and Wordpress.
6. Online Portfolio. Keeping an online portfolio that clients can
easily access is important. The online gallery can be either a website
or blog. Devote space on either (or
both) just for this portfolio. Potential
clients need to be able to easily access your work. Think of your gallery as a preliminary sales platform
to show and promote your pieces.
Your art must be photographed well
when you showcase it online. Hire a
professional photographer, if you are
able, if not, follow the tips on ART278.
org about how to photograph your art
beautifully.
wom
an artist. Encourage your clients and
fans to share your posts of information along to their network, which is
the beauty of social media. Look into
different social media websites and
find the ones that best fit your needs
as an artist keeping in mind that social media sites target specific audiences.
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