Promoting your art = presenting a clear image of who you are as an artist and what your work represents.
Promotion of art can be broken in to two main sections: marketing online and in person. This guide will explain how to do both and give you some tasks to do straight away so you can begin your journey to promote and sell your art.
However, before we get to the exciting part of promoting your art, you have to ask yourself this big question:
What exactly are you promoting?
Firstly of course, you are marketing your art. However, the way you portray and describe your art and lifestyle can have a big impact on how it is received: online and in person.
If you want to make a living as an artist you have to do more than just show your art to people. To get galleries to exhibit your work and to get buyers you have to learn how to market your art and talent.
Have the following before you start promoting your art:
Lots of photos of your art in paper and digital format to show in albums and online.
Artist's Statement. Your message should be clear. Answer these questions: Why have you chosen this subject? What does it mean for you personally? Do you wish to make a certain point through your art? In what way will the viewer be enhanced after seeing your art?
Website or blog with good quality photos of your art work and a statement about your art.
STEPS TO PROMOTE ART ONLINE:
1. Set up social media accounts and Pinterest
Use your professional artist name. Set up profiles quick before someone else nicks your name! Be the first on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. Don't spread yourself too thin though - get good at using one or two social media sites. Better having one impressive account with a decent following than 4 scrappy ones. Important: prevent others from stealing your image by putting your name over part of each image beforehand (using software like Canva).
2. Create your own website or blog
Create a free website full of your art or pay a bit more for a proper domain name which makes you look more professional. I have used Wix for this website but there are lots of other website building platforms.
3. Comment on other people's blog posts and social media accounts
Get your name out there. Get others curious as to who this new artist on the block is by communicating directly with artists or galleries you'd like to connect with.
4. Start to build a mailing list
Use your professional artist name. Set up profiles quick before someone else nicks your name! Be the first on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. Don't spread yourself too thin though - get good at using one or two social media sites. Better having one impressive account with a decent following than 4 scrappy ones. Important: prevent others from stealing your image by putting your name over part of each image beforehand (using software like Canva).
5. Add your name and art work on to impressive websites that showcase art
Set up a profile on art-promoting websites such as Deviantart. Use their traffic to get your art seen.
PROMOTING ART IN PERSON
1. Art exhibitions and fairs
Letting people see your work in a gallery setting will make a big difference. Suddenly there is proof you are a 'real artist' and not someone that just talks/posts about their art work!
2. Networking events
Go to hosted networking events for entrepreneurs of any business type and art focused ones. Mingle, chat and promote your art.
3. Art competitions
Be brave and enter your art in to local and national competitions. If you win that will give you instant promotion and well worth the stress. If you don't win, see it as a good learning experience!
4. Open studio events
If you are part of a studio complex, take part in any open studio events. People, including gallery owners who could exhibit your art, love seeing art in studios and meeting the artist.
5. Radio interviews
Offer to be interviewed live on air about your art. If I can do it anyone can! Local small radio stations are often keen to keep their listeners up to date with any cultural events in the area.
6. Magazine and blog articles
Contact the paper or blogger to let them know why your art or exhibition is important or special and offer to do an interview for their platform.