Marketing Goals: A Necessity for Every Artist
// May 18th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Marketing, The Biz of Art
When I started Cotton Studios a year and a half ago, my services included Fine Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Web Design, and so much more. With such a broad spectrum of services, it was VERY difficult to make a single marketing plan.A few months ago, I realized that although the design work was helping to pay the bills, the fine art was my passion. After a review of my progress through the first year of business, I found that my fine art always sold almost immediately after completion. In addition, wouldn’t it be easier and more cost effective to focus on promoting one skill rather than six?
I haven’t currently done enough self-promotion for my work, and I know it. And I am not alone.
Far too many artists and creatives either don’t know how to or choose not to spend the time and money on self-promotion.
I took several classes in grad school on the art of self-promotion. I just haven’t put my know-how into practice. Time is sparse for me, when I am creating I am on a role and don’t want to be interrupted. I often become a hermit, not wanting to answer the phone or leave my studio. Promotion can feel like an interruption. And money – well honestly, starting out full-time, how many artists actually have the money to spend on self-promotion? It’s hard, but everyone should have a plan, especially when you rely on your craft to pay your bills.
So here it is, my marketing goals for the next six months. Hopefully this will help someone else too:
- Spend more time on self-promotion. Schedule it into my calendar.
- Send out quarterly mailers to Art Directors, Local Galleries, Children’s Boutiques, Art Collectors, and Art Directors
- Monthly e-newslettters highlighting the news of the month as well as the new artwork, blog entries, and artist interviews.
- Give-aways enticing people to visit and comment or link to my site.
- Blog 1-2 times a week on pertinent artistic/entrepreneur information. Share the clog posts on Twitter, Facebook, Friend Feed, etc.
- Interview other artists once a month, and share those interviews with the world via my blog.
- Join 2 “in real life” networking groups.
- Find a Gallery in Savannah to show my work. This will include preparing digital portfolios, fine-tuning artist statement, and setting pricing.
- Teach a Class – I love to teach. I find it enlightening and stimulating.
- Research and Create Digital Art Statements.
I will keep you posted on my progress and my results. Now, make your marketing goals, share them and stick to them.
For more articles on self-promotion, please check out the following links. Special Thanks to Natasha Wescoat, Mashable, and Empty Easel for the following articles:
The Artist’s Guide to Flickr
Imitation and Art Marketing: How to Imitate your Way to Success
7 Popular Blogging Styles for Artists to Choose From
Artist Guide: Artist Brains
Tweetable Art: 10 Twitter Tips for Artists
Artist Guide: Digi-Art Statements
