Art Marketing Tips - Launch a successful business selling your art or crafts
By Ralph Serpe
Define your goals and get organized - What are your goals as an artist?
Do you hope and dream to one day have your artwork displayed in a museum or
do you just want to sell enough of your art to make a good living? Defining
your goals is an important first step toward your success as an artist. Realize
your long-term goal and then set reasonable and attainable short-term goals.
Build your confidence - You need to believe in yourself and your artwork.
If not, your marketing efforts will be less effective as the fear of rejection
will hold you back. You have to learn to take risks. No one is going to come
knocking at your studio door. Get out there and meet new people, network with
other artists, open a booth at an art show, etc.
Get in a business mentality If you want to be successful with
your art business, then you will have to learn how to juggle more than one task.
This means learning how to become successful as a businessperson. The artists
that are most successful have learned how to enjoy both creating and marketing
their art.
Art fairs Art fairs open up great doors of opportunity for artists.
They enable artists to market directly to the public without the need of an
agent. The public loves art fairs. They usually come to these art fairs with
the intention to purchase something, which creates more opportunity for an artist
to make a sale and get recognized. You can find a wealth of information about
art fairs online. One such place is http://www.sunshineartist.com/. Sunshine
Artist is a great magazine that provides detailed information about art fairs
and festivals. Check it out!
Follow up You must get into the habit of following up with anyone
who has shown interest or has appreciated your art. That person who saw your
painting in the doctors office, or the person who took your business card at
your last art show are leads who can possibly turn into paying customers. They
may also be able to help you in other ways you never thought possible. Its
important therefore to keep in touch with everyone. Create a mailing list and
ask your contacts if they would like to be added. You can send out mailers whenever
you create a new piece, or to notify your contacts of upcoming exhibits or art
fairs you will be attending.
Customer service You must go above and beyond your customers
expectations if you want to set yourself apart from the competition. Make sure
you treat your customers and leads with the utmost professionalism. Answer all
inquiries promptly. Send out thank you notes and instructions for preserving
and caring for the art with all of your orders. Customer service is important
to all businesses, and your art business should be no exception.
Artist agents - You are your own best agent. No one knows your art better
then you, and no one can express yourself and your art better than you can.
An agent generally deals with more than one artist at a time so their focus
is not on you and your art alone. Agents usually charge a lot of money as well.
By the time its all said and done, the artist doesnt make very much
on the sale. Its better to learn the ropes yourself and learn how to reach
your buyers directly.
Get your own unique website - The Internet has become a huge platform
for selling goods and services. More and more people are going online then ever
before and artists are taking advantage of this amazing opportunity. If you
want to expand your business and reach more people on a worldwide scale, you
should definitely consider getting your own website. You can market and sell
your artwork directly online with your own website. Your website is also a great
way to organize and showcase your art to interested galleries and the people
you meet in public. About the Author Would you like more free articles on art marketing? Visit http://www.sellingartnews.com right now and sign up for a free 25 part Ecourse on Art Marketing!
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