Being an artist, one tends to fall in love with the process of art making rather than art marketing!
Phew, the number of Instagram reels I come across featuring worried artists and their attempts to show the world their art is shocking!
That said, I know each artist strives to do this because they understand the importance of marketing art.
But, not everyone is doing it right either.
Artists across the world are struggling on their social media platforms not knowing how to market art!
So, here is a well crafted guide that caters to artists’ marketing needs specifically.
Because if not artists, who else will support fellow artists?
With my research, I have curated a listicle of ten trial and tested tips for marketing.
So, my dear friend, get your lanner ready because we have some art marketing to do!
Oh, but wait, how many of you are familiar with what marketing art is?
Let us brush up and jog our memories, shall we?
What is Art Marketing?
To put it in simple words, it is the process of creating an authentic space where target audiences and potential buyers can find and engage with your or your art.
But if I had to technically explain it, it would be this;
It is systematically creating a space that builds authenticity and awareness of what you are putting forward to an audience.
This could be a brand, product, or service that connects to desirable buyers.
Now while this is how marketing works in general, it is slightly different in association with artists.
For artists, it is not just about selling, it’s about putting out one’s work in front of the masses.
Every art piece that we see has a story, and often this story does not travel far.
With art marketing, the artist also gets a chance to network, create awareness, and authenticity and build a community of their own that includes art!
If you actually think about it, it’s neither a piece of cake, nor an elephant to pick.
But it is a systematic process that needs adequate planning, dedication, consistency and a lot of patience.
So, let’s get into it.
1. Set a Goal
No one can achieve something they want without setting a goal first.
If you are someone who believes that you’ll be able to take things as it comes, strike that thought now!
Because art marketing definitely needs a goal and a structured plan.
Creating a goal is also necessary, so that you can revisit your plan along the way to keep you motivated.
This will help you understand what will work for you and what kind of resources you have in hand.
PS: I would definitely recommend keeping a dedicated planner or journal for this.
2. Know Your Target Audience
A lot of times, people really take this tip for granted and try to heave their net onto the whole ocean instead of a busy lake!
Finding your target audience is like the foundation stone in your art marketing journey.
- Who is your art for?
- Which age group are you focussing on?
- What are the interests surrounding them?
- How can you get their attention?
- Gender, geographical locations, race, class, etc.
These are some of the questions and factors to consider while looking at your target audience.
As you find your audience, you can narrow down more factors, like what kind of art that is in interest, etc.
This is also a crucial step for you to understand how to connect with your target audience!
Suggested Read: Why to Gift a Painting and When?
3. Create an Exclusive Online Space
Now that you have an idea about your target audience, the next big step is to create an exclusive online space.
Living in an age where the digital world is bigger than reality, there is so much you can do online to market your art.
Online portfolios, business pages on fast paced social media platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok, are some options.
Apart from this, you can also create your own website with your brand name and slowly build authenticity.
And voila, your online space is ready!
4. Strategize Your Content
Okay, now we have our online space ready, what’s the next step we take?
Content! Yes, that is what you need to focus on.
Strategizing your content also includes what kind of content you are willing to put online.
There can be image and video form. But we all know short video forms are all the rage these days!
There needs to be credibility, relatability, consistency, and authority in the content that you share.
And at the core of it all, all the content that you share needs to be connected to your art, and represent it largely.
Suggested read: Choosing the Best Mediums for Your Portraits
5. Build Authenticity & Consistent Blogging
This is again closely connected to what we discussed above.
Once we have a strategy of how to take the content forward, it is time to act on it.
Even though you are an artist, I highly recommend you to be consistent at blogging in order to build authenticity.
Just addressing your audience, penning down your thoughts and experiences around your art will also do.
People look for real authenticity. Therefore, they want to see you!
So, make a list of things you can communicate through your blogs that are also connected to your art.
This also brings in a wider audience; more importantly the right audience will engage with your art and buy them.
6. Address Your Audience Individually!
I am now literally doing what is being mentioned here!
As you are reading this, I am having a conversation with YOU!
Yes, when you are blogging, make sure that you do not address your audience as a whole, but individually.
This makes a huge impact by bringing the focus to each single one of them individually and creating a connection with them.
When I am addressing things to you, you are also able to focus and understand better what is being conveyed, right?
It is as simple as that!
Understanding and using the second person point of view while blogging will also help you in keeping the tone conversational with your readers.
7. Grow Your Network
While you are engaging with our audience with authentic content that you put across, there are also other ways to grow your network.
The online space has other artists like you struggling with art marketing themselves.
Part of art marketing is also reaching out to fellow artists and art lovers in the space you have established your profile.
The more you grow your network, the more authority your website receives, and that means a wider audience to your art.
The most powerful thing about art is that it connects to each individual differently.
So, by growing your network, you are also helping them find the kind of art they can connect to the most!
Suggested Read: 10 New Painting Trends in 2024
8. Sell Your Art Online
Now that you have an established and consistent online presence, you can sell your art online!
But at the same time, it should not really feel “salesy”.
Because your art is not just any other product in the market, it is a piece that holds personal values.
Make sure your art connects to people, and once it does, they will definitely buy it.
But it is definitely possible, and you can make a whole career out of it.
What you might have to do is to learn the right strategies to sell handmade paintings online!
9. Do Not Forget Offline Marketing
Yes, we are all living in the digital world, and it’s become a crucial part of our daily lives.
But do not forget that some things can still work in the old-school offline ways.
Have your business cards ready, get out there and connect with people.
You can arrange art gallery events, or gatherings that are focused on bringing your target audience and talk to them.
Remember, offline marketing is just as important in art marketing!
10. Create/ Join Artist Supporting Communities
Connecting to what I mentioned above, one of the ways you can reach out to fellow artists, online and offline, is by joining communities.
These art communities can also be already existing groups, I am sure they will be more than willing for you to join them.
Just like us here at PortraitFlip!
We don’t just sell handmade paintings, but we have created a community of artists, customers, and everyone who loves art.
Want to know more about us and the space we created? Check out here;
Wrapping It Up!
Phew, that was a well-combined list that I made for my dear readers.
But I wanted to add one more key point.
The importance of being patient and trusting the process!
As an artist, you are not alone in this, and your efforts and consistency will be rewarded in due time.
Everything is a lesson and you learn more about art marketing, promotions and how to reach a better audience.
But the key is smart work with due diligence and in no time we will see you flourish!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started with your personal art marketing!
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the quickest and smartest ways to get your art noticed is by thoroughly following your art marketing plan and creating an online presence.
The artist, the dealer, the curator, the critic, and the collector are the five key players of the art market. Each individual mentioned plays a pivotal role in the art industry!
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (or X), Pinterest, Tik Tok, and WordPress are some online platforms to market your art online.
