Basics of Promotion

Learning the basics of promotion are key to selling art, from "hit the pavement" promotion to guerilla marketing techniques, all the tools are available to you, here's a few of them.

Guerilla Marketing

Getting started, the first step for successful guerilla marketing is to simply have a business card that includes: your name, an email address, your web site URL, the physical address of where your art is presented and your phone number.

The second step is simple, but the most important; you need to carry some of the cards with you everywhere you go. Opportunities present themselves when you least expect and having your contact information and how to access a sample of your work is invaluable. Every time you hand a card out you make a powerful, professional statement about yourself and your passion for your work. It is a wonderful chance to seek feedback and is a great way to network and open new doors.

A perfect opportunity to employ this new tactic is when you go to a favorite coffee shop or restaurant, give a card to the manager and ask if they would like to accent their venue with some fresh artwork. When they say yes, post a card underneath your work so interested parties can take down your information. The more you get your business card out there, the more prospects you will have and the more sales you will get.

Sales take time, start by building a pipeline of prospects. If you have your work at your home or in your studio, note on your card, “Works can be viewed at your address” or “Contact for a private showing.” This way you are providing prospective buyers an option to see the full range of your art.

If you would like business cards we can arrange to have them made for you, many artists have already received business cards through Eye of the Art with a sampling of their artwork included next to their name.

Click here to see the details on our business card program

Web Rings

Another great technique is to join web rings. Check out http://www.webring.org. These online hubs provide a great way to get information out about your artwork. You can link your own artist page into the web ring, usually for free; this provides more traffic and more potential buyers.

For instance, if you paint pet portraits why not join a web ring about dog shows or breeding and mention that you paint pet portraits. Next thing you know, you may find you have many new customers.

Forums

Forums are a great way to promote yourself and your artwork. There are literally thousands of art forums on the internet, reaching millions of people all over the world. Posting a short message with a link to your artist page is a cost effective way to be seen. Check into http://www.ezboard.com and http://www.wetcanvas.com for a couple of places to start posting.

Remember – sales come after effort, consistency, and time. Usually someone has to see something six times before they buy it.

See you next month and Good Luck!

–Eye of the Art