There was a time when building a brand as an art expert was challenging. Selling your products and services to your target audience required everything from shopping your portfolio to nearby galleries, museums, and art shows to gaining recognition through word of mouth. It could take years to acquire the traction you need to earn a decent living despite your best efforts. Luckily, times have changed, and art experts have multiple resources to advertise their products or services.
Whether youre new to the art world or simply want to grow your existing business, your marketing strategies must be just as creative as your skills. Below are a few clever ways to get the word out about your art.
Online Portfolios, eStores, And Websites
Making it as an art professional in modern society means having a solid internet presence. When target audiences research your name or business, they expect to find a digital footprint that gives them more insight into who you are and what you have to offer. Ultimately, having an
online portfolio, eStore, or general website is a practical solution.
These digital platforms enable you to display examples of your work, write a description about yourself and services, and complete online transactions with clients. Whichever source you decide to use should be well-designed, user-friendly, and contain relevant information to persuade visitors that youre worth the investment.
Social Media
Whether youre an art teacher looking for students, an artist interested in selling their latest projects, or a company that sells art supplies, social media can help you capture the attention of your target audience. Social media platforms provide a more intimate space to connect with online users.
You can upload new content or products, incorporate videos, share industry news and upcoming events, ask questions, complete surveys, respond to customer inquiries, schedule appointments, and much more. Since social media platforms have tools like messenger and instant posting, you can communicate with your audience in real-time for improved customer service.
Posters And Signage
When advertising your art expertise, you must find a balance between online and offline marketing. While having a solid online presence is mandatory to develop brand recognition, credibility, and visibility for your target audience, traditional marketing methods are ideal for advertising locally. Designing posters and placing them in and around businesses in your neighborhood or service area can increase foot traffic or inquiries. In addition to posters, consider creating eye-catching
flyers and leaflets that can be distributed strategically within your target area. This can reach potential customers who might not frequent the same businesses where your posters are displayed. If you’ve been in business a while and have a reasonable budget, placing signage on buses is an efficient way to spread the word. Simply find the right marketing agency, determine
how much does bus advertising cost, and provide essential information about your business to start advertising citywide.
Volunteering & Charitable Donations
Although volunteering or donating to a positive cause requires you to sacrifice your time and money, its worth the investment. The more you get your brand out there in a positive light, the better it is for your business. You might donate free supplies to local schools or sponsor an art contest if you sell art supplies. An art teacher can offer free lessons at after-school programs or community events. If youre an artist, you can always give some of your work away to local schools, businesses, community centers, and other places throughout the community.
Offer Your Services For Free
While you dont want to go overboard, offering a few select clients or businesses services free of charge can get the word out about your business. If youre a graphic designer, select two or three clients and help them design a logo or improve the layout of their website. An art instructor can teach a few students for free. If you sell art merchandise, consider giving away products to new customers.
Making a name for yourself in the art industry still takes time and hard work. Be that as it may, there are many strategies and technologies in marketing that make developing your brand more manageable. By combining the digital and traditional
marketing concepts listed above, youre sure to attract your target audience, improve brand recognition, and increase sales.