Earlier this week I asked EmptyEasel readers to pass along their favorite art business tactics or tips. It was short notice, but here’s what they shared.
David Lorenz Winston said: “Emailing new work [to subscribers] on a regular basis—whether every day, every week or every month—is a wonderful way to keep in touch. The Winston Weekly is a photo-letter which I send out each week through iContact.com, an online email marketing service.
It began in January 2007 with 36 subscribers (mostly friends and family) and is currently sent to a list of 860 subscribers. All of the images posted on the photo-letter are also archived here and here on my two blogs.
Clint Watson (the owner of FineArtStudioOnline) wrote this on Twitter: “Make remarkable art, have your own site, have conversations with people, tell stories, send email newsletters, and don’t obsess about SEO.”
Terry Krysak suggested that “artists use some of the features of Google Wave” and linked to this post which explains what Google Wave is.
Cindy Beck explained several methods she uses to market her work:
“I have been working on making contacts in the fields my art focuses on (mainly the equine field as I am an equine artist). I have also taught art classes at my local art council which has opened some doors for me.
Now I am building up a sampling of the products my art is printed on (at my online shop cafepress.com/cabart) and plan to flea market, yard sale and market it to tack shops, pet shops, etc., as well as pitch it to horse and pony groups as a potential fund raiser. I also offer pet portraits painted on camper wheel covers at the campground where I work part time.”
Jared Kessler twittered a link to this blog post where he urges everyone to remember that, “there is always a human being behind any technology out there.”
Kristina Laurendi Havens reminds us that, “Promotion will only take you so far. You need to always be working on your product as well.”
And Amy Wise-Bacis finished it up with some solid advice: “Stick to your pricing even when the economy is bad. Be creative, offer value-add items but don’t drop prices; [that's] bad for us all.”
Got a business tip that’s worked for you? Send it in and I may include it in this post.