Let’s Talk About Marketing Learn Which Methods Work Best for Some Artists
Artists promote their show schedules in a variety of ways. Find out what types of marketing methods some artists use the most and when they start promoting their upcoming shows.
Deborah Sewell
Acrylic
How long have you been doing shows?
Thirty-five years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
Facebook and Instagram. I start a month in advance and promote every day before and during a show.
What marketing method has been the most effective for you?
Social media — everyone is on social media.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
I just advertise during the show.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
I don’t collect email addresses. My clients take my cards and follow me on social media.
Is there anything else you want to share about your marketing experience or challenges?
If you do fine art, show at fine art shows only. Stay away from craft shows. Research your shows and go with proven show promoters.
Joe Williams
Wood
How long have you been doing shows?
Thirty years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
Facebook — usually two weeks before the event.
What marketing method has been the most effective for you?
Word of mouth.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
Business cards.
Are there any aspects of marketing where you feel you need help?
Social media strategies.
Rebecca Szabo
Mixed Media
How long have you been doing shows?
Thirty-plus years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
We typically post to social media as soon as we are accepted to an event and increase our post frequency to weekly and daily as the event gets closer. We also include sneak peeks of works in progress that will be available at that event only.
What marketing methods have been the most effective for you?
Facebook and Instagram are definitely the most effective for us now. We used to send emails, postcards, etc. but have stopped now that most people use social media. Our event coordinators utilize all forms of promotions, so we rely on them to attract locals or those not online.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
We always post a shot of setup/install day with the booth location included. We live stream each morning before the show opens to showcase the booth. We also follow our neighbors’ pages and try to interact with their posts as well.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
We no longer collect emails. We include a rack card with contact info with each purchase, or we hand them out on-site. We also have QR codes posted in the booth that people can scan to post a review of their purchase.
Sheron Davis
Mixed Media
How long have you been doing shows?
Forty years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
I post photos and show information on Facebook, Instagram, and with promoters. I keep my show schedule updated on my website.
What marketing methods have been the most effective for you?
Social media, website.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
I talk to shoppers.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
Yes — website does email blasts.
Candace Cobb
Watercolor Paintings
How long have you been doing shows?
One year.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
I have cultivated an email list from the shows, and I send out frequent emails to those people prior to the next shows. I usually wait until about two weeks out — people are not planning on buying art months in advance, in my opinion.
What marketing methods have been the most effective for you, and why?
I post to Facebook and Instagram, and I send out emails. Facebook seems to work best because it’s mostly friends who are local to the area of the show.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
I frame a small print of my work and offer it as a giveaway. To enter the raffle, I ask that people leave an email, and I let them know they'll be getting occasional marketing emails from me. At the end of the show, I pick a winner, email the entire group to say a winner has been picked, and email the winner separately. That way, the people who saw my work at the show get a reminder. Then I ship or deliver the print and ask the winner to share a picture if they don't mind me posting it on social media, so I can promote it after the show is over.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
Yes, I collect emails and phone numbers. I only text the winners (of my raffles) if they don't respond to my emails, which happens frequently.
Are there any aspects of marketing where you feel you need help?
Social media strategies would be very helpful.
Susan Meekhof
Acrylic
How long have you been doing shows?
Twenty-five years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
I promote the event by sharing my schedule and photos about one month ahead of the date.
What marketing methods have been the most effective for you?
I post on social media — mostly Facebook. I also make sure the event is listed on public calendars for art festivals and fairs.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
I have a sign with my contact info and a sign up for email. I also hand out business cards and flyers.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
Yes — I add them to my email list for upcoming events.
Are there any aspects of marketing where you feel you need help?
I actually have a professional team that is working on a new website and marketing promotions.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your marketing experience or challenges?
Keeping my customer list current is a challenge and very important. I have lots of repeat customers, and I need to keep them in the loop.
Alan Dungey
Leather/Handwoven Fabrics
How long have you been doing shows?
We are going into our second year.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
Facebook, Instagram, mass emails. I start posting three to four weeks in advance. I’m not always on top of this, but as able, make three to four attempts. Currently, I’m adding an events/calendar page to my website.
What marketing methods have been the most effective for you?
I don’t feel that too many are coming to my events because of my efforts. I feel that the shows need to be the leader in promoting their shows. The community needs to feel a good vibe about the show, and that will bring in the customers.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
I engage everyone saying hi, demonstrating products. I offer everyone a flyer with images of products and contact information.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
I do collect emails as I’m able to. I find most people are reluctant. There are too many spammers out there.
Are there any aspects of marketing where you feel you need help?
I’m always looking for tips.
Paul Harvey
Metal Sculptures & Enamel
How long have you been doing shows?
Fifty-two years.
What type of marketing do you typically do before a show?
In the beginning, I never did anything. A few years ago, my granddaughter got me on social media. I only do a few of the top juried shows now, but I send an email to people who follow my work on Perigold, Singulart, past customers, and anybody that shows interest. I post a schedule of my shows with a few pictures of my latest work. I ask that they invite their friends who might have an interest.
What marketing method has been the most effective for you, and why?
Word of mouth is the best. People value others’ opinions, and my work is expensive. So, if someone who has already purchased my work shows it off at their house or workplace, it becomes part of the family.
What type of marketing or promotional activities do you engage in during a show?
None. I’m old, and by the time I get set up, I sit in my chair. That’s it.
Do you collect email addresses or other contact information? How do you use this information to stay in touch with your audience?
I stay in touch by email sent from my website.
Are there any aspects of marketing where you feel you need help?
Yes, a lot of help. I hate social media, emails, and computers, but they have become a necessary evil. I have my secret weapon — my 14-year-old granddaughter. They (her generation) know everything about this stuff.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your marketing experience or challenges?
For the new artist just broaching the street show scene, my advice is to have thick skin. It’s a tough business with many pratfalls. There are many people out there ready to scam you out of money and your art.
