Are you worried that you won't have a great open studio or art market event because you fear that you won't have enough visitors or that you won't sell enough work to make it worth your time?
These are valid concerns. And as an artist and repeat open studio host, I understand how these thoughts can make us freeze in our tracks and not show up as our most-awesome-artist-selves.
As a coach for creative people, though, I know that usually it's worth it to push through those worries and do what you can to make that upcoming art event pay off - whether it's in sales, visitors or in another way.
One way to make this easier is to do what you can now, in advance of the event. For most organized art events like hosting an open studio, exhibition reception, or art market, you have weeks if not months to prepare.
And, if you're like most of the artists I know, myself included, we tend to want to work on our art more and more as the event gets closer. Ideas start to synthesize. The universe starts to pull in your direction to make your work happen. You start to feel like you're in the flow.
And the last thing you want to work on is the promotional side.
Sound familiar?
If so, how would it feel to do a few things now that will almost guarantee more visitors and eyes on your work?
Doing one or more of the things I'm about to share with you now will set you up for selling more work, having more people join your mailing list, getting the right people to see your work (hello gallerists and collectors) and having a stress-free event where you feel more in control. Sounds nice, right?
So, here are 10 Things You Can Do NOW to create a warm crowd of visitors and increase your sales:
Email your list
Create an ad for an Open Studios Guide or local paper
Create a postcard for mailing, handing out and leaving around town and at the preview exhibition for open studios or gallery.
Pre-schedule reminder posts for social media.
Create a "passport" promotion with nearby artists with a joint give-away.
Create a sub-map with artists who are also in your neighborhood.
Create a promotional plan with other nearby artists - emails featuring each person's art and why it's great.
Find a studio mate to share your space with - visitors love to visit places with more than one artist
Create a flyer now to leave at all of your neighbor's doors (canvas nearby homes!)
Create a poster to put in nearby coffee shops, grocery stores, etc. - Any place you go. (ask first before hanging).
So, which idea from the list above sounds like something you can commit to doing now, weeks or months before your event happens? Let me know in the comments. I'm curious what you pick or if there's another long-lead idea that you'd do instead.
Here's to you hosting an amazing open studio, art market or opening reception!
Cheers,
Kate