Feeling a Sense of Lack? A Pep Talk

We’re all living under a new set of parameters right now. And, for the immediate future, it has me wondering what will happen in my creative community of artists and makers, and how we’ll find new ways to deal with showing and selling our work. 

Although I have concerns, that feeling of uncertainty is fleeting for me. I know that because as artists and makers, we’re inherently creative and great at finding alternative ways to work that support us. 

We are total problem solvers. 

We CAN figure out solutions to our problems. 

If we start to work within these new constraints, it might lead to new ways of being an artist for each of us. It might mean we discover amazing new techniques because we have to use what’s on hand. 

It might mean more exhibitions because they’re all online now and shipping costs of delicate work isn’t a concern. It might mean that we meet the right collectors because we’re learning how to connect with people online. 

It might mean more eyes on our work and opportunities that result from all the people that are looking at art online right now. 

It might mean that we learn how to sell our work on social media because it becomes easier with everyone spending more time looking for ways to bring beauty to their home sanctuaries. 

Yes, working within these limitations will bring unexpected outcomes. Maybe not all of them will be negative? Maybe many of them can be helpful. 

For example, I’ve already seen a painter cut open a tube of black paint that she found to be nearly dried out. This wasn’t part of her plan but she decided to work with what she had. So she made a palette painting with slightly clumpy paint that wound-up looking great. Yep, totally outside of her comfort zone but it was new and fresh technique that she learned and now she has a fun new painting to go with it. 

I remember when I was a college student with barely any money and I had to figure out how to create a photo project for my final with one box of photo paper because that’s all I could afford. At the time it was happening, I just felt like, “If I only had more paper, this project would be amazing.” I could only see the lack I had. 

But, looking at the final project when it was complete, I could see that it was innovative and fresh. And my monetary and supply constraints were a major contributor. They made me work with more focus. I had to be clear in my goals because I didn’t have materials to spare.

Maybe you’ve experienced a moment like this? 

Where working with limitations actually allowed for something better to happen than if you didn’t have those constraints to work within? Can you remember a time when you didn’t have enough resources but you found a way through?  

Looking to your past experiences can help to calm your brain by showing it proof that you’ll be okay because you’ve dealt with similar situations in the past. You and I can find our way through tough times. And we may find a few silver linings along the way.

Pop into the comments to let me know how working with constraints has helped you in the past. I encourage you to post there because your experience may help another artist to get through trying times and find their silver linings. 

Remember, you CAN do this. 

Cheers,

Kate

The Key to Selling Art That You Maybe Missing - Part 3

You’re serious about finally getting your work out there. You know it’s sellable but you’re not so sure how to do it. 

If this is you, know that I hear you. I know how frustrating this can be. That’s why I let you in on the key to selling art that you might be missing over three articles. 

In the first part, I share that the secret to selling art is to regularly connect with people. And what the gold standard is for doing this. Although the method for this sounds far too straightforward to be real, it works. 

In the second part, I share another way to connect with your audience by truly engaging with them online. I even give a  dead-easy formula for doing this.

After using this method for social media engagement, one reader said that 5 out of 6 people gave thoughtful replies to her comments on their social media posts. Links to both parts are at the end of this article.  

Today, I’m sharing a third way to genuinely connect with collectors, gallerists and your audience so you can get more eyes on your work and sell more of it. About 95% of artists who say they want to sell more work, don’t do this one thing but if they did, they’d have a tool to always find people who are interested in their work.  

This tool is more important than being on social media. And, it’s an easy way to ask for someone to buy your work without having to do it in-person. 

Are you ready for it? 

The third way that is most effective to connect with people to get your art shown and sell more of it is to email your collectors, gallerists and supporters on a regular basis to update them with the work you’re doing. 

Building an email list, and then sending to it, is one of THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS you can ever have. 

People who are on your list like you enough to say, yes, email me with news about your work. That’s a big deal in this day and age. They’ve trusted you with their inbox because they want you to talk to them about your art. 

A mailing list trumps social media because you own it and have control over it. Whereas at any moment, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram could disappear. You have no control over what their business does that might negatively impact you, like massively changing algorithms that take traffic away from your posts. And if that’s the only way you’re building your art career, it’s like putting all of your eggs into one basket.

So, adding an email list into your mix of business tools is a smart move. 

Time to take ACTION! 

First sign up for MailChimp or another email services provider. They offer templates to make you look good and they handle unsubscribes. They also keep you in good standing with SPAM laws. 

It can be a different email service provider but no need to overthink it. I recommend MailChimp because I’ve used it so I know it works. And it’s free for up to 2,000 subscribers (nope, I’m not an affiliate). 

Once you have a mailing service in place, it’s time to send updates to your audience so you can build and grow your relationship with them. 

Once a month is the bare minimum that I recommend for my clients. And, anywhere from two per month up to weekly is better. If you’re not already sending monthly, start there. It’s fun to connect with people in this way and it can help you sell more of your work! 

Let me know in the comments if you’re opposed to the idea, or if you’ve taken the leap and signed up for an email service and how often you’re planning to send an email update to your audience. 

Here’s to you connecting with new people and strengthening the relationships you have so you can get more eyes on your work, have more fun with it and make more sales! 

Cheers,

Kate

P.S. Click here to read Part 1 or here to read Part 2 of The Key to Selling Art That You Maybe Missing so you can have all three proven ways to connect with people in your practice.