Do you use Facebook live for your art business? Are you finding it more challenging to reach your following?   In this post, I will discuss five reasons artists should use Facebook live to grow their following.

5 Reasons Artists Should Use Facebook Live

Many artists have asked me over the years, “How do you sell your art online for free?”

I come back with, “What do you mean by free?”

There is a cost for everything we do or want.

The real question is how can an artist build a successful art business and reduce the costs associated with running a business.

What are some of the costs associated with operating an art business?

Money:

• Supplies
• Internet
• Smartphone
• Marketing
• Selling Fees
• Advertising
• Shipping Frees
• Hosting

Time:

• Creating art
• Photographing art
• Promoting on social media
• Blogging
• Engaging on social media
• Writing newsletters
• Answering emails

I can write an entire eBook on how to lower the cost of operating an art business (that might be a good idea), but today I would like to talk about how you can lower your cost on Facebook and be more productive with your art business plan.

Before I start talking about the 5 Reason Artists Should Use Facebook Live, let me ask you these questions:

• Do you have a Facebook marketing plan?
• Do you have a strategy you are implementing, or are you just posting sporadically?
• Are you happy with the results you are receiving from your Facebook Page?
• Are you making money from your Facebook Page?
• What are your goals for having a Facebook Page? Do you want to sell art from your Facebook Page or are you trying to build brand awareness?

These are important questions you will want to answer because they will help you to build a marketing strategy that will be more productive. In return, you will be increasing your ROI (return on investment).

Now that you have a clear vision of why you are spending time marketing on Facebook, let’s get back to the 5 reasons artists should use Facebook Live.

#1 More Views  

Many artists are becoming frustrated with Facebook. 

They are noticing a significant decline in the number of fans seeing their posts. This has become a prominent issue for business owners over the past few years. 

Not too long ago, artists could post an image of their latest work, and hundreds of people would be able to see it. Now the same artists are lucky if their post reaches one hundred people.

Related Post: How Facebook’s New Goals Affect Artists

How can you continue to receive more views without paying? 

All you have to do is stay updated with Facebook’s changes. Facebook always rewards people who support its newest features.

Right now, Facebook live is hot.

People who are using Facebook live have seen a large increase in their organic traffic.

Facebook Gets Over 8 Billion Average Daily Video Views (Source: Sprout Social)

This Facebook stat illustrates exactly why you’re doing your brand a disservice by ignoring videos on the platform. With over 8 billion average daily views and 100 million hours of video watched every day, Facebook has become a top player in the social media video landscape. (Source: Sprout Social)

To see more Facebook statistics visit Maddy Osman’s post 28 Powerful Facebook Stats Your Brand Can’t Ignore in 2018.

#2 Build Your Brand

Facebook Live is a great way to help build your art brand. 

Focus on the core elements of your brand and start incorporating them into your videos.

Most artists don’t record videos because they find it challenging to develop content ideas. It is easier than you think it is.

Let me give you an example.

• For example, create videos about your craft and style if you are a landscape oil painter.
• Talk about what inspires you to paint landscapes.
• Demonstrate a specific technique that you use for your paintings.
• Provide supply reviews or tips on how to care for your supplies.
• Talk about how to display the painting when it is completed.
• Create a video on how to frame a painting.
• Share helpful tips on how to clean a painting.

You can take these ideas and keep building on them. 

If you are creating one video a week, you already have a month’s worth of video ideas.

Remember to come up with ideas that will help you to achieve your marketing goals.

#3 Build Trust

Art collectors buy art from artists that they have a connection with. 

Videos are a great way for people to get to know you as a person and an artist.

There is a difference between reading an article and watching a video. Your audience will gather the same information that you are sharing, but your audience will feel connected with you quicker by watching you on video. 

They will feel connected with you quickly because they will be able to observe your expressions and hear the tone of your voice.

#4 Show Your Passion

Facebook live will allow you to show your excitement about your newest art. There is a difference between reading “I am excited to show you” and watching someone’s face light up when they are telling you about something they are passionate about.

I do not want to send a wrong message, blogging is an essential part of an artist’s marketing plan. 

Facebook Live is just another tool to use, so you can reach a new audience if used properly.

Remember, tools will only get the job done if you know how to use them.

# 5 Reach A New Audience

People like to gather content in different ways. Some people like to read, while others like to learn from seeing or listening. 

There is no “best” way for people to gather information. Everyone learns in a different way. 

As an artist trying to sell your art, you will need to provide your content in several different ways if you are interested in reaching a larger audience.

You will never reach people who do not like to read if you do not provide videos. 

The same goes for the people who enjoy reading over watching videos. They would rather relax and read your story over watching you speak. 

That is why you will need to continue to write blog posts.

How To Get Facebook Live

Going line on your Facebook Business page is easier than you might think.

In the video below Lawson will show you precisely what you need to start.

How To Do Live Video On Facebook Best Strategies

Think Media shares some Facebook Live tips you will want to become familiar with before starting your Facebook marketing strategy.

Conclusion:

Times keep changing. 

If you want to keep building your audience and sell more artwork you will need to learn and adapt to all of the changes. 

Support all of Facebook’s changes and they will support your fan page.

One way you can reduce the cost of running an art business is to stop wasting tie on strategies that are not producing results.

Have you tried Facebook live yet? What are your thoughts?

Have you started monitoring your Facebook Insights? 

Facebook’s Insights will allow you to know what is working and what is not. Start looking at them today and start improving your organic reach.

Facebook live 5 Reason Artists Should Start Streaming Videos Overview:

• More Views
• Build Your Brand
• Build Trust
• Show Your Passion
• Reach a New Audience

You might also be interested in:

• Why Artists Selling Art Online Need A Social Media Marketing Strategy & How To Get Started
• Sell Art Online The Ultimate Online Art Marketing Course 
• Facebook Artist Page Tips That Will Build Your Following
• How to Keep Up with Facebook’s Changes
• How To Start A Successful Art Blog