Are you interested in building a more significant following to sell more art?
So many artists are building a successful art careers by leveraging digital marketing. However, there are still ways an artist can grow their business more with a combination of digital marketing and traditional marketing.
Instead of putting your eggs all in one basket, take advantage of all the different marketing tools available to build a thriving art career.
If you are not familiar with traditional marketing, don’t worry, we have you covered. This post will discuss conventional marketing strategies to help you reach more potential art collectors to sell more art.
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Traditional Art Marketing
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” Chris Grosser
There is no question that the internet has changed the world. This change has enabled artists to earn an income selling drawings and paintings online.
Artists do not have to put their faith in the art marketers of the past.
Before the internet, an artist would be promoted by an art marketer or art gallery. The artists would see low financial rewards for their hard work, while the art marketers and galleries benefitted greatly.
Times have changed. Today artists can promote their brand and artwork to people worldwide for very little money. The profits they make from a sale will now be in their hands, not someone else’s.
The key to your success is to build name recognition worldwide. The internet has made this possible for aspiring artists, but there are other ways creatives can build name recognition locally, and in most cases, it takes less effort.
Traditional Marketing
Before discussing traditional marketing strategies, let’s talk about digital marketing. Digital marketing is promoting a product or service online via the internet. Online marketing tools include websites, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, email, videos, blogs, and podcasts.
What is the difference between traditional marketing and digital marketing?
Traditional marketing uses radio, magazines, newspapers, and postcards, while digital marketing uses digital media like newsletters, websites, and social media.
Artists who use both grow their art business quicker than artists who use just one of the strategies.
Here are some traditional marketing strategies you can start implementing today.
Collecting Emails
Traditional marketing allows artists to communicate with potential buyers in galleries, auctions, craft fairs, and open studio events.
Sometimes, people are interested in your work but cannot invest in an original painting. Instead of letting them walk away, ask them to join your email list so you can provide them with information on new products and events.
The objective is to gather email addresses at local events so you can continue to have a form of communication with them.
Contact Information
There will be a time when a potential art collector will be interested in purchasing an original painting or limited edition print. The best way to take advantage of those times is to stay in contact with the people you meet.
Make it easy for people you meet to follow your blog, social media sites, and website.
Give them something that they can bring home.
- Business cards
- Postcards
- Brochures
Your contact info and information for your online sites should be included in the materials you are handing out.
Although business cards are the time of the past, you still want to take advantage of every opportunity that might arise. You want to make it effortless for an individual to follow you online and a way for them to contact you.
Direct Mail
Direct mail (junk mail) has been taken over by emails but is now starting to make a comeback, and businesses art taking advantage of the opportunities.
Sending a creative postcard or brochure to customers who have purchased in the past or people who have met you at a local event will often work better than an email. Emails do work, but often they are never opened.
Having a person hold a tangible item with your art on it will inspire them to take action.
Print Ads
Print ads are more effective now because newspaper and magazine ads are now visible on digital mediums, which will help you to reach more people than just a local paper.
Online Printing Services
Here are some popular printing services artists are using for their printing needs.
- www.vistaprint.com
- www.gotprint.com
- www.uprinting.com
- www.overnightprints.com
- www.48HourPrint.com
- www.printsmadeeasy.com
Final Thoughts On Traditional Art Marketing
There are many benefits for marketing offline, and it could help build your brand quicker than just online marketing alone.
Today, artists have an excellent opportunity to sell their art locally and worldwide.
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