NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOUR ART
NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOUR ART [t-h-i-n-k]
As artists, we often start our journey with rose-colored glasses. When I first exhibited my art in 1997 I had a rude awakening: not everyone liked it! Sounds like I would have known this, but I didn’t! My unreasonable expectations led to hurt feelings and disappointment. It was a valuable lesson: art appreciation is subjective.
Once I accepted this reality, I focused on those who appreciated my art.I studied them closely, learning about their:
Demographics (age, gender, location)
Lifestyle (work, education, marital status)
Art preferences and buying habits (in person vs online)
This research led me to discover my avatar - my ideal client or “buyer persona”.
To create your avatar, consider these questions:
Where do they spend time online? (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook?)
What's their living situation? (House size and type - eg. townhouse vs larger contemporary home, wall space, number of homes and geographic locations)
Where do they buy art? (Galleries, fairs, festivals, online platforms)
What other artists do they collect?
What motivates their art purchases?
What blogs and magazines do they read?
What are their purchasing habits - - do they collect art, or are they someone who will only purchase once?
The more detailed your avatar, the better you can target your marketing efforts and connect with potential buyers who truly appreciate your work.
Remember, not everyone will love your art - and that's okay. Focus on finding and nurturing your unique audience!
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Leave a Trail [k-n-o-w]
Ever wonder how your ideal client finds you? The secret lies in leaving a strategic trail of breadcrumbs across the digital landscape. Here's how:
Post relevant content on social media and in your e-newsletter marketing
Use appropriate hashtags and SEO (search engine optimization)
For example, if you create contemporary artwork and your avatar loves contemporary art, show your work in a contemporary setting.
If you know your avatar likes to purchase artwork at art festivals, be sure to post information about where your next show is and post a photo of your art booth once you’re there.
If your avatar is more interested in your approach to creating your art, videos of you painting, sculpting, etc. might work best. Consider YouTube for longer, more in-depth glimpses into your artistic world.
Remember: The more you understand your ideal client (your avatar), the more effectively you can lay out a path that leads them straight to your art.
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[g-r-o-w]