Art Marketing Tips

Focus your craft.
Try not to be too many things at once. In one sentence, define yourself as an artist, i.e., “I’m a fine artist who specializes in women’s custom jewelry — using materials such as stone, metal, and wood;" or "I’m an illustrator who specializes in sequential art — doing storyboards and penciling for comic books.”

Target your buyers.
An example: Electronic art, with monitors, wires, unrecognizable audio loops and red paint splashed over its display for effect, likely won’t be as celebrated in a gallery that shows mainly American western-art. In other words, aim for your target by making your art visible to those it's intended to reach.

Your name is everything.
A professional artist is a businessperson and your name is your brand. If you don’t want to represent your art by your birth name, you can of course do business under an assumed name (dba).

Logos are for professionals.
As a pro, you’ll definitely benefit from having a logo. It can be fancy or plain; tasteful or raunchy; conservative or comical; discreet or bold; mysterious or obvious and colorful or not. It’s all on what you hope to communicate when it’s seen. And take to heart, that a logo will be the first thing people remember about your business.

Marketing tools.
Now you’ll need business cards, which display your logo, to communicate that you are legitimate. You’ll also need them printed on invoices; receipts; catalogues; portfolios; toolkits; websites; brochures; flyers; postcards; disc covers; smocks; banners; table skirts; posters; decals and more.

Where to use the tools.

Network with other artist. Join art groups. Rent booths at fairs to display your work as well as solicit business. Send out press releases about your upcoming shows and/or events. Offer workshops at recreation centers. Purchase database software so that you can begin a mailing list and index contacts. And be certain to add notes to names about the dates and places you met.