by Rebecca Sciullo | May 4, 2023 | Artist Websites, Learning, Tools, Your Hub
Promote Your Art Business with Email MarketingÂ
Email marketing has become an important for businesses, including art businesses. Sending targeted, well-designed emails to your customers and subscribers can help you build relationships, promote your artwork, and boost sales. However, with the wide selection of email marketing services available, how do you select the right one for your art business?
Identify your email marketing goals
Before diving into the selection process, assessing your art business goals and how your email marketing will support them is important. Â
Consider your budget
Email marketing services come in different pricing plans, from free to expensive. Starting with a free service should be fine if you are just getting started. Some services charge based on the number of subscribers or the number of emails sent, while others have a fixed monthly fee. Different services offer different features at various pricing plans, so you should be able to find one that meets your budget.
Evaluate the features
Different email marketing services offer different features. Some key features include email templates, list management, automation, segmentation, A/B testing, analytics, and integrations with other tools. List the features you need and compare them across different services.
Check the deliverability rate
The deliverability rate is the percentage of emails that reach your subscribers’ inboxes. A high deliverability rate is crucial to the success of your email marketing campaigns. Look for a service with a good reputation for deliverability and measures to prevent your emails from being marked as spam. This article from EmailToolTester reviews popular services for their deliverability rate.
Try before you buy
Most email marketing services offer a free trial or plan with limited features. Take advantage of this to test the service and see if it meets your needs. Make sure to test all the features you need and evaluate the platform’s ease of use.
Look for user reviews
Finally, look for user reviews of the email marketing service you’re considering. User reviews can provide valuable insights into the service’s strengths, weaknesses, and user experience.
Just Start!
In conclusion, choosing a reliable marketing service is important, but even more crucial is just starting. Use these tips as a guide, but avoid getting too bogged down with analysis. Searching online will find you many review on different services. Â I used Mailchimp for years and recently switched to MailerLite, and it was an easy transition. You can always do the same.
Get the Artist’s Email Marketing Checklist
Would you like more information like this to help your art business sent directly to your inbox? Then, please join my email newsletter here, and as a thank you, I”ll send you an Artist’s Email Marketing Checklist.
by Rebecca Sciullo | Mar 10, 2023 | Artist Blogging 101, Artist Websites, Learning, Your Artist Statement, Your Hub
All the Ways You Write about Your Art
Have you considered all the ways that you could potentially need to write about your art?
While preparing for my upcoming Art Marketing Round Table, I thought about all the different ways an artist might need to write about their ar
Reasons You Might Write For an Art Business
Artist Statement
Bio
Blog Post
Website Content
Press Release
Workshop Outline
Prepare for an interview
Artist Talk
Email Newsletter
Exhibition Proposal
Social Media
Grant Application
Forget Need…writing about your art is good for business!
But let’s forget about NEED for the moment. Yes, there are times that you will be asked or required to write something to do something for your art business. But, consider this. Writing is good for your art business. Writing about your art prepares you for speaking and answering questions about your work with interested collectors.
Join Me for a Free Art Marketing Round Table on Writing for Your Art Business
Dig in on this topic at an upcoming Art Marketing Round Table – Writing for an Art Business.
This event is FREE, but space is limited.
Register here!
by Rebecca Sciullo | Mar 8, 2023 | Artist Blogging 101, Artist Websites, Learning
Don’t be Your Own Best Kept Secret
Do you have a body of artwork waiting for the world to find it? Do you need to market your work but can’t take the leap?
In this post, I want to address something that I hear often from artists. Â That is the fear of putting yourself out there – whether creating a website to show your work, writing a blog post, or putting your work out on social media.
It can be scary for many people, particularly those (like me!) born before the advent of the iPhone, blogging, and social media. Â
Don’t keep your artwork a secret!
Don’t let FEAR keep you from sharing your work!
I’ve also struggled with this, whether it was pushing “publish” on my first blog post or presenting to a group of strangers live and then on Zoom.
But I’ve learned some things to make this easier for you.
Â
First, did you know it is usually easier to present to strangers than people you know? So if you’ve been able to share some things with your friends and family and that went ok, it will probably be easier to share it with people who don’t know you.
You have to do it. You can read every book on blogging, marketing, or social media. Still, the only way to get comfortable putting yourself out there is to DO it – by getting uncomfortable!
The butterflies never truly go away for me. I still get them occasionally, depending on what I’m doing, whenever I speak live or on Zoom. I’m nervous because I want to ensure I bring value to the people spending their time engaging with me.
Make it Effortless
Having a system is the best way to take the stress of putting yourself out there.Â
Having a simple system to follow makes these activities that can cause you constant consternation easy. For example, if it’s a blog post you are writing, using a set system will get you in the habit of writing and sharing. If it’s a talk you must give, an outline and proper planning can give you all the confidence you need to start. Then, use that template for upcoming engagements.Â
Fear isn’t something to be ashamed of having. Instead, it means you care about what you are doing and the impact that your work will have on people. Â Â
For ideas about systems to use for your art business, join my email newsletter here. Â
by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 10, 2023 | Artist Websites, Events, Learning
I recently announced that I will be offering my Foundations program through the Carroll County Arts Council. Â I thought it would be helpful to provide some information about what participants can expect to learn during these sessions, which I will share in a series of posts. First up, Session One- Build a Dynamic Web System.
What will I Learn to Help my Art Marketing in Session One?
If you’re thinking about this program or wondering what it might do for your art business, here is what you can expect in session one.
It Starts with a System
The first Foundations session on January 24th starts by overviewing a three-part system that any artist can use to market an art business. This allows artists to manage the overwhelming number of choices and options for marketing art. It’s a system that will set you apart from the deluge of artists and distractions vying for your audience’s attention.
Artists will learn how to consistently share work with an audience across various marketing channels, such as social media and email marketing.  The information is relevant for artists currently using many popular web platforms such as WordPress, Weebly, Squarespace, and Faso – or artists who do not yet have a website. The program offers tools and specifics for creating and maintaining this system in a manageable way.
What We Cover in Session One of FoundationsÂ
First, artists get an overview of this three-part system so that participants can see what they will learn to build through the program. Then, we dive into setting up the first part of the system – the dynamic web-based hub for the business. Finally, we discuss how and why to make your website the central part of everything you do online, attracting an audience interested in your work. The presentation will address how to do this for an artist starting from scratch or one looking to improve upon an existing website. Specifics covered include the following:Â
- How to get started with an artist website for your marketing system or update an existing website into this system.Â
- Specific elements to add to your artist website.Â
- Content strategies to attract audiences that will connect with your work.Â
- Writing strategies for your art. Â
- How to keep a steady stream of new information, work and content flowing to an interested audience.Â
Best of all, we will cover how to do this without taking up all the time you need to create your work.
You can learn this system without being tech-savvy. For example, if you can write or edit a word document and upload an image from your computer, you can set this up.Â
Students will receive a workbook for easy follow-along during class and speaker notes after the session. In addition, Becky will be available to students after the class is over via email to answer questions.
If you have questions about this program or Foundations in particular, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here. Â
by Rebecca Sciullo | May 3, 2022 | Artist Websites, Your Hub
If you are looking to earn a substantial income from original art sales, you are likely looking to build a collector base. A collector base means that you have a group of people serious about following you and making repeat purchases of your work. But, how do you do this? How do you turn the random purchase here or there into a thriving collector base?  Â
First Start with Your Website
Many artists tell me they want to “sell” their work, but I can’t find it when I look for their work online. In the past, it was possible to make sales without having a place where people could view your work online. However, that is no longer the case for most visual artists looking to sell work. Â
Use your Web Presence to Build Credibility
When thinking about building a presence online, creatives consider many factors, but one that may not seem so obvious is credibility. Dictionary.com defines credibility as the quality of being believable or worthy of trust.   It helps to have credibility if you want to build a collector base. Â
Credibility as an artist can mean a lot of things to people thinking about purchasing your work, such as the following:Â
Will I get what I paid for?Â
Is it worth it?Â
Will this work increase in value?Â
Has this artist been recognized?Â
Will I be happy with the quality of my purchase?Â
While you probably are a credible person, there is no way for a stranger who finds you online to know this unless you give them reasons.Â
Here are some ways that you can show your credibility through your web presence:Â
- Share press releases and media coverage about your work.Â
- Post testimonials from happy customers.Â
- Provide images of your work in situ in your clients’ homes and businesses. Â
- Share awards and honors won.Â
- Outline special commissions or projects. Â
- Show images of you at work.Â
- Offer information about events where you are showing your artwork.Â
- Share information about the galleries that show your work.Â
One of the best ways to share this information is by sharing it first through your blog. Then send it out through your social media channels. As people view the progress you make and read about the activity, they will naturally begin to understand that you are a credible artist, and they will be more inclined to purchase your work. Â
A detailed blog that follows what you are doing ends up being a powerful living resume to which you can refer people when they want to learn more about what you’ve been up to over time. At this point, you’re not just telling them – you’re showing them what you do.Â
Where do you start?Â
If you’re not already in the practice of using a blog-based website and social media to make sure people are aware of what you are doing – thus bringing credibility to your work and business – start now. Most web-building platforms, such as WordPress.com, will allow you to create a blog page easily. Then, with a knowledge base or tutorial, you should have your blog up and running in no time. For more information on blogging, read my Artist Blogging 101 Series. For news and updates, please subscribe to my newsletter here. Â
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Please note, there are affiliate links in this list for some of the products and services that I recommend.
by Becky Sciullo | Nov 3, 2021 | Artist Blogging 101, Artist Websites, Blogging
Is your Artist Website Ready for Holiday Sales?
Halloween is over, and thoughts have turned to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
With news of shortages on the rise, holiday shoppers will reportedly get started earlier than usual this year. So make sure your artist website is ready. Here are some things you can do to make the most of the 2021 holiday shopping season smooth rather than chaotic.
First, Get Your Web Pages Ready
Update your How to Purchase page. If you don’t have one, devote a page to holiday shopping providing information such as cutoff dates for sales. Alert your customers trying to receive their order on or before December 24th of important dates for that to happen. Make sure you keep in mind shipping carrier deadlines. December 15th is a pretty good bet if shipping within the US, but make sure you research your particular situation. You could format this page in a Frequently Asked Questions format.
Make sure all of your work is listed on your site and up to date. And, if you are using a shopping cart, make sure the buttons are working.
Consider offering gift cards, which can be done through providers such as Square, or you can create your own.
Then, Prepare Your Blog Posts
Your artist blog is a perfect place to promote your products and services this holiday season. Here are some examples of the kinds of posts you can share to help your readers and maximize holiday sales.
Share new work to stay top-of-mind as people are browsing the internet for gift ideas.
If applicable, highlight different price points that might accommodate different pricing levels.
If there is any way to draw upon seasonal elements, do it. For example, if you create functional pottery, show images in holiday settings. For jewelry artists, highlight your creations paired with festive outfits.
Don’t forget customary campaigns like Black Friday and Cyber Monday and write some blog posts around these themes.
Share pertinent shipping dates in a blog post.
If you have a large local or regional following – consider highlighting local events that your followers may be interested in attending.
Don’t forget a plan for thanks and seasons greetings. At Thanksgiving, post a blog thanking your customers, followers, and fans. You might even want to send cards or offer a small token of appreciation for larger clients, but even a blog post will do. Just do it. You can do the same for Christmas and the New Year.
Get Ready for Art Sales
For all of these ideas, prepare them in advance! You will likely be too busy to focus on them when the time comes for them to post.
Share Your Ideas
Do you have an excellent idea for a holiday blog post? Share it by sending it to becky@artisan-advantage.com.
Photo by Artboard Studio on Unsplash
