Four Steps to Finding an Audience for Your Art

Step One: Assessment

Last week, we reviewed a four-step process for discovering your audience, and today, we’re diving into the first step: assessment.

As the name suggests, the assessment step involves a comprehensive assessment of your current body of work. This step is essential, as it lays the groundwork for understanding your unique position in the art world and how to leverage it effectively.

Video Recap

So, how exactly do we assess our situation? We ask questions to understand what you are offering at the current moment. Even if you believe you have a firm grasp on your artistic identity and offerings, this exercise can unearth hidden opportunities and unexplored themes that could expand your audience’s reach.

Let’s break down the questions into four categories:

What:

Consider aspects such as your chosen medium, the breadth of your portfolio, the diversity of your creations, your unique style, subject matter, and even the palette you use.

Who:

Reflect on your past buyers, social media followers, and admirers. Where did you encounter them, and what sentiments do they express about your art?

Where:

Explore your sales history, whether online, in physical galleries, or at art festivals. Recognizing the venues where your art thrives can inform your future marketing strategies related to your audience.

Why:

Why Does Your Work Resonate with People? What aspects of your art do people connect with, and what motivates them to invest in it? Insights learned from social media comments and buyer testimonials can provide valuable guidance in finding an audience.

Find Patterns, Themes, and Ideas

Taking the time to assess your artistic journey carefully can give you important insights and help you discover new possibilities. Even though it might feel like familiar ground, this process can reveal patterns and ideas you hadn’t considered before.

To help you with this self-reflection, I’ve created a guide with many questions to get you thinking. The link provided in the video description allows you to download this helpful resource for free.

Help with Research

Next week, we will discuss the research step. If you’d like assistance figuring out your audience, consider a Strategy Session to discuss how we might work together. I offer complimentary calls to explore a session.