I hear it over and over:
"my website has been up for months now and I have no sales and few visitors".
As artists, whether we categorize ourselves as full time or part time, marketing needs to be a part of our everyday creative process.
No one wants to hear it, but we can't just paint.
Look at it like this...if you acquired a new phone number and didn't give it out to anyone do you think you would be receiving calls? How about if you gave it to just 10 people and they each gave it to just one person (and so on)...do you think that would make a difference? Absolutely.
Your website is no different. If you want traffic you need to let others know you are there.
Now..for the next question. Do you just want traffic or do you want buyers? When it comes to traffic to your website a few good regular followers of your art is much better than several hundred 'occasional lookers'.
So, how do you garner the 'few good followers'? First of all...get that Newsletter Subscribe option on your navigation bar. The people who sign up for your newsletter are saying, "I want to know more about you and your art". They want to hear from you! Clint Watson says send your newsletter once a week...if once a month is all you can handle, then make it once a month, but be consistent.
It isn't necessary to write a long newsletter. In fact your newsletter is more likely to be read if it is short, simple, and offers the reader something they can't get elsewhere. My newsletters include a discounted print each month that only my subscribers have the option to purchase...and I always sell several. This one item more than pays for the time it takes to write my newsletter.
- You may not want to offer a discounted print but I'm sure you will be featuring at least one of your artworks...provide a link back to your portfolio and make purchasing easy.
- If you blogged about something of interest...make a short statement and link back to your FASO blog for the complete article. The blog article linked to doesn't need be current this month...just relevant to what you're writing about in this newsletter.
I don't know about you, but a 'live link' peeks my curiosity...I can hardly avoid clicking it to see where it takes me, and once there...well, it's rare that I leave without strolling through at least a couple more pages!
I'm a firm believer that 'live links' in your newsletters teach your subscribers to visit your website. A live link is telling them there is something of interest...something new...something they might want...something you think is important for them to see.
Remember, your subscribers signed up for your newsletter because they want to know more about you...tell them and tell them regularly.
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Proverbs 20:14
"It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase
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Proverbs 20:13-15 (in Context)
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7 Responses to Marketing Is a Must...but where do we start?
via marsharobinett.com
A good, solid article! Especially on the subject of newsletters. I constantly do a mental battle of sending A NEWSLETTER vs sending a SPARKLING AND LOVELY NEWSLETTER, the latter, of course, not being on schedule. Possibly this is a case where I do need to put all the associated eggs in one basket? Newsletter, sparkling and lovely, on schedule---hmm, what a concept! Ok, I'm gearing up for that....
Have a lovely day!
Later, Cooper
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it is wonderful article! I'm collecting good tips to a "HowTo" for artists, specially for non professionals like me :-)
Is it ok, when i use your idea in my article with a link to here?
Regards
Kai Büker ~ kaffeeklecks
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This is very good advice about the marketing you wrote about. I have had some physical problems and it has been hard for me to even paint.
Keep writing those interesting blogs.
Ruth Housley
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Glad you enjoyed the article. I signed up for your newsletter...so now the pressure is on:)
Kai Büker,
I answered this in an email to you but thought I would also answer it here in case others are also interested.
Absolutely you may quote my articles...I simply request that,as a courtesy, you also add a link back to my website and notify me that you have done so.
Also...just a head's up...when you make a blog post don't forget to leave a link back to your blog/website. There is a special text box for this. I had to go look for your site. Others may not take the time. Leaving your link is an 'incoming link' to your site...very valuable for SEO.
Thank you both for taking the time to visit and leave a comment.
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You inspire me to improve my website - but I am not yet so brave to mount a blog. One step at a time sweet Jesus!
LindaFineArt.com
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I'm glad you have enjoyed my 'ride' through the trials of being an artist and that my journey has been an inspiration.
Blogging is easy...it's just taking a few minuets to write about what is going on in your life, whether it be art or 'not art'. Readers enjoy hearing about you...in a casual manner.
Susan,
Yes, it is hard sometimes to say "I am an artist"...some days it won't come out at all. Then, on others I know for sure. It's kind of like saying "I feel great"..there are days when you just don't.
The Lord has given me a wonderful gift and, there are indeed days when my brushes and pencils need to be blessed! The scripture included at the bottom of my blog posts is my way of sharing who He is.