From Art Marketing 101:
• Set aside a specific day and time each week for marketing.
• Create a quiet office space for your business.
• Start collecting names for your mailing list.
• Call five to 10 art world professionals each week.
• Spend one day visiting local galleries.
• Subscribe to an art publication for one year and read it.
• Enter a competition.
• Sponsor a community event.
• Host a studio party.
• Donate time to some charity. Let people know you are an artist.
• Barter your art for services.
• Support your statewide arts organization by buying an art license plate with your art-business name on it.
• Try to get an interview on your local radio station.
• What interior designer could you take to lunch?
• To what local business could you lease your artwork?
• In what cafe could you hang your paintings?
• Give out coupons with a Valentine’s Day e-mail blast.
• What special offer could you make on a postcard to your clients?
• What storyline can you create for the local art writer?
• What previous client would be able to give you a useful referral?
• What sign could you put on your car to advertise your work?
• What bumper sticker could you create to give to your clients?
• Create an e-mail newsletter to send to clients.
• How much would it cost to put up a billboard at the entrance to town?
• Create an unusual, catchy name for your new group of paintings.
• Apply to the next local art fair.
• Start saying, “I am an artist.”
• Provide a specialized service that no other artist provides.
• Get a phone number that spells out something (or figure out what your current one spells).
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• Be friendly with a competitor.
• Place your artwork in model home displays.
• Work with a local chapter of American Society of Interior Designers—give a talk at one of their meetings.
• Contact your local International Furnishings and Design Association chapter affiliation.
• Place a display of your work at the local library, associated with a talk you will give.
• Find a Realtor’s office that will let you exhibit. Offer agents a commission on sales.
• Create a gift certificate form.
• Check out your local doctor, veterinarian, optometrist, emergency room, hospital, medical facilities office. These venues often do have a budget for “decoration.” If they are not in the position to buy, offer a lease option.
• Smile at everyone today.