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. 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 Foundations
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:
- How to get started with an artist website for your marketing system or update an existing website into this system.
- Specific elements to add to your artist website.
- Content strategies to attract audiences that will connect with your work.
- Writing strategies for your art.
- How to keep a steady stream of new information, work and content flowing to an interested audience.
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.
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.
by Rebecca Sciullo | Jan 4, 2023 | Events, Learning
Up Your Art Marketing Game for 2023
Start 2023 strong by joining Artisan Advantage and the Carroll County Arts Council for a three-part virtual program that will set the foundation of a solid marketing system for your visual art.
This program entails three sessions over four weeks. Participants should sign up for each session individually. While you don’t have to attend all sessions to benefit from this program, it is highly encouraged.
Foundations of an Art Marketing System
Session One: Build a Dynamic Web System
What Will You Learn in Session One?
This session is more than building a website. This class will explain how artists can create an efficient web-based system to market their art.
Session Two: Finding an Audience for Your Visual
Learn strategies to connect with people who want to purchase your work.
Session Three: Managing Art Marketing Channels
Learn how to manage all the different tools available to artists to market and sell visual art on and offline. This final session also talks about strategic planning strategies to help you manage the entirety of your visual art business.
Located in Westminster, Maryland, the Carroll County Arts Council’s mission is to enrich the community by presenting, promoting and supporting a wide variety of arts opportunities for residents, visitors and artists. The program is open to all interested artists and offered at a discount to Carroll County Arts Council members.
To register, visit the Carroll County Arts Council’s Adult Education page.
If you have questions, please reach out to becky@artisan-advantage.com.
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?
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.
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.
Credibility as an artist can mean a lot of things to people thinking about purchasing your work, such as the following:
Will I get what I paid for?
Is it worth it?
Will this work increase in value?
Has this artist been recognized?
Will I be happy with the quality of my purchase?
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.
Here are some ways that you can show your credibility through your web presence:
- Share press releases and media coverage about your work.
- Post testimonials from happy customers.
- Provide images of your work in situ in your clients’ homes and businesses.
- Share awards and honors won.
- Outline special commissions or projects.
- Show images of you at work.
- Offer information about events where you are showing your artwork.
- Share information about the galleries that show your work.
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.
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.
Where do you start?
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.
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 Rebecca Sciullo | Apr 20, 2022 | Events, Learning
Foundations in Marketing Strategies for Artists
Over the next three months, I’ll be presenting Foundations, a three-part virtual art marketing workshop for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes as part of their Business of Art series. This series is virtual and open to all artists, with members of The ARTS Council getting a discounted rate. Three sessions will be spread out over three months, starting on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Artists can register for one, two, or all three sessions.
What is Foundations?
This program guides artists through setting up a manageable system that becomes a focused hub for a thriving art business. While the system is web-based, it supports all artist marketing activities, including in-person events such as exhibits, studio tours, and festivals.
Register Here
Session One: Tuesday, April 26, 6-8 pm
Set up your art marketing system.
The first session will include building a dynamic web presence, overcoming challenges, and building a marketing system that works for your visual art business. Using a simple three-part marketing system, artists will learn to consistently share work with an audience across various marketing channels, such as social media and email marketing.
Session Two: Tuesday, May 24, 6-8 pm
Reaching an audience.
Session two builds on the first by diving into finding and growing a unique audience of collectors and fans.
The presentation also explains how to maintain strong relationships with a collector and fan base, including strategies and tools to help in this process.
Session Three: Tuesday, June 21, 6-8 pm
Manage Your Art Marketing Channels
This session works to help artists focus on the best art marketing channels for their work and business model. In the first half of the session, we will review traditional and non-traditional marketing channels for visual artists and how to determine which ones are best for your work.
Then, we will cover how to manage the channels consistently without feeling like you are short on time. This includes an outline of simple strategies and daily activities for your daily routines. We will also discuss how to deliver a steady stream of content for fans and followers and tricks and hacks for using some more popular platforms for visual artists, such as Facebook and Instagram.
If you’ve attended Build a Dynamic Web Presence in the past, these workshops will expand upon topics in that presentation.
Sign up for one or all three at this link.
by Becky Sciullo | Jan 15, 2022 | Events
Thank you to the MidAtlantic Pastel Society (MAPS) for inviting me to present Building a Dynamic Web Presence during their member meeting this week. Founded in mid-2016, MAPS is dedicated to promoting and understanding pastels as a fine art medium. The society provides members with fellowship, support and growth through bi-monthly programs, workshops, critiques, other educational training, and opportunities to exhibit. Interested artists can learn more about becoming a member here.
Are you interested in scheduling a presentation for your artist organization? Please get in touch with me at becky@artisan-advantage.com.
