by Rebecca Sciullo | Mar 11, 2023 | Events, Learning
In April, I’ll be presenting Foundations of an Art Marketing System, a three-part virtual art marketing workshop for Rhode Island Watercolor Society. This series is virtual and open to all artists, with members of RIWS getting a discounted rate. Three sessions will be spread out over three Tuesdays during the month – April 11, 18 and 25. Artists can register here.
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 11th, 6:00 PM EST
Set up your art marketing system.
In this program, artists first receive an overview of this three-part system, so they understand how their system will work when completed. Then, we overview the setup of the first part – a dynamic web-based hub. 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. The presentation will address how to do this for an artist starting from scratch or one looking to improve upon an existing website.
Session Two: Tuesday, April 18, 6:00 PM EST
Reaching an audience.
The second session teaches artists how to find audiences for their unique work. First, artists learn a four-step process to find audiences for their individual work. Then they learn strategies to connect with and grow their base of fans, followers, and collectors.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, April 25, 6:00 PM EST
Manage Your Art Marketing Channels
In the final session, we review different channels available for artists to market work and how to develop specific strategies using these channels. This session includes how to create a content plan for your business. Then, we pull it together and discuss how to plan all your business activities within the system, from a year down to a day.
Students will receive a workbook for easy follow-along during class and speaker notes after the session. In addition, I will be available to students after the class is over via email to answer questions.
Sign-Up to Learn About Events
If you can’t make this event, but would like to be informed about upcoming sessions, please join my email newsletter 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For ideas about systems to use for your art business, join my email newsletter here.
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 | Sep 8, 2022 | Events
Art Marketing Roundtables
Pre-pandemic, I coordinated a series of Art Marketing Roundtables that were in-person gatherings here in the Pittsburgh area where I live. The Roundtables were informal get-togethers where visual artists gathered around a topic specific to marketing and selling art. These no-cost events were an excellent way for artists to come together, get to know each other, and learn from each other.
Roundtables Now in Virtual Format
Meeting in person was great, but it limits people due to schedules and location. So, starting in October, the Roundtables will restart in a virtual format.
A Short Survey
Whether you’ve attended one in the past or you’d like to in the future, please answer this short survey. It will help to determine potential dates, times, and topics for these events.
Past topics included Writing an Effective Artist Statement, Pricing Your Art, Selling Strategies, and Social Media. We can certainly revisit some of these but would also like to cover new topics.
You can access the survey here.
Join my mailing list to be notified when Roundtables are scheduled.
