A terrible term in the artist’s language, and one of his most hated. We are afraid of it, we don’t comprehend it, or we just despise it. Marketing maybe a little… nasty at times. It might make you feel like you’re a conman out to con others out of their money. It might arouse emotions of impostor syndrome and cause you to question if it is truly worth it.
Now, I have both good and terrible news to share with you. That being said, if you are serious about making a living, selling your artwork, or establishing yourself as an artist, you will have to engage in more marketing efforts than you are comfortable with. That being said, it is not necessary to be this tough or seems insincere.
My topic for today is the actions that I take as an artist to advertise myself in the most honest and ethical manner that I am capable of doing. I’m hoping that it will inspire you as well!
Recognize what differentiates you from others.
This is something that I hadn’t considered when I initially came up with the concept for The Part-Time Artist. However, this component of any marketing effort that you undertake for yourself is the most significant aspect of the whole process. Some refer to it as your “Unique Selling Point” (USP): what is it that distinguishes you from other artists in the same area and sets you apart from the competition? What is it that you excel at? Who are you, and what do you bring to the table that makes your job a bit more unique and extra?
It’s possible that your work is effervescent and upbeat in nature. Alternatively, you may constantly go the additional mile while providing a service. Alternatively, it is possible that you are a gifted communicator. Another option is that you put a lot of heart and soul into every effort.
To be honest, this is a difficult question to answer. In addition, if you suffer from low self-esteem or impostor syndrome, the task will be much more difficult to do.
Recognize Your Target Audience
One thing that is critical to understand is who you are marketing to. And this may vary based on the profession you are in and the objectives that you consider important in your work environment.
It goes something like this: you must tailor all of your communications to your target audience and ensure that they get the most appropriate message for their needs. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. If I want to attract creative folks, I should avoid writing superfluous corporate rubbish that will quickly turn them off.
Identifying the kind of readers who will be engaged in your works is essential if you are a published author. If you are a singer, who will be the audience for your work? What about designers: who will be interested in employing you if you are a designer?
