It’s easy to be a fan of Alex Grey or Dolly Parton–their superstardom has a life of its own, and being a fan pulls you into something much bigger than yourself. What could happen if that energy of ‘fandom’ went into newer, unknown artists?
it’s also important to be able to put food on the table. This is why you must take the time to distinguish your art from your product.
Great article! I agree with all that was said. I never thought about the tithing thing when it comes to my art, but I like it. Not only does it give you exposure, it’s good karma and it’s important to do good in the world, even if it’s in the smallest ways. A few ideas to add: I’ve found that often quality is more important than quantity. When someone acts interested in my art, I am sure to show my gratitude. When I sell a painting, I send a handwritten thank you note, addressing them by name. Also on social media, share a little bit of your personal life. My art page on Facebook, for example, is mainly about my latest paintings, art shows, etc. But people relate to you and think of you more as a real person when you share a random thing about your daily life on occasion, like a pic of your pet or a trip you went on. Humility also goes a long way. If you are humble, people are more likely going to want to compliment what you do and help spread the word about you. I love creating the most, but I think of myself as having two jobs: one, painting and the second one is marketing. I spend a good 2-10 hours a week increasing my exposure on Facebook, Instagram, my blog, society6, Displate, etc. This has been crucial. I have now sold about 80 original paintings and many prints. Without promoting yourself, you easily get lost in the shuffle. :)
I totally agree! There’s a psychosis that sets in when an artist starts promoting themselves, which is that we think we have to be some superstar right from the start, when actually, being yourself, and relate-able goes a long way to inspiring support.
I also think it’s fun to see what random picture gets popular on Facebook, or Instagram. Always reminds me not to take myself too seriously.
Congrats on your success so far! Sounds like you’re on a great path.
Great article, Angela! You’ve clearly been thoroughly exploring this area for some time, and your unique approach to it brings me encouragement, and curiosity for what’s next. That, to me, is the greatest gift to an artists.
Appreciate you and all your hard work.
Thank you Evan! I’m really grateful that you took the time to comment, and that you found inspiration in this blog, and on this awesome site :)
I love your sense of curiosity, and think that I get to incorporate that more into my promotional efforts… you know, transform my fear, or apprehensions into curiosity about what might work, and what could happen!
Love it!
I definitely needed to hear something like this. The struggle for an audience is a constant one for me, especially online where EVERYBODY is looking to be heard.
The first two ways (if not, all three) boil down to the adages “it’s better to give than receive” and “what goes around comes around.” The more love you give, the more that you will get.
Thank you for sharing your insight.
Thank you for the shout out Kathryn! I appreciate you being an engaged audience member with me ;)
And yeah, I didn’t really think about like that, but you’re totally right, great promotion can be summed up in the Golden Rule… maybe that’s another great blog topic!
And in regards to everybody looking to get heard, they are also all looking to hear/see/read something great, even if they don’t know it at the moment. I try to remember this, it lifts my spirits, has me think more creatively, and releases the feeling like I’m just making noise in an already chaotic world. (that’s how I feel, not saying that’s how you feel) ;)
great stuff, cheers from Costa Rica! Creator on the go!
I graduated with a BFA in Art, was going to rule the world, and then life happened. For 35 years it happened, but my watercolor tackle box never strayed far from me, always within arm’s reach, closed, dark, and dusty.
But never far. Always close.
One day in 2012 I was at the computer, looked down at the dusty blue tackle box on the side table. How did we part ways? WHY did we part ways? I opened the box and sable brushes caressed by fingers like a long lost lover, tubes of Cotman and Windsor rolled through my fingers, most still soft, and told me, we have been waiting for you. But this time, you get to do it right, and for all the right reasons. I have been painting ever since and only stopped to build a web site about the journey.
But still, there is the insecurity. The very real possibility that my work is still crap, and no one is going to notice. That nagging feeling that my time is better off sleeping (because as Carlin says, the thing about the American Dream is that you have to be asleep to believe it.)
Which brings me to my point. I never post comments on web pages. EVER. Not even ones that p**s me off. But reading this article has given me the inspiration to just keep the hell going. I have done every single one of the things in this article, and every paragraph echoes my thoughts and moods.
It really doesn’t matter if no one notices, just keep going, because you HAVE to. You really have no other choice.
Thank you.
Thanks Bill for the kind words. I know that Angela and I really appreciate you taking the time to share them. I think that, unfortunately, your story is an all too familiar one. We begin as creators and then life gets in the way. We take a step back, not realizing at the time that the longer we are away, the more difficult it can become to return to our art. Not because our skills necessarily fall apart (although they may rust a bit) but because it gets inside our heads. All of the fears, the insecurities, that are always there, even on the best days when we are working on our art daily, begin to multiply. Before long it is easier just to stay away, then it is to venture back into unknown dark waters of our imagination. So we keep putting it off, making excuses, and justifying our inaction. Matisse was right when he said that “creativity takes courage.” Too many people think that creativity is all about talent and luck, when in fact it is often more about persistence and courage. The persistence to keep going even when no one else seems to care, and perhaps just as importantly, having the courage to start again day after day.
Thanks again Bill for sharing your story with us and I wish you all the best on your rediscovered creative journey!
Great post! I absolutely love your 3 main ways to generate a fan base. Definitely not the typical answers and I appreciate that as I’m trying to build a fan base as well. The questions you posed about finding your target audience were also helpful. I loved that you brought up tithing. I never thought about tithing artistically but have always found that I was provided for when I tithed to my church. The provisions have not always been what I thought they would be but they’ve always been what I needed
Thanks so much for this, Angela! It’s all very helpful, especially the stuff about connecting with an audience and recognizing the difference between your art and your product.