Tag Archives: art marketing

Art Business

Artists Building Relationships With Art Collectors

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The idiom or aphorism “God is in the details” expresses the idea that whatever you do you should do it thoroughly and completely. I like to think of such thoroughness as “leaving no stone unturned,” that is, let no detail –no matter how small — go unexamined. And, yes, for any artist “it’s the little things that count” when it comes to establishing relationships with collectors. Those are some of the things that I took away from my conversations with the art collector and entrepreneur Dean Cameron and artist Rush Cole. Yet, surprisingly enough, neither could seem to recall specific moments or words, just that they began to talk, kept the conversation going and art entered into private art collections.

“Life is short, art long, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgement difficult.” Hippocrates

Dean Cameron says, “I love it when an artist shares their truth about their artwork and even what it means to be an artist (the struggle is real). I enjoy getting to know them personally and not just their pedigree. There is a lot of very beautiful artwork out there and visual attraction can sure get the conversation started, but what usually prompts me to purchase is when I have developed a relationship with that artist. Nearly every painting we own has a story of some type.”

Dean recalls a relationship with an artist that started as a chance meeting at a printer. “The Artists name was d l’Aigle. He was having printing done as well and he and I struck up a conversation. In a very similar fashion he and I became friends, as well as me becoming his publisher. I helped him sell numerous prints and originals. Sadly we lost d’lAigle a couple of years ago. Pam and I own 3 originals. If there is a single key…say hi and strike up a conversation. Even just say hello!”

New Mexico artist Rush Cole

Artist Rush Cole (photo: Herschel Mair, Santa Fé, NM)

Rush Cole recalls that, “Dean and I met on Facebook several years ago through a mutual friend, Marcella Rose…I’m thinking it must have been somewhere around 2005-2007…it’s all a little vague. At any rate, Dean and I communicate occasionally online. Recently, I posted a flurry of artwork from my website rushcolefineart.com and he purchased a small painting.
"YOUNG PUEBLO MAIDEN", 18" x 26", Oil on canvas, Gallery-wrapped: $5500.

YOUNG PUEBLO MAIDEN, 18 x 26 inches, oil painting on canvas, $5500.

 

Rush Cole’s words remind me of the importance of starting the conversation. No need to wait until you have the perfect elevator speech or business card. (Don’t make excuses, or justify not taking action). We are all human. Others may not remember the exact words or moment you first spoke, but they will remember that you connected with them. Get the conversation started and keep it natural. Have lots of conversation too!

Dean Cameron also values his friendship with Marcella Rose, saying, “If I remember correctly, she called me on the phone to ask me about my business at the time American Fine Art Company. We met and it developed from there. I saw her work and got to know her as a person and we hit it off from there. After meeting her and getting to know her, we developed a relationship of me being a publisher for her as well as placing her works in a local gallery.   The first business deal developed when a bank president I know was buying a new condo and the designer asked me if I could show her a collection of some of our artists. She loved an abstract series of Marcella’s and asked for prices of canvas giclees and originals. She chose the giclees…. (I now own the originals…). Marcella has developed an outstanding art career for herself in Minnesota and her works are selling like hotcakes. She is a Flootie artist as well. Pam and I own 10 of her original paintings and 4 of her prints. We talk often and help each other when we can. What inspires me is when someone else is inspired. My advice to artists is to be “engaged” with people. Not everyone will buy your art but friendships and networking lead to opportunities. I can’t tell you how many business deals have developed between friends of friends and a good word.”
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 Last year, an Artist Marketing Resources article (read it here ) featured some of the many art projects of Dean Cameron, including mention of his private art collection of over 200 paintings and numerous prints. In a more recent conversation, Dean said–“I am privileged to have made many artist friends (some I have had professional relationships with as well). In many cases I have tried to help artists build relationships through networking without contractual binds as well. Funny thing I have always believed in the cheesy “what goes around comes around” philosophy. Of the over 200 paintings Pam and I own a good 50% are from artist friends. I tell many, that most successful artists sell a lot of work BECAUSE of the Internet. It’s about building relationships and trust in your brand. People buy online when they trust the quality of work or the merchant that is selling it.”

Even Dean Cameron’s online gallery, Flootie, is set up to make connections with each of the artists there. Rush Cole is a Flootie artist member and you can review her portfolio here.

Dean Cameron invites both artists and collectors to connect with him via email (info@flootie.com) and join in the discussions on his Facebook gallery page here.
ebook

Last Day of Pay What You Wish Week on Ebook Guide for #artists and All #ArtistResources Elists

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It’s the last day of Pay What You Wish Week! Today is the final day to get the Artist Marketing Resources e-book guide for artists and all e-list resources–art galleries, art consultants, art magazines, art prints, art licensing, Photography Resources, art sales sites, and the Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions ebook  — for whatever amount you wish to pay!

This is supposed to make everyone happy, result in more money overall and other rewards. I’ll report back next week on the results.

Best Wishes

Marie Kazalia

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Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Grants, Grants for Artists

Business Accelerator Grant for Visual Artists

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Nicole McGarrell, the person who coordinates marketing partnerships for the fund, wrote–I am writing on behalf of The Clark Hulings Fund For Visual Artists to let you know about our unique Business Accelerator Grants for visual artists, and to ask you please to share this information with Artist Marketing Resources’s network. The fund provides professional working artists with direct financial assistance and support to help them become as skilled at managing their businesses as they are at creating their artwork (details below). Additionally, I’ve attached a flyer that has information about the grant.

The Clark Hulings Fund 2015 Business Accelerator Grant

The fund offers targeted financial assistance and business support to professional visual artists to help them boost their careers and succeed as managers of their art businesses. Applicants must detail exactly how the grant would help them undertake, improve, or expand a specific project. Examples of activities covered by the grant include mounting, casting, creating marketing materials, and transporting work to an exhibition. The fund does not support performance, literary or commercial work.

Timing: Applications accepted from September 1 through 30, 2015

Winners and finalists announced in November 2015

Amount:Two $5,000 grants (no fiscal sponsorship required)

Additional Benefits for Winners & Finalists:
  • Free 12-month subscription to ArtWorkArchive.com, a cloud-based inventory- and collection-tracking system that includes a public page for showcasing an artist’s work
  • The chance to interview an industry leader for our podcast, gaining knowledge and a networking connection
  • Exposure through the fund’s podcast, blog, and PR outreach efforts

Requirements: Applicants must be professional painters, artists working on paper, and/or sculptors who:

  • Employ traditional media (not including photography, film, or video)

  • Have had their work published and/or exhibited professionally

  • Are pursuing specific opportunities or projects for which financial support from CHF would make a substantive difference.

For submission guidelines and additional information, please visit www.clarkhulingsfund.org/guidelines

Art Business

Artist Marketing Resources: Full-Stack Art Marketing

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Image courtesy of dan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of dan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There is a new term going around the net–“Full Stack Marketing.” By telling you that Artist Marketing Resources is all about Full Stack Art Marketing, we’re letting you know that we’re able to do it all:

1. Keywords / SEO–We understand how to drive traffic to your site using targeted keywords, embedded keywords and #hashtag keywords, and by link building and social media sharing.

2. Article Marketing–We create compelling headlines, unique content in our feature articles and blog posts and understand how to share our content with those who want to read it.

3. Content Marketing–We know how to create content relevant to your market and drive traffic to your site. This could be blog posts, guest posting,tweet campaigns, or any  other form of content that drives links and traffic to your blog or site.

4. Email Marketing–We know how to harvest email addresses using permission marketing via newsletters and special promotions, and understand how to craft individual targeted emails.

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

5. Life-cycle Marketing–We know how to send the right email at the right time in email marketing campaigns.

6. Social Media–We are active across several accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr and other platforms–with thousands of followers on each account. We share our content (articles & blog posts across all our accounts!)

7. Positioning–We know how to take steps to attract the audience best suited for your art and arts related products.  This may or may not include paid Advertising–We prefer article marketing (See 2. above) but we have experience with paid ads. Did I mention that we see more value in article marketing than paid ads? Yes. Yet, we know how to create and test write Google ads, Facebook ads, Twitter ads etc–and we can even get new clients some discounts!

8. App Store Marketing–We have experience marketing Apple Store Apps.

9. In Product Marketing–We Understand who, why and how buyers use your art and art products and drive more users to your site.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

10. Public Relations–We know how to submit your art to art bloggers, art magazines and arts journalists and specialized art projects.

11. Blogging–We’ve been actively blogging on our Artist Marketing Resources blog for over 7 years and understand how to write feature articles that are both interesting and compelling to your target market.

12. Customer Service–We’re constantly communicating with our audience, clients, and customers via email, phone, chat and in person.

13. Pitching–We know how to pitch features and articles to other bloggers, art magazines, public art projects seeking art, gallerists, art licensing companies, and to bigger companies to partner up with.

14. Distribution–We know how to generate lots of content in daily feature blog posts, sharing other’s projects and calls to submit–we receive more and more requests to share!

15. Growth Hacking/Business Development–We’re constantly working to find others to partner with in ways that will help us both grow faster–this is harder than making a sale! It’s about putting together projects and being able to implement and coordinate them from start to finish.

16. We’re always learning– Full Stack Market is about searching, researching, finding and experimenting with new ways to expose artists, their art, art projects, and art products. We know how to get the ball rolling!  We’re always learning by doing and trying everything for years!

17. Story Telling–Why and how we know so much about storytelling is a rich and interesting story in itself–ask us sometime! Contact: Marie Kazalia Email: MarieKazalia@gmail.com

 

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

Art Business

Our Artist Resources Are Now in a New Store

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Our International Art Gallery Directory and other artist resources are now available in our new Selz store, with more payment options.

Click on these links to our other resources in our new store:

Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions ebook

Directory of Art Consultants

1,100+ Places to Sell Your Art

Photographers Resources 

Art magazines, art blogs, art directories e-list of art publication resources for artists 

Art Print Sales Resources for Artists 

E-Postcard Marketing Service for Artists

Art Business

Virtual Artists’ Agent–the past few years

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A few years ago, I posted details of my services on the site Referral Key.  After some initial activity, I ceased using that site. (We all need to focus on the best sites for us!) Recently I returned to find the text I had written on my profile for my services. I’ve copied the details here with some updating and changes to what I’ve been working on for the past few years.

Artists–Do you need a Marketing and Promotions Virtual Artists’ Agent?

With all the demands your artist business can generate it’s tough to cover everything on your own. A lot of tasks need to be done daily to increase your artists’ reputation, earnings, and visibility.

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I work for visual artists as a marketing and promotions artist agent, assisting you by making weekly submissions on your behalf to lighten their workload, save you time, and propel your art career forward. My online services connect you the artist to an extensive network of contacts as I work toward your career growth. I offer you, the visual artist, individualized and highly personalized services as I get to know your artwork, history, goals, needs, and desires for your career development and advancement.

My focus is on you the artist and on the promotional efforts that lead to sales of your work, art licensing contracts, exhibitions and increased online presence. Since a buyer or curator wants to talk to the artist directly, my role is to drive opportunities to you by making contacts and submissions on your behalf.

My services are tailored to individual artist needs and goals, and depending on artist media, my promotional services can include, but are not limited to the following:

– I help you get your image files labeled properly, your bio and CV, artist statement, images script and price lists prepared.

-I identify lucrative niche markets suited to your style of artwork and I work to get you into them to create multiple income streams that will help support your studio practice.

-I work to get you art licensing contracts and to get your art into corporate art collections via my hundreds of contacts– with possibilities for representation, sales, and commissions of originals.

– I increase your online presence by marketing your art to a larger audience online.  I write and publish original content articles for my blog, and for other online art news sites. I create other opportunities for exposure for your artwork–both online and in print.

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-I create exhibition opportunities, write proposals for opportunities that require artist proposal submissions, and help you submit proposals to galleries and museums.

– I work to generate more opportunities for you. Opportunities change daily, so I conduct ongoing research to your specific artist needs, including: locating representation with art galleries and art consultants, locating grant ops,  finding promotional ops and art publication ops in magazines and on art blogs, locating art licensing contracts for your work, and locating private online stores and brick-and-mortar stores for art original and print sales, and more to meet your specific needs.

I have obtained art licensing contracts with top companies internationally for my artist-clients. Read one of my success stories here. I’ve written letters to sponsors. I’ve written proposals. I have completed public art applications and grant applications for artists. I have written letters of recommendation and RFQs(Requests for Qualifications).

Since I do this work daily, I have an extensive list of contacts already in place– that alone will save you hours, weeks, months or even years of research time and effort, along with a reduction of your related costs and expenses!

My services free you, the visual artist, from excessive daily online time better spent in your studio creating your art. With me as your online assistant, making contacts and submissions on your behalf, you have my supportive efforts. I am there for you, on your side, which helps build your confidence as an artist.

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I offer flexible agreement terms, an introductory trial period, and written agreements for more long-term commitments.

I’m highly experienced and established with an excellent reputation in the online artist community.

Email me for more information: Marie Kazalia at: MarieKazalia@gmail.com

I’m available to chat about your goals by email, Skype chat or other chat service, or by voice on Skype or Skype phone.

The 3 D’s– Desire, Determination, Dedication. I’m there.

Best to you!

Marie Kazalia

Artist Marketing Resources,blog launched February 3, 2009

blog: Artist Marketing Resources http://ArtistMarketingResources.com

About my relevant education and professional experience:

– BFA–Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
-2 years of graduate school in Museum Studies and Museology / three years experience in the museum profession as a museum registrar and arts collection manager in a major US city.

-Completed Business and Entrepreneurial Courses and Workshops, Art Licensing Course, and Arts Journalism studies. Contributing writer for top online news sources and art blogs.

-Have Successfully obtained corporate art consultant representation and contracts for artists, obtained print contracts internationally and art licensing contracts with top companies for my artist-clients, facilitated art sales, obtained solo exhibitions, obtain gallery representation for my artist-clients, have written and published feature articles on artists, and much more for my artist-clients.

-More than 15 years experience as widely published author of poetry, short fiction, reviews, articles–in print: books, anthologies, magazines, literary journals and online articles published on news sites, blogs and e-zines. Have done numerous bookstore readings, café readings, coffeehouse readings, restaurant readings, and performances, including a performance series at a Performing Arts center in San Francisco. Produced a 2 year-long series on public access cable TV interviewing artists and creative writers, using my filmmaking and editing.

-Since Feb 3, 2009, interacting in the online arts community via my blog/and site, providing and sharing free information with other artists. Since Sept 2010 interaction with my over 3,400 artist and art professional members of my LinkedIN group, Artist Marketing Resources.

-My own personal experiences as a gallery represented artist, exhibiting artist, published artist, and my around-the-world international teaching and travels, including four expatriate years in Hong Kong, China,Tokyo, Japan, and India, gives me unique inside view for representing and promoting artists internationally.

I have the education and experience to give myself a higher level title, such as Director, President or CEO, so why have I chosen the title and role of Agent? As an agent I’m hands-on and can do more for artists as an expert independent contractor working on your behalf. I don’t just give artists advice, I make many actions on their behalf. I do the work needed!

Art Magazines

My Full Page Ad In ArtWall Magazine

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Here is a smaller, low resolution version of a full-page ad that Sylvia of Design Spiffy created for me for Art Wall Magazine. Thanks Sylvia for doing such a great job and getting it done so fast. Sylvia came up with the slogan *become a master of self-promotion* to go with the image. Thanks to Mona Moon of Art Wall Magazine for offering me a full-page ad gratis!

Uncategorized

How to Craft Your Elevator Speech– for Artists

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Your Elevator Speech, or Elevator Pitch, is your 30-second to one-minute long response to the question *What do you do?*

Imagine yourself in an elevator with a curator  who is in a position to help you in your art career. You say hello to the curator, mention the news you read recently about the forthcoming exhibit they are curating. Then you tell them that you are an artist. The curator replies, “tell me about your art.” You have only so many floors, as the elevator ascends or descends, to give a clear answer and make a positive impression. Do you panic and reply, “oh, ah, OK, I paint and um, I ah….” What message does that send? That you haven’t given your own work much thought? That you are seldom out promoting yourself and therefore an amateur? That the curator would have to spend a lot of time educating you if he or she were to work with you? All of those things? Is that the impression you want to give? Can such a response be traced back to lazy or bad habits? Will such a response hurt your art career?

What impression will a strong confident sentence or two give? Words you feel good speaking out loud. That you are a professional artist serious about your art career? Will a few lines that convey important points about your art  spark the interest of others so that they ask more questions? Most likely yes!

You may never find yourself on an elevator with an art curator, but the name *elevator speech* does create a vivid image of limited space and time.

Instances in which artists have used their elevator speeches include,  in interviews with magazine editors, at gallery openings, at networking meetings and events, and in casual conversation with potential art collectors while waiting at the car dealership while getting their oil changed.

To begin crafting your elevator speech, start by writing down the three most important things that you do as an artist and cite proof points why your art is important.

For example–which is stronger–a or b below:

a) I’m working on a series of mixed media paintings on canvas, a drawing series and a series of prints.

b) I’m working on a series of mixed media paintings on canvas, a drawing series and a series of prints that received enthusiastic response from library patrons when I exhibited last month at Library of the Stars in Phoenix. One librarian told me that no other art exhibited has brought so many positive comments!

Notice that *b* has added strength with the *proof* of why the art is important–the art was exhibited in a public space, received attention and an enthusiastic response from viewers.

Be sure to sound confident and convey a certain amount of pride and enthusiasm when delivering your elevator speech. Details from a recent event may help.

Example:

My latest mixed media paintings, prints and drawings were featured  in an article published last month by Yahoo!  read by hundreds of  art fans!

You should use your elevator speech at every opportunity with anyone who asks what you do. When possible ask for feedback to be sure that you are conveying the information and impression you want . Remember, your elevator speech is meant to be spoken, so you should use word combinations that are easy for your to speak.

If you find it difficult to put your elevator speech together, don’t despair. Yes, it can take many tries, and you will probably work on several versions over weeks, months, or even years!

One key to crafting your elevator speech is knowing who your *ideal customer* or *target market* is and what you wish to communicate to them. What are you *selling* and to whom? Are you trying to get a solo gallery exhibit of your work? Then you want to craft your elevator speech to grab the interest of gallery curators.  Ask yourself questions about what a curator looks for? A commercial gallery curator may have an interest in art that sells, so include a line about collectors or commissions in your elevator speech. Find out who the gallery markets to and craft your elevator speech specifically to meet that need. But don’t assume that sales alone are all the curator is interested in. Do your research. Perhaps a particular gallery is seeking the next new trend in art.  If your *ideal customer* or *target* is a museum curator, or a curator of a non-profit arts organization, then their concerns usually have more to do with educating their audience than with sales, and you would craft your elevator speech accordingly– perhaps mention museums collections your work is in, or any important artist associations you have, or books you work is in. Perhaps there is an opportunity for the museum or non-profit to sell the book in their shop and that could be leveraged to get your work included in a show.

Your elevator speech is your (abbreviated) story. Tell your story to intrigue others so that they want to engage with your further. Next you will want your story to flow. Some possible directions to take your story may be describing how your art is different, new, or of unique interest to a particular audience, or to mention specific positive benefits others have gained from working with you. Don’t overdo it, or try to tell too much of your story in 30 seconds. What is your goal? Is your goal to get the curators card? Get the curator to agree to meet with you to review your portfolio? To get an art magazine editor to publish a feature on your art? Take it one step at a time. Consider the situation. If you are talking to a curator at a crowded exhibition opening in their gallery, your goal may be to get them to agree to receive an email sample of your art sent to them. Then you would mention that in your email and follow up with a phone call.

In some situation your elevator speech will not allow more. Then it is important to end with a good summary sentence. Something that may stay in their memory or that they will see again, such as your tag line on your website.

Test your elevator speech at every opportunity, get feedback whenever possible and make necessary adjustments. I know that few artists have elevator speeches, and that having one ready when an opportunity arises can make all the difference in getting funding, recognition and making important connections. I work with artists on all aspects of marketing and promotion (Find out about my services here: http://bit.ly/Vart)

Marie Kazalia

http://Transmediartistmarketing.org/wordpress