Are you in, or are you out?

NETWORKING: A STAIRWAY TO SUCCESS

Getting out of your creative bubble and employing your soft skills can be nerve-racking. Let’s debunk the beauty of networking straight away: it’s awkward and often excruciatingly unpleasant (due to the “I’m only here to use you” – and vice versa narrative). For any genuine artist, entertaining the idea of mingling for work’s sake is nearly blasphemous, as it takes them away from the only thing that actually matters – creating. However, the harsh truth is: our art can only change the world if it’s being seen and consumed by another. So, yes, networking is paramount. It’s how we land gigs, establish collaborations, and build a future-proof client base. Proactive is the new artistic mindset. Omnipotency. Soft and hard skills combined. How do we establish new connections? By crashing the network party, even if our landing strategy may need some practice, granted.

THERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT

You can tiptoe through the tulips with Tiny Tim all you want; without networking, there are no opportunities on the table. Buffet? Forget it. How do you get into a gallery? Not by embodying a virtual recluse. Not anymore, not today. Surely, it all seems too familiar, a PTSD “high school integration drama series” rated PG 18. As we get more mature (and that extra existential patina kicks in), getting to know people becomes more challenging by the minute. Social butterfly? Unlikely. Porcupine? Best case scenario. Nonetheless, networking has statistics on its side. 95% of people in the art industry confirm that good, archaic face-to-face meeting is still pivotal in creating the necessary connections.

DON’T OVERSELL IT

Nobody likes the “The artist is present” approach. If you’re entering the networking waters, be sure to silence the aggressive-seller trait. It’s not cute. And it doesn’t work. It may sound counterintuitive, but the more we try, the worse it gets. Think of networking as an audition. In other words, the people you are trying to get acquainted with and befriend are looking for that relatable thread. It’s not about establishing control and holding the discourse reins; it’s just social interaction. Plain and simple. Therefore, lose the internal pressure. “Tonight’s the night. You’re going to make it.” Probably not. Networking is a slow process and if you’re in it for the long haul, you better learn to enjoy it for what it is, not for what it can do for you.

Like speed dating but for artists, therefore, the idea is to lay the creative network foundation, and opportunities will organically follow.

LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED

What does networking in the art industry entail? Think big picture. Keep an open mind. Just because you are a painter doesn’t necessarily mean your network circle should solely include painters. It’s just too tautological, no? Too convenient. Too illiberal, borderline conservative, in a sense. Talk to everyone and leave no stone unturned. Patrons enjoy a good disguise these days. Furthermore, you never know from whose nods of approval your art could benefit the most – unless you spread those wings, butterfly. Branching out is the key. The mother of networking. “But we don’t share a common denominator.” So? You’d be surprised. Make connections and contacts with individuals working in other industries; these often make the best project collaborations. Lose the skepticism. Go for it.

PRACTICE THAT PITCH

The infamous ride or die: the elevator speech. “So, tell me, what brings you here tonight? What do you do for a living?” And it’s ready, set, go. This is your shot. So, what do we do? We don’t panic. And we have a pitch ready. Memorized, if need be (especially for the ones with paralyzing stage fright). Keep it casual, brief, and always to the point. Keep your verbal hook under one minute; provide your interlocutor with valuable information – what makes your work so intriguing and HQ? Too door-to-door sales for you? Maybe, all the same, it’s too potent to be put out of business. Art marketing rides on one’s ability to sell the work. To sell the artist (i.e., your masterful self). What are you going to do with all that unsold artwork? Exactly.

TO BRING THAT PITCH TO PERFECTION

Practice beforehand (giggle away, it’s solid advice). Come up with a memorable, idiosyncratic introduction. Make the pitch unique, yours. You’re an artist, no? Idiosyncrasy is your playground. Use it to your advantage. Schedule a roleplay date with your friends (not that kind, silly). Practice the pitch. The simulation will come in handy. Or, if you’re feeling too introspective, there’s always a mirror around. The Shakespeare hour unfolds. P.S. Be sure to time it.

LASTLY

It’s not all social anxiety and climbing-the-ladder turmoil. Networking in the art industry can be a lot of fun. Only if you know how. So, practice offline and online networking simultaneously. Do: TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook. Find artists who are well-connected within the niche of interest. Who do you see yourself collaborating with? Reach out via social media platforms. Charm your way up. Finally, don’t consider your competitors your nemesis; you can learn from them – and vice versa. Connect.

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Artist Bio:
Jerome Mack is a full-time blogger, currently working under City Movers’ wing. On his earthly leisure hours, he enjoys the beauty of Renaissance, astrophysics and African music.

The post Helpful Tips for Networking in the Art Industry appeared first on Art Business News.

But, is your dream to be the next Picasso impractical? No. If you are creative and oozing with passion, you can find your way to the top in the art industry. To succeed as an artist, you need to believe in yourself; read top art books and blogs; find a mentor preferably a person, who has tried, failed and succeeded in the industry; treat art as your business; and market your art.

Investing in marketing helps you to connect with the customers while building your brand. If you lack ideas and skills in marketing, read on to find out the top marketing tips for emerging artists to succeed in the business of art.

1. Create your portfolio.

If you are going to sell in the market, you need a product. Likewise, if you want customers and employers to notice you; a good portfolio is a must-have. A portfolio will help showcase your strengths and skills to prospective clients. It also serves as proof of professionalism and experience.

As an emerging artist, you might lack any previous work to use in your portfolio. The way forward is to create at least five artworks that can exhibit your potential. It is even better to create multiple samples and pick those that are the most outstanding.

More important, include in your portfolio, any awards or certifications won in college or high school.

While creating your portfolio, remember these tips;

• Make sure that your artwork is of the highest quality, and the formats are easy to access. Today, customers prefer online folders that are easy to share. You can create free portfolios on WordPress, Google Drive, and Pathbrite.
• Use your finest art. The goal of creating a portfolio is to impress and win customers. Your best work is your first selling point.
• If a client has requested a portfolio, follow his/her requirements to the letter.
• Use a resume or CV to showcase your unique strengths and relevant soft skills that you possess.

2. Build an Online Presence

In March 2019, there were 4.3 billion internet users, and with the growth of e-commerce, it is now easier than ever to grow your business online. Internet connectivity gives you a broader market base and faster growth potential than the old localized way of marketing.

According to David Anderson, author at IHateWritingEssays, integration of social media sites and websites enhances engagement with followers and customers. After creating your portfolio; building your social media business pages and blog should follow.

The following are essential guidelines to consider when growing your online presence:

• Build outstanding profile pages; your social media profiles must be striking, use quality profile images give portray professionalism. Your bio and about pages should vividly showcase your skills.
• If you are going to start a blog, create a domain that has the name of your art theme or your name. Using your names can help you grow as a brand. For instance, if you Google the name Neil Patel, the results that appear are Neil Patel’s website and social media pages.
• Integrate your social media pages into your blog and connect your Facebook and Instagram pages. Customers will quickly follow and share your content.
• Share your content regularly. Do you know the story of 26-year-old Eli Waduba Yusuf from Nigeria? Kevin Hart, the famous US actor, contacted him directly after his portraits of Kevin went Viral.

3. Network

As an emerging artist, networking is one of the best ways to attract new fans, investors, and followers. It is important to note; networking events are not selling platforms but an opportunity to build relationships with the long-term aim of growing your customer base. Use the functions to make friends in different business sectors, sharing and collecting business cards.

Important networking tips;

• Attend networking events that are relevant to your business (Art).
• Pay attention and ask a lot of questions, especially from art gurus.
• Issue your business cards only when requested.
• Use the meetup app to identify likely events in your area.
• Participate in art auditions and exhibitions.
• Visit the art galleries and museums in your area. You can expect to find art lovers in such places.

4. Research and Understand What the Market Wants

Since your brand is new and still growing, it is vital to seek feedback and suggestions from collectors and potential buyers to determine what they want. Also, with the changing technology, research will help you to keep abreast with technology and to track new customer tastes and competition. Be sure to use the analytics from your website and social media sites in improving and refining your art.

You can also visit online art shops like Etsy, Artpal, Singular, and Amazon to track the bestselling art items. This information will help you in customizing your art to meet customers’ needs.

5. Be Consistent

Implementing other tips can be easy, but most artists fail with consistency and discipline. Consistency means proper time planning and repetitive application of the appropriate strategies to achieve your business goals.

You must practice daily to grow your expertise. You must also market consistently and engage your fans and customers online.

You can achieve consistency by:

• Creating a schedule for your upcoming activities; prioritize urgent and critical marketing activities.
• Using reminders and alarms.
• Engaging your fans and customers regularly.
• Sticking to set schedules unless inevitable circumstances occur.
• Rewarding yourself; when you attain a marketing goal, you can choose to reward yourself. For example, you set goals based on specific sales targets.
• Using social media tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Postplanner or Coschedule to help you in planning and managing your social media pages.

If you have been dreaming about availing your beautiful art for the world to see, ensure that you follow the expert marketing tips discussed in this article to get the best results. Remember that while forging alliances with art galleries is important, forming alliances with fellow artists is equally important as it exposes you to new ideas and boosts your creativity.

About the writer: Carol Duke is very keen on teaching students new, effective ways of learning. When not freelancing and blogging on marketing-related matters, Carol enjoys traveling, taking immense pleasure from visiting new countries.

The post 5 Invaluable Marketing Tips for Emerging Artists appeared first on Art Business News.