In this day and age, when you have to go viral on social media to be considered a “success” or an “overnight sensation” as an artist, we need to reconsider what it means to make valuable connections in the industry and to create art that is appreciated by our target audience and the masses overall. With social media being a heavily visual medium, it has rapidly become an integral tool for artists and collectors alike to find and connect with each other.
My personal journey with networking for my art business has been quite an educational one. As an artist and entrepreneur, I have to wear these two hats at the same time when I network in the real and digital world aiming to forge meaningful professional connections. It is a challenging yet exhilarating feat to put yourself out there constantly, but the payoff is immense as people are able to see and connect with the person behind the art which is the first step of building a following.
So, in this blog, I will be sharing some of my personal networking tips and methods that you can use to get the right people talking about your art and expand your following. Here are a couple of things you can try out:
- Attend as many art networking events as possible
If you are just starting out with your art business or trying to sell your artwork, I cannot stress enough how important it is to participate in networking events. It is even better to attend events that cater towards your specific kind of artistry or level of experience. These events happen all year round, some digitally but mostly are held in-person. This not only helps you connect with people that are looking specifically with your kind of art, but also gets you to connect with other fellow artists, who can share their experiences with you and perhaps might result in collaborations.
- Make your website and social media platforms an extension of your art and personal branding
It will be completely asinine for me to reiterate the importance of having a website and social media accounts that is reflective of your art, values and personality because it is so glaringly obvious. What I would heavily suggest when it comes to creating content is to focus on being authentic and showcasing all the work that goes behind creating your art. This will not only capture your artistry in action but will also highlight your personality as you guide your audience through your day-to-day and even do livestreams that can be like “art talks”.
Instagram and Tiktok are popular platforms when it comes to networking for creatives, mainly due to their accessibility and user-friendliness for content creation. If you have the discipline and time for it, I would suggest starting your own Youtube channel which can be tough to build a following on but once you get going, it can be incredible to showcase your work and raise your profile as an artist.
- Get yourself on the online art marketplaces!
When it comes to networking for artists, the art market is a daunting place to be but with numerous online art selling platforms, it has become easier to connect with potential clientele and see what other contemporary artists are up to. Check out websites like Saatchi Art, Art Finder and Singulart that offer you access to their visitors while charging a reasonable commission rate. Even if you do not seem to attract any purchases in the first couple of months on these platforms, it is always a great idea to have updated profiles on these platforms for greater visibility and to develop a following.
There you have it, some tips derived from my own personal experiences! The world now could use a bit more art exposure, so go put yourself out there and make intentional and meaningful connections that will not only help you expand your art business but also enrich your personal art practice.
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