As an artist it’s important to promote yourself. Even though you can leave it up to a gallery to help promote you, a better way to become more successful is to cross-promote. As a gallery, we can say there is definitely a difference in success between an artist that self promotes and one who does not.
Remember, galleries have many members to focus on, and you will have to share promotions with others. By promoting yourself, as well as utilizing your gallery, you have a better chance of getting your name and art recognized.
For example, if your gallery promotes you on Facebook, they may have 200 or so viewers see their post. On the other hand, if you also have a Facebook Page and share their post or your own post you may have hundreds more people see the post. Even if you only post once a week, you still have helped yourself become more successful.
Another example is having printed promotional materials made, such as flyers or brochures. If a gallery sends out their own flyer, they will probably have many artists on it. If you had a flyer made for your own work, that flyer will be 100% focused on you. Many galleries will have a place for flyers and business cards, so utilize those spaces. You can also use printed materials at shows and exhibits by passing them out for people to remember you after they leave.
Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to help promote yourself:
- Create a Facebook business page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/create)
- Have business cards printed
- Print up flyers/brochures, with images of your work, and pass them out
- Purchase a literature holder and display your flyers/brochures at shows and galleries
If you are interested in learning more about creating a Facebook page, we offer 1 hr personal training sessions. Call 716-260-1497 to find out more.
You can also contact our parent company, Pencil in the River Studio Inc. at 716-564-9109, for having promo materials designed and created for you.