Marketing Tip 4th Week

I think your advice is one to think about, but I don't know if most customers prefer knowing more about an artist/photographer. I did consider this myself more recently and so I have made the effort to create a blog to give those who are interested in knowing more about me and my images, but it hasn't increased my visibility at all. And I think that it could be looked at just as a different kind of bombardment. I'm also not feeling comfortable doing it, so creating content is turning out to be a challenge for me. But I have considered this approach and it is just not suiting me very well.

And then there is the thinking, if the quality of work is there, reaching eyes will deliver the success a photographer or artist is looking for. Or that is what in person sales is for.

I am not writing to disagree, I am just giving you some of the thoughts I have had on this subject. And one of the reasons I like online selling is because I don't have to get personal or do small talk, to market my work if I am feeling anti-social or anxious today.

For those who can do this successfully I applaud you, because for me this is harder then selling in person.

When showing in a face to face gallery, the ones I have seen and shown in, the artists often will take turns getting to know one another and when hanging work to show, we talked about each other's work as well as the to the gallery owner's. So, each of us knew about others work and if called in to cover in the gallery and were able to answer questions when customers came in. Was it hard when someone liked another artists work and bought it from you or owner that day, yes at times disappointing, but we all tried to help if we could.

FAA/Pixels is a gallery online. I support others, share for others work online and many do that for me. Commenting on others work, yes, takes time, but buyers often read comments. Little things often turn into bigger things. Posting about the great day you had doing something, upbeat, I agree with Abbie. Marketing, is more than cold selling, it is relationship even when marketing a very well known advertised product or whether with you and the image you are showing. That image has to tell a story because it is you. Some that see it might not get it, but others will and be attracted. Be you and let others get to know you and do the art you envision. A great description, as Abbie said in Marketing three, is very important.

Thanks Abbie, something new to incorporate!

Thank you Abbie! I absolutely love what you have to say with this Marketing Tip 4th week. It is right up my alley, as my "About the Artist" states, 'As I visit all these places I love and enjoy, I want to capture my feelings and the awe of it all, with the camera, and to tell the What, How, Why, and When of my work!'

In June, as things should slow down for me, I want to apply more of what you brought out, telling my story outside of FAA, as I have shared my story in my descriptions. Something I love to do, is to write about my experience with what I photograph. A fellow artist that nominated me for the Tony Award, told me, that is what she likes about my work, is the write-up. I was gobsmacked to know that they were noticed, and truly appreciated that.

I appreciate your nudge to us, to explore this more, and I intend to. My favorite tip yet, as this is part of the joy and fun of my photography.

This is a tough one for me. I am a gardener and a grandma, and when I post things about those two topics on FB I do get lots of views, likes, comments. I just don’t like doing it! But, thanks to Abbie, I have set a goal to do so every other week, and post my art every other week - so they are seeing something from me weekly. I think I will also try to incorporate more personal notes in my image FAA descriptions. We’ll see how it goes and hopefully I can sustain it!

Absolutely true. All of it.

Facebook, Instagram, even Pinterest (no social network but a visual search engine) are rewarding engaging content. Video content can be wildly successful if you show something interesting out of your artistic life. No boring slideshows but something different.

Just one example: Some months ago I started with acrylic fluid paintings. When I realized that people are interested to know how these paintings are done I decided to film the process. Very easy setup, my phone on a tripod. I took some of the cuts of my first video and created an Idea Pin (formerly known as Story Pin) for Pinterest.

The Idea Pin took off within a day (I don't want to brag but the stats are quite impressive) but what made me really happy was the fact that some Pinners bought paint, created their own acrylic fluid painting, and uploaded the result (as a photo comment to the Pin). So cool! :-)

Here is the Idea Pin in case someone wants to see it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/426786502195918770/

Great series Abbie, thank you!

Thanks Abbie!

What you said makes a lot of sense.I get annoyed with friends and pages on Facebook that are constantly trying to sell me something. Recently I liked the page of a famous photographer because I like to see his work, but there’s a sales pitch every day, each for thousands of dollars. I unfollowed him in two days. You’re right, I know that he sells and where his store is and was looking more for an insiders look. I’m an artist but also a potential customer and I will pay more attention to the kinds of sales strategies that chase me away.

Thank you and well stated. It's the reason I only share once or twice a week in FB... I don't want to be that obnoxious sales person. I'm not good at doing process videos but sometimes post a very short video clip or a few photos of various process steps along the way.

I feel it's better than not marketing, but also not being in their face every day. I also like to post "Thanks to those who came out to my show..." of postings with a photo or two of my booth and/or a customer with a purchase. Now that shows are starting I can get back to those hopefully.

I still have a LONG way to go, but I have to keep working at it. All these tips will make me think harder and hopefully learn more and grow.

Appreciate it!

Times have changed and we must change with them. Sales rhetoric used to work when everyone and their brother was not doing the same thing. There are thousands of artists and photographers here and literally millions of images. As I keep pointing out, getting an image seem is nigh on impossible on social media as you're deep in an ocean of visuals. It's you that will now stand out and your work will follow.

I agree. When I bought a certain artist decades ago, I wanted to know all about him.

I've kept up with him for all these years until recently, when covid got him.

Great tip Abbey!
This is something that I do often. If you are are selling on social media, you need to get your audience to like, know and trust you. Get them engaged in conversations, and sharing a little bit of your life helps a lot.

Great tip Abbie and one I have begun to do!

Thank you Abbie. People do enjoy stories. They certainly don't like it when we just keep trying to sell. It is always important to be personable and connect with your fans.
I do find it challenging to figure out the best approach, it seems every time I try different approach nothing seems to work.

I've created some IG reels of my garden, and some behind-the-scenes creating artwork, etc.

Occasionally in 2020 I got a little too personable on my Facebook Business page in reference to "current affairs".

I had a few people telling me that I should not talk about anything controversial because they come to me just for my pretty artwork(that often translates to" shut up and paint).

I know you are not telling us that we should pour our hearts out and talk about controversial things on our social media pages, although the algorithm does like that though….LOL
I haven't done that in a while, I've been behaving myself and just trying to keep the conversation around easy topics like the weather.

I also ask questions. People enjoy giving their opinions about a variety of things. For example, recently I ask people what type of artwork do they prefer to hang in their homes.

Thank you so very much Abbie, I have started idea of not being shy about my devotion to being Vegan, which for some time I thought it would turn people off and limit my possibilities but see that it has increased my visitors each time I post my works showing my true feelings on many subjects that I put on different social medias, I see right away positive results and remarks, so being true to how I feel about many subjects has helped me thus far, perhaps not so much on sales but I take into consideration that I have just started compared to many artists on here for many years.

Oh god....now I have to be a public figure. I have to share personal stuff with the world. Oh come on. When they see an ocean of that content they will gloss over that too. It's about the art and how it can accent there life. It's about them and that's it

Great info to take onboard, Abbie, thank you :)

Wow I never thought about that at all. I mean I know that people want to know about the art that we make. But I never thought about putting more personal story to it. Thank you so much!

Thanks Abbie! I followed your advice and I'm gaining more followers and likes on my social media. Great post!

Thank you for this. Great info and idea!

Thanks Abbie. Appreciate this information.

Abbie, I've been doing this for years. When Yankee Magazine asked me to blog I had to ask them what was blogging?

After I started I asked how to improve it. They said they loved it because the people reading the blog were able to connect with me and not just a magazine.

That was almost 20 years ago. I still blog on the subject of New England fall foliage today and I get readers from around the world. Not more than twice have I written directly about my photography. Mostly people just ask questions 🙄 about their plans and what I think.

But it also has brought me National/international attention.
I've been interviewed for radio and TV and that has brought more eyes to my work.

So for those who pooh, pooh blogging as it's supposed to be about you and your art... :-)
I'm afraid that is why you may never get anywhere. Make it about the customer and you will get ahead that way...

Jeff Foliage

David deChemin says “In order to take more interesting photos, we have to become more interesting persons.”

Thank you so much for this series, Abbie. I have learned so much. Now to make some changes and tell some stories!

genial gracias,

"Stop trying to be a perfect sales person and become an artist and photographer who happens to have work for sale.:"

Spot on, and said much better than I could, Abbie.

Concentrate on creating an art beautifully, customers will attract itself

Abbie, this series is great....can you put links to all the previous posts in this series in one place, if it's not too much bother? Thanks!