Art Marketing For Beginners: An Overview

Why do some ordinary artists sell easily while others, arguably more talented, struggle?

The key lies in effective art marketing. Talent alone isn’t enough.

Understanding art marketing basics is essential for artists aiming to turn their craft into a business.

This guide explains practical art marketing for beginners. We’ll cover:

  • Building a strong online presence
  • Using social media to promote your art
  • Participating in art fairs and exhibitions
  • Creating a personal brand as an artist
  • Selling art online and offline

The goal? To help you showcase your work, connect with buyers, and grow your art business.

Let’s start learning how to make your art stand out and sell.

Disclaimer: When you buy something via my affiliate links I earn from qualifying purchases and sometimes earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. I am an Amazon Associate among others. I only recommend trusted sites.

Understanding Art Marketing

Let’s start with the basics. You might wonder, “What exactly is art marketing?”

I define art marketing as the process of promoting and selling your artwork. It’s about getting your art in front of the right people. This includes:

  • Showcasing your work
  • Building relationships with potential buyers
  • Creating a buzz around your brand

Remember, marketing isn’t the same as selling. Marketing creates awareness and interest. Selling is the final transaction.

As an artist, you need both skills. Good marketing makes selling easier. It helps you:

  • Reach more potential buyers
  • Build a loyal following
  • Increase the value of your work

In the next sections, I’ll show you practical steps to market your art effectively. We’ll look at online portfolios, social media strategies, and more. These tools will help you connect with art lovers and turn them into buyers.

'Best Foot Forward' A Pencil Drawing by Kevin Hayler
‘Best Foot Forward’ A Pencil Drawing by Kevin Hayler

Take note:

Key Strategies for Art Marketing

Now that you’ve built your foundation, let’s cover some effective strategies to market your art. I’ll cover four main areas: making a website, email marketing, social media engagement, and networking opportunities

Your Website: The Hub of Your Art Business

Having your own website is crucial. It’s the foundation of your online presence.

A website allows you to:

  • Control: You own and control all content on your site
  • Professionalism: A website adds credibility to your art business
  • Central hub: Direct all social media traffic back to your site
  • Versatility: Showcase your art, blog, and sell products in one place

Make your website work for you:

  • Sell your art directly through an online store
  • Offer a freebie to build an email list
  • Offer digital downloads of your work
  • Generate extra income through affiliate marketing
  • Use ads for passive income once you gain significant traffic

Your website should:

  • Showcase your portfolio
  • Include your artist statement and bio
  • Feature a blog to share your artistic journey
  • Have a contact page for inquiries and commissions
  • Include an online store for direct sales

These will help:

Remember, social media platforms come and go, but your website remains constant. It’s your digital gallery, open 24/7 to a global audience.

Invest time in creating a user-friendly, visually appealing website. It’s an investment in your art business that will pay off in the long run.

If you are convinced of the importance of setting up a website, I recommend my web host, Greengeeks. Why? Because they are carbon neutral, affordable, and have great customer service.

Email Marketing

Email remains a powerful tool for art marketing.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

  • Build an email list of interested art lovers
  • Send regular newsletters showcasing your new work
  • Share behind-the-scenes content of your creative process
  • Announce upcoming exhibitions or art fairs
  • Offer exclusive deals to your subscribers and use affiliate links

Remember, quality over quantity. Send valuable content, not spam.

Read this: How to Start an Email List For Artists: Beginners Guide

Social Media Engagement

Social platforms are perfect for visual artists. Here’s how to make the most of them:

  • Choose platforms where your target audience spends time
  • Post high-quality images of your artwork regularly
  • Use relevant hashtags (Instagram) to increase visibility
  • Engage with your followers by responding to comments
  • Share your artistic journey and process

Instagram and Pinterest are great starting points for artists.

Networking Opportunities

Building connections can open doors for your art career. Try these networking strategies:

  • Attend local art fairs and exhibitions
  • Join artist organizations in your area
  • Participate in online art communities and forums
  • Collaborate with other artists or businesses
  • Consider hosting your own small exhibition or open studio event

Networking isn’t just about selling. It’s about building relationships in the art community.

In the next section, I’ll show you how to create compelling content that showcases your art and engages your audience. We’ll look at the importance of high-quality visuals and storytelling in art marketing.

Get to Grips with your Art Business with
Katy on Domestika

Content Creation and Marketing Art

Creating compelling content is crucial for effective art marketing. Let’s focus on two key aspects: high-quality visuals and storytelling.

High-Quality Visuals

As an artist, your visuals are your primary selling point. Here’s how to make them stand out:

  • Invest in good lighting for photographing your art
  • Use a high-resolution camera or get a high-res scan
  • Show scale by including a person or common object in some photos
  • Create short videos showcasing your art or creative process

Remember, online visitors judge your art based solely on these images. Make them count.

Storytelling in Art

Stories engage people emotionally. Use these storytelling techniques:

  • Share the inspiration behind each piece
  • Describe your creative process
  • Construct your personal journey
  • Explain the meaning or any symbolism in your work
  • Connect your art to current events or universal themes
  • Use descriptive language to evoke emotions

Your story can turn a casual viewer into a passionate collector.

Blending Visuals and Stories

Combine these elements effectively:

  • Write engaging captions for your social media posts
  • Create “behind the scenes” content showing your work in progress
  • Use video to tell the story of a piece from concept to completion
  • Pair your artist statement/bio with images of your work
  • Create captions for all your artworks

By creating content that’s both visually stunning and emotionally engaging, you’ll attract more attention to your art and connect more deeply with potential buyers.

Community Involvement

Getting involved in your local community can significantly boost your art marketing efforts. Here’s how you can make an impact:

Local Initiatives

Participate in community events to increase visibility, these are a few ideas:

  • Join local art fairs and street festivals
  • Offer to display your art in local cafes or shops
  • Volunteer your skills for community murals or public art projects
  • Host workshops or classes at community centers
  • Donate a piece for a local charity auction

Collaborations

Team up with other creatives or businesses:

  • Partner with local businesses for pop-up exhibitions
  • Collaborate with other artists on joint projects
  • Work with local schools on art education programs
  • Create art for local bands’ album covers or posters
  • Design merchandise for local events or causes

Building Relationships

Forge connections within your art community:

  • Attend gallery openings and support fellow artists
  • Join or start a local artist group or collective
  • Participate in artist meetups or societies
  • Connect with local framers for potential partnerships

Community involvement helps you:

  • Gain exposure to new audiences
  • Build a positive reputation locally
  • Create networking opportunities
  • Discover new customers
  • Find inspiration and support from fellow artists

Remember, successful art marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about creating meaningful connections. By engaging with your community, you’ll build a supportive network that can help your art career flourish.


Selling art made simple banner

Conclusion

You’ve now got a solid foundation in art marketing for beginners. Let’s recap the key points:

  1. Create your own website
  2. Build a strong foundation with an online portfolio and compelling artist statement
  3. Use email marketing to stay connected with your audience
  4. Leverage social media to showcase your work and engage with followers
  5. Network within the art community to create opportunities
  6. Create high-quality visual content and tell engaging stories about your art
  7. Get involved in your local community to increase visibility and build relationships

Remember, effective art marketing is about consistency and authenticity. Start small:

  • Choose one or two strategies that resonate with you
  • Implement them consistently over time
  • Be patient – building an audience takes time
  • Stay true to your artistic vision/brand

As you grow more comfortable with these techniques, expand your efforts gradually. Every small step counts towards building your art business.

Your Next Steps:

  1. Set up or update your online portfolio
  2. Draft or revise your artist statement/bio
  3. Choose a social media platform to focus on
  4. Plan your first community involvement activity

Art marketing might seem daunting at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Keep creating, keep sharing, and keep connecting with your audience.

Remember, every successful artist started where you are now. Take that first step in marketing your art today!

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The artist and Author Kevin Hayler


Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy

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