Whether you’re a painter trying to get yourself established at art shows around the country, or a touring rock band seeking to strengthen your fan base, marketing is probably at least a part of your overall strategy. To focus on the music industry in particular, the advent of streaming music services changed practices in huge ways. Now, bands focus more on touring to gain recognition. In the past, bands frequently holed up in a studio with all the latest gadgets to make shiny new albums, as a main source of income.
Interact with the Public
Unfortunately, if you’ve always gravitated towards the shy and brooding stereotype that’s linked to some artistic types, you might have to step outside of your comfort zone quite a bit. Creative endeavours have always been laced with a romantic allure. You’ll probably find that the fellow artists you meet on the road feel like they have a kinship with you within moments of your first meeting. Also, people who are simply fans of your work might think that they can relate to you simply because you’re making a living doing something that they heartily admire.
In any case, you can’t expect your work to sell itself. Contrary to popular belief, your job doesn’t end when you step off stage, or finish explaining the finer points of your work during an art exhibition. It could, but that would mean that you’re missing out on a clear opportunity to connect with people that may very well assure the longevity of your livelihood. Take the time to answer questions, and encourage people to give you feedback.
Make Yourself Hard to Miss
Musicians, in particular, spend large amounts of time in dark venues. You can’t put a marketing plan into action by simply standing in a corner and hoping that others seek you out. Instead, think about investing in a reusable sign or banner that succinctly conveys who you are, and what you’re about.
Options such as banners and signs made from vinyl are very durable, and easy to store. They’re also handy if you might do art displays outdoors, because they’ll withstand winds, or light rain. If you’re a painter who tends to use certain colour schemes in your work, you can tie that characteristic into your banner by ordering a specific hue, as well.
Marketing yourself isn’t extremely complex, but it requires a concentrated effort, and some forethought. If you take the right approach, you could soon see a profit boost. Good luck!
Attached Images:
- License: Creative Commons image source
Chris Jenkinson writes for Sherwood Signs, who can help you create banners to promote your services
