Over the years, I have returned to a number of themes in my newsletter because I see work that still needs to be done.
For my 10th anniversary, I’m sharing my top 10 lists.
I consider the list below to be my most valuable pieces of marketing advice. The dates are “first published” dates. You would be well served to review this list at any point in your art career.
10. Move on from venues that you’ve outgrown.
Stop playing it safe by exhibiting with the same artist guild year after year or returning to the local coffee shop over and over again. Expand to grow your market.
Since June 20, 2005.
9. Become involved in your local artist community.
You will learn all kinds of things by being connected to other artists. You will hear of opportunities, make new contacts, and enhance your confidence by being involved. More importantly, you will take comfort in these connections and in realizing that you are not alone.
Since January 27, 2003.
8. Make your art the focus of all your marketing.
Rein in the funky typefaces, lose the over-designed website buttons, and forget the fancy logo. While you’re at it, get rid of the bright colors you like so much next to your art. They’re all distracting from your work. Your art is the only decoration you need.
Since May 27, 2002.
7. Your images must stand in for your artwork.
Images of your art must be at least as good as the art, if not better. To reiterate #8 above, your art must be the focus. Get your work off of clever backdrop and stop showing background edges peeking under your art due to poorly positioned camera angles.
Since February 9, 2004.
6. Never upload your art to the Internet without credit lines next to it.
You wouldn’t install your art in a space without labels, so why do you show it online without captions? A complete credit line (©date, name, title, media, and size) should be under your art on any website, including social media sites.
October 19, 2011 (and earlier on the blog and in my book).
5. Start blogging.
Writing regularly about your art establishes you as an expert, helps you understand your art in ways you can’t begin to imagine, provides a place for dialogue with your fans, and makes you more search-engine friendly.
Since January 9, 2006.
4. It’s critical for you to exhibit your art.
The Internet has become a crutch and a substitute for live exhibits to some artists. It will never replace the experience of seeing art in person, and it will never replace the lift you get by interacting with viewers in a space filled with your art. The more people who see your work, the more people there are to love it, buy it, and collect it.
Since January 8, 2007.
3. Words can connect you to more art viewers.
Your art doesn’t speak for itself. It never has, and it never will. You need to be an articulate champion of your art before you expect others to do the same. Write! Speak!
Since August 5, 2002.
2. Your contact list is your most valuable asset.
Nobody knows the same people you know, and people who know and like you are likely to become your supporters – even if they never purchase your art. Meet more people! Maintain an organized contact list and use it!
Since April 1, 2002.
1. Your devotion to a studio practice is critical.
Without consistent studio production, you are not an artist and you have nothing to market. Get back in the studio and make art!
Since April 28, 2003.
Do you have a favorite Art Biz Coach newsletter or one that transformed your business? It would be a lovely 10-year anniversary gift to me if you’d share your story here.
Top 10 Marketing Advice Newsletters from Art Biz Coach
- Alyson Stanfield
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23 thoughts on “Top 10 Marketing Advice Newsletters from Art Biz Coach”
Many congratulations on your 10th anniversary Alyson and for helping all the people that you do.
That’s a great listing and it just goes to show that the classic mantras for making it as an artist do not change over time.
I’ll be adding a link to this post on “who’s made a mark this week?” on Making A Mark next Sunday 2nd April
Thank you, Katherine! Your weekly roundup is a gem and I’m always honored to be included.
I’m not an artist; I’m an artist enabler. About five years ago in an artists business training class our arts council in Berkeley Springs was conducting, an artist recommended your site as one he found extremely helpful. Ever since, I’ve passed on the recommendation to many people and organizations as one of the most useful in the field. Your generosity is inspiring as are your insights into what improves an artist’s worklife. Keep up the good work and I’ll keep sharing it.
Thank you, Jeanne. I appreciate your referrals.
Awesome top 10, Alison. Hits the nail on the head. I have been a professional sculptor for over 30 years, and I have struggled through many of those years. I’m still recovering from all the mistakes I made, what I did and did not do. Artists need to focus, and your top ten give the artist just what he/she needs to focus on. Thanks, Beau
Beau: If we don’t make mistakes, we don’t learn and grow. Boy, I hope I never have to count my mistakes!
Hi Alyson, Congratulations on your 10th anniversary and THANK YOU so very much for all that you do for artists. I so appreciate all your advice!
Thank you, Holly. I’m grateful for your presence here.
Congratulations on 10 years and thanks for sharing this and everything else you share with us. It really helps.
Thank you, Lori. That’s always nice to hear.
Congratulations on 10 years! In this day of ‘everyone is doing the how-to-marketing’ you’ve shown me that your commitment and service to the artist is why and how you’ve been so successful. Although I just “opened my doors” to the business side of art and am now tuning in and taking advantages of your online courses, I’ve followed you for a couple years … Thank you for being here now that I’m ready to step up and step out. Tomiko in Colorado
Tomiko: I appreciate that. There are a lot of us out there right now. It encourages me to step up my game.
Your advice through the years has been absolutely invaluable. Thank you so very much and congratulations!
Thanks, Mary!
One of the first things I ever read from Alyson was about talking about my art in person and how important it is to be open and conversational with whomever is standing in front of you. To be able to articulate with enthusiasm adds credibility to the work
and the artist. I’ve worked on what I am going to say to viewers and it’s helped greatly but a salesman friend of mine got to the bottomline for me with this line,
” you should own that” and the lady bought my abstract. So you do have to close the deal which I am not as good at as my salesman friend. Alyson’s advice has helped me to understand what I doing and why, so thank you.
great article – and another one i’ll be printing out to refer to on a regular basis. as tomiko commented, SO many people are offering there ‘how to market’ advice, and much of what is written is the same advice over and over again. i don’t find that with you. thank you so much for helpful, useful tips and information, and congrats on 10 years!
I’m not sure how or exactly when I first found your newsletter, Alyson, but I’ve been an avid reader of it since then. You always have something interesting or informative to say and you say it well. I am learning a great deal and I trust you and your advice and lessons. You are a supremely generous person in every way and I could myself lucky to have interacted with you. I look forward to being successful and to someday, in person, thanking you for your part in this growth.
Congratulations on your 10 years Alyson! I bought ‘I’d Rather be in the Studio’ a few years ago and also read your newsletters…always such good information and advice, it is invaluable and has served me well. Thanks so much!
Congratulations on your great work Alyson!
Your advice is always helpful. I have implemented a fair amount of these 10 points over the past few months. A few more to go.
Keep up the good work! 🙂
An artist friend e-mailed me your link and I read with great interest your top ten list. I’m happy to say I already do #1 and 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. That leaves the critical 2, 3 and 5 to work on. An exhibition of my work has just opened, so this is the perfect time to follow through and blog, write, speak and improve my contact list. Thank you for your inspiring words.
Congratulations on 10 years Alyson – you are amazing, thanks for everything!
Congratulations on 10 productive and successful years, Alyson!
One of my favorite tidbits that I learned from you is the power of a timely, handwritten thank you note, especially to anyone who buys one of my hats.
I’ve been amazed at the enormous goodwill those simple notes have generated.
Thank you!
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