Artist's Platform < Deep Thought Thursday

Tonight I'm giving a presentation on my “author's platform” for Author U here in Denver.
Don't tell, but I had to look up the definition of an author's platform. I was pretty sure I had one or I wouldn't have been asked to give the presentation, but I still had to have some kind of structure. I used the definition from Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn:

The author platform is how you are currently reaching an audience of book-buying people, or how you plan to do so. It is your influence, your ability to sell to your market. It is your multi-faceted book marketing machine!

I contend that every artist should have an artist's platform. With due credit to Ms. Penn, I propose:

The artist's platform is how you are currently reaching an audience of art-buying people, or how you plan to do so. It is your influence, your ability to sell to your market. It is your multi-faceted art-marketing machine!

What do you think?
Do you have an artist platform?

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9 thoughts on “Artist's Platform < Deep Thought Thursday”

  1. Hi! thanks for this post. I am currently in your Blast Off class, and I am realizing how desperately I need to pull things such as an “artist’s platform” together. I have been asked to do several talks on female embodiment (what my art centers on) and I realize how tongue-tied and unsure I have been when asked to articulate exactly what my plans are for this material. Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. I actually do! Though by what I have read, it may be inadequate in many areas, I sell mainly through a seasonal art show (6 months-21 shows – I do 12) in my downtown.I have a website, up-to-date, and active, but no cart, because I don’t sell prints, or much lower priced work (that’s my excuse…). I have an e-mail list of over 500 (but not related contact info), and send them a NL when I have something to up-date (new paintings or sculpture, my husband’s sumi). I have a blog, and finally blogged twice recently after a 5 month gap(hard to choose between NL & blogging I find) – you can see the problems! I do all the same for my husband (except the shows). Finally, I do most of the social media, but with gaps. We’re older artists(maybe a disadvantage), rural, but near a big art mecca (maybe an advantage) and went the traditional artist/gallery way for years – really prefer this, when I do finally get it really together!

  3. Excellent question Alyson, plus your modestly double checking the meaning – lol, I do that all the time, aren’t search engines great?!
    After years and years of being a full time artist, finally I am happy with my platform, though it doesn’t perfectly solve this dual problem: which is that my work is very ambitious and I would like my art to career to match it. So after a lot of research, to make it on the level that I would like, it would require about four full-time jobs, one of those being the director. The second problem is that my major works take years of working around the clock 24/7 to complete. There is no possibility of multitasking for my career and painting the visions I have and want to continue to paint.
    The solution is to share with collectors and students our love of art – of being good creative people; of being dedicated to the truth of what you love; and spending most the time painting or teaching. (I do enjoy posting on facebook and my blog.) The goal is that ultimately, the curators, directors, dealers (the right ones) will come to me.
    This realization and taking these actions have made me the happiest I have ever been.
    Michael

  4. Oh wow, if I do it’s very holey (not holy). If it was a boat it would be sinking. I am learning more and more how deficient I am with so much in so many aspects of the business end of being an artist.

  5. I think one of the most important aspects of a platform is keeping up with your own standards of expectation from others. Results aren’t instant, and any platform will need energy, dedication, and commitment.
    If you want people to keep up with your blog, keep up with theirs. If your audience desires certain information, deliver it. If you want people to retweet your tweets, retweet theirs. If someone compliments your artwork, thank them for it. If someone posts on your Facebook wall, carry on the conversation. If you get an email or phone call inquiry about a gallery show, artwork for sale, or commission, be on the ball and email them back.
    Don’t be a dead end artist. In this age it’s about finding who you are, build your platform, be real, and don’t back down. Every artists’ platform will definitely be defined by the individual artist; that’s what is lovely about the idea.
    We can design our own platform, but maintaining and keeping focus is the true project.

  6. Pingback: The Top 5 Web Tools For Actors « Urban Avalon

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Get a transcript of episode 182 of The Art Biz (Rethinking Mailing Lists for Artists) followed by a 3-page worksheet to evaluate the overall health and usage of the 3 types of artist lists.

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