Supporters to cheer the Artist on to success

The uses of Social Media and Art Marketing

Sources of advice on art marketing, and the uses of social media

Make your Artwork known to the World: Below, I have put together a bundle of information artists may find useful to help them achieve their goals, and to continue their art practice in a social and profitable way. Here are sources of advice on art marketing, and the uses of social media etc. some of it you will find useful and stimulating; make use of that which will further your goals as an artist, discard the rest.

I looked into Social Media and Art Marketing, its usefulness to the artist; I think Twitter and Facebook can spread the word and be used as powerful marketing devises. Other avenues to publicise yourself and communicate with other like minded people, can be found here; also, there are many support agencies that can be helpful to artists. It is simply a matter of setting goals and making a plan of action; and making use of those agencies that can assist you attain these.

Use Social Media to make your Artwork known to other people:

1. https://twitter.com/ Twitter: use as a marketing tool, and to create an interest in me as an artist, and to showcase my artwork.

2. https://plusgoogle.com/ Google+: a good marketing tool puts me in touch with the art community, and people interested in the arts, potential customers, art collectors, commercial gallerists, art dealers etc.

3. https://www.flickr.com/ Flickr: site is similar to Instagram but is on more platforms – not just smart phones!

4. https://images.google.co.uk/ Google images: online site to display my paintings to potential customers and supporters, and other people interested in contemporary art.

5. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ Pinterest website UK (for Business): Develop presence on Pinterest, an online art gallery, used for the promotion and dissemination of images to an online audience; and the targeting of customers for the sale of artwork. Use for art marketing.

6. https://www.tumblr.com/ Tumblr: is a blogging platform and social network, you can use it strictly for blogging or strictly for social networking with other uses – or both. The power of this platform really shines when you use it as both.

7. https://www.blogger.com/ Blogger.com, (Google website): Start a blog on the site that will generate money from Google ads; the blog to be primarily concerned with practical things to do with making paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

8. https://www.facebook.com/ Facebook: Many artists have done well with Facebook Business Pages. If you have the right art marketing strategy you will be able to build a large following; your business page will keep your audience up-to-date with your business.

9. https://uk.linkedin.com/ Linkedin: Linkedin is for people who want to talk business. 50 contacts on Linkedin could be worth more to your career than 500 Facebook friends or Twitter followers.

Other Support Agencies:

1. https://sites.google.com/ Google sites: Includes Google webmaster tools and analytics; gives support to my website, and advice on running an online business.

2. https://www.axisweb.org/ Axis web: Axis web are committed to providing a platform to support artists, and profile what they do. Through a determination to create the space artists need, the programme comprises a range of activities: Reflecting the artists’ voice is integral to emerging developments in contemporary art, across assorted contexts. Supporting artists: insurance, networks, space, opportunities, R&D awards, profiling, advice, mentoring – enabling artists to be artists. Artists blur the boundaries and Axis adapt and change with their evolution, seeking to provide the best support they can.

3. https://www.dacs.org.uk/ DACS: Established by artists, DACS is a not-for-profit visual artists’ rights management organisation.

4. https://theartstack.com/ Art Stack: Art Stack is a way to discover, collect and share art you like or find interesting. The new Pro Artist Pages are the best way for you to reach new collectors. You’ll get more visits and make more sales than on your own website – plus, it’s easier to use!

5. http://www.naiaartists.org/ National Association of Independent Artists: is artists, art shows and supporters working together to improve their industry.

6. https://www.artquest.org.uk/ Artquest: Advice, information and opportunities for visual artists; gives advice to artists on all aspects of self employment, and career development.

7. https://www.a-n.co.uk/ A-N: The Artists Information Company: UK information and advocacy organisation for professional visual artists.

8. https://ccskills.org.uk/ Creative Choices: National network providing information, advice, and guidance to support all those who work in the visual arts in making the most of their careers.

9. https://artistmarketingresources.com/ Artist Marketing Resources: Fine Art marketing website, has useful advice/ guidance for artists.

10. https://www.nevuefineartmarketing.com/ Dave Nevue: Fine Art marketing website has blogs with large amounts of information for artists on selling art and art marketing, well worth a look.

11. http://www.startanartbusiness.co.uk/ Startanartbusiness.co.uk/: is the only place to go if you want to find out everything about starting your own art business. It takes you through the process of finding inspiration and developing your talent or market to the specific issues of art businesses.

12. https://shopify.co.uk/ Shopify.co .uk/: ecommerce platform: a rich source of information on setting up an ecommerce business; a series of guides on subjects relevant to online businesses, also: 50 Ways to Make your First Sale – a must read guide when starting an online business.

13. http://oursocialtimes.com/ Oursocialtimes.com: Our Social Times has consistently identified and highlighted innovative trends in the use of social media for business. A good resource for marketing advice, aims to provide a space for social media practitioners to share best practice, discuss social media technologies, highlight case studies, attend events and access valuable resources.

14. http://www.creativelancashire.org/ Creative Lancashire: Creative Lancashire is here to strengthen existing business, support new enterprises and to raise the competitiveness and profile of the creative and digital sector in Lancashire.

15. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/your-area/north/ Arts Council England, North West: Source of advice, information, and support to visual artists in the North West.

16. https://creativefuture.org/ Creative Future: Creative Future exists to nurture underrepresented artists and writers in their development, leading them to high quality professional creative practice. They provide skills training, mentoring, exhibiting, promoting, and publishing opportunities.

17. http://chapelgallery.org.uk/ Chapel Gallery: The Chapel Gallery is run by West Lancashire Borough Council on behalf of the local community, they provide various community arts based activities, including life drawing classes; and provide an engaging exhibition programme of solo and group shows, that explore a diverse range of themes through a variety of media.

18. http://artdhope.org/ ARTD’HOPE: Art d’ Hope Foundation is an association of artists and a non-profit organisation that aims to connect patrons and lovers of art with unique, independent artists.

19. http://lanarts.org/ Lancashire Artists Network: Their aim is to promote and support artists working in Lancashire and the northwest through the global exchange of critically engaged ideas, practices, and networking. A useful organisation to consider joining for artists living in Lancashire!

20. http://www.artcyclopedia.com/ Art Cyclopedia: is an online directory of artists biographical information and images of work; artists can apply to be included in the directory, but there is a lot of competition for inclusion, and it is advised to carefully read the terms and conditions for inclusion before approaching them with examples of your work.

Participate in Art Fairs:

1. http://www.theotherartfair.com/ The Other Art Fair: organised by the Saatchi Gallery.

2. http://www.buyartfair.co.uk/ Buy Art Fair: Manchester.

Participate in Art Exhibitions:

1. http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/ The John Moores Painting Prize: at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

2. http://chapelgallery.org.uk/ Annual Summer Exhibition: at the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk.

3. http://www.thebricklanegallery.com/ The Brick Lane Gallery: London.

4. http://www.biennial.com/ The Liverpool Biennial: Arts Festival held in Liverpool.

5. http://themanchestercontemporary.co.uk/ The Manchester Contemporary: Fine art exhibition.

The Best Self Publishing Sites:

1. http://www.blurb.co.uk/ Blurb: Blurb is a self-publishing platform which gives you the ability to create, publish, sell, and distribute photo books, trade books, and magazines in print and digital formats. They are here to simplify self-publishing for everyone. Personal book-makers, authors, photographers, business people – whoever you are, welcome.

2. https://www.bobbooks.co.uk/ Bob Books: Bob Books is the UK’s top supplier of photographic paper photo books. In addition to photo books, Bob Books also makes personalised calendars and wall art, such as canvas prints and posters.

3. https://www.bonusprint.co.uk/ Albelli: Bonusprint is part of Albelli, a group of brands providing photo products, they pride ourselves on quality, and on making the creation process for their products as quick and easy for you as it can be: anywhere, and on any device.

The Best Crowd funding Sites:

1. http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ Crowd Funder: If you are a community group, a business, a charity, a social enterprise, a sports club, or a person with the spark of an idea that you want to make happen, then Crowd Funder can help you fund it.

2. https://kickstarter.com/ Kickstarter: Kickstarter helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality. To date, tens of thousands of creative projects – big and small – have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

3. https://www.indiegogo.com/ IndiGoGo: At Indiegogo, their mission is to empower people to unite around ideas that matter to them and together make those ideas come to life. With the help of the Indiegogo community, they are redefining entrepreneurship – shifting it from being a privilege to a right. Because every inventive idea should have its slot, and every creative entrepreneur should have their moment. Together, we can do anything.

4. https://uk.gofundme.com/ GoFundMe: GoFundMe is the world’s largest fundraising platform. Most people use the platform to raise money for themselves, a friend, or a loved one during life’s important moments. This includes things like medical expenses, education costs, volunteer programs, youth sports, funerals, and memorials – even animals and pets.

The best Avertising Sites:

1. http://www.google.co.uk/adwords/ Adwords: Reach new customers and grow your business with AdWords, Google’s online advertising program.

2. https://www.facebook.com/about/ads/ Facebook Ads: Their advertising products let businesses and organisations connect with the people who are most likely to be interested in their products and services.

3. https://secure.bingads.microsoft.com/ Bing: All types of businesses find value and success with Bing Ads. Whether you’re focussed on local calls and foot traffic, or want to drive traffic to your website from across the country or around the world.