Social Media Isn't the Only Way to Market in 2020
I’ve been interviewing an artist every week, first on Instagram Live, and then on Zoom and posting the recording to YouTube. A couple weeks ago I had a fascinating conversation about how social media isn't the only way to market.
We talk about the purpose of their art, pricing, who they want their art to reach, and how they find those people and make relationships with them. The conversation always turns to this process--how they find their people and begin making connections.
Social media not required
(BTW-If you aren’t already selling your art and you want to start, download my cheatsheet: Keep Calm & Sell Something).
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Gwenn Seemel, a professional fine artist.
She has a sizable (3,411 people) following her on Instagram. Yet, at the end of 2020, she’s planning to shut down her account. Facebook too. Is she crazy?
Don’t we all want zillions of followers on social media????
Not necessarily. Granted, Gwenn is taking a few months to wind down her accounts, and she’s spending that time asking her followers to go to her website and sign up for her newsletter. Many of them are obliging. (Sign up if you want to read thoughtful posts about art, website design, marketing, copyright, and politics while enjoying great art).
As you know, when you give someone permission to email you (and we don’t do that lightly anymore), you’re usually pretty interested in what they have to say. Gwenn ’s asking her fans to make a deeper commitment to her by requesting their email addresses. The ones who do have self-selected onto the list of Yes-I Like What You’re Doing And I Want to Hear More.
Then she does what I talked about last week. She makes actual, real connections.
You don't have to be on social media to market successfully
Gwenn is proving it. And there are definitely other examples out there.
Be Kind. Make Friends. Be Consistent. Start there.
If you are a creative and you want to get your work into the world, here are four ways I can help you
#1 Read these posts about how to start handling any trauma you’ve experienced in getting your work into the world.
# 2 If you are ready to start selling your art, Download my cheatsheet: Keep Calm & Sell Something. Follow the directions in there, and tell someone else you’re doing it so you can be accountable to them. While you begin working with your trauma, the best antidote to pain is companionship and connection.
#3 If you want to make yourself a day job (which means starting a business), get a copy of my business plan book for creatives, Passion, Plan, Profit, and find someone, or better, three other someones, and go through the book together. The book tells you how to work in a group or in pairs, and you can download the worksheets in the book here. Companionship and connection again.
#4 If you want guidance, book a free 15 minute chat with me here and I’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
Your work matters. Your art matters.
Meanwhile, I'm curious. Do you have any other creative ideas for how to market without using social media in 2020? Let me know in the comments below.