WEEK 6: BUILDING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
This week in our ‘Concept to Launch’ series, we’re dipping toes into your online presence. This one can be truly beastly for some folx, so be sure you’ve not got a handle on the topics from our previous posts in this series before going further. You can find the first in the series HERE.
In today’s digital age, it’s pretty difficult to start an art business without having somewhere on the internet for people to look you up. Let’s go over what you need to create and maintain an effective online presence that attracts and engages your audience.
- Create a Professional Website
- Portfolio: Showcase your best work. Make it easy for visitors to browse and purchase your art.
- About Page: Share your story, mission, and contact information. Collectors want to get to know you. When they can find something in you that they relate to, it’s easier for them to fall deeper into your work.
- Social Media Strategy
- Platforms: Focus on Instagram and Facebook. These platforms are visual and have large artist communities.
- Content: Share a mix of finished pieces, work-in-progress shots, and behind-the-scenes content. Use Instagram Stories and Facebook Live to engage your audience in real-time.
- Email Marketing
- Newsletter: Start an email newsletter to keep your audience updated on new work, exhibitions, and sales.
- Opt-In Offer: Offer a freebie, like a downloadable print or art tutorial, to encourage sign-ups.
- SEO Optimization
- Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your website content to improve search engine rankings.
- Blog: Start a blog to share your creative process, inspiration, and art tips. This can drive traffic to your site.
- Engage with Your Audience
- Comments and Messages: Respond to comments and messages promptly. Building a relationship with your audience fosters loyalty.
- Contests and Giveaways: Host contests and giveaways to increase engagement and attract new followers.
Building an online presence takes time and effort, but it’s pretty vital for your art business. By creating a professional website, engaging on social media, and optimizing for SEO, you’ll be able to attract and connect with your audience effectively. If this part of your art business makes your skin crawl and has you second-guessing your every life decision you’ve made to this point, we’d recommend that you find ways to make this part of your business as creative as the making of the art.
Next week, we’ll talk about the importance of networking and building relationships in the art world. Discover how to connect with other artists, galleries, and potential buyers to grow your network.
In the meantime, if you’re feeling a little disconnected from your art practice, give our Colour My Numbers tool a try. It’s free to download here.
