There is a right way and a wrong way to promote and sell your artwork using social media.
Too often artists expect a Pinterest pin, a tweet on Twitter or a Facebook post to bring instant results.
They say “lookie, lookie, I posted a new image on X,Y,Z. Won’t you buy it?”
C’mon, how often do you personally buy artwork on an impulse?
If I look back at the times I’ve purchase artwork it’s been:
- Buying posters at the University Bookstore for the dorm room.
- Buying art on vacation.
- Buying art at a charity event.
- Buying art at the local art center fundraising event.
- Buying art as a gift.
- Buying art online after following an artist for years.
Unless one has an instant need to fill an empty wall space, most of the time art buying takes time and consideration. Usually the art buyer gets to know a certain artist’s work over time and then purchase makes a purchase during some life event – a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding, a special treat after a promotion, a new house, a new office, as gift etc.
The trick is not to put your work in front of random people and expect instant results but to create, over time, an actual following of fans who might at one point purchase one of your works.
It could take days, weeks or years before the collector decides to take the plunge and purchase your artwork.
Social Media Is Suppose To Be Social
Being social means a two way conversation between the artist and people interested in their art. Too often artists think of social media as some kind of broadcast. Like an TV ad. You just blast out your message and expect people to respond.
A much more effective method is to use social media as a way to connect with your fans. Provide them with things of interest – stories behind the work, a glimpse into your process, your approach, your style. How you came to be the artist you are – how your vision differs from the millions of other artists clamoring for attention.
Create a forum for discussing your art and art in general and you’ll attract art lovers who are interesting in seeing what you have to offer and perhaps might just buy something to support you.