6 Killer Ways to Get Your Art Noticed On the Internet
You don’t need to lots of money to start creating an audience for your artwork. We’ve made a list of six killer ways to attract attention to your artwork and build your brand. I guarantee they are well worth your efforts. And the good news—most of them are FREE!—but they will cost you some time and advance preparation.
1/ Build a “Business” Facebook Fan Page
Your Facebook Fan Page would be used strictly for your professional announcements, a photo album (lets call it a portfolio) of your artwork, a list of exhibitions and events you are in or attending. On a Fan Page, your friends are your “fans”. Use your personal Facebook page to ask your friends and family to become a “Fan” and to subscribe to your page and share it with their friends….you see where I am going here… Every time you post a new artwork, your Fans will be informed and can share it with their friends. This word of mouth technique is perfect for building a mailing list for future show announcements, print sales, studio tours, etc.
2/ Create a Flickr Portfolio
Flickr provides another great opportunity to create a portfolio of your work online. Be careful to only show your best work. Flickr is a perfect place to note your own website, and contact information. Use this free image hosting site as a means of driving traffic to your website or blog. Flickr is ranked high in the Google search engine, so be sure to create keywords/photo-tags for your images. More about preparing your art files for the internet in this post.
3/ Geotag Your Images
Google Maps, MapQuest and Bing all offer an opportunity for you to upload an image related to a particular location. Perfect for the landscape artist who can attached an image that was inspired by a geographical location. You never know “who” is looking at this map next.
(Updated note: Please take caution when posting geo-tagged images. Read this important post.)
4/ Get Linkedin
Linkedin is a business networking site. Don’t be intimidated by the CEO’s and corporate listings. Linkedin operates much like a “Wikipedia” for business people. You are in the art business and should take advantage of the free listing. Even if it is just your contact information and website listing. Should someone do a Google search for you, they would be sure to find you at Linkedin.
5/ Create a “Blog”
If you do not already have a website, a blog may be the solution to creating a “home-base” for your portfolio of artwork. Easy to use, and FREE, a blog will give you an opportunity to share your art, ideas, communicate with collectors, show works in progress and make exhibition announcements.
The beauty of a blog, you can make changes as often as you like, from where ever you are. No need for waiting for your web designer to update your most recent artwork. Visit Blogger and WordPress both offer free templates with lots of online help.
6/ Connect With an Online Art Community
Being active in your local/regional art community is good business, fun and free. Share your knowledge with other artists and reap the benefits. There are several outlets that allow artists to connect, share, inspire, encourage and learn from each other.
Join and follow an online art group. This type of networking helps position you inside your peer group, medium, or creative focus.
- Many groups allow you to post an image, and allow you to receive comments about your work. Be sure to post your bio, contact information, links to your personal website and announcements for exhibitions and events you participating.
- Commenting on other artists work is one of the best ways to stay active in a community. Become a fan of their Facebook page, comment on their Flickr page or on their blog. Always provide a link to your website/blog when you comment. You will both benefit from commenting—Google’s search engine loves to see activity on sites, this will boast yours and their listings in the organic listings.
Building your brand, creating web presence of you and your artwork and driving buyers to your website are critical components to every artist’s marketing and sales plan. You don’t need to be a web-wizard, and by doing some research and preparing your images and copy in advance you can save lots of time.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you would like to learn more about attracting attention to your art and art marketing be sure to subscribe using the sign-up box at the bottom of this post.
