A Site for Emerging Artists
Posts tagged Networking
The Fine Art of Connection
Apr 16th
How Artist Destry Sparks Made 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fast-Tracked His Career
Mixed media artist Destry Sparks originally got a Facebook account when his wife set it up as a joke. Now not only has he embraced the idea of social media, but has taken it to the next level to promote his art, his shows, other artists, galleries and discussion.
What merits attention to this Facebook user is that not only has he made connections, but how he interacts with online friends to schedule gallery shows up and down the east coast and draws crowds to openings. He promotes other artists whose work he admires, and makes introductions to movers and shakers who can enhance other artist’s careers as well.
Destry’s approach is that his networking relationships with others should be a win/win proposition. He learns from other artists, introduces people, finds out about opportunities, and passes them on to those who can benefit. As a result of his connections, and deliberately choosing to interact with artists and curators who have influence, his show schedule is extremely busy – sometimes leaving only a few weeks to create between gallery openings.
As his career evolves, Destry has found that being diligent about Facebook and other social networking sites is an integral part of his job; he couldn’t imagine not being connected. Noting that the old gallery system in which an artist was more passive is declining, he is pleased that today artists have more control over their publicity, sales and schedules. He sums it up: “Most of the good things that have happened, I can trace to contacts I have made online.”
At his recent solo exhibition in New York, Destry met dozens of online contacts whom he had corresponded with for years. While the venue drew its usual local art going crowd, some of the attendees drove from neighboring states to see Sparks’ work for the first time time in person after having enjoyed it online. He is able to use Facebook as a tool not only promote his work, but to build relationships and collaborate on new projects with different players in the art world. From the reception, plans are already underway to participate next year in international art fairs and leading festivals across the country.
What’s next? This fall Destry has solo exhibitions at UNC-Charlotte and at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. He will be putting together a collaborative show called “Looking for Answers” to be shown at Flynndog during the summer of 2012 in Burlington, Vermont. Besides the national shows, Destry’s work is normally available at his in-state North Carolina galleries at www.twogalleries.net and Inkstone Gallery .
Destry Sparks’ website prominently invites Facebook friends, offers exhibition opportunities to artists who submit their work, and makes it very easy to interact with him. The uncluttered and straightforward design includes an “about” statement and image of his work on the home page, but his Facebook page is where his most recent creations are first presented.
At the Facebook limit of 5,000 friends, Destry cannot invite more people to connect, and sometimes has to drop inactive friends to add new ones. His suggestions for interacting successfully on Facebook and building your own art career:
- Invite friends who are artists or curators you admire and want to know better
- Send event invitations to your list for your upcoming events
- Promote other artists, and pass along opportunities for them
- Introduce people on your list who may benefit from the relationship
- Use your connections as a chance to partner with others for shows and events
- Make the most of in-person networking with Facebook friends who attend your shows
- Make sure your communications are personal, not just advertisements
- Be persistent and stay involved. It takes time and effort to succeed.
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How to Grow Your Business Through Referrals
Sep 7th
Courtesy Lucia Cullinane
By Carolyn Edlund
Would you like to have appreciative customers telling their friends and associates about your work, and suggesting that they patronize you also? Referrals are like gold – they are the best advertising you can get, and one of the most effective.
Cultivating referral business is not that difficult, but many artists and other entrepreneurs don’t pursue them as often as they should. Knowing that referrals are so valuable, you should make them a priority to include in your everyday arsenal of marketing tools. Here are some types of referrals, how to ask for them and how to use them to grow your business:
Word of Mouth Referrals
Have you received word-of-mouth referrals without asking for them? If you have, then you know that you are referral-ready and your work is outstanding enough to have earned this accolade. Conducting your business in a completely professional manner, being thorough, following up and giving great customer service will put you in a position to ask your customers to refer others to you.
Set the stage for business referrals during every interaction with customers. Point out in your promotional literature and in conversations that referrals are an important part of your business. After you have delivered and a client is especially satisfied, mention to them that you would appreciate any referrals they could give you. At that time, you should also let your client know how you will handle contacting those referrals, so that they feel more comfortable in sending friends and associates your way. Assuring them that you don’t use hard sell tactics, or explaining that you make a phone call and send one letter, for example, will put them more at ease in giving you a recommendation.
Soliciting referrals can be uncomfortable especially if you haven’t done it before or are nervous about the response you might get, but keep in mind that the worst you can hear from your customer is “No.” You should ask if they have had any bad experiences in the past, and if so, assure them again that you are completely professional when approaching new prospects. If they still decline, thank them for their consideration and don’t pursue it further. Practice smoothly asking for referrals from your customers so that you are prepared to speak clearly when you have an opportunity to discuss the subject.
When you ask for referrals regularly during the course of your business dealings, you may be surprised that quite a few customers are happy to oblige. Keep a positive attitude and be persistent. As you see more referral business come your way, you will develop an attitude of expecting to receive more business this way. Your confidence will translate into even more referrals, and you will be able to make this type of request into a natural part of business. .
After receiving a referral, be sure to thank your client for this favor. Whether or not you close the referred sale, show your appreciation with a personal written thank you note or gift. Some businesses actively solicit referrals by offering gift cards or other items in exchange for referral leads. Take a look at your business plan and make a decision whether that is right for you.
Written Referrals
Written referrals are another stellar way to get new business. One type of written referral is an endorsed mailing, in which a client, or strategic business partner, writes a letter or email recommending you and sends it to their contact list. This is a very powerful way to get introduced to many prospective customers. The recipients will recognize and trust the sender of the letter, and thereby be much more open to consider doing business with you.
You can also solicit testimonials, which are written recommendations from satisfied customers. Use them to drive business by posting them on your website home page and also in advertising. The best testimonials use the first and last name of the person quoted, and their business name. Here is an example of how testimonials have been used effectively.
Having another party write about you and your work in an article or on a blog post can be an excellent way of being recommended to prospective customers. See an example of a recommendation on this blog here.
Networking
Networking is a smart way to seek referral business from contacts. You can network with just about anyone. Seek out complimentary businesses who have a similar client base as yours. You can each refer business to each other – by creating strategic alliances.
What’s the very best way to get referrals? It’s by giving referrals. People who extend the effort to connect others with business opportunities are the ones who are referred the most often. Focus on how you can give word-of-mouth referrals and you will see the benefits returned to you.
Artist Lucia Cullinane's work can be seen by visiting her website. The painting shown in this article is available for sale and is currently being shown at Milkboy Studios in Philadelphia, PA.
Increase Business by Building Your Personal Network
Aug 3rd
By Carolyn Edlund
Want to gain more business through personal referrals and word of mouth? Who doesn’t? After all, personal recommendation is one of the most powerful ways to grow and expand your business.
Have you ever met someone who seems to know everybody? They have all kinds of business projects going on in different areas and just seem “successful”. It’s easy to see that they are operating on a higher level than just advertising and waiting for customers to come to them, or knocking on doors looking for leads.
Courtesy Gay Tracy
These people have a network of connections – others who are happy to send referrals their way. They have become a “go-to person” who has established themselves and become a magnet for business.
You can create your own network of connections and start gaining personal recommendations too. Who can you network with? Just about anybody. Whether you pursue contacts through networking events, in professional organizations, in your neighborhood, church or social group – it’s up to you.
So, how can you network with people you would like to get referrals from? Here’s how:
- Keep in mind that it’s not about you. Ask others about their business, and show genuine interest. Find out what types of clients or connections they are looking for. Let them know that you are happy to refer business and that you will remember them. Tell them about yourself as well. Take their business card and email them later. You might arrange a meeting or lunch with them to get further information and get to know them better.
- Follow up. This is the most crucial step, and the one that is most often ignored. When you find good networking partners, you must build your relationship with them by future contact and letting them know that they are important to you. Poet laureate Maya Angelou once said “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. When others feel you sincerely want to be a strategic ally in their business, they will want to reciprocate.
- Freely give referrals to others without expecting anything in return. As you pay it forward, you will gradually start to see referrals come your way as well. These referrals will not necessarily be from the people you assisted. It may take time as you grow your network to see the fruits of your labor.
- Be open to receiving. There are two parts of referrals – giving them, and receiving them – two sides of one coin. Just as you gladly give referrals, with no strings attached, you should also be open to receiving referrals from others.
- Show your gratitude. There is an African proverb which says “Give without remembering and take without forgetting”. This applies here. Acknowledge those who have referred business to you, and strive to give referrals back to them. If you simply don’t have specific referrals for them, include them in social gatherings where they might meet others. Invite them to business events that may benefit them.
- Keep building more relationships. Work toward expanding your network on a regular basis. People may come and go in your life, but endeavor to stay in touch with key contacts by remembering birthdays or special events and communicating with them. As you grow your network, you will become known as a “connector” who benefits others by your referrals and introductions.
Create win-win relationships by giving referrals freely, staying connected with others and pursuing new contacts on a regular basis. It takes work, but with lots of practice it becomes automatic. A great side benefit of networking is that you can also develop many personal friendships as well. Resolve to take the first step and introduce yourself to someone you can help by giving your first referral.
Share Your Creative Spirit
May 26th
By Carolyn Edlund
Have you ever heard of “Mana”? An ancient concept, Wikipedia defines it as “the stuff of which magic is formed, as well as the substance of which souls are made”. Think of it as a piece of the creative soul of an artist. When someone purchases your artwork, they aren’t just buying a physical product. They are obtaining a piece of your creativity, a connection to your talent and vision.
Courtesy Peter Worsley
When you are in the position of speaking with the public about your work and presenting your art, are you creating an environment where those connections can be made? Or do you appear to be bored, distant or uncommunicative? By interacting with your audience, you share your creative spirit, and set up a memorable connection.
Tell the story of your art. Talk about what inspires you. Engage with your prospective collectors on a real, authentic level which says that you respect them as people, are interested in them, and have something of great interest to them. When they make the purchase, and hang your artwork in their home, give it as a gift or wear your creation, they will remember and talk about the story. This was the artist who traveled the world and got inspired in an unusual way. This was the artist who survived a near-death experience, or has suffered in some great way, or who has been very blessed and creates to celebrate that fact.
Customers buy for emotional reasons. Connecting to them on an emotional level establishes your personal value in addition to the value of your work. This enhances their experience and increases the likelihood they will purchase, speak about you and refer you. Maya Angelou famously said, “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Connection works physically as well. Observe body language, tone of voice, and gestures of the people you speak with. When your body language matches theirs, your voice level matches theirs, you make unspoken connections. How else do you forge a bond with your customers?
When a purchase is made, the buyer has something more than just the thrill of collecting art. They have made a connection, they have bought a treasure, they have received some of your “Mana” – your creative spirit.
7 Ways Artists Can Maximize Website Traffic
Apr 19th
By Carolyn Edlund
How’s your art website doing, traffic-wise? Want to drive more visitors, and more customers to your site? You might be a beginner, but there are lots of ways to gain traffic effectively that don’t take a ton of experience as a webmaster. Some are incredibly simple.
- First, evaluate your website. You should have Google Analytics giving you stats that monitor and can help you improve your site and your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) through more effective use of keywords. Go to Alexa to see how your site ranks among all the other sites out there. As you expand the number of visitors and links into your website, you will see your rank improving.
- Next, check out Hubspot’s Website Grader. They will give you a rating, and suggest good ways to beef up your site and attract more visitors. Check out Blog Grader while you’re there.
- High page rank on Google is important for search engine purposes, and Google likes active sites. This means that frequent updates will help you. Sure, you may have your professional information and your gallery on the website, but adding a blog which is consistently updated and contains lots of links is a definite plus. About those links – you should link to lots of other sites, but also add “deep links” which lead to other pages within your own site.
- Here’s a simple technique. Add an automatic signature to your email, which lists your web page. This provides a link to everyone you send an email to, every time.
- Make it a priority to get backlinks. Links to your site from other sites will drive a lot of traffic and gain publicity. Commenting on other blogs, especially really popular blogs in your niche will create links to your own page. Always select “name/URL” to comment, and make insightful comments that may make readers curious and want to find out about you. Or ask a question that will spur more discussion.
- Another way to get backlinks? Give links to other websites. Find sites that you really like and want to help promote. Contact the owner and let them know you have linked to them. They won’t always link back, but often they will, creating ways for people to find you.
- Want to know where other successful artists are linking? Here’s a great way to find out, and it’s not unethical. Make a list of the artists you admire and their web addresses. Go to Yahoo and enter this into the search box: linkdomain:www.nameofotherartistwebsite.com. All of their backlinks will come up! You might decide that sites which feed into theirs would be a good place to make a blog comment, or even advertise.
This is just a start to getting publicity for your site which will lead to visitors, and customers. A terrific resource for artists, or any businessperson with a website, is Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media, and Blogs (The New Rules of Social Media)
Featured Artist Leah Jay
