by guest blogger Dr. Thea Fiore-Bloom
If you’re like me, you want to market your art just about as much as you want an IRS audit or an STD.
I used to do anything to avoid marketing. It felt sleazy and didn’t really seem to pull in much business anyway. I was about to give up on it when I decided to throw a Hail Mary pass – and be totally honest, humorous and vulnerable.
People responded. I was shocked. I accidentally stumbled onto what I have termed, meaningful marketing.
Meaningful marketing reveals the soul-connected bits of you and your art through story to potential customers. It feels ethical and attracts your ideal audience.
Problem is, opening up and being vulnerable is frightening, right?
You could use inhibition-lowering chemicals like pot or booze on marketing day, but your spelling errors would be legion and god knows what you’d post on Facebook.
I recently discovered a solution to my wrestling match with fear of being real on marketing day that involves no illegal substances. The answer was right under my nose.
Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is the science and art of using oils derived from the leaves, roots, seeds and petals of beneficial plants. Certified aromatherapist Sharon Mayberry of Rockrose Apothecary has some great aromatic hacks to make art marketing more fun and effective.
4 Scents For Sensibility
“When you need to: overcome being introverted, put the word out about yourself in a genuine way and bring peace to your heart,” says Mayberry “you can’t go wrong diffusing a few floral essential oils at your desk to help support yourself when marketing your art.”
Our toolkit includes:
- Rockrose (Cistus)
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
- Rose (Rose Absolute)
- Thyme (Thyme (ct) linalool)
Righteous Rockrose
Marketing in an open, meaningful manner requires staying calm and confident. “Rockrose is great for marketing because it allows our heart to feel loved and supported, which naturally leads us to feeling calm and confident.”
Rockrose is a unique smoky, slightly medicinal smelling floral. It’s a favorite of Mayberry’s because of its “extremely centering affect” on sensitive souls like us artists. “Rockrose also has chemical components that support us to visualize goals,” said Mayberry, “It possesses the ability to encourage the steadiness and commitment we need in our life to bring our visions and goals to fruition.”
Juicy Jasmine
“The second oil I would put in your art marketing toolkit would be Jasmine, most people know how that smells. A little real Jasmine goes a long way, just one drop is all that’s needed to encourage and support a lot of creativity.”
Jasmine oil is made from the petals of the flower. It allows for opening and expansiveness as it uplifts, warms and reassures, notes Mayberry.
“Jasmine can free you from self doubt, which makes it fabulous for marketing.” It gives us a healthy ego boost and the reassurance we need to put the word out about our unique creativity. “Jasmine prompts this inner voice that tells you, ‘yes, I can do this, the right people will find me and love my work’,” said Mayberry.
Resplendent Rose
If you lack confidence, choose Rose. “Rose broadens our capacity for self-love and brings amazing feelings of self esteem and self worth,” said Mayberry.
True Rose essential oil is so shockingly expensive that even Mayberry buys Rose Absolute to work on clients with. If Rose Absolute is still too costly for your budget, don’t hesitate to go with Rose diluted in jojoba oil (I do). Rose can be at its dreamy fragrant best when combined with other oils in a blend, so get your inner-alchemist on and experiment.
Tenacious Thyme
Singer Katy Perry once said: “I feel like my secret magic trick that separates me from a lot of my peers is the bravery to be vulnerable and truthful and honest.”
Need a boost of bravery? Bring on the Thyme.
“I chose to include sharp, refreshing Thyme ct linalool here as the final oil because it promotes bravery.” This particular Thyme also supports the immune system and is enlisted by aromatherapists to support people suffering from allergies.
You don’t need more than a drop of this one, or you can leave it out altogether. But it’s a great option to pair with Rockrose if you find florals like Rose or Jasmine cloying.
Instructions
You could simply put a few drops of one, some or all four oils onto a cotton ball you place on your desk on marketing day. Less is more with oils; keep the aroma as a subtle thing in the background.
If you want the best results, purchase a plug in diffuser. Here is the one Sharon turned me on to that I love, that can scent easily scent a few rooms in one go, has a lifetime warranty and is currently around $20 on Amazon.
Online Resources
Super cheap oils are often synthetic. They can give you a splitting headache when diffused. Here are three oil purveyors of quality oils to have a gander at: Aromatics, Stillpoint Aromatics, or Original Swiss Aromatics.
Common Sense Safety Warning
Some essential oils can be harmful to certain individuals. Don’t use oils if you are sensitive, pregnant, nursing, have epilepsy, asthma, health challenges or doubts, before consulting a trusted health professional. Avoid oil in eye area. Many sources claim cat’s livers have difficulty processing certain chemicals present in many of the citrus oils and as well as oils like Thyme, Pine, Spruce, Peppermint, Oregano etc. Err on the safe side, don’t diffuse essential oil around cats, especially in enclosed rooms.
Guest blogger Thea Fiore-Bloom, PhD is an arts & culture magazine journalist by day, artist by night. The Charmed Studio is her new blog/online sanctuary dedicated to informing and inspiring artists and writers of all experience levels. Eyeball this month’s top post, 7 Profound Tips For Artists From the Astonishing Life of Frida Kahlo.
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