Art Print Issues by Barney Davey

Art Marketing: Why Word-of-mouth Trumps Social Media and Strafrangers

It would be wonderful to have you participate in the 2012 smARTist Telesummit. It starts next week. I've watched its growth over the past six years, and presented at the last three. This year has the best speaker lineup ever, IMHO.

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Modern Art Marketing: A Blessing and a Curse

Visual artists have the blessing of easy access to the most powerful set of art marketing tools every developed for solo practices and small businesses. They come in the form of free or affordable websites, blogs, e-commerce, email blast software, social media platforms, online press releases and more. 

 Google+ Races to 90 Million Users

There is an unending stream of new social media outlets. Google+ has just broken the 90 million mark in what surely is record time to reach that many users. Pinterest is still in the invitation stage, and appears to be gaining awareness and interest in its photo and image sharing platform. It is an addictive, fun, and potential time suck. 

Putney Week at Scottsdale Artists' School

When talking about this last Saturday to group of artists assembled for Putney Painters Week at the Scottsdale Artists' School,  I was asked which social media is best for artists. I replied it is not practical for a visual artist, who is handling their own marketing, to robustly and effectively participate in more than two social media outlets at one time.

Nearly Any Social Media Platform Can Produce Results...

Moreover, I believe there is no clear social media winner. In my opinion, any of them will work if you take the time to study how to get value from them and then diligently apply your new found knowledge to create positive results. I went on further to say if one blocks out a day and seriously assesses all available time for everything, including sleeping, eating and relaxing, it becomes obvious there are precious few hours in a week to work on marketing.  

Don't get me wrong. I like and use social media, but admit to not coming close to meeting the potential from it. That is mostly due to looking at my own blocked schedule. Mine starts with a full-time day job, so I compress writing this blog, updating and writing new books, and working on presentations such as the one for the Scottsdale Artists' School.

Come Hear Me at the smARTist Telesummit

Another example is working on the the upcoming 2012 smARTist Telesummit. My presentation there is titled Handout for "Boost Your Art Career: Using Publicity, Promotion & Power of Self-Belief ." When I look my schedule, I realize have a compressed amount of time to get truly important things done, much less effectively multi-tasking on multiple social media platforms.

What Is the True Value of a Strafranger?

The more I think about it, when it comes to how visual artists find new buyers, I believe developing a referral and word-of-mouth program will be far more productive for time spent that whiling away on social media. With that approach, Facebook can truly be a friend connection instead of a "strafranger" connection. Strafranger is a new word I coined to describe all those anonymous new friends you have on your social media platforms who offer hard-to-measure quality as potential customers.

Word-of-Mouth Trumps Social Media

I contend the value of one recommended friend is worth the value of 100 social media friends, or followers. That ratio is an admitted wild ass guess, but it supports my contention that word-of-mouth (WOM) trumps social media. If you believe I'm right, I recommend to dial back the time you spend on social media and look for ways to build your WOM marketing. 

Here are some useful links to help you get started on your own WOM marketng program:

• The Art of Self-promotion for Visual Artists
• Six Degrees of You
• Word-of-mouth Marketing 101 - get the PDF download on the right sidebar
• 5 Tips on Growing Your Business Through Word-of-Mouth Marketing

WOM Is About Referrals

Do you have a formalized referral program? Do you routinely and politely ask for referrals? Do you try to help others in your local community or larger community by offering their services to others who might need them?

The world's largest business network is BNI, it has thousands of local chapters of small businesses working to help build the members' businesses. It's motto is simple, "Give to Get." Start working on helping others, and watch who reciprocates, and how your results improve.

 

Facebook Is the One

It's Official, Facebook Is the One!

Facebook Got More Visitors Than Google Search In 2010.

Here is a quote from a story on the BusinessInsider.com website:

"New statistics from Experian Hitwise show that Facebook.com was the most-visited Web page in the U.S. from January to November 2010, passing Google's search page for the first time"

This latest report should be of no real surprise to anyone paying attention to how social media is in the vanguard of our changing communication preferences. And, Facebook has become the behemoth now approaching 600 million users. The latest US Census data shows the US population at 330 million. As such, Facebook is close to twice the size and certain to exceed it on its current growth trend pattern.

Another Fearless Forecast from Yours Truly Pans Out

I gave this this post its title in reference to the post about Facebook I wrote more than three years ago in November 2007. It's title is, "Bet on Facebook, It Could Be the One." At that time, Facebook only had about 40 million users. So, it was a prescient call, if I say so myself. The prediction is the latest in a string of others made here that all were accurate. I won't derail you with the details, but they can be found among the nearly 400 posts on Art Print Issues.

What Are You Doing to Capitalize on Social Media?

The question for visual artists today is how do they take advantage of being active on Facebook, and other social media, too. It can be daunting and time consuming to participate in it. However, if you analyze the time you spent in the past on traditional media, I believe you will find there is more of a correlation than you might have reckoned. Certainly, the attendees at the 2011 smARTist Telesummit, which starts on January13, will hear many of the keynote speakers, including me, providing insight and information about the impact of and using social media.

Get the Goods on 2011 Giclee Market from Me

I will be presenting for a second year. My all-new topic is titled Successful Sales in the 2011 Giclee Print Market. You will hear me advising on social media and, of course, Facebook in my talk. Lori McNee, a highly successful fine artist, will be giving the definitive presentation on social media, and the low down on Facebook.

Learn Firsthand How a Top Selling Artist Is Leveraging Social Media

Lori has done a great job of tapping into social media. She been featured in the Huffington Post, named in the “Top 10 Up and Coming Women Bloggers,” ranked as~one of the ”Most Influential Artists” on Twitter and one of “The Top 100 Most Powerful Women on Twitter.” I suggest you pay close attention when she tells you how to Sell Yourself, Sell Your Art: With a Social Media Blueprint for Artists.

I received very good feedback from artists I know who took part in the smARTist Telesummit last year. The lineup put together by founder, Ariane Goodwin, is the strongest ever and perfect for the art market right now. Please join us. It will do wonders for your business and your attitude about it. See you there!

Happy New Year!

SmARTist Telesummit 2010 - Register Now for the January 21 - 27 Event

There is still time to register for the 2010 SmARTist Telesummit taking place in your home on your telephone January 21 - 27. It is a great way to invest in your career. This year is slated to be the best yet to help you advance your art career!

I am honored to be one of the eleven speakers for this 4th annual gathering. You will receive the most up-to-date information as I present "How to Use the Print Market to Create a Second Income." It's guaranteed to be practical and informative. You will discover how dramatic changes in the market place have affected the art print market and what you can do to prosper from them.

For the past three years, I have watched this program grow and this fresh lineup looks to be nothing short of great for visual artists seeking to broaden their knowledge and to become inspired to take their career to new heights. You may not have time to hear every presentation in person. That is why you will receive an audio file of all the talks given. And, you can use them to relisten to make sure you get all the value and great ideas you will find as an attendee.

SIGN UP NOW to reserve your spot on the 4th Annual SmARTist Telesummit now.  Click here to listen to the description of my presentation. Come join me there! 

Join Me at the 2010 SmARTist Telesummit

 SIGN UP NOW to get on the Early Notification List about the 4th Annual SmARTist Telesummit in January. That way you will be first in line when registration opens mid-November! This year is slated to be the best yet to help you advance your art career! I will present "How to Use the Print Market to Create a Second Income." It's guranteed to be practical and informative. You will discover how dramatic changes in the market place have affected the art print market and what you can do to prosper from them. Click here to listen to the description of my presentation. Come join me there! 

Discover How to Boost Your Career with the Art Biz Coach

Oh, put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach - I'm ready to play today -John Fogerty lyrics to Centerfield

As a serious visual artist you need to surround yourself with people who can assist your career. They don't all have to be in your immediate circle of influence. Some of your best help will likely come from people with whom you may have no personal relationship, at least initially.

The Art Biz Coach is a standout in her field

Obviously, when it comes to a gallerist, dealer or curator, a close relationship is ideal. When it comes to someone who can help you get your career in gear, the help can come from a distance and be just as good as if the person were on your staff. In my humble opinion, the best most singular example of such a person is Alyson B. Stanfield, aka the Art Biz Coach.

In all probability, you already know of her, perhaps you subscribe to her excellent free Art Biz Blog, or have ordered and read her book, I'd Rather Be in the Studio. Or, maybe you've seen her speak or participated in one of her always insightful teleseminars. Whether you have partaken of her offerings, or not, it's in your interest to be aware of all she has to offer you as a visual artist.

Artists Can Learn from Alyson and from Her Example

You can see links to her books and services in the right sidebar of this blog. They are there because I believe Alyson is best positioned and experienced to offer coaching to artists seeking to elevate their careers. Her temperament, background and experience make her ideal for the work she does. If you want more information from my perspective, check out this page.

If you have had the good fortune to spend time whether by phone or in person with Alyson, you know she is a spark plug of energy and enthusiasm. We should be grateful she has chosen to work in the art patch. Yes, it's fun, has its moments and more than a bit of glam to it, but when it comes to being lucrative, there are other fields that offer more bankable potential. With her talents, she could have easily been a hit in some other occupations and careers. But, fortunately for our little corner of the world, Alyson is in it.

The Art Biz Coach Can Help You Get in the Game

If you haven't bought her book, treat yourself to more ideas and great suggestions than you can imagine in one a book. You can start reading on any page and find yourself taken away with inspiration and solid suggestions on how to improve your art business. Check out her speaking schedule and teleseminar schedule. If you find something of interest and follow through, you will be glad you did.

For those of you ready play and tired of sitting on the bench, heed John Fogerty's lyrics and let the Art Biz Coach put you in game in a professional way.