marketing yourself as an artist

A challenge that all artists who wish to sell their work commercially face is the daunting prospect of getting their name known. For most of us, we can praise other artists to the heavens but talking about our own work feels like bragging or boasting. Consequently, we face an internal conflict - promoting ourselves or giving up our work because we can't support it.

The bottom line for most artist is that we must, at least in some part, support our art financially with our work. Whether your goal is just to pay for the tools of your craft or to work full time as an artist, here are some ideas that may help you.

• If you feel uncomfortable with discussing your art because it feels like bragging, learn to refer to your art as something separate from yourself. A doctor refers to his or her "practice", others to their "job". This work is not necessarily less intimate to the worker than the artist to their art, but the focus on the connection between the two is less. A good idea is to sell your work under the name of your business (A Primitive Folk design by Teresa Kogut, for example).
  
  
• Consider connecting with another artist or group of artists. Together, draw up a marketing plan and each market the other's work. It is often easier to talk about what someone else has done than of our own work. The challenge with this is ensuring that those selling your work will be able to discuss it with the same passion you would.
  
  
• Get a book about marketing for artists. When drawing up a marketing plan, try to think of your work as a product. Often, as artists, we feel such a close connection to our work that a rejection of the work feels like a personal rejection. Every artist faces rejection from time to time. By coming up with a marketing plan, you will know what percentage of success you should anticipate.
  
  
• Don't forget the power of asking questions. A terrific source of information is other artists who have achieved success in a field. Be humble, be grateful and just ask. The worst that can happen is that they won't share their story. In my experience, the most successful artists are the most willing to help others.

Suggested books:

How to Get Hung by Molly Barnes

A Life in the Arts : Practical Guidance and Inspiration for Creative and Performing Artists Eric Maisel

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