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40 Questions Blog Series – Question 23 How can I promote my craft/art business when not at shows?

I get this question a lot, not to mention see it a lot on message boards within the art/craft community. We all have to promote our work, it is just the nature of the beast. While the best way to do so is “in your face” through doing shows – people can see, touch and experience your work, but what else can a craft artist do to promote your work and/or business? The following are my top 10 ways to promote your business – for FREE!

Question #23 – How can I promote my craft/art business when I am not at shows?

1. Sign your E-mails, notes, message board posts, etc. with your name, business name, and website site address. Whether it is Emailing a promoters inquiring about a show application or giving your 2 cents on a topic on a message board you'll get people wanting to learn more about you and what you do. It is easy, completely free, and works.

2. Donate a piece to an auction or charitable function. While not all can do this or want to, it is still a good way to get your name out to people who may not get to see you at a show. It is also a tax write off too.

3. Get business cards made and give them out. It surprises me that so many artists do not have a business card or understand the benefits of having one. I can't tell you how many times I meet someone at a check out or party and exchange info and happen to learn I am an artist too. Don't forget to put a few in your local coffee shop, grocery store, etc. - I have had promoters find me that way.

4. Start a Facebook Page. The power of Internet social networking is growing by leaps and bounds . It is a major form of communication - linking up with others with similar interests and sharing that info with others. Starting a page takes about 4-5 minutes and again, its free.

5. Start a Blog. If you are an artist you must have some knowledge about your medium – share it with others! A blog could be about your works in progress, how your work is a form of therapy that helped you get over an illness, or a comical play by play of stories you have encountered in your journey of being an artist and business owner. Doing a blog is fun, a way to relieve stress and help others in your field, not to mention help spread the word of your business.

6. Network on art/craft websites or sites regarding your medium. You can't run your own business and do art alone - learning from others as well as sharing your opinions are a great way to connect with others. You never know when a fellow artist comes across a customer looking for something you do and shares your name with others. Another great form of word of mouth advertising.

7. Join an art guild or art council. There is at least one art guild or art council in every city or county. Get involved – learn more about what is going on in your community, and more specifically your art community and you never know what doors this can open.

8. Ask a local business if you can do a trunk show in their shop/gallery. Businesses are hurting, but showing that you can create a buzz and draw customers into the store may make store owners' ears perk up. Ask if you can come in on a weekend to sell some of your work in person – the owner can get a cut of your sales (better than paying for a space at a show sometimes). To boot, if you are willing to be there to autograph pieces, give a talk about your medium and offer some light refreshments – it can be a win win for you and the store owner. Depending on the trunk shows success you could be asked to come back again or the owner may ask to sell some of your work in the stores.

9. Create a press kit. Although this will be a future topic for the 40 Question Blog Series, working up a press kit can be an excellent way to get people to learn about your work. A typical press kit includes a photo of yourself, a few photos of your work, a short biography, business card, and a typed article about something you want your community, county, state, etc. to know about. Newspapers and the like are always looking for articles that highlight people in the community who have received an award, promoting a new or successful business in the community, or highlight an artist at an upcoming art show. Submit a press kit directly to the press as well as offer one to the promoter of upcoming shows, everyone who reads the article will want to immediately visit your website or be the first to your booth at the next show you do.

10. Lastly, tell your friends! Your best fans will come from the people you know – your co-workers, members of your church, your kids (or grandkids teachers), close friends, hair stylist, relatives and their friends, and more. From just mentioning what you do (not to be confused with bragging) and eventually showing these people your work, you may find some real gems who will then say, “my friend Tom loves wood working – and I know he and his wife are looking for some furniture to complete a newly remodeled room they have, I'll have to have them contact you.”

When it comes to your business, if you aren't promoting yourself who will? Seriously! If you are not talking about your business at least 2 times a day, no one will. I get it, money is tight – I know this very well, so while you can, exhaust your “free” resources first. It is after this then you can work your way up and try things like Goggle ads, mailing lists, and so on. I use all of these 10 ideas and they are still working because things change from month to month and season to season that I am always finding new people who are interested in what I create.

What do you do to promote yourself? Do you have an idea that you want to share with others that I haven't mentioned? Post away! Michelle Sholund, www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com. Check out my business website www.bythebaybotanicals.com and become a fan of By the Bay Botanicals on facebook.com .