We help artists thrive

The short answer is YES.  WordPress is the way to go because there are so many plugins… but there is a learning curve.  We’ve seen lots of artists use Sqarespace and Wix.. and make great sites.  And if you are a visual artist just jump into the Shopify world, you’ll be really happy.

In our signature course the Artists Transformation School we teach artists about the Customer Journey.  Your fans, followers and customers first find out you exist… then they do some research and want to find out more about you.  They want to know, “who are you?” and, “are you any good?”  and ultimately, “do I want any?” Sure they can see more at your Facebook page and in your Instagram feed… but you really want them to get a feel for your world.  You want to curate their research experience.  You also want to get them to commit to interacting with you so you need to capture their email address.   You can do this on your Facebook page too… I just recommend having people visit your full website.  Social media is for being social… it’s your website where you get to provide all the images in a gallery, thoughts in a blog, and even a shopping cart.

Your art isn’t for everyone.  So you need to spend 30% of your available time doing marketing.  Marketing is finding the people who like you and your art.  Advertising is letting those people know you have something they’ll love.  You need to figure out who your niche market is.

I know that everyone could love your art… but you need to figure out who will love it and you the most.  Figure out this customer avatar and then do the research to figure out where to find them and how to connect with them.  We teach artists to use the principles of Value Based Language to connect with people you want to be your customers.  Find the people who care about what you care about.  Meet them first with connecting around shared issues, values, needs… then let them know that you have stuff they will love.

Marketing also means going to art fairs, not to necessarily sell art, but to grow your data base.  Use art shows and fairs to find new people who you are, like what you have, and collect their contact details.  Do Open Mic nights the same way…    Be careful about using all your time, energy and money getting people as one-time sales.  Better to spend your time cultivating customers for life.

I think what you might be asking is, “Do you think this will make money?” We are in the emotion business.  We are not in the art business.  Our art is merely the vehicle for providing an emotional experience for someone.  Price is very elastic when you are in the emotion business.  So, yes, if you find a market for your art and can help them have an awesome emotional experience with your art then yes, it will make money.

I advise artists that the formula for viability is:  A market for it + your willingness to keep making it (for the next 3-5 years) = Viability.  The challenge is you doing the work to find and grow the market for what you create… And not dumping it too early and start creating some other shiny thing.