The advent of the internet has been a great boon for artists of all stripes.
Whether you’re a musician, painter or fashion designer, you want to get as many eyes (or ears) as possible on your creations, and the online world offers you many opportunities to showcase your talent.
But with so many creatives now competing for audiences’ attention, how can you get discovered? Here are tips to help you do just that:
CREATE A WEBSITE THAT BRINGS IN TRAFFIC
Your website should be your business card and represent you and your art well. So consider the first impression you want to give visitors to design your professional site.
The overall look, colors, and fonts should be consistent with your brand. Make sure you have a “Contact Me” page where potential customers can reach out with questions and easy-to-find call-to-action buttons so clients can order directly from your site.
Keep your content fresh, and think about adding a blog that your followers can subscribe to. If writing and grammar aren’t your strong suit, partner up with other creatives and promote each other on your respective blogs.
You can also enlist a guest blogging service and buy posts that align with your brand and mission in order to increase traffic.
START AN LLC
Give your business credibility by assigning it a legal structure. Forming a limited liability company is ideal for creatives and solopreneurs because it doesn’t require a huge amount of paperwork to fill out, and it offers you flexibility in terms of management.
And using an online formation service to start your LLC can save you a lot of money as well as provide you with all the guidance you need to get started. Make sure you pick a name that no other entity is using for your business and register your LLC with your state; this will ensure that no other company can use the same name as yours, making your brand unique.
GIVE OUT PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
If you’re a visual artist, design stickers or postcards featuring some of your creations. Include your company name, your logo, QR Code, and your social media handles so people interested in discovering more about your art will have a way to find you and your website. Rent a booth at a craft fair, or drop off free samples in local art shops and designer boutiques.
You can also get together with other creatives and organize an art show that will bring your community together. Find a venue to showcase your pieces, pick a date, and advertise your event at your local library, in the paper, on the radio and, of course, on social media.
INVEST IN YOUR CREATIVE SPACE
Having the proper space to create your art will help you come up with new ideas and designs, stay focused on your work, and give your business a more professional vibe.
So if you’re adding square footage to your house with an extension that will serve as your workshop, you’re refinishing your basement or attic to build yourself a studio, or you’re transforming your garage into your personal atelier, keep track of all your renovations and upgrades.
When it’s time to sell, those improvements will increase the value of your home and property. Your appraiser will then be able to come up with a higher asking price when you’re ready to put your house on the market.
If you’re an artist wanting to be discovered, create a website and develop brand recognition with a strong online presence. Set yourself up as a real business to gain credibility. And bring your creations to your local community to promote yourself and build a following.
By Elijah Dawson
