April 22, 2024 | General

Listing Content Changes [Write A Call For Artists]

It is challenging to write an effective call for artists. There are many details to think through. Side Arts promotion service provides copywriters and content marketers who help you frame listings and promotions in order to attract the most qualified participants.

Once a call for artists is published to the site, only Side Arts staff can make listing content changes. This is to ensure that the quality assurance process is not compromised.

Obviously, small changes and misunderstandings may occur as clients start to receive responses. Therefore, listing content changes may be requested for incidental updates; i.e. given the wrong link, change of date/location, or point of contact.

Side Arts’ policy is to have our copywriters format the listings in the best possible way in terms of grammar, online searchability, and current content marketing best practices. We update our Style Guide frequently.

Social promotions are scheduled when the listing is posted. Changing your content may mean proofing and editing social content, as well.

We want your call for artist to succeed! If you have any questions about your promotions, reach out to us at mail@sidearts.com.

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March 2, 2024 | General

Marketing Art: A Fresh Approach [Official Guide]

The tactics needed for marketing art and elevating your creative practice are different for every person. A one-size-fits-all guide that runs through the usual art marketing, eCommerce, website, social media, email, legal, and contract strategies may offer helpful components, but isn’t applicable to everyone. This is because artists and crafters come from so many varieties of experience, socioeconomic backgrounds, disabilities, and adversities to overcome. Express your unique visual art practice with help from Side Arts’ representation and custom visual artist certified one-sheets.

Marketing Art: A Fresh Approach

Understand your instincts

Define your motivation

Set positive goals

Develop a process

Scale your efforts

Analyze your results

Network for opportunities

1. Understand Your Instincts

What is common in all artists’ journeys is that you FEEL a certain way about implementing these strategies. This is something that CAN be managed and adapted to having a positive experience with marketing art.

So rather than talking about the latest social media strategy, let’s start talking about how you feel about using social media to promote your artwork. Whether you are a digital native or technophobe, your instincts are at the core of how you use platforms to promote your work.

Being a digital native may lend to being over-confident about the potential results. Being a technophobe may undervalue what can be accomplished. It’s best to try to be somewhere in between. Here, it helps to be rational:

You don’t know what you can do until you try.
Even the smallest results can be a step in the right direction.
Be exact and truthful when measuring the results.

The most important step: Before you begin to try something new or view the results of something you have tried, 1) imagine a realistic positive result, 2) remind yourself to accept whatever the results are, and 3) commit to learning something from them. This will help put you in the right mindset to try the next positive step forward for your creative practice.

2. Define Your Motivation

The best question you can ask is, “Why?” It’s a question that children learn early. They are relentless with it! Their young minds are processing so much information. Ours are, too, although we often don’t have the patience or time to work through the reasons. It’s important to keep asking why.

The Five Whys

Ask yourself: Why do you want to create and sell your artwork? Then, ask why you gave that response, then ask why again, and again, and again. Ask yourself why five times to get to the heart of the matter. It’s challenging to be that honest with yourself, but you may discover something important that you hadn’t realized before. This can help inform your creative practice in new ways.

Why can be a tough question to answer. If you’re having trouble getting to the root of the matter, try reframing the question with “What…” Such as, “What is it about this type of art that inspires me.”

The Money Issue

I know. I know. We all want to make money. Some of us more than others, and that’s okay, that’s your right. The important thing to realize is that money is the by-product (rather than the purpose) of a transaction. The transaction is what is important. You have something and someone else sees the value in it. Therefore, the transaction is an item exchanged for validation. How much money is assigned to that validation is an abstract construct.

What Is Your Motivation?

Ask yourself: What do you have to offer and what type of validation are you seeking? It is important to know the answers to these questions so that you know what and when you have accomplished something. You’ll be able to state your accomplishments clearly.

3. Set Positive Goals

Goals are important because they help you understand the work you have accomplished and provide direction for your next steps. How often have you said to yourself, “I just don’t know what to do next?!” The first step in answering that question is looking back to what you have already done.

Try making a list first. Break the list into two columns. One column for things you have tried which have worked and another column for things that haven’t worked or yielded any results. Put this list somewhere you can see it every day. Make a commitment to stop doing things that you know don’t work and start doing more of what is working.

SMART Goals

SMART goals are defined as Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Focus first on things that are working (80% of your time) and then on new things that you have not tried before (20% of your time).

Examples:

Send out two email newsletters within the next four weeks. Try Madmimi, Mailchimp, or Constant Contact. Focus each on a new piece of work with a description and call to action to purchase.
Sign up for a social media platform which you are not currently using (i.e. Tiktok). Post four pieces of content within the next week and measure engagement.
Review your Google Analytics account for your website. Identify the pages which have the most visits. Update and/or republish these pages with new or additional content within the next week.
Increase your email list by 20% in the next 6 months.
Increase your sales by 10% in the next 3 months.

Projected and Stretch Goals

For each goal (try only one at a time), set a projected and stretch goal.

Projected goals are those based on past data. For example, if you normally attain 5 new facebook followers a month, try changing how and when you post and see if you get 7 new followers each month for the next few months.

Stretch goals go beyond your average projections, but not too far (add 10%)! Using the same example as above, try for 10 new followers per month.

Compare Yourself To Yourself

It’s easy to look at others with massive followings and sales and become discouraged. Remind yourself that they started out with zero followers at one point. Rather than comparing yourself to others, look at what you have been able to accomplish. You might be surprised that the difference in results from this year to last are extraordinary compared to the results from five years ago.

Remember to celebrate the small victories. They add up! This might be a good opportunity to spend some time checking your feelings. Review what you have accomplished so far and how they relate to your motivation. Update your list of things you have tried. Having trouble getting motivated? Try these productivity tools.

4. Develop A Process

There is no set path for marketing art as a visual artist, but there is a standard journey for customers. For the purpose of this guide, customers may be clients, patrons, buyers, gallerists, curators, or commissioners.

Attract, Engage, Delight

To attract an audience, you’ll need to put yourself where they are. Everyone consumes information differently and has preferences as to how they want to be contacted. Most are best reached by email. But before you get their email address, you may need to publish content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or your own website.

Go where you think your audience is. If you paint, go where people expect paintings. If your paintings are about environmental issues, go where people expect to talk about environmental issues. Think broadly about your audience and their various preferences.

Engage with your audience. Educate them about why you do what you do and how you do it. This is more than a picture and one word description. There are so many ways to engage with your audience. Make a list that feels authentic to you and narrow that list down to three to five items. Use these consistently.

Artist engagement

Show works in progress step by step
Write a story and rationale for each piece made
Do product reviews and demonstrations
Film short videos of works of progress
Studio selfies!
Provide lifestyle stories, tell who you are outside the studio

Give your audience a delight that will have them sharing the experience with their friends. This may include:

Personalized notes with each purchase
Mini-print contests
Fan appreciation give-aways
Take your packaging to the next level
Thank customers for at-home pictures of your work

Engagement Funnel

All of the above components fit within a art marketing engagement funnel. Think of it as a big letter “V” where the top is how customers find out about you and the bottom is making a sale. Not everyone gets all the way through the funnel. It is important that the top of the funnel is continuously fed with new people. Most funnels are structured from top to bottom like this:

Social media – introduction
Website – education
Email – owned communication channel
Purchase – validation

Once someone has gone through the funnel, they are likely to go through again. Encourage the process by acquiring testimonials and referrals. This provides additional content to promote and new people being fed into the top.

5. Scale Your Efforts

Once you know what is working, there are a number of ways in which you can increase your artwork marketing momentum. You may want to try repurposing content, paid media ads, and alternate art sales channels.

Repurpose content

Take the communication you have already developed and repackage it in a new way. These can be used for both engagement initiatives and value add sales applications.

Create an ebook or art book out of your works in progress and final exhibit / at home images.
Teach a class about your process
Offer an instructional manual
Offer special commissions based on current works
Create monthly patron or student webinars
Launch a podcast series (limited or on-going)

The key to success is using information and content that you already have with an established audience. They are likely to share with their networks and increase your visibility.

Paid media ads

Ads are most effective when they promote content that is already successful. Always point ads to your educational materials, rather than at a sales page. In turn, the educational material should offer a call to action that leads to your sales page. One way to think about this: “you have to ask me out on a date before you ask me to marry you.”

Value Add Applications For Marketing Art

You can obtain more information that informs your strategy of marketing art by participating in a variety of events. Getting live interaction directly from the source provides the best feedback. Remember that it is not just what they say, but what they do and how they do it that is important to recognize.

Other than direct art sales, consider participating in:

Requests for proposals
Grants
Vendor events
Platform sales
Licensing
Exhibitions
Competition

Click here for more information on each of the art sales channels. You won’t know what works best unless you give it a try. Do what is best for your creative practice, time, budget, and community.

6. Analyze Your Results

Take a break, at least once a month, to look at some of the data you have gathered. You may learn something new about what works, when to do something, and who to focus on. It’s easy to look at the data and move on, but it’s more important to make a commitment to make the small changes it suggests.

If you have your own website, set up Google Analytics. It will help you understand what pages get the most traffic and where the traffic comes from. You can determine which pages to target for ads and which sources generate more leads.

Almost all social media platforms offer some analytic data on your account. On these accounts, it’s most important to make adjustments in terms of who is visiting and when.

When using email marketing platforms, like MadMimi, Mailchimp, and Constant Contact, keep track of how many people are on your list, what percent open your emails, and what percent click through from content in your emails to your links. Change the content and / or formatting of your emails based on the highest open and click through rates.

Remember to look back on data from a year or more back to see how much your creative practice has grown. Take a moment to reflect on how you feel about these changes. Are you comfortable with what you have done? Do you feel you need to be more proactive? It might be time to revisit your SMART goals, both projected and stretch. What, if anything, do you want to do differently? Make a commitment, write it down, and plan your changes.

7. Network For Opportunities

If you want your strategy for marketing art to elevate to the next level, then network for opportunities. Many artists have similar opportunities when it comes to setting up their creative practice. There are free website hosting services and website templates, social media platforms with analytics, Google Analytics data, Google suite for managing content, and scalable email marketing platforms. All of these are available and mostly accessible to artists and crafters equally.

Personal networks are unique to each individual. These relationships should be fostered with care. There are many ways to do so.

Collect email addresses from anyone that seems interested in your artwork
Connect with your contacts on LinkedIn
Search for and connect with 2nd degree connections on LinkedIn that may have similar interests
Volunteer at trade shows, exhibitions, and art and craft fairs
Join a professional association in your field of interest
Attend meet-ups
Get Certified with Side Arts and join your local artist registries

Have a few high net worth contacts already? Ask them out for coffee once every six months. Set up a recurring reminder on Google calendar for each individual. Keep a few personal notes on each contact. Besides art, what are their other personal interests? You’ll have some easy talking points for each conversation. Ask how you can help them before asking for help yourself.

Marketing Art Strategy Conclusion

Try thinking about your strategy for marketing art as a process of deliberate practice. It’s not about doing the same thing on repeat, but understanding your feelings and motivations, focusing on SMART Goals, and making adaptations. That hard thing is sticking with something that may feel uncomfortable at first or making a change the data supports which goes against your preconceived notions. Small steps first.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.

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February 24, 2024 | General

Maximizing Profit: The Best Sales Channels for Artists

Calls for artists are indirect sales channels for your artwork. How frequently do you apply to calls for artists and for what type do you typically apply? Where have you had the most success in generating the most margin on sales?

Side Arts can help. Learn more with our official guide, Marketing Art: A Fresh Approach.

Calls for artists include

Requests for proposals – Commissions for your artwork
Grants – Funds that are available for the completion of a project or growth of a practice
Vendor events – Sell your own artwork at a rental space
Exhibition opportunities – Agents sell your artwork at a relatively high commission.
Competitions – Compete with others for a limited number of prizes

It is helpful to think of them in terms of both direct and indirect sales channels as they relate to the margin on your artwork. In other words, where do you get the most money relative to your efforts.

Margin By Sales Channels

In direct sales, requests for proposals, and grants, you are typically setting the terms of engagement. You know the inputs and there are specific results expected.

Vendor events rank slightly lower. This is because you cover the costs of the booth rental fee. More importantly, it introduces more variables that are outside your control such as rain, advertising for the event, and the attendence levels.

Likewise, platform sales, such as Etsy and EBay introduce flat and variable fees for including your work on their sites. Although they offer extra promotion services, they come at higher prices. Therefore, promotion, which costs time and money, is on you.

When utilizing licencing, the burden of promotion is now on the vendor to whom you have licenced your work. Since they do all the promotion, they take a much higher commission which reduces your margin considerably.

Exhibitions work the same way as licencing. The burden of promotion and sales is on the gallerist or curator hosting the exhibition. If they are not offering promotion and sales support, then it is simply a pay-for-play vendor event. The purpose of participating in an exhibition is to take advantage of the organization’s exclusive buyer’s lists which should align with the type of artwork you offer.

Lastly, competitions offer the greatest risk and least margin for your time and effort. You have no control as to how many others are participating, there are often fees to participate, and there may only be one winner.

Conclusion

Before applying for a call for artists, think through how best it fits with your goals and the risk you are willing to take. Make sure you know quantitative answers to questions regarding promotion, buyer’s lists, and commission percentages.

Most artists looking to grow their professional network and sales opportunities apply to 10-15 calls for artists per year. The average cost of applying is $25-45.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.

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February 18, 2024 | General

Call For Artists Application Questions [What To Include]

When looking to promote calls for artists, it should include all relevant information needed for an artist to decide whether to apply for your opportunity as well as for you to make an informed selection. The call for artists application is how artists send their information to you, whether it is for an exhibition, vendor event, competition, request for proposal, or grant.

Applications should use webforms with the ability to upload images. Applications by email, mail, or in-person are difficult to track and often have inconsistent entries. Many types of webforms are free. There are several reasonably priced online juried application management services available.

Side Arts recommends webform providers such as Jotform, Gravity Forms, and Google Forms due to their simplicity and affordability. Depending on your needs, you may also consider using juried application managers such as Wufoo or WESTAF’s CaFE or Zapplication.

Basic Application Questions

Name
Email
Address
Phone number
Website
Artwork medium(s)
Artwork description
Artwork size
Artwork price
Image uploads (minimum of three)

Specific Call For Artists Questions

In order to better qualify your applicants, we recommend adding additional quantitative and qualitative fields (not all of which are relevant to every opportunity). These may include:

Keywords that describe your artwork (up to five)
Demographics (if they relate to the opportunity)
Describe how your artwork is relevant to the artist opportunity
Instagram account
Instagram number of followers
Total number of people in the artists’ email list
eCommerce websites (i.e. etsy, zazzle, and so on)
Business name (if applicable and incorporated)
Resume (include exhibitions, vendor events, RFPs, and awars within the last three years)
Is the artist exclusively represented by a gallery/agent (No/Yes, if so who)
Any special accommodation requests?
How did you find out about the opportunity?
For RFPs, include mock-ups, if applicable

Keep your application questions short and concise. Start with the name, address, and demographics questions, then move on to the questions which are specific to the opportunity. Remember to enable an automated email that informs the applicant that their applicaiton has been received and what happens next so applicants understand the process.

Looking for more writing tips? Check out our official guide, How To Write A Call For Artists.

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February 10, 2024 | General

Make Your Call To Action Stand Out: Get Qualified Artists to Apply

Calls for artists are most effective when they include a single call to action. A call to action is what you want an artist or crafter to do. It can include clicking a link, opening a document, looking at a picture, or leaving a comment.

Side Arts includes a call to action after the first paragraph of text in each call for artists promotion. It is usually stated as, “Click here for the application / registration.”

Having clear language, consistent wording, and uncluttered formatting encourages qualified artists to apply.

Clear language helps the artist understand what you want them to do. Be direct. For example, “Click here to apply.”
Use consistent working. Avoid alternating the text in a single promotion between application, registration, order form, and so on.
Uncluttered formatting draws the readers eye to what you want them to do. Avoid small links which may be easy to miss.

Call To Action Formatting Tips

The best format is a single hyperlink to an application near the top of the page. Buttons and alternate text formatting/colors are helpful as well. This is proven to be the clearest format and most effective for attracting qualified applicants.

Digital application links are preferred, rather than submissions via email addresses because they streamline the process for the artist and client.

There are many good reasons for using digital applications:

A consistent format allows participants to be more comfortable which increases application rates of qualified artists.
Click-through rates can be tracked, proving effectiveness.
Unique content creation optimizes Google ranking and SEO, adding to a listing’s visibility.

Looking for more tips, check out Side Arts’ official guide, How To Write A Call For Artists.

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January 24, 2024 | General

How To Write A Call For Artists [The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need]

The most important thing to keep in mind when writing and promoting a call for artists is to be clear, concise, and provide facts and other quantitative data. Artists want to know the specific benefits they receive from participating in the opportunity.

How to Write a Call For Artists

Plan your calls for artists in advance

Plan your promotion strategy

Name your opportunity

Decide on tense and readability

Describe the opportunity

Provide benefits

Make the call to action clear

Add an image

Provide contact information

Add supplemental materials

1. Plan Your Calls For Artists In Advance

There are a number of questions you may want to think about before launching a call for artists. What is the purpose of your call for artists? Who is your audience? What do you want to achieve? Where will it be held? When will it be? What are the associated costs?

More calls for artists are promoted in January and February than in any other months. If you have any downtime over the holidays, then it is a good idea to start drafting your new listings.

Have you planned your call for artists schedule for the year? Think about how many you will offer, when, and what themes. Create a content calendar to plan out your promotion strategy.

Calls for artists typically include:

Exhibitions – artwork shows featuring selected artists
Competitions – awards for themed art contests
Vendor events – art fairs and craft shows
Residencies – remote live-in spaces for creating art
Requests for proposals – paid art projects

If you need some ideas, click here to browse our archives for over 500 call for artists samples!

2. Plan Your Promotion Strategy

Announcing and publish your calls for artists between three months and one month in advance of the deadline. Artists will apply either right away or last minute, giving them enough time to think it through is critical. Posting at least one month in advance is beneficial for your online presence. Over three months, your listing will be indexed by Google and given the necessary time for your followers to share and repost.

Plan to make announcements on other channels between the first announcement and the deadline. Artists find out about opportunities through a variety of channels and are often loyal to only one or two. It is important to space out the announcements. That way, you are receiving a regular influx of new participants over a period of time and have time to interact with propspective participants. Make one more push through each channel during the last four weeks to catch the stragglers.

There are some exceptions when you may want to announce and publish a year in advance. These include residencies that require substantial planning prior to participating and popular annual events which fill far in advance.

3. Name Your Opportunity

A description of the opportunity should be in the name. Avoid generic names like, “call for artists,” “juried exhibition,” and “art fair.” There should always be a theme, topic, medium, or style. Artists want to be able to quickly decide if their artwork is applicable. This helps participants self select into applying.

4. Decide On Tense and Readability

When publishing on your own website, use first person tense. For example, “We’re excited to announce this year’s art fair!”

If you are issuing a press release or submitting content for promotion on a third party site, then use third person tense. When published on other’s sites, then it will appear that that service, rather than your organization, is providing the opportunity. Although we would love to take credit for all your hard work, it’s best that it stay with you!

Avoid duplicate information in the listing. Redundancy doesn’t add any value. It is more important to include more unique information than you think is necessary than less. The more well-thought out the listing seems to the artist, the more likely it is that they will click through and apply.

When publishing on third party sites, provide unique information about the opportunity. Rephrase the copy for your listing if the same phrasing is used elsewhere online. Unique copy increases the likelihood that your opportunity will appear in search results. Duplicate copy on multiple websites lowers how often it is shown.

5. Describe the Opportunity

Include the location (city, state, and/or country) and reach (local, regional, national) of your call for artists in the first paragraph of the call for artists description. Artists tend to quickly assess whether the call is relevant to them. If not readily apparent, they often click away rather than scroll and read more. For improved search visibility, have this information in the body of the copy, the tags, and the site’s taxonomy.

In describing the call for artists opportunity or your organization, be cautious of using “fluffy” language. Avoid adjectives such as best, only, or unique. Although it may seem that way locally or even regionally, it is rare that something stands out as exemplary. For example, “the only competition which involves color,” “more exposure than any other,” and “highest sales.”

If the opportunity does stand out, try giving specific facts such as, “Over 10,000 visitors over the course of the weekend,” “reported average art sales of $2,000,” and “awarded top fair by So-and-so Magazine.” Be specific.

If it is a juried event, list the jurors, their titles, and provide bios. Unless a requirement by the juror, keep the bios short – a few sentences at most. Participants don’t require a full life history, every school attended, award earned, and show list.

Once you have a rough draft, use an editing app to help clarify the details. From grammar editing apps to AI platforms, there are a number of low cost options that can greatly improve your content.

Use a bulletted list for the timeline. Consider the following items:

Application open
Deadline
Delivery date
Jury date
Opening
Closing
Receptions
Pick up date

Decide on the list of questions in the application.

6. Provide Benefits

This is the most important part of your listing. Use quantitative, rather than qualitative descriptors. Remember that “exposure” is not a benefit. Consider the following questions when listing your opportunity’s benefits (not all will apply):

Break down the list of the awards and how they will be judged.
What makes your audience unique? (demographics, income, interests)
What is the break-down of the prizes?
How many social followers do you have? What is the distribution of your mailers?
What is the average buy from an opening reception/over a month’s time?
Average foot / web traffic over a month?
Do you partner with any other organizations to increase traffic?
What other events in the area are occurring during the exhibition month which may increase traffic (and by how much)?
Are there any notable attendees?
Who is your collector base and how large (who are your established VIPs and do they receive a preview)?
What do you do to follow up with the artists after the exhibition?
What’s your customer/client service model?
Do you offer additional services to the participant while they are participating?

We can’t stress this enough: Artists don’t work for free.

7. Make The Call To Action Clear

The call to action is what you want a reader to do. Often, this appears in the form of submitting an application or registering for an event. When submitting the link to the application / registration page, provide the most direct URL. Provide a direct link even if it is not to your website, for example to a Google Form, CaFE, or other form site. The more links the artists have to click to get through to get to the application process, the fewer artists will apply. Side Arts will include a link to your website in the listing under the about section.

Make sure your application / registration landing page is up to date. Check that the links work and all the dates are correct. It’s a good time to check that all your social links are working, too!

8. Add an Image

Upload a unique image for the opportunity, one that is not published elsewhere on the web. It should be at least 500×500 in order to be scaled correctly for social media. Use jpgs and pngs. Direct facing, smiling people work best. Location shots are good, too. If there are text overlays, keep the words as few as possible and avoid crowding the image. Do not use organizational logos for the image. You may want to use multiple images to break up the copy if the listing has many details.

Again, AI and content generation apps can help you perfect your images that look professional and are scaled appropriately for blog and social media sharing.

9. Provide Contact Information

At minimum, provide a direct contact’s full name and direct email address. Preferably, use an email of a person rather than a general organizational email such as info@ or contact@. Listings with a person’s email address has a 20% higher click-through and application rate. It provides transparency, accountability, and shows a willingness to respond to questions. For the artist, this builds trust.

Provide information about the organization which is hosting the opportunity. This is usually copied from the organization’s about page. Remember to list any supporting or sponsoring organizations, especially if it is a requirement of the sponsorship.

10. Add Supplemental Materials

Depending on the type of opportunity, there are a range of other details that may need to be addressed. These include:

Application fee structure and reasoning
Commission structure
Location maps and images
Legal considerations

Conclusion

How to write a call for artists? Take your time. Check for grammar and spelling errors. Look up other similar calls for artists for ideas. There is no such thing as a perfect listing. You’ll learn more and develop a process as you do more. Remember that Side Arts’ copywriters are here to help! Our expert team of content marketers can help you craft your listing.

If you need some ideas, click here to browse our archives for over 500 call for artists samples!

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November 21, 2023 | General

Provide Excellent Customer Service: Tips For Visual Artists

Did you know that creating fantastic art goes beyond just the canvas? It’s also about how you connect with the people who admire and support your work. We’re talking about customer service! In this blog post, let’s dive into the wonders of providing excellent customer service as a visual artist. This isn’t just about selling art; it’s about building relationships, enhancing experiences, and boosting your chances for exciting call for artists opportunities.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Connect with a Smile (Even Virtually): Whether you’re showcasing your art in person at a gallery or displaying it online, a smile (or its virtual equivalent!) works wonders. Respond to comments or inquiries with warmth and enthusiasm. Engaging with your audience in a friendly manner creates a welcoming atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression. Seriously, just be nice to people.
Be Prompt and Polite: When someone shows interest in your art or reaches out with a question, it’s like receiving a gift of appreciation. Be prompt in your response and always maintain politeness. Even a simple “thank you” goes a long way in showing gratitude for their interest in your artwork.
Offer Clear Information: Imagine someone admires your artwork and wants to purchase it. Provide clear and concise information about the piece, its size, materials used, and pricing. When people have all the details they need, they feel more confident in making a purchase decision. They are actively trying to give you money, why ignore that?
Packaging with Care: When someone buys your art, it’s like sending a piece of your heart to their home. Ensure that your artwork is packaged with care and arrives safely. A well-packaged piece not only protects your art but also shows that you care about the buyer’s experience.
Say Thank You… Again! Once your art finds a new home, don’t forget to express gratitude. A heartfelt thank-you note or a follow-up message after the purchase shows your appreciation and leaves a positive impression, encouraging buyers to return or recommend your art to others.
Welcome Feedback and Improvement: Feedback is like a secret map guiding you towards becoming a better artist. Embrace it! Ask for feedback from buyers or admirers. Their thoughts might inspire new ideas or improvements in your art. Plus, actively seeking feedback shows that you value their opinions.
Prepare for Calls for Artists: Providing excellent customer service isn’t just about selling your art—it’s also about creating a stellar reputation. Art galleries and call for artists opportunities seek artists who not only create stunning art but also leave a positive impression. Your exceptional customer service can lead to invitations for exciting exhibitions or collaborations.

Conclusion

In the beautiful world of art, outstanding customer service isn’t just a bonus; it’s the golden thread that weaves connections and builds lasting relationships. Be prompt, polite, and warm in your interactions. Offer clear information, package your art with care, and always express gratitude. By providing excellent customer service, you don’t just sell art; you create delightful experiences that linger in the hearts of your audience. And who knows? Your exceptional service might open doors to incredible call for artists opportunities you’ve been dreaming of. So, use the steps above to create a customer service plan and actively follow it.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.

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November 6, 2023 | General

Be Kind: Tips For Visual Artists

In the world of creativity, there’s a magical ingredient that can transform not just your art, but also your entire artistic journey: kindness. Being kind isn’t just about being nice; it’s a superpower that can fuel your creativity and open doors to incredible opportunities, including exciting calls for artists. In this blog post, let’s explore the art of being kind and how it can elevate your artistic path.

Be Kind

Kindness Fuels Inspiration: When you approach your art with kindness, you create a positive environment for your creativity to flourish. Being kind to yourself means embracing your mistakes as valuable lessons and celebrating your successes, no matter how small. This self-compassion fuels your inspiration, allowing you to explore new techniques fearlessly.
Kindness Creates Connections: The art world thrives on connections, and kindness is the glue that binds these relationships. Whether you’re collaborating with fellow artists, curators, or enthusiasts, kindness opens doors. Being supportive, offering genuine compliments, and sharing your knowledge can create a network of allies who champion your art and recommend you for exciting call for artists opportunities. Kindness goes a long way when applying to be represented by Side Arts and engaging with our team and our clients as a represented artist.
Kindness Builds Confidence: Believing in yourself is crucial for any artist. When you approach your art practice with kindness, you build confidence. Embracing your unique style and acknowledging your progress, no matter how gradual, strengthens your artistic voice. Confident artists stand out, attracting both admirers and prospective collaborators.
Kindness Fosters Growth: Artistic growth often stems from constructive feedback. When you approach critiques with kindness—both giving and receiving—you foster a nurturing environment for growth. Constructive criticism, offered kindly, helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement. Similarly, offering feedback with kindness can help your fellow artists thrive, creating a supportive community.
Kindness Attracts Opportunities: The art world loves kind souls. Your reputation as a kind and generous artist can attract a myriad of opportunities including call for artists invitations. Galleries, curators, and event organizers often seek artists who create incredible art and contribute positively to the artistic community.
Kindness Spreads Joy: Art has the incredible power to evoke emotions. When your creations are infused with kindness, they radiate positivity and joy. Viewers connect not just with your technique but also with the emotions your art conveys. Kindness in your art spreads joy, making your work memorable and cherished.

Conclusion

As you embark on your creative endeavors, remember the transformative power of kindness. Be kind. Approach your art practice with self-compassion, nurture meaningful connections, build confidence, embrace growth, and spread joy through your creations. Be kind. Your kindness will enrich your artistic journey and attract a world of opportunities. Let kindness be your guiding light, illuminating your path to artistic excellence.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.

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October 30, 2023 | General

Marketing For Beginners: Tips For Visual Artists

Hello, artists! Creating beautiful artwork is just the first step. To shine in the art world, master the art of marketing for beginners. It’s not as daunting as it sounds. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of art marketing specifically tailored for beginners. Whether you’re looking to sell your artwork, gain recognition, or explore exciting call for artists opportunities like those listed on Side Arts, these tips will set you on the right path.

Marketing For Beginners

Define Your Unique Style: Every artist has a unique style that sets them apart. Take some time to discover yours. Whether it’s vibrant abstracts, realistic portraits, or whimsical illustrations, understanding your style will help you market your work more effectively. Embrace what makes your art special.
Create a Portfolio: A portfolio is your artistic resume. It showcases your best work and provides a glimpse into your creative journey. Create a digital portfolio featuring high-quality images of your art. Include a variety of pieces to demonstrate the depth and diversity of your talent. A well-curated portfolio is essential when applying for exhibitions or responding to call for artists opportunities.
Leverage Social Media: Social media is a powerful tool for artists. Create profiles on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your art. Share your creative process, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and completed artworks. Engage with your followers, respond to comments, and connect with other artists. Social media not only helps you reach a broader audience but also allows you to participate in online art communities.
Start a Blog: Blogging is an excellent way to share your artistic journey. You can write about your creative process, art-related topics, or even tutorials. A blog establishes your expertise and attracts art enthusiasts interested in your work. It increases the content available about your art and make it easier for people to find you.
Attend Local Art Events: Engage with your local art community by attending exhibitions, fairs, and gallery openings. These events provide networking opportunities and allow you to connect with fellow artists, art enthusiasts, and potential buyers. Building relationships within your community can lead to collaborative projects and word-of-mouth referrals. This isn’t about sales, it’s about networking to find sales opportunities.
Explore Online Art Platforms: Online art platforms like Etsy, DeviantArt, or Saatchi Art provide a platform to sell your artwork to a global audience. Create a professional profile, upload high-quality images of your art, and provide detailed descriptions. These platforms handle transactions and shipping, allowing you to focus on your craft.
Utilize Artist Calls and Contests: Call for artists opportunities and art contests are fantastic avenues to gain exposure and recognition. Keep an eye out for these opportunities on websites, social media, or art forums. Participating showcases your talent and provides valuable experience practicing how you communicate about your art.

Conclusion

Marketing your art doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With passion, creativity, and a strategic approach, you can successfully promote your work. Define your style, curate a compelling portfolio, leverage social media, attend local events, explore online platforms, start a blog, and actively participate in call for artists opportunities. By mastering these basics, you’ll pave the way for a successful art marketing journey. Remember, every masterpiece deserves an audience—so go ahead, share your art with the world.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.

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October 22, 2023 | General

Budget Wisely: Tips For Visual Artists

Being an artist is about more than just brushes and canvases—it’s also about managing your resources wisely. Budget wisely so that creating stunning art doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, with a bit of budgeting know-how, you can make your artistic dreams come true without emptying your wallet. In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of budgeting for visual artists, and how being smart with your finances can open doors to creative possibilities, including exciting call for artists opportunities.

Budget Wisely: Tips For Visual Artists

Know Your Expenses: The first step in budgeting is understanding your expenses. Think about all the materials you use: paints, brushes, canvases, and sketchbooks. Don’t forget about those unexpected costs too, like framing or shipping fees for your artwork. By listing everything, you can create a clear picture of where your money goes.
Create a Budget Plan: Now that you know your expenses, create a budget plan. Determine how much you can afford to spend on art supplies, workshops, and other artistic ventures. Having a budget helps you avoid overspending and ensures that you always have funds for your art.
Explore Affordable Alternatives: Being budget-conscious doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Look for affordable alternatives for your art supplies. Many stores offer high-quality materials at lower prices. Additionally, consider upcycling—turning everyday items into art supplies. This not only saves money but also adds a unique touch to your creations.
DIY Your Art Tools: Ever thought about making your art tools? From homemade brushes to DIY canvases, there are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you. Not only does this save money, but it also allows you to customize your tools according to your artistic style.
Take Advantage of Discounts and Sales: Keep an eye out for discounts and sales. Many art supply stores offer great deals, especially during specific seasons. Sign up for newsletters or follow your favorite stores on social media to stay updated. By shopping smart, you can get the supplies you need without straining your budget.
Participate in Community Events: Local community events, workshops, and art fairs often provide free or low-cost opportunities for artists. Participating in these events not only expands your skills but also helps you network with fellow artists and potential buyers. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to showcase your talent.
Prepare for Call for Artists Opportunities: When preparing for call for artists opportunities like those listed on Side Arts, plan your budget wisely. Set a yearly budget and stick to it. Allocate funds for application fees, printing promotional materials, or framing your artwork. By budgeting for these opportunities, you can confidently submit your work without financial stress.
Save and Invest: Lastly, consider setting aside a small portion of your earnings for savings. Having an emergency fund gives you peace of mind and financial stability. Additionally, consider investing in art-related courses or equipment that can enhance your skills and, in turn, your earning potential. This is investing in yourself.

Conclusion

Budgeting as a visual artist is like mixing colors on a palette—it requires balance and a keen eye for detail. By understanding your expenses, exploring affordable options, and seizing budget-friendly opportunities, you can create magnificent art without overspending. With careful financial planning, be prepared to grab those exciting call for artists opportunities that come your way.

Next Step

Are you ready to invest in yourself and showcase your artwork? Apply to become represented by Side Arts, a leading agency connecting artists with exhibition opportunities. With limited capacity and a rigorous jury review, Side Arts ensures that your work gets the attention it deserves. Click here to learn more about how Side Arts can elevate your art career and provide you with exciting opportunities to display your talent to a wider audience.

Take the leap and step into a world of endless possibilities for your artistic journey with Side Arts. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to share your passion and creativity with the world. Apply now and open doors to a bright future as a recognized visual artist. Click here to apply.