Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Make Sure It's News
Artists Respond: What They Have to Say

WHAT'S GOING ON

: : Class: SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION : :
Began last week, but you are welcome to join us. This stuff is too important to ignore or put off. The class covers printed marketing materials; networking (yes, you must!); giving a talk; working with the media; and more. Daily or weekly options are available. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/selfpromo.shtml

: : Book: VISUAL ARTIST'S KIT : :
A framework for putting together your presentation materials. Only $13.95. http://www.artbizcoach.com/books/vak.shtml

Looking for artists' blogs!
I'm writing something up (a new book? class? article?) on blogging for artists. I'd love to hear from you if you have a blog or can recommend another artist's blog. Just email me. 

: : Art Biz Blog: ALMOST-DAILY TIPS AND FINDS : :
	This week:  ►Artists respond to non-traditional venues. ►When newspaper editors are idiots. ►If you expect others to honor your copyright, you'd better honor theirs. Find out more on the Art Biz Blog.

: :Workshop: GAIN THE EDGE IN TODAY'S ART MARKET: : Visit beautiful Colorado for this motivating workshop. October 29-30, 2005 Gain The Edge on: Better Booth Design . Effective Sales Techniques  . Your Artist Statement  . Your Slides & the Jury Process  .  More Loyal Buyers So far artists from six states have signed up for this two-day workshop I'm hosting with Bruce Baker. Can't come, but want to help us promote it? Email me and I'll send you easy email text you can forward to all of your contacts. Anything you can do would be much appreciated. Early registration ends September 15!

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I've worked on more than one press release in my day, but I don't consider myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination. One thing I do know: a press release contains... you guessed it... news!

Sorry to say it, but the fact that you make art is not news. Everyone seems to be making some kind of art these days. How are you going to differentiate yourself? Why should a reporter be more interested in you than in Artist X or Artist Y?

The fact that you have an exhibition opening is "sorta" news, but how many other art openings are there in town? Again, why is your opening more newsworthy than another opening? Answer: Maybe it's a retrospective of 30 years. Or a theme exhibit to coincide with Day of the Dead, Valentine's Day, or even something that's been a hot news topic lately. Or maybe you are holding it at one of those non-traditional venues we talked about last week (on a yacht, in a forest, etc.). Or you're donating 50% of sales to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

: : An exhibition of heart-related art objects on Valentine's Day? Or an exhibition of heart-related art objects on Valentine's Day with a corresponding live auction that raises money for the American Heart Association (with a celebrity auctioneer)?

: : An exhibition of landscape paintings? An exhibition of landscape paintings hung in a nearby woodland area? Or an exhibition of landscape paintings hung in a nearby woodland area on Arbor Day benefiting a local Boy Scout troop?

: : An exhibition of art by and about women? An exhibition of art by and about women with 50% of sales going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation? Your story as a breast-cancer survivor and your participation in an exhibition of art by and about women with 50% of sales going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation?

A good press release will help the reporter write the story. In other words, they can see it in print by the time they get to the end of it. Facts that don't necessarily play well in a professional biography or artist statement might work wonders in a press release. 

We're blogging about it: http://www.artbizblog.com

My favorite book covering this subject is Marcia Yudkin's 6 Steps to Free Publicity.

ARTISTS RESPOND: What They Have to Say  

In response to "Make Your Own Venue," Marianne Konvalinka wrote:

"After attending your class in Boise a few years ago, I decided to create my own venue. Put out a call to artists and rented an empty retail space for a First Thursday artwalk show. Eighteen months later, five of the original group (and 3 newbies) are still renting spaces 4 times per year as Gypsy Gallery (because we move around). The experience has been great--not only in terms of exposure, but because of the artists themselves. We paint together once a month in the winter, we pass along show opportunities & tips to each other. We've done shows in empty retail spaces, in restaurants, at City Hall and outdoors. The group now shares a booth at the Saturday market & a local Holiday Bazaar. Several of us have found spots in a local gallery due to contacts made through our events. It's been a great experience."

Visit Gypsy Gallery at http://www.gypsygalleryart.com

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Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield. All rights reserved. 

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