Most artists would rather cut off their right arm then engage in the entrepreneurial dance that we call selling. For many artists, I think thats because trying to make a sale feels like an uncomfortable means to an end.
But selling your art doesnt have to be forced and awkward. I believe that artists can develop a sales cycle that fits their personality and isnt offensive to the buyer using these 3 Cs: Confidence, Conversation and Community.
CONFIDENCE
Confidence is imperative for success. If you want to be successful you must be willing to do things that put yourself out there as an artist and an entrepreneur.
So on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your confidence level as an artist? It may be best to rate yourself in each of the following categories and then take an average (go ahead, do it now):
1. Artistic creativity and vision
2. Technical ability
3. Marketing and promotion
4. Closing the sale
Whatever your score is now, thats the baseline to measure your progress.
If youre able to increase your confidence by one point in each category, what would that look like? How would it manifest when you engage your ideal fans?
Remember, you control your confidence level.
True confidence comes from an internal choice, not from external elements that spin your confidence around like a weather vane in a windstorm.
Become committed to yourself and your art. Choose to be confident. People are always amazed to learn that youre not only the salesperson, but the creator of the work as well. They are in awe twice over, so leave your fear behindtheyre more intimidated by your talent than you are of selling! Soak up those good vibes and claim your work and your life as an entrepreneur.
CONVERSATION
How can something as simple as conversation be an effective sales tool?
When you come in contact with a potential fans youll naturally engage in a relationship ritual known as courting. What you need to realize is that potential fans want to know you so that when they show your work to friends, family and colleagues, theyll be able to tell your story.
Therefore, your conversations should include your story, the essence of your brand. Youll want to leave your fans with a strong idea of who you are, every time.
Im not suggesting that all your future conversations be scriptedconversation is an art by itselfThink of your sales process as a lively conversation, at a cocktail dinner for example, not a choreit should be fun for both you and them! Moreover have a good relationship with everyone you meet on any social media handle and let your respond make them laugh and always do something new to empress them so that they there friends and families too can buy your personality and art.
COMMUNITY
Ever wonder why the airlines create club rooms and special lounges for loyal customers? They do it to build a sense of community.
Art buyers like to feel as if they are part of your inner circleand they should be! So make them feel that way as part of your sales cycle. There are many ways to do it. Try and make sure you dont buy your arts with money problem, remember you are new in the market and you have to give your fans the bonus of your arts and also make sure money consciousness did not destroy your career. And before you can win the heart of people you must give them the best of you for free and after they see your content then they will price your art for you.
Show your fans that theyre part of your inner circle community through personalized invitations to openings and events. Have an annual function for collectors only (it doesnt have to be at the Ritz, why not invite them to your studio?)
Or, set up a private showing. People always like to be invited to pass through the velvet ropes, like a VIP lounge.
Sales dont have to be difficult or tedious. If you use these three Cs you can easily create a sales process which fits your personality and your market, and encourages art buyers to purchase again and again.
I and my team have put things in place to promote arts and serious artiste in the community, cities, villages, districts, regions and countries so we are asking each and everyone to subscribe or follow us on our social media handles for serious help to them as an artistes, actor, actresses, models and others.
By Joshua Donkor in Artiste Business Advice > Artiste Marketing Tips
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