Where to go? How to reach my potential clients?

[Sophie Ploeg]

Hello all.
I love this site and all its wonderful info, especially since it is all focused on portraiture. I have not posted much, but I sure do enjoy the wonderful paintings and all the advice others get.

I am a bit stuck on marketing. I could really do with some honest advice.

I mostly enjoy painting portraits/people. I do other stuff as well, but portraits are my 'thing'. I've had some commissions in the past year (the year I've been serious about my art). Now I want to expand, market, market, market.

But how? And Where? There are not many art fairs around here. Quite a few antique fairs, but after visiting some, I don't think I'd fit between the old clocks and silverware.

I am not sure if I'd should knock on gallery doors as I have yet to find a gallery around here that displays (and sells) portraits. But maybe one of them is open minded....new paths...?

I've got business cards, a website, a pocket sized and a large portfolio, greeting cards. I can print whatever I want. But I don't know who to send it to/give it to.

The only way I think might work is going to shops (children's shops) and ask if they want to put up some of my paintings. I can join local art groups (I am with one, which is filled with retired hobbiests...nothing against that...but might not be my market) and exhibit with them. Will do that certainly, but it takes time as they usually only have exhibits once a year.

I tell myself that the people who have gotten my cards are now pondering over a commission. After all, most people would not commission an artist every day of the week. They need to think about it. Maybe I am just impatient (would not surprise me...)

Who's got more ideas on how I can reach my market. I wonder where people go who are thinking about commissioning a portrait. I don't think they go to galleries. Where do they find their artists? That's where I want to be. On a hopeful note: in my research of the local art scene and all, I have not found (m)any portrait artists and hence I hope there is a market for me out there.

Any tips on how to market myself....I would deeply appreciate them!!

I work in pastels. Plans to start using oils are growing....

Thank you very much. Sorry for the long post....

[Michele Rushworth]

Hi Sophie,

There are tons of tips in other threads in the Business section of this site. Search around a bit.

There are also lots of good art marketing books available to order through the book section of SOG as well. Good luck!

[Sophie Ploeg]

Thanks Michele. I have read loads on this site, indeed. Lots of good info, but also lots of art fairs advice.
Thanks for your reply!

[Tom Edgerton]

Also, be sure to check out Calvin Goodman's "Art Marketing Handbook."

[Sophie Ploeg]

Thanks, I'll go look for it!

[Scott Bartner]

Dag Sophie,

Living in your native land, I

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Sophie, when I was starting out I left cards in a frame shop, after showing the owner my portfolio. He was impressed and recommended me to a woman who wanted a large posthumous portrait of her husband. Another useful tactic is to donate all or part of the cost of a commissioned portrait to a fundraiser at an upscale school. Parents who can afford such places can also afford portraits, and this provides excellent exposure. That didn't work for me but I know it's been a good marketing strategy for some.

You can also leave cards and brochures at upscale children's clothing stores, and put ads in papers with a circulation in the right neighborhoods or areas.

I have also gotten two commissions from my website but it's probably more realistic to view a site more as an online portfolio than as a way to entice people who are unfamiliar with you or your work. It definitely helps to be able to refer people to a professional-looking website when they're contemplating a commission. They enjoy showing the site to family members and that helps them commit.

[Sophie Ploeg]

Hi! Scott - how's your Dutch? Nice to hear from across the Channel. I've never heard of anybody working with an agent, so am surprised to hear they do exist in Holland. The restaurant idea might be good, although I rarely look at the art in restaurants......but you never know.
And indeed.....a fine dinner should take hours and hours.....there's no better night out.

Leslie, thank you so much. Yes, I think I should make cards (with one picture of my work, or more?) and leave them at shops or so. I have been too shy to do so, up till now! I once had a deal with a frameshop who would put cards (and paintings) up for me in his frameshop. But his framing was so bad, and his service appaling, so I let him go. Shame, as it might have been a good deal!

Thanks for all your advice! I'll take it to heart.

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Sophie, I make my own cards and can change the picture on them as I choose. I select a painting which will give me a good detail of the most important part, so that even though the image is quite small it shows my work and style. Some paintings are more complex and lend themselves less to this than others. For maximum impact on a small card, one painting, or a detail from one, is enough. I also have brochures - one has a mixture of adult and child portraits and another has only children, so I can target my audience - and I leave one up by my cards. The idea is that the brochure is for looking at, the cards are to take. I used to give a lot of the brochures away too but found that I got no return so have become more stingy with them since they're expensive.

[Sophie Ploeg]

Thanks Leslie.
I am going to force myself to go out next week and drop off some cards at shops and such.....scary...but gotta do it!

Thanks all!