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."

[Karine Monaco]

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

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

Hello Tom,

I am reading the business section's posts these days, and I wanted to check out that book you cited. But I cannot find comments about it on Amazon or other sites.

As I usually appreciate your comments on this section, I was wondering if you could tell us a little bit about that handbook ? In very few words, what is the content of that book, and why do you think it is worth buying.

Thank you very much in advance for your reply!

Karine

[Tom Edgerton]

Karine--

It's available directly from Calvin Goodman at 11901 Sunset Blvd./ 102, Los Angeles, CA 90049. The TEL is 213-476-2622, FAX 213-472-8785.

It's usually sold at the PSOA conferences too, so they might be able to tell you where it's available.

Michele, do you know how Mr. Goodman distributes this other than directly?

It is very comprehensive, describing not only how to market portraits, but also how to do business with galleries, etc.

Best--T

[Joan Breckwoldt]

I'm glad to see this thread come up again. Though I do a lot of searching and reading of old posts, this one has a lot of valuable info in it and I was glad to reread it.

Sophie, it's been almost 4 years since this thread and I would love to hear how your marketing has been going?

I'm donating my first portrait to our church silent auction on Sunday. It's posted on my website if anyone cares to see it. I'll report back how the auction goes.

I had 500 postcards printed up with my 'sample' image on it and I mailed out about 400. I'll have the remaining 100 postcards sitting next to the bid sheet for people to take home with them. Though I doubt 100 will be taken, it'll be interesting to see how many do get picked up. It's a big church.

My website is on the postcards so people can look at my prices, procedure, and other samples of my work. My goal is to send a postcard to my mailing list every 3 months. Advertising needs to be repeated to be effective.

Joan

[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.