How do you make the most of an article about your art?
The extent to which you share the article and how you share it depends on the importance of the article and the format in which it was published.
The post How to Leverage an Article About Your Art appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Congratulations! You had an article written about your art.
Whether it is in a newspaper or magazine or published on a blog, website, or as a podcast, you are deservedly thrilled and want to share the good news.
How do you make the most of an article about your art?
The extent to which you share the article and how you share it depends on the importance of the article and the format in which it was published.
I don’t have to tell you that not all articles are created equal.
Who will care about this news as much as you?
Who will be happy for you?
Who would be bummed if they didn’t hear?
Most importantly … Who do you need to know about this article?
Below are some ideas for leveraging an article about your art, but first we need to get something out of the way.
That Article is Copyrighted
Like your art, the words in an article—whether it’s on paper or a computer screen—are copyrighted. This means that you need to ask permission to make copies or to repost in its entirety.
If you want hard copies of an article about your art, buy copies of the print edition as soon as possible after the publication date. Then you can clip the article and share it freely and legally. You can also order back issues from some magazines and newspapers.
If you plan to share the article digitally and prefer a PDF, you need to ask for permission, as I said—even if you are scanning and making the copies yourself. Remember, the entire article is copyrighted.
Share It With Your List
If the article is substantial and has keen insights from the author, a solo email outside of regularly scheduled emails is in order.
Quote from the article and link to where it appears online or to the publication’s site. Include a photo of you with the article, as described below under social media.
If it’s an honor, but not terribly significant, mention the article in a shorter section within your regular email or newsletter.
Add It to Your Website
Of course you will update your résumé with the article info, but remember to add it to your website.
If you’re considering posting the article online, quote from it and provide a link to the online version, if available. This is legal and is better than reprinting the entire article because it connects your site to a major news source.
If you blog, you might also write a post about the interview process (if it’s interesting) or as a follow-up to what was in print. Expand on what was written.
If you haven’t appeared in the media a lot and don’t have a dedicated News page, you can include the article on your About page.
If you’ve been racking up media appearances, it’s probably time to make a Media or News page, like Victoria Veedell has done. I love the way her page is so visually engaging—not just a pile of links.
Once you’ve added it to your website, you can share that link on social media.
Post It to Social Media
Sharing your good news on social media is a given, but try to be a bit more imaginative than merely posting the link.
Take a photo of it within an interesting composition. Perhaps:
- Hold it up next to your smiling face.
- Stage a shot with your pet.
- Arrange it with some art supplies.
If it’s digital only, snap a selfie pointing at the screen where it appears. Add a quote from the article in the post’s description and tag the author.
You’re an artist. Use your creativity muscle for your marketing as well as your art!
Now to the most critical step.
Tell Your VIPs
If, again, the article is substantial, use it as a promotional piece.
Your collectors will be proud to know of your accomplishments, and potential venues and buyers might be equally impressed. Consider sharing it with consultants, designers, and gallerists.
If you are lucky enough to have your art in a museum collection, be sure the museum registrar or curator adds the article to your file. Always keep them informed of your accomplishments.
This is where you really want print copies if they exist. Recipients will be much more likely to read and be impressed by an article that you went to the trouble of sending in the mail.
You might even send the entire publication with a handwritten sticky note flagging the page where the article begins.
And, I realize this isn’t always possible.
If your article is online, send a personal email to these individual VIPs with an enticing reason for them to click and, when appropriate, add a note of gratitude for their support to this point.
That brings me to a separate, but related point.
Say Thank You
Send the reviewer a Thank You note after the article has appeared. Gifts are inappropriate because of journalism ethics. Share your appreciation by sending a nice handwritten note with one of your images on the front.
Art reviewers and critics are dropping like flies these days as newspapers scale back their operations. We need for them to know they are appreciated as an important part of the art ecosystem.
You need them around to write about your art so that you can have more articles to share.
In Context
Pivot Leads to Newspaper Article
Art Off the Beaten Path
My husband and I have been doing some nearby exploring. Every so often, we get out a metro Denver map and select a neighborhood we’ve never been to before. Usually we just drive around, but you never know what will capture your attention.
On a recent outing, we ran into this outdoor installation at a park by, as we later found out, local artist and curator, Collin Parson. We got out and walked around—fascinated by the giant fireplace remains along with the obvious tracing of a structure’s footprint punctuated by mirrors.
The piece was commissioned by the city of Lakewood, Colorado, for its 50th anniversary and is called Echoes and Reflections: Lakewood’s 50th Anniversary. We didn’t find explanatory text with the piece, but a little searching led to this article published at the time of its dedication.
I wonder how he leveraged that article.
This article was first published on May 11, 2017, and has been updated with original comments intact.
The post How to Leverage an Article About Your Art appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>The post Pitch your story to magazines appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>Laura K. Aiken asks:
Let’s say I wanted to pitch an idea to a magazine. Whatever I sent them, I would want it to be interesting enough for them to put on the front cover or as a highlighted article. What is going to make me stand out from all the other artists?
First, I love this question. Laura realizes that she needs to stand out. A one-size-fits-all brochure won’t cut it in this instance. What you need most are the following three things.
- Awesome work that looks different from that of other artists. It’s not your medium that matters so much, but what you do with it. What makes people drop their jaws, shout “Wow!,” and sign on to be a fan for life?
- Amazing photographs that show your work in its best light. I’ll harp on this until the day I die. Good photography should be a business expense for every professional artist. If you aren’t willing to learn how to take professional-quality photographs or invest in them, you aren’t ready to take your work to the next level. This is especially true in this age of Internet marketing. Magazine editors, gallery dealers, retailers, consultants, and curators request JPGs long before they are able to see the work in person. Poor photographs will lead you straight to the Poor house.
- An A+ story to pitch. An A+ story can actually overcome any deficits you may have in the area of #1 (unique qualities). Sure you make art, but (and this is the question that most writers will ask) so what? What makes you special? What makes your art worth a cover story or even a 500-word article? What will help the publisher sell magazines or newspapers? What part of your story fits with the editorial content of the publication?
 |
| Therese May, Subtle Profiles. Art quilt, 25 x 25 inches. ©The Artist |
Now, what do you do with this stuff?
You don’t need a loaded media kit to send. In fact, from what I understand, thick media kits are discouraged. They’re viewed as a waste of paper since no one knows where to keep them and everyone is trying to eliminate clutter.
Start with an introductory email that includes your pitch and a link to the story (art) you’re pitching. Be certain that the linked page you’re including is easy to navigate and understand.
Follow up your email with a printed packet. Just put items #2 and #3 from the above list in a large, handsome envelope with your branded label (which can be printed on any color printer) on the outside. Hand-write the name and address of the recipient in your best penmanship. I like the brightly-colored Presentation Envelopes (9×12”) at Envelope Mall and Paper Source.
Incidentally, former magazine editor Jennifer King did a teleseminar with me entitled How to Get Your Art in Magazines, which is available as an audio download or CD. It’s not really about art magazines, but more leisure and niche magazines, which are what many art buyers read.
KNOW THIS———-~> You have to have the work, the photos, and the story to back up your pitch.
THINK ABOUT THIS—~> Are you putting forth your best effort with your pitch?
DO THIS————~> Pitch your story to magazines–when you’re ready. Don’t take this lightly. Remember that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get your ducks in a row and go in feeling confident.
The post Pitch your story to magazines appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>