I wanted to send a big thank you to you. I have experienced a huge increase in sales in the last two months. Between different kinds of promotion for my upcoming exhibit (which is selling before the exhibition date- oh my goodness!) and finally using my mailing list, I am really moving paintings.

This is great, right? I could plaster these words all over my Art Biz Coach site! But I’ve learned that words are much more powerful when you see them come out of someone’s mouth.
So I asked Elaine if she’d like to do a video for me. Fresh back from selling a number of additional paintings at a recent solo exhibit, she jumped at the chance.
Here’s one cut from Skype (we lost a little connection, but not bad for talking to Africa!).

I’ve been trying to pay closer attention to opportunities that might arise when someone gets great results from a workshop, seminar, or my consulting. My first video efforts resulted in great testimonials at a workshop, but no audio. (Still kicking myself over losing these!)
Nate Metz agreed to say a few words on Skype earlier and his video showed up on my workshops page. After a few terrible takes (my bad), I enlisted artist and documentary filmmaker Laura Tyler‘s coaching help to improve what I was doing. (Thanks, Laura!)
I’m learning and have a long way to go. But this process made me think of some ideas for how you could incorporate more interesting video – mostly featuring other people – into your marketing.

4 Videos You Could Shoot on the Fly

1. A Collector Talking About How Much She Loves Your Art
Get her while she’s still in your exhibition space and is thrilled to add your piece to her collection. Or try the Skype route if the opportunity doesn’t arise until later. Be sure to show her and the piece of art she purchased.
2. A Few Words of Gratitude to Your Supporters
You’ve experienced some good moments recently and are grateful to the Universe. Tell it/them! Be brief, but let us see your heart.
3. A Student Who Had a Breakthrough in Your Class
The moment someone has an Aha! moment after learning something new from you is the time to ask for a testimonial. You will be able to hear and see the excitement in his voice.
4. A Child Reacting Spontaneously to Your Art
Kids say the darnedest things! If you can’t get a talking cat, a kid is the next best thing. Be prepared to be surprised!
What ideas do you have for engaging videos?

The post 4 Quick Videos You Use in Your Art Marketing appeared first on Art Biz Success.

I have some dandy testimonials and wanted to include them on my site. . . . Do I need to ask permission from my customers to use their messages to me? Does it mean more to have a name at the bottom of the enthusiastic praise? Or would it be best to just use one liners in quotations with no names attached?

Yes, real names from real people are much more effective than anonymous testimonials. In order to avoid any potential unpleasant surprises, always ask for permission before publishing someone else’s words.
Not everyone likes to see their name in lights – especially art collectors. Whenever you publish someone’s name, there is the potential (if only slight) that another person reads the post and thinks, “Oh, so-and-so must have a lot of nice things in their home.” In other words, there is the risk of future theft.
You must protect your buyers and collectors at all costs.
There’s a way to systematize this process that could make it easier for you in the future.

How I Make Testimonials Work for Me

I am truly blessed that testimonials come into my inbox almost on a daily basis. You – my readers, clients, and Conspirators – are generous with your kind words.
Whenever I get one of these nice emails from artists, here’s what I do.

1. I respond with gratitude and a note: “Would you mind if, at some point, I used your words and name as a testimonial? I would link to your website or blog if it’s appropriate for you.”
2. After receiving approval from the artist, I save the testimonial in an email folder or in Evernote. I make sure to use a good subject line with the saved message so that I know what the testimonial is for and so that I don’t have to wade through a bunch of messages to find the one I was looking for. I include the artist’s URL and email address in the note – again, so I don’t have to search for it later.
3. When I use testimonials on a website, I’ll add the  hyperlinks to the artists’ names and email them to tell them where it appears.

Tips for Better Testimonials on Your Site

Keep your testimonials SHORT and snappy. Look for the juicy stuff within all of the other words and remove what is unnecessary. Long testimonials aren’t better testimonials.
Try to get your buyers and collectors to give specific testimonials. Rather than just “I love your art,” press them to go deeper. Does the work bring back a memory? Make them smile more? Lead to world peace?
My $7 tip: If the words in a testimonial need tightening up, I edit them a bit and ask if it would be okay to use my version. I feel comfortable doing this because the author of the email was just sending me an email – not expecting it to be published anywhere. I make it easy for them to approve it because I do all of the work.
How do you use testimonials?

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