You have just applied the finishing touches on your latest art and you’re feeling optimistic. “This is it!” you think to yourself, “My name will become famous in the art world!”. There’s no feeling quite like the excitement of putting on a new art show. You’ve spent weeks, maybe even months, working on your art pieces, and now it’s time to let the world see them! But how can you make sure your show is a success? Lucky you – you’re in the right place. In this blog, we will be sharing some tips to attract the right audience to your art show. So keep reading!
Tip #01: Start promoting early
The earlier you start spreading the word about your show, the more people will have the opportunity to attend. Post about your upcoming art show on social media, your website, or pass the information through word-of-mouth weeks before the event. It’s an excellent way to create buzz and build anticipation for what you have in store.
More importantly, promoting ahead of time will give interested guests enough time to arrange their schedules – making them more likely to attend.
Tip #02: Create a promotional flyer and post it online
A flyer usually contains messages that you want to convey quickly. If used correctly, it could be an effective means of marketing your art show. When designing your flyer, include a catchy tagline plus the date, time, and location of your art show. To maximize exposure, post it in various places online such as online galleries, art forums, and social media groups related to art.
Tip #03: Hang posters around town in key locations
While we live in the digital age where marketing is mostly done online, there is no harm in using traditional marketing strategies. Create an appealing poster to pique people’s curiosity and hang them around town in high-traffic areas such as cafes, local businesses, and community bulletin boards. You should also try locations where people interested in art might usually frequent like art galleries and museums.
Bonus Tip: Consider printing lots of copies so you can cover a fair amount of territory. Then have a friend or family member help you hang the posters to save time.
Tip #04: Create a Video Trailer
With a video trailer, you can share a sneak peek of your work as well as behind-the-scenes footage of your art show preparation. Aside from showing people what they can expect, video allows you to communicate the story behind your artwork. An ideal video trailer is short (around 2 mins) but its power to engage people is strong by evoking their emotions. Who knows? You might convince someone who has never considered themselves an “art person” before to see your art show.
Once you’ve created your video trailer and edited it to perfection, you can upload it to YouTube and share it on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. You can also embed the video on your website or blog for additional exposure.
Tip #05: Use Social Media to Promote Your Show
One of the most efficient and fastest ways to get the word out about your art show is thru social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram offer great opportunities to reach a multitude of people.
Twitter – Make use of hashtags (#) to increase the visibility of your show. When using hashtags, you should use ones specific to your city or region. For example, if you’re holding a show in Toronto, use the hashtag #TorontoArtShow. Other good ones to use are #artshow, #artist, and #gallery opening.
Facebook – Create a Facebook event and invite all of your friends. In the event description, include all details such as date, time, and location. You can also post photos and videos of your work on the event page to get people excited.
Instagram – Post photos of your work in progress and show them the process of setting up for the exhibition or giving a tour of the gallery space. Whatever you do, make it entertaining and engaging!
Bonus tip: Remember to post regularly so that people always have reminders of when and where your art show is happening.
Tip #06: Send Press Releases to Local Media Outlets
If you’re looking to score more exposure for your upcoming art show, a well-written press release is key. This document should include all the important details about your event – what the artwork looks like, where and when it will take place, etc. If you have any special events planned, be sure to mention that as well. Send your press release to local newspapers, magazines, and radio stations several weeks before the show opens.
Tip #07: Make a list of art bloggers and send them info too
Did not get a favorable response from the local media outlets? That’s okay, that doesn’t mean you can’t reach out to bloggers. This could be a great way to get word-of-mouth marketing going. Make a list of art bloggers who write about shows in your area and send them information about your event. Include high-resolution images of some of your artwork and an overview of what visitors can expect. If you’re lucky, one of these bloggers might even post about your show on their website or social media page.
Tip #08: Have a giveaway or contest
Engage potential guests and get them excited about your event by mixing some fun through giveaways or contests. Give out clear instructions on how to enter the contest to prevent any confusion down the road. Announce the names of your big winners on social media and your website to create a sense of excitement.
These are just a few tips for promoting your art show. Be creative and think outside the box – you never know what might work. Add a lot of hard work to the mix and your art show will be a success. And most importantly, have fun with it! Good luck!
Roxanne Panibio is a PR Outreach Specialist at VEED.IO. She’s an avid reader, mostly found with a book in her hand. When not reading, she enjoys watching crime mystery movies to satisfy her inner detective.
