Here’s a fact that might surprise you: 77% of consumers prefer to receive permission-based marketing messages through email. If you’re an artist looking to make sales, leveraging email outreach is one of the best moves you can make. Pair that with in-person events, and you’ve got a winning combination for growing your business. Let’s see how you can get started, from using email automation tools to engaging at art shows and keeping control of your sales through your own website.
Use Art Shows to Build Your Email List
Art shows are a fantastic way to connect with potential buyers face-to-face. But how do you keep those connections alive after the event? One of the best tricks is to host a giveaway! Here’s how: offer a small, inexpensive piece of your artwork as a prize for an email drawing. It doesn’t have to be a large piece—something simple, like a small print, works perfectly.
Set up a bowl and invite people to drop their name and email on a slip of paper for a chance to win. It’s casual, low-pressure, and a great way to capture contact information. People love free stuff, and this method feels personal, giving you a warm entry point for future outreach.
Leverage popUP Email Automation for Personalized Follow-Up
Once you’ve gathered emails from your art show, don’t just let them sit. Use popUP Email Automation to follow up with those potential buyers. Here’s the key—make it personal! PopUP allows you to create semi-customized emails. Reference the show they attended, thank them for stopping by your booth, and give them an exclusive offer to check out your latest work. Check out the how to guide!
Automating this process helps you stay organized, keeps your outreach consistent, and saves you time. You’re an artist, not a full-time marketer, so let popUP handle the heavy lifting!
Build a Website to Control Your Sales
Social media is great for exposure, but if you want to truly own your sales process, you need a website. Think of it as your online studio—no one controls it but you. With your website, you can display your entire portfolio, set your prices, and control your checkout process.
Want a guide on how to set up your own artist website? Check out this resource: Creating Your Artist Website. This will walk you through all the steps, from choosing a platform to designing a space that reflects your creative voice.
Keep in mind: your website isn’t just a place to sell your art—it’s your professional hub. Every email you send through popUP should link back to your site, where visitors can browse, shop, and connect with you.
Use Social Media for Exposure, Not Sales
Social media is excellent for keeping yourself top-of-mind with your audience. Post regularly on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to showcase new works, behind-the-scenes processes, and even collaborations with other artists. Social media is all about storytelling. Build a narrative that people want to follow. But—and this is critical—don’t rely on social media for sales…. let me say that again,don’t rely on social media for sales!
Your website should always be the place where transactions happen. This gives you complete control over pricing, shipping, and customer interactions. Plus, you don’t have to deal with changing algorithms or platform fees. Use social media to drive traffic to your website, not to make sales directly.
Mental Preparation for In-Person Events
Let’s talk about the mental side of art shows, because it’s easy to get discouraged when someone walks by your booth, looks at your art for two seconds, and moves on. People make snap judgments, and not everyone understands the time, effort, and cost that go into handmade art. Don’t take it personally.
Stay confident in your work. Your art speaks to the right people, and those are the connections that matter. Prepare yourself mentally before each show—know that not every interaction will lead to a sale, but every interaction is a chance to learn and grow. Keep a positive mindset, and remind yourself that success in art is a marathon, not a sprint.
Stay Persistent and Organized
The more organized you are, the easier it is to stay persistent. Keep track of who you’ve met, what shows you’ve attended, and where your leads are coming from. PopUP Email Automation can help with that, send out regular emails to your contacts without spamming them. Share updates about upcoming shows, new pieces, or special offers. And remember, persistence pays off. Most buyers won’t make a purchase after just one interaction, so staying in touch is key.
Selling Your Art Is About Building Relationships
At the end of the day, making sales as an artist is about building relationships. Whether through a carefully crafted email campaign, a giveaway at an art show, or consistent social media updates, you’re creating connections with potential buyers.
Be persistent, stay organized, and remember to keep control of your sales through your website. With popUP Email Automation handling your follow-ups and personalized outreach, you can focus on what you do best—creating art that moves people.