HOW DO YOU MARKET YOUR OFFERINGS AND PROMOTE YOUR WORK OUTSIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA?
What happens when we ignore the grid?
May we stay tuned in! May it be so!
This week I took to the Instagram Grid to share the flyer for my upcoming class The Shapes of Our Offerings and last I checked 32 people had liked it (I have over 80k followers)
Biggest thing I'm working on right now is: sitting on my couch with a notebook and my story ideas, giving up my need for managing everyone else's happiness, and so I focus on this book and let it be what it is (let's call that MAKE GOOD ART, TRUST THAT IT WILL MARKET ITSELF).
Second to the above is that I make better art when I'm off social media.
I can't forget the importance of MY MOM as a marketing powerhouse. She brings my books on vacation and hands them out to people.
GO INTO A BOOKSTORE AND INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE
〰️Ohhhhhh I have a zine I send out every month that includes my class list
〰️My local community pod -- we have a group of folks who have committed to doing service tasks for each other, which could def include getting the word out
〰️Renting a table at the farmers market and talking to everyone about art :)
Send out a paid rambling monthly subscription in the mail that includes new things I’ve made.
Send out a rambling email newsletter that hypes up other people making things and sharing whatever is on my mind/what I’m looking at out there in the world and on the internet. Include links to new products, but also links to articles and projects and other corners of the internet.
Enlist friends to help leave stickers with my website in public restrooms, on coop bulletin boards, info tables at the public library, stuck on mailboxes and lampposts, etc.
Get a friend to cut a bumper down so I can cover it in bumper stickers and plop it down on a table or hang it on a wall. Set up at craft fairs and flea markets with my actual bumper.
Trade with other people who make things.
Advertise on small podcasts that aren’t too expensive but are aligned with what I’m all about.
Talk about what i do on a podcast or on the radio.
Ask stores I like to stock the things I make, even if that feels incredibly vulnerable.
update my website more often.
Be liberal with the creation of discount codes for holidays and events and people, photocopy little fliers and include them in orders or leave them places.
one of the best things for my business ever was also getting a table/booth at my local farmers market. i did this once a month for about 3 years and got many of my recurring clients and yoga students that way! and its fun! a lot of work but being around other makers and your local farmers is so inspiring and connecting
recently i hung a whiteboard up in my studio with lists of and physical registration forms for upcoming yoga classes
i use moo.com for my business cards and have a different original lake photo on each card so people can choose which one they like, and they are sort of like trading cards! they are more expensive but the quality is so swoon-worthy and have gorgeous rounded corners and i think people like getting to choose
so excited to see everyone's lists and try some of those ideas!
sitting here with a bowl of metaphorical popcorn reading these ideas... it's extremely scary for me to promote my work even though i finally believe in its value. The other day I walked into an art supply store intending to give the cashier a postcard I'd made with a link to my newsletter. But when I got to the counter I literally turned the postcard face down and bought two pens instead... womp. Amelia Hruby's stuff is awesome, these lists are awesome, I guess I'm just not quite there yet
also making STICKERS!!!! with your art and business name on it! i currently use moo.com but i'm wondering what printing services people have used for stickers as they have limited sizes to choose from
I love the idea of seeing my friends comforted in the clothes I make doing such badass and cool tasks. People tell me they wear a sweater in therapy. Others may show up for a protest or cook a meal for a loved one while in recovery. The web seems easier to find and maintain when I’m in direct community and less when I’m in deep search for something so much “grander” than what I think is in front of me. I argue that these substack threads and newsletter shares have absolutely become that. I also absolutely will be sharing my dreams to the birds outside my window now. Also digging into bumper sticker ideation 🚙
Absolutely love all these ideas <3 especially inspired by bookmarks and yard signs! I started a poetry open mic night in my city a couple months ago & that has not only increased my readership/visibility, but I’ve discovered so many poets/writers/artists, too! Waking up to all the local talent in your community is inspiring & relieving & whatever the opposite of feeling like an island is :-)
THINGS ON MY LIST :
MONDAY MONDAY POSTCARDS
BROCHURES
HAVE A FARMSTAND WITH A MONTHLY PHYSICAL NEWSLETTER OF THINGS I NOTICE IN THE MEADOW AND THE QUILT HOUSE
JOIN A BIRDING GROUP AND TELL THEM I CAN MAKE THEM A QUILT
MAKE QUILTS THAT ARE BANNERS
QUILT SQUARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
FLYERS AT THE COFFEE SHOP
TURN YES YES INTO A PODCAST WITH AN INTRO AND OUTRO AND .... THEME MUSIC?!
Biggest thing I'm working on right now is: sitting on my couch with a notebook and my story ideas, giving up my need for managing everyone else's happiness, and so I focus on this book and let it be what it is (let's call that MAKE GOOD ART, TRUST THAT IT WILL MARKET ITSELF).
Second to the above is that I make better art when I'm off social media.
I can't forget the importance of MY MOM as a marketing powerhouse. She brings my books on vacation and hands them out to people.
GO INTO A BOOKSTORE AND INTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE
TELL ONE PERSON WHAT I DO
WHISPER MY DREAMS TO A BIRD, IDK
salon-style living room backyard beach picnic slideshow share
hang physical prints at trailhead map kiosks (next to the maps)
potlucks!
10¢ xerox from the library love language
less broadcast, more sharing with exactly one friend
play your new casio keyboard composition over the telephone
tapes in a re-used amazon bubble mailer with old stamps and smiley stickers
Have friends wear tshirts with your art on it
Table local art fairs and zine fests
Project video on an exterior surface
Sit on the sidewalk, lay out a blanket, and sell your art there
Host poetry readings in parks, or other public spaces where anyone may walk by and see
Start a local critique/study/writing group, even if it’s just you and one friend for now
Contribute to a physical newsletter or start your own
Ask a coffee shop or unusual space if you can hang your art there
〰️Ohhhhhh I have a zine I send out every month that includes my class list
〰️My local community pod -- we have a group of folks who have committed to doing service tasks for each other, which could def include getting the word out
〰️Renting a table at the farmers market and talking to everyone about art :)
〰️✨SCAVENGER HUNT✨〰️
Send out a paid rambling monthly subscription in the mail that includes new things I’ve made.
Send out a rambling email newsletter that hypes up other people making things and sharing whatever is on my mind/what I’m looking at out there in the world and on the internet. Include links to new products, but also links to articles and projects and other corners of the internet.
Enlist friends to help leave stickers with my website in public restrooms, on coop bulletin boards, info tables at the public library, stuck on mailboxes and lampposts, etc.
Get a friend to cut a bumper down so I can cover it in bumper stickers and plop it down on a table or hang it on a wall. Set up at craft fairs and flea markets with my actual bumper.
Trade with other people who make things.
Advertise on small podcasts that aren’t too expensive but are aligned with what I’m all about.
Talk about what i do on a podcast or on the radio.
Ask stores I like to stock the things I make, even if that feels incredibly vulnerable.
update my website more often.
Be liberal with the creation of discount codes for holidays and events and people, photocopy little fliers and include them in orders or leave them places.
Leave leaflets on cars, but only old cars.
one of the best things for my business ever was also getting a table/booth at my local farmers market. i did this once a month for about 3 years and got many of my recurring clients and yoga students that way! and its fun! a lot of work but being around other makers and your local farmers is so inspiring and connecting
recently i hung a whiteboard up in my studio with lists of and physical registration forms for upcoming yoga classes
i use moo.com for my business cards and have a different original lake photo on each card so people can choose which one they like, and they are sort of like trading cards! they are more expensive but the quality is so swoon-worthy and have gorgeous rounded corners and i think people like getting to choose
so excited to see everyone's lists and try some of those ideas!
sitting here with a bowl of metaphorical popcorn reading these ideas... it's extremely scary for me to promote my work even though i finally believe in its value. The other day I walked into an art supply store intending to give the cashier a postcard I'd made with a link to my newsletter. But when I got to the counter I literally turned the postcard face down and bought two pens instead... womp. Amelia Hruby's stuff is awesome, these lists are awesome, I guess I'm just not quite there yet
Some of my favorites are...
Bookmarks
Pinback Badges
Free Art (would be cool to make a Little Free Gallery like the Little Free Libraries around)
Hosting free collaborative projects (zines, but dreaming up a massive group weaving for neurodivergent folks)
and of course Podcasts & Substack love that these transcend time and space)
- vending machine filled with art (saw this on someone's IG story today!)
- gifting art to friends to display in their home or shops
- Free Little Art Gallery (didn't know these existed until I just searched it... so cool!): https://findafreelittleartgallery.com & the founder has tiny quilts on her IG grid: https://www.instagram.com/angelicakauffmangallery
- wear a tote bag/hat/shirt with your business/art/brand on it - printed or handmade
- video updates on your offerings that you text or email to your friends who want to stay updated
- monthly snail mail art sample sharing group
also making STICKERS!!!! with your art and business name on it! i currently use moo.com but i'm wondering what printing services people have used for stickers as they have limited sizes to choose from
I love the idea of seeing my friends comforted in the clothes I make doing such badass and cool tasks. People tell me they wear a sweater in therapy. Others may show up for a protest or cook a meal for a loved one while in recovery. The web seems easier to find and maintain when I’m in direct community and less when I’m in deep search for something so much “grander” than what I think is in front of me. I argue that these substack threads and newsletter shares have absolutely become that. I also absolutely will be sharing my dreams to the birds outside my window now. Also digging into bumper sticker ideation 🚙
I write my newsletter by hand each month, and mail it to subscribers: for the love of snail mail and to connect offline.
The flyers I drew and posted around town for my services have gotten me more work than social media posts, I'm happy to report.
Absolutely love all these ideas <3 especially inspired by bookmarks and yard signs! I started a poetry open mic night in my city a couple months ago & that has not only increased my readership/visibility, but I’ve discovered so many poets/writers/artists, too! Waking up to all the local talent in your community is inspiring & relieving & whatever the opposite of feeling like an island is :-)