Right now, shop owners are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, November 27th—which is only a few days away! According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “for every dollar spent at a small business, American Express estimates an average of $0.67 stays in that business’s local community.”
Local artists, who are small business owners, might need some ideas on how to promote their work to take advantage of this huge day.
Here are five tips that you, as an artist, can use to promote your artwork this upcoming Small Business Saturday:
Spread the word via social media that you are participating in Small Business Saturday
Take pictures of your art and/or create social media graphics to promote that you will be participating in the festivities of Small Business Saturday! Post at least once a day on your social media platforms leading up to the day. Also, make sure all your platforms are updated with your website link and/or contact information.
Keep checking your DMs for questions about the deal(s) you will be offering and to see if anyone has troubles with their orders.
Find new communities to connect with
As an organization that works closely with artists, we understand that finding the right audience for your work can be difficult. Something as simple as identifying new hashtags, attending community gatherings and/or finding groups with related interests can introduce new people to your artwork and either inspire them to buy a piece, or to share your artwork with a friend who might be looking for work like yours.
Get to know local businesses that sell artwork by local artists during Small Business Saturday
Artists regularly partner with other local businesses to sell their artwork, and you can do the same for Small Business Saturday. Find a local restaurant, resale store, locally curated boutique or even a flower shop that you can partner with to thoughtfully showcase and promote your work and reach more customers.
Connect with art organizations to spread the word about your artwork
Organizations for artists are there to help them thrive! At Artlink, we help Arizona artists across the state promote their work. In preparation for Small Business Saturday, feel free to register as an Artlink Articipant and receive a complimentary listing on the ArtistsAZ directory, the only statewide online artist directory. Registration is easy, and can be done in minutes by visiting artlinkphx.org or this link.
Spend the Small Business Saturday on your business!
Many professional artists will tell you that the key to developing a successful career as an artist is to spend actual time on the marketing of their artist business. Commit to learning how to take beautiful photos of your work, describing your work on social media or on your website, and dedicate a certain number of hours per week to promoting your work. We know it can be challenging for some to think of the art as a business, but this focus could help you generate the revenue you need to be a full-time artist.
As an artist, you are a small business. Therefore, it’s important to view yourself as one and create a business plan. By following the above tips, you will set yourself up for success this upcoming Small Business Saturday!
Everyone should consider shopping small this holiday season. By doing so, you support your local community members and encourage growth and creativity right in your neck of the woods. Find local artists to support here.
Catrina Kahler is the president and CEO of Artlink Inc. Artlink keeps the arts integral to our development by connecting artists, businesses and the community. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by artists in 1989, the Artlink name is a guiding principle for the organization, as it supports stakeholders of the arts and culture community, amplifying its collective strength.
Source: https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/marketing/small-business-saturday
