5 Ways to Drive More Traffic to Your Online Gallery

So you’ve got your Artist Rising gallery up, and you’ve got your artwork uploaded and ready for the world to view it, love it and buy it.

Now, the fun begins — Getting your artwork added to Artist Rising and Sistino is only the first step toward sharing and selling your artwork to art lovers around the world.

Here are five things you can do to generate traffic to your gallery:

1. DON’T BE SHY – SHARE YOUR URL

Tell people about your online gallery by including your Artist Rising gallery URL and Sistino URLs on:

• Your signature on your e-mail messages and instant messenger (IM) profiles
• Your MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, or Windows Live Spaces homepages
• Your business cards
• Any fliers, postcards or posters you create to promote your artwork

You can find your gallery URL by logging into your Artist Rising account, click on the “My Account” link on the top right, and your URL will be displayed on the “My Account” page under “Gallery Information.”

2. USE YOUR NETWORK, BUILD YOUR NETWORK

Start and maintain a mailing list of people who have shown an interest in your artwork. These art lovers may not buy a piece from you now, but they may in the future if you stay in touch with them.

• Whenever you display your artwork at galleries or at art / craft fairs, ask your visitors to if they’d like to add their e-mail addresses to your mailing list. It can be as simple as having a guest book available at your table, or using an inexpensive spiral notepad with “name” and “e-mail address” written at the top.
• Cultivate your list of patrons by sending updates about your gallery. Whenever you have new artwork to share, send a note via e-mail to your mailing list.
• Take advantage of the e-mail marketing tools available in your Artist Rising gallery management page. Just log-in to your account, go to the “My Gallery” tab, and click on the “Marketing” section to start your mailing list.
• If you have a large mailing list or if you’d like to take your marketing to the next level by creating newsletters, consider using an e-mail management service such as Emma or Constant Contact.
• e-mail or tell your friends, family and associates about your galleries on Artist Rising and Sistino and ask them to share the links with their friends

3. CONNECT WITH OTHER ARTISTS & ART LOVERS

Put your artwork in front of other artists and art lovers – the more people who see your artwork, the better. You’ll not only make friends and get valuable advice, you’ll be introducing your art to a world of art buyers that may result in additional opportunities to show your artwork, and perhaps generate sales of your paintings, prints or photographs.

• Take classes or join an arts organization, and spread the word about your gallery with your fellow students and artists.
• Network with other artists and art lovers on Facebook, MySpace, Friendster or MSN Spaces by adding them to your friends list, or by joining an artists group on these sites. Whenever you have new artwork posted on your Artist Rising / Sistino galleries, notify your new online friends by posting in your blog or on the bulletin board space.
• Post your fliers/business cards or leave postcards with your artwork that have your Artist Rising URL / Sistino URL at your neighborhood cafes, art supply stores, art galleries, coffee shops, etc.

4. SPREAD THE WORD IN PRINT

Don’t have a business card or postcard to share? Try some of these artist-friendly (and relatively inexpensive) postcard and business card printers:

• Vista Print
• Overnight Prints
• 4by6.com

5. PROMOTE YOURSELF ON ARTIST RISING

Want more even more exposure? Add a comment to the Artist Rising blog in the new artworks’ post and include your gallery URL or drop a line to editor@artistrising.com. You will be considered for inclusion in our new Art of the Day feature and New Artworks slideshow galleries.

RECOMMENDED READING

This is really only the beginning – Taking the time and initiative to promote your artwork is a major factor toward your success as an exhibiting artist. If you need additional suggestions or ideas, take a look at these books:

• How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels
• The Artist’s Marketing and Action Plan Workbook by Jonathan Talbot and Geoffrey Howard
• The Business of Art by Lee Caplin

Plus, check out Empty Easel’s 7 MORE tips to generate more traffic to your online gallery.

Got a great idea about how you’ve marketed your online gallery? Add your comments below and share your success stories!