One of the things I’ve learned over the years as that there are both Pros and Cons to moving around the web and using new tools to promote your work. It may seem awesome to be the first person using a social network or new app to promote art, but sometimes it can backfire in your face.

Here are some things to consider when making changes to your marketing routine:

1. Changing blog sites or networks has potential of alienating current followers/fans. Most people don’t think about the fact that some people may prefer to use one network and avoid something else. Everyone has a preference. You may also find your audiences are different depending on the network or blog site. You get different people using Twitter than you do Facebook. Demographics!! Keep this in mind if you decide you’re going to cut a network off and move onto another. Letting people know is usually not very helpful in the transition as some people might miss the update or don’t follow as closely on these things.

2. You might find one tool is completely useless. Some may find that videos are the best thing to happen to their art online while others have seen proof that facebook is great for sales. As I mentioned earlier, audiences vary from network to network. If you find something is not working for you, that is ok. Move onto what does.

3. Keeping your brand logo/avatar consistent over the years is more important than change or improvement. If you find you need a better profile picture or logo, by all means fix/improve it! But don’t keep changing it on whim. Consistency, simplicity and avoiding deviation from the norm is key to building a fanbase, increasing sales, etc.

I’m getting a lot of emails from artists who were intrigued by the post, but also some pushback from those who just aren’t really reading the post.

Let me continue on this topic by first reiterating the conclusion in the first post:

“I’m simply trying to give you some solid advice, based on my own personal experience and the shared experience of others whom I know do the same thing and are very “successful” by industry standards.

My point is to let you know that despite the things you see, other artists don’t have it better than you. None of us do. It also never gets easier. Only more complicated.

But what I DO know is that there IS hope. There IS a possibility and there IS a way. It has to be done right, with a well executed plan and a strong vision of what you want to do.”

YES. Again I will say this. But let’s put it in steps, because EVERYONE loves things in steps!

5 STEPS TO SUCCESS AS AN ARTIST:  Continue reading →