6 Tips to Boost Your Artist Profile
We’ve already written about what not to do on Bluethumb; those easy mistakes that lower your chances of selling work online. If you’ve got those down and your profile is up to scratch in terms of your bio, profile photo and artwork listings, there are still a few things you can do to really gain some momentum online.
Going the extra mile and being a little bit strategic with the following five tips can give your artist profile the boost its been waiting for, and even bring some sales your way. After all, what have you got to lose?
1. Get followers
When someone follows you on Bluethumb, they get a notification every time you upload new work. Don’t underestimate this function – more than a sign of popularity, it essentially means that you can have your very own newsletter! Start with friends and family, and remind people to follow you when you share new work on socials.
Any one who follows an artist would be excited to see their studio full of work and ready to be published on Bluethumb! This one belongs to Marian Bosch.
2. Upload frequently
The world wide web is all about what’s fresh. Uploading one work every few days is much more effective than dumping ten works at a time – this way, people won’t get overwhelmed by seemingly similar images in their feed, and we’re more likely to pay attention too. Not everyone is able to smash out a new piece every week and there’s no point sacrificing quality for quantity, but you’ll definitely reap the rewards if you upload each piece as soon as it’s finished.
Ps, while we’re on the topic of uploads, make sure to use relevant keywords so people can find what they’re looking for!
Create, upload, repeat! Pictured: Daniella Germain.
3. Vary your price points
People have vastly different budgets when it comes to art, and at least until you find your loyal niche of fans, it pays to cater to everyone. Try to upload some smaller, more affordable works, as well as your high value masterpieces. You never know who’s out there!
Ross Morgan has pieces available at lots of different price points! The piece on the left, Hart’s Mill, is $390, while the piece on the left, Undercover, is $2,830.
4. Get social
We know, we know, we’ve said it before, but seriously – we can’t overstate the value of social media in drawing people to your profile. If someone sees an artwork they love on Instagram, they might just want to hang it on their wall. Or buy it for a friend! Or, they might not be ready to buy, but open to a new purchase later down the track. Make sure to link to your Bluethumb profile on your social media, and also provide links to your social media from your Bluethumb profile. Take a look at our Facebook tips here, and get in touch with any questions about social media as a tool.
Try to curate your Instagram profile to show a variety of art, works-in-progress and things that inspire you!
5. Link to Bluethumb on your personal website
Many of our artists have their own personal websites, using services like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress, which is great. Linking to Bluethumb on one of these personal websites is a great way to avoid the hassle of dealing with sales if you’d rather they come through us, but even if you would prefer to maintain an independent sales channel, providing this link is still a good idea.
The more links to Bluethumb that exist around the web, the higher it will appear in Google search results. This means more visitors to Bluethumb as a whole, and more visitors to your Bluethumb profile.
6. Get out there
In case you haven’t heard, we’re looking for artists who want help to hold their own Bluethumb exhibition in Melbourne. Opportunities like this are the perfect way to boost your career and make new connections, so keep an eye out and go for it (more details here)! Exhibitions are a great way to see people respond to your work in the flesh and meet fellow artists too. Another great one is the Bluethumb Art Prize ’18. Have you entered yet (enter now)?
This is a shot from our recent exhibition to launch Bluethumb Photography. It was great to meet some new faces!
Thank you .that was very helpful. Merry Christmas to all the team in Bluethumb.
Hi guys hope you have a nice Christmas and a Happy New year. by the way, I post my works on everything. there was a famous artist ones said he advertised 80pc of his time and painted 20pc. I think he was right.cheers owen jones.
Thank you so much. I will take onboard your tips.
I am so grateful to the staff at blue thumb. You make mme feel like zim important to you.
Merry Christmas and happiest of New Years. Stay safe.
Diane Shallis
Great article. Christmas Greetings to everyone and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all of us!
Even though I have been a commercial artist working in magazines and books for many years, it all sounds quite overwhelming. Loving working in acrylics on canvas but would like to be able to sell them. I am on Instagram as Dianne Bradley Artist and have about 170 followers!
LOVE the Bluethumb Website.
Visited Bluethumb at 81 Sackville St, Collingwood, Melbourne VIC .
Met lovely Sarah, who made this nervous and self conscious artist feel relaxed.
Yes, I will be exhibiting at Bluethumb oftenes..
In my eyes Bluthumb Rules..
Cheers from,
Happy artist and Cat. xxxxxxxxx
Thanks so much for these tips. This information is so worthwhile. The one thing I would like to know is closing dates for any competitions.
Keep up the good work, and best wishes for Christmas to all staff at Bluethumb.
Cheers,
Raynette
Thank you for all the great tips, I shall take it all onboard and endeavour to put into practice.
Hi guys, thanks for all the helpful advise you give, I’m listening and doing, and grateful for Bluethumb, its a great platform, for all of us, and your pretty cool, best for 2019
Thank you so much I have read a number of your very useful articles and tips and I especially wanted to say how helpful all of this is for an artist with little experience of sales.