Creators+Social=IRL Community+Collaboration

Some tips to be Artfully #Social

Are you an artist with clients +/or classes +/or a space with works of art displayed?

Chances are reviewing and posting/sharing/updating an (ever-growing) list of social networks to stay current on trends, share your workshops and featured artists, shows, special events, etc. is NOT in your top 100 things to do today. Your focus here is to produce the beauty the world needs and we so enjoy.

So how do you stay socially #relevant - without risking the focus and creativity that makes you so unique and successful? The truth is, inspiration and innovation can be found in many aspects of the social media feed, but careful planning is key. Outlined here are a few ideas to get you on your way to being a #SocialArtist!

Step 1. Define your presences / networks

If you do not have a presence, start out small and grow, just like you did with your art. A social strategy is a marketing strategy and will work well when you stay focused on a specific audience. Know your audience and who you want to continue to connect with. Do you have at least one social network? Facebook? Linked in? Instagram? Start there.

Step 2. Define your online identity

What is or are your goal(s) in your art and in your business? Is it to sell artwork? Fill classes? Fill workshops? Speak to that goal with each and every post.

There is a multitude of social networks, each with their own functionality. You’ll need to think about which one best fits your goals. Here are some things to think about:

Facebook - An intuitive, flexible, dynamic, and global network (it can be ultra-local, too!). Carefully consider how you can use personal profiles, groups and other functionality most effectively to embody your persona and work toward your marketing goals.

Twitter - An information network made up of 140-character messages. It's an easy way to discover new stuff or be part of a trending topic. Twitter is not a place for in-depth engagement. It’s great for sharing inspiration, making professional connections, and quickly leading others to your content.

LinkedIn – An online resume/portfolio network with about 9 billion content impressions in feeds each week. LinkedIn is used by hiring professionals and can give you insight into the skills of other people in your field. It can also help you learn about what groups or networks they are a part of that you may also be interested in researching or joining.

Instagram – A social network allowing you to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. This visual-oriented platform is perfect for artists looking to share their work!

Pinterest – A visual bookmarking tool that helps you discover and save creative ideas.

SnapChat – A 24-hour real time video/photo sharing, 10 second photo viewing opportunity.

Buffer – An aggregator that allows you to add original or shared content to a queue so you are not blasting your network with shares in a short period of time that gets lost in the shuffle.

Step 2. Develop a plan for content

Original photos, poems, quotes, tutorials, or shares of important content which is relevant and potentially interesting to your network are all ideas of some content you could share.

I’m an advocate of sharing content that reinforces your goal. This is where something like Buffer may come in handy. Maybe you want to set aside a certain amount of time on a Sunday, off-day or each day to load up your queue for the day or week. Maybe you want to do some A/B testing to determine what people are looking for at what day of the week or time of day. Keeping track of reaction to your posts can help with this analysis.

Step 3. Take Action & Measure!

Follow your plan. Review your interactions. Stay personal and have fun! Being responsive and sharing human connections is key! Remember your goal and evaluate whether your content plan is supporting it. Consult with others in the same field as collaborating and learning together is key.

Social[IT2] media is powerful and far-reaching. Respect your network and don’t abuse your platform.

Step 4. see your business grow!

Tell me what content strategies you’ve used in your creative arts business! What were some favorite Posts? What didn’t work so well?