Marketing

Marketing...what a challenge for many artists. The ability to create beautiful work is not often matched with the skill to find customers and to promote the sales of the artwork.

This it a topic that is very obvious to me right now as I have spent several hours during the last few days working on a set of CDs on the topic of Marketing developed with the artist and craft producer in mind.

There are a few things that all successful marketing campaigns have in common, regardless of the service or product or art work being offered for sale. The first is the simple fact that there is a development and documented plan. An attempt to logically develop how and where the items or services will be offered, the methods that will be used to tell potential customers about the opportunities available and details of the benefits of making a purchase.

The second common item is the development of a budget to plan when and where advertising and promotional expenditures will happen.

The third common thread is the review and revision of the marketing plan to reflect new facts or circumstances as they become available.

This aspect of a business may be difficult for some but it does become easier with practice. It is important and essential if the artist or craft producer wants to increase sales through new customers or venues.