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In the last few newsletter issues, I've shared different articles discussing the importance of finding new and creative ways to reach your audience. Personal connection continues to be the driving force behind purchasing a piece of artwork so make sure you're consistently engaging with your audience.


In today's article, Carolyn Edlund shares her experience about receiving good old-fashioned direct mail. Many have steered away from this approach but it can still be an extremely effective way to reach your top-tiered collectors.


Please don't forget to send us your questions about art marketing! We're loving reading all the responses we've received so far and are looking forward to answering them in upcoming newsletters!


By the way, for my latest thoughts on art marketing, posted daily, please follow me on
Twitter.


Enjoy,

Clint Watson




If you have been an internet user for the past few decades, you'll remember the famous male voice announcing "You've got mail" when you had waiting inbox messages. The phrase was even immortalized in a 1990's romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.


Today's inbox isn't so exciting anymore. Ads, spam and other unwanted emails land there every day. Spam filters and other systems have been created in an attempt to make your life easier by cutting down on this problem.


If you use Gmail (like 1.5 billion other people) the service can helpfully label your mail with Primary, Social and Promotional categories, in an effort to sort it all out.


Do I hate email? No.


I'm a total believer in email marketing as a super effective way for artists to reach out and connect with their audience.


I use email campaigns extensively in my own business and earn much of my income from my list.



But I also realize that the typical inbox is overburdened and that it takes effort to stand out and get noticed in all that noise.


Meanwhile, there is another box, much maligned in recent years, through which you can reach out to your business prospects, fans and collectors. The postal service delivers millions of pieces of mail every weekday. And although you may have noticed that its contents are getting a bit thin these days, you most likely check your mailbox on a regular basis.


If among the ads, bills (and hopefully checks) you found a stunning postcard from an artist it would probably grab your attention. It may even make your day.


If you're like me, you might place those small, mailed works of art on your fridge or somewhere in your office.


Postcards and other mail have the advantage of physical form, which makes them tactile and enduring.


They also place your art and your name in front of someone who may know you or have admired your work in the past and act as a reminder.


It's an easy way to reintroduce yourself by gifting an image of your work unexpectedly to a recipient who will most likely smile when they see it.


I know this works because I can recall the name of every artist who sent me mail in the past year (there haven't been that many). I expect to receive a postcard from Colorado watercolor artist Steve Griggs (a FASO artist) every few months. He and his wife and business partner Sue take direct mail marketing seriously, sending a handwritten note on each one.


Even though I haven't spoken with either of them in a while, this personal touch makes me feel that our relationship is alive and current.


Your own art marketing plan should include a variety of ways to get in front of your chosen audience that work independently yet complement each other. Social media, press releases, advertising, email marketing, and your artist website are some of them.


Could sending postcards or other mail act as another channel to reach part of your list? If a single sale or contract is worth a considerable sum, even a small response to your efforts could pull an important client, collector, gallery or contact into your network and help you reach your goals.


Every day in my email inbox I get a message from the USPS, showing me images of the mail I will receive that day (this is a free service). When an artist postcard is coming in, I see it online and I get it in my mailbox, which exposes me to it twice.


When the rest of the envelopes contain bills or ads, that piece of art is motivation to get out of my office and stretch my legs by taking a walk to the mailbox. It builds the same excitement we all used to experience when hearing "You've got mail".


Regards,


Image 4167461


Carolyn Edlund

Founder of Artsy Shark



PS - This is Clint again. I hope you enjoyed Carolyn's article discussing the impact that direct mail can have on your audience. If you're ready to take your creative business to the next level, click here to learn more about Carolyn's Marketing Strategies for Artists course!








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