Documentation of “On the Impossibility of Freedom in a Country Founded on Genocide and Slavery,” a performance by Dread Scott, 2014. Photographed by Mark Von Holden

These tips come straight from our Professional Development Program’s Artist’s Tools Handbook—a 200+ page resource we give to Core Workshop attendees, written by PDP Core Leaders Jackie Battenfield and Aaron Landsman. The book covers everything from writing to budgeting, websites to fundraising, elevator pitches to work samples. Similarly, each post will be packed with practical ideas to make your life run more smoothly, leaving you even more time for your creative practice. 

Marketing is the process of communicating about you and your work and the methods you use as a means to foster interest from others. Remember that no one cares as much you do about your art. Communicating about your work is ultimately your responsibility and is crucial to building your career. You should develop a marketing strategy and commit to doing something to promote your work each day.

Think about who you’re trying to reach and how you’re going to reach them. For more information on building the most effective marketing strategy, Dread Scott has a few tips to get you started:

1. Send an email invitation to a group of friends to attend an opening or view a production.
2. Send a press release announcing your performance, exhibition, reading or CD/book/film release to media outlets.
3. Marketing can be one-on-one. Call or send a personal e-mail to someone you haven’t spoken with in awhile.
4. Tweet interesting facts you’ve found in your research.
5. Distribute postcards or brochures at events.
6. Exchange business cards with other arts professionals.
7. Post frequent updates about your project on your website or blog.

Creative Capital hosts professional development workshops to help artists learn skills such as proposal writing, marketing, and tax skills to help artists complete successful projects from inception to completion. Check our calendar for upcoming workshops!