How do I build a collector base when I'm starting from scratch with no email list or social following?

Focus on leveraging personal connections first. If you have existing relationships from a previous career or community involvement, reach out to those people individually and personally. Let them know about your new artistic pursuit. Use one-on-one messaging, greeting cards, and personal invitations. Also, create low-barrier entry products like books or smaller merchandise that allow people to become customers without the commitment of purchasing wall art. Each customer you acquire becomes someone you can market to long-term. Start small—even 800 email subscribers and 1,400 Instagram followers can support significant sales if you focus on genuine connection and engagement.

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Asked by an artist starting from zero following · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-12-03