How do I follow up with people who showed interest in my work at an art show but didn't buy? I collected some emails and gave out business cards with QR codes, but I'm not seeing any website visits or inquiries afterward.

This is very common. When attendees receive business cards from 25 vendors at a fair, they rarely check out more than one or two. That’s why collecting email addresses directly is the best approach—you control the first outreach. If you run a giveaway, that’s the second-best method because it gives people an immediate incentive to subscribe. For people who only took your business card, the follow-through rate is naturally low. Once you have emails, stay active with that list: send regular emails (following a marketing calendar), run promotions like seasonal sales, and give them reasons to buy (discounts, limited offers). Staying top-of-mind is critical. Use an email service provider to manage your growing list efficiently. Keep the email list engaged with consistent communication, not just occasional updates.

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Asked by an artist attending in-person shows · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-04-23