What's the overall mindset I need to have about maximizing results from art shows?

Be a cactus in the desert—extract every single bit of value from the show ecosystem. Given the enormous time, energy, and physical effort you invest (setting up, standing all day, etc.), you must get maximum ROI. Most exhibitors will just show up, have conversations, maybe write down a few emails, tell people they’ll see them next year, and go home with sore feet to complain. Don’t be like everyone else. You need to win. Run the complete playbook: capture contacts aggressively, show them ads, follow up with a contest announcement and discount offer, and ask for additional sales after initial purchases. Your feet hurt, you’re tired—that’s exactly why you must execute on every opportunity and not let potential buyers slip away.

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Asked by artists preparing for show season · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2018-04-25