How important is sending handwritten thank-you notes and personal correspondence to collectors?

Personal touches like handwritten thank-you cards create profound impacts that artists often underestimate. Collectors are genuinely moved to receive personal notes from artists—some say they’ll keep the card with the painting forever, others can’t believe they received a card from the artist at all. It’s so unexpected in today’s digital world that it stands out dramatically. When sending thank-yous, include your phone number and mention you’d love to receive a photo of the piece hanging in their home if it’s easy for them. This opens ongoing dialogue. Beyond thank-yous, send Christmas cards to your collector list annually, and write direct personal emails (not through bulk platforms) to check in with collectors periodically. These relationship-building touches pay dividends over the long collector journey.

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Asked by a landscape painter discussing collector communication · Answered by Patrick Shanahan and Terry Sauvé · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-12-10