What does it mean to 'bring people backstage' with your art?

Bringing people backstage means making them feel like they’re right there with you throughout your creative journey, not just seeing the finished product. Imagine your audience as virtual friends sitting with you from the moment inspiration strikes. Talk about your ideas when they’re still forming. Show your sketches, your planning, your location scouting. Share when you wake up early for a shoot, when you return a lens to get exactly the right one, when weather doesn’t cooperate and you have to go back. Document your process as if giving a tour of your studio to interested friends. This creates the ‘backstage pass’ experience—like watching your favorite band practice harmonies before going on stage. You’re not just selling a finished product; you’re inviting people into your world, and that connection is what creates true fans who want to follow your journey and ultimately support your work.

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Asked by a general teaching point · Answered by Nick Friend and Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-06-21