Visual artists face many challenges when working in the creative industry. Establishing a solid professional brand, creating artwork that connects with an audience, and networking are just a few of the obstacles creatives face. To thrive in the visual arts industry, you must be able to identify and overcome these roadblocks. The good news is that with a little help from others, you can succeed. With that in mind, American artist Hillel Selznick, offers you several tips on how to network like a successful visual artist:
Be sure to build a brand before networking
When you are starting to network, the first thing you should do is build your brand. Building a brand is essential for artists because it helps them establish their identity in the creative field. You can build your brand in many ways, from creating a website to writing blog posts and books. Building a brand takes time, so don’t be discouraged if you are not immediately seeing results. The more you build your brand, the more people will recognize you and associate your work with your name. This is key to networking because if people know who you are and what you do, they will be more likely to approach you.
Networking is more than just talking to people
Networking is not just having conversations with other professionals — it’s also building relationships with other people in your industry. Before moving on to the next step, make sure you are meeting people in other professional capacities, whether it’s at conferences or social gatherings. These types of meet ups and gatherings are a great way to get to know other people in your field, get advice, and find mentors. Once you make connections, don’t be afraid to follow up with emails, texts, or phone calls, advises Hillel Selznick.
Be willing to learn from others
Networking requires patience and willingness to be open to opportunities that may not come right away. Networking is a process, so don’t get discouraged if people aren’t immediately approaching you. Take the time to show your eagerness to learn and be willing to admit that you don’t know everything. This will leave people with a good impression of you and help you gain new connections. Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know everything either, especially when it comes to things that are more technical. This is normal, and people will appreciate the honesty, explains New York City painter, Hillel Selznick.
Establish an online presence
Online presence is essential for visual artists who want to succeed in their careers. The best way to establish an online presence is to create a website. This way, people will be able to get to know you, your work, and your business. Making a website is a great way to showcase your work and can be done for as little as $50.
You can make a website using services like Squarespace, Weebly, or Wix. Having a website can help you to increase your brand recognition, establish your business as an artist, and share your work with a larger audience.
You can also use your website to create online portfolios, post blogs, and share helpful articles and tutorials. Creating an online presence is essential when networking in the visual arts industry. It can help you to increase brand recognition, showcase your work, and share useful information. Creating an online presence can take time, so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t seeing results right away. It may take some time for people to discover you.
Conclusion
Networking is a part of working in any profession, but it can be especially helpful for visual artists to establish their brand and build relationships in the creative field. During networking, it’s important to meet people in other professional capacities, like at conferences and social gatherings, before moving on to the next step: building relationships in person. Take the time to meet people and get to know them on a personal level. This will help you gain new connections and expand your network. If you have a website, make sure to keep it updated with recent works and information about your company, so people can find it easily. Finally, don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know everything, especially when it comes to technical aspects of your field. This will leave people with a good impression of you and allow you to learn from others in your industry.