This plan is for you to use. I suggest either coping it into a three-ring notebook or putting it on your computer. This way you can make a new plan with each of your new paintings or prints and you can evaluate the last plan to see what worked and what didn’t.
However, it is always wise to think marketing BEFORE you begin a painting project. So I strongly suggest you work on this plan at the very beginning of your creative process.
MARKETING PLAN
When working on each of these steps, WRITE DOWN how you can do it, or list the place or person you need to see. Be specific.
Step 1
Decide which piece of art this plan is for:
__________________________________________________________
Step 2
Decide who your target market/audience is:
(there may be more than one market for this piece of art)
•_________________________________________________________
•_________________________________________________________
Step 3
This group can be reached by:
(the more ways you can make yourself and your art available to possible
consumers, the better)
• Mail
- invitations to a show
- a newsletter of your latest works in progress
•__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
• In Person
- by being present in your communities art scene
•___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
• The Internet
- your web site
- by e-mail
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
• Printed materials
- in magazines
- articles
- short profile pieces
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
Step 4
Promotional ideas
• Events
- show and tell talks
- demonstrations
- church fund raiser
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
• Items
- calendars
- T-shirts
- mugs
- mouse pads
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
Step 5
Places
• Catalogs
• Fairs and festivals
• Tourist places
• Publications
• Exhibitions (both juried and non-juried)
• Small businesses
• Furniture stores
• Banks
• Airports
• Studio/home shows
• Govt. buildings
• Gift shops
• Hospitals
• Galleries
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
Step 6
Decide who can help you and how they can help
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
Step 7
Monies needed for
• Advertising (not advised until better known)
• Up-keep on your web site
• Framing and matting
• Shipping materials
• Note cards
• Invitations
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________
Step 8
Follow-up
• By mail
- e-mail
• By phone
• In person
•___________________________________________________
•___________________________________________________