Who You Know and Who Knows You: Guest Blogger Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield with Kelsey Karper and Julia Kirt of OVAC

Guest blogger Alyson B. Stanfield 


Your #1 asset in your art business is the people you know and, more importantly, the people who know you.


We group these people together, call them a “mailing list” and store their information in a database. If we’re on top of things, we use that information to stay in touch with our friends and fans.


With the explosion of social media, it’s time to expand this definition.


Not only do you have contact with the people described in the mailing list definition above, you also have connections on LinkedIn and Google+, followers on your blog and Twitter, and fans on Facebook. These social media connections might not be included in a formal database, but they are waiting to hear from you.


Think of how your contact list has grown!


You’re reaching more people than ever. People who have asked to hear from you. The cost? Your time.

 And although your social media connections are an important aspect of your marketing, they can never replace the carefully cultivated list of people you’ve met and communicated with on a more personal level.


Your traditional mailing list is comprised of the people who have purchased art from you or supported you in some other way, and they are the most valuable contacts you have.


As valuable as that mailing list is, it’s worth zilch if you don’t use it!


At the Oklahoma Arts Conference in Tulsa on October 26-27, I’ll lead a couple of sessions to show you how to organize and use your mailing list so that it becomes your #1 asset.


I’ll give you plenty of creative ideas for using e-mail and artist newsletters. And in other sessions, I’ll demystify Twitter and Facebook – helping you decide which social media platforms are right for you and how you can best utilize them.


I hope you plan to attend the conference. I look forward to meeting you!



Stanfield is the founder of Art Biz Coach and the Art Biz Blog. We refer artists to her daily because she offers sound, positive guidance and her book I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion energizes artists' business. She’s a native of Oklahoma now living in Golden, Colorado. 


We are thrilled that Stanfield will present at the Oklahoma Arts Conference October 26 & 27. Practicing artists may apply for scholarships through the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (deadline September 19).