Are you aware of the essence of your artistic work? Do you know what makes you stick out from other artists?

Throughout my work with artists from various disciplines, I have noticed that self-awareness is a practice that is unfortunately mostly neglected. And that is also too well understandable, in the creative industry, one is occupied with so many things. But the creative industry is also fiercely competitive. Making a name for oneself and also earning well is like searching for the Holy Grail.

As an artist, you have to be able to present yourself day after day – as if you were a startup business looking for investors, you are looking for buyers / collaborators to work with. And you have to pitch them your artist statement over and over again. The better it is, the more successful you’ll be.

This is why being able to communicate why your artistic work is different / special / to be seen is as crucial as the creation process itself.

Your artistic statement serves as a bridge between your audience and your work.

It provides insight into the creative process, your motivation, and unique qualities that defines your work.

How you will benefit?

The moment you are sure about your artist statement, you are confident with what you do, because you will have found the uniqueness in it. And this gives you confidence which is so indispensably needed in the fiercly contested art market.

Let’s explore a marketing approach to formulating an effective artist statement. I will guide you through the process of finding your purpose, discover your “why,” and identify your Unique Selling Propositions (USPs).

1. Find Your Purpose:

Understanding the purpose behind your art is the foundational step in crafting a compelling artist statement. Your purpose is the driving force that fuels your creative endeavors and gives meaning to your work.

2. Discover Your “Why”:

Simon Sinek, a renowned leadership expert, emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating the “Why” – the reason behind your actions.  Art that is deeply rooted in a genuine and passionate “Why” resonates more profoundly with audiences. Your artist statement should articulate this motivation, connecting the dots between your purpose and the emotional impact you aim to achieve.

3. Identify Your USPs:

In a crowded art world, standing out is essential. Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) are the distinctive qualities that set your art apart from others. These could be the techniques you use, the themes you explore, or the materials you prefer.

4. Craft Your Artist Statement:

With a clear purpose, a well-defined “Why,” and identified USPs, you are ready to craft your artist statement. Keep in mind that an effective artist statement is concise, engaging, and aligns with your overall brand. Consider the following tips:

• Start your artist statement with a compelling sentence or question that grabs the reader’s attention and invites them to explore further.
• Clearly articulate your purpose and “Why”.
• Highlight your USPs
• Connect with your audience

Conclusion:

Effective communication is the key to fostering a deeper connection between you as and artist and your audience. A well-crafted artist statement serves as a powerful tool for conveying your purpose, articulating your “Why,” and showcasing your unique qualities. By taking a marketing approach and following these easy steps, you can create compelling narratives that not only enhance your brand but also engage and resonate with your audience.

I once worked with a German Gallerist: I had met her at a lecture she gave about the local art scene. She had a noticable regional accent, spoke very personally and was so enthusiastic and cheerful, that she infected the whole audience with her good mood. Pretty uncommon behavior one can say, knowing that the art scene thrives on coolness and restraint. Nevertheless, this woman holds a doctorate in art history and has invaluable experience in the market and spezializes in Newcomer artists and Digital Art from her region. I adored her from the first moment.

What I’m trying to tell you with that story?

It can be the little things that make you stick out from the crowd. But if you know exactly what you core values, your core strengths and your goals are, you will stick out from the ground. And that will make your personal brand.

Why is personal branding important at all?

Personal branding has become an increasingly important aspect of success in the art market. With so many talented artists vying for attention, it’s essential to have a strong and distinctive personal brand that sets you apart from the competition. And this does not only apply to artists, but to art dealers and art gallerists, too. 

What is personal branding?

Personal branding is the practice of creating a unique image and reputation for yourself that sets you apart from others. It’s a way of defining who you are, what you stand for, and what you offer to the world. In the context of the art market, personal branding can set a more personal tone to your social media and other channels you communicate through with your customers. And help build a more personal and binding relationship with your customers.

Additionally: in context of artists is essential because it helps yo to build a loyal following of collectors and fans who are interested in their work.

Do I need to be big on Instagram or Social Media to be a personal brand?

Well, that is a tough question to answer and I struggle with it everyday. Why? Because even though I love Social Media and follow numbers of people whose feeds I can relate with… I myself am not an outgoing person. And prefer to portray other people instead of seeing me on a photo. But, because I am new to the art world and not yet connected as well as I wish I would be, I know I have to make an effort in connecting and building trust. 

And there’s no better way than doing through Social Media.

The good news is: Building up a Social Media account is no rocket science. It’s persistency, patience and staying on the ball. 

In the beginning, no one will see what you do – hence, it doesn’t matter if your posts are perfect. The key is to do at least one little story or one post everyday, or at least 5 days a week. Then you will get more and more attention and you will get used to using the network, too. It will become a habit. And that’s the key to success. 

I talk about social media in another post more detailed.

If you are well connected in the art world and have other channels where you can underline your personal brand, that’s just fine. You will not necessarily need to build up an Instagram account. It is always better to do both because you will definitely get more attention, but if you lack time or staff, better focus on building up the marketing channel that already works well. A newsletter for example can be a very powerful tool for that. And cooperations or PR. 

What are the benefits of personal branding?

There are many benefits to developing a strong personal brand Here are just a few:

1 Increased visibility

By developing a strong personal brand, you’ll increase your visibility in the art market. This will help you to attract new collectors and fans, and to build a reputation as a successful and influential artist.

2 Differentiation

Personal branding allows you to differentiate yourself from other artists in the market. By defining your unique value proposition and creating a distinctive visual identity, you’ll stand out in a crowded market and attract collectors who are interested in what you have to offer.

3 Increased credibility

A strong personal brand can also increase your credibility as an artist. By communicating your values and expertise consistently, you’ll build a reputation as an authority in your field.

4 Increased sales

Ultimately, personal branding can lead to increased sales for your artwork. By building a loyal following of collectors and fans, you’ll have a ready market for your work and be able to command higher prices.

How to develop a personal brand?

Here are some steps you can take to develop your personal brand in the art market:

1 Define your unique value proposition

Your unique value proposition is what sets you apart from others. It could be the artists you represent, the form of art you represent, the way you curate exhibitions, the way you host events. Whatever it is, you need to define it clearly and communicate it consistently to your audience. This will help you to stand out in a crowded market and attract collectors who are interested in what you have to offer.

2 Create a distinctive visual identity

Your visual identity is an essential part of your personal brand. It includes everything from your logo to your website design to the way you present your products, hence the artworks. Your visual identity should be consistent across all of your online and offline platforms, so that people can recognize your work and associate it with your brand.

3 Build a strong online presence

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential. As mentioned above, this includes having a website, social media profiles, and an email list. Your online presence should be consistent with your visual identity and unique value proposition, and should be regularly updated with new content.

4 Engage with your audience

Engaging with your audience is key to building a strong personal brand. This means responding to comments on social media, attending events where you can meet collectors and art people in person. By building relationships with your audience, you’ll create a loyal following that will help you to achieve success in the art market.

5 Be consistent

Consistency is crucial when it comes to personal branding. You need to be consistent in everything you do, from your visual identity to your messaging to your online presence. This will help to establish your brand and make it memorable for your audience.

Conclusion

Wheter art instituation or artists, whether company brand or personal brand: Finding out about your personal strengths and working on you uniqueness that sets you apart from others is the ground basis for brand building. I love to make workshops, enabling teams and individuals to find out about their Unique Value Proposition which is the prerequisite for strategically building marketing and one’s own business. Please contact me for a free initial call, during which we can discuss your challenges and create an individual action plan.