AUDIENCE
This image is from http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicagogeek/4333114156/
Since I’m endlessly curious, clearing my mind to practice mindfulness is important to me. So are setting intentions. I started this year with a personal vision quest – eight full days -- through snowstorms and subzero temps (in Chicago, I’m told, the zookeepers even brought the polar bears indoors!).
My retreat unfolded this way. First I happened onto a self-inventory called "The Gifts of 2013" from Susannah Conway. I spent New Year’s Day writing until I had filled it all out. When I reviewed what I had written about the pluses and minuses of 2013, I savored the confident, positive woman I saw reflected back to me.
A few days later I met with two fellow artists with long corporate careers and much expertise to discuss our desires and directions for 2014. I acknowledged that I am very savvy about marketing for others but not on my own behalf. Could I change that mindset and still be true to my own values? Indeed I can.
As I take steps this year to make my work more visible, then my audience -- those people who will invest in my works -- will find me. How can people purchase my work if they don’t know it exists?
Just who is my desired audience? As I visualize them, here's what I see:
- You appreciate contemporary art. It ignites your interest and delights you. You surround yourself with original art in your home and office.
- You have confidence in your taste. You trust your instincts.
- You're informed. You learn about the artists who interest you. If possible, you visit their studios and connect with them personally.
- You're comfortable with contemporary art. You make it a point to visit museum exhibitions and gallery shows because you enjoy learning. You spend time with a work to really see and appreciate it.
- You share your enthusiasm for the arts and artists with your friends, family and co-workers. You may be low-key about it but you are definitely an advocate for artists.
- You think for yourself. You enjoy purchasing art that will increase in value but you don’t make your purchases based on profits. Today’s stars come and go in contemporary art as in music and movies; you choose to buy art that captivates you rather than follow trends and passing fads.
- You are a genuine, compassionate and interesting person. You probably wouldn’t find visual art appealing if you weren’t!
My audience is out there – and since I have a clearer idea of who they are, it will be easier to develop ideas for how to reach them.
