It’s not enough to just be an artist anymore. You need to become this.

Clayton J. Hester
3 min readSep 25, 2022
Photo by DesignClass on Unsplash

The Renaissance saw a day when you could rise up through the ranks till you were backed by wealthy families.

These families built the art world, patronizing the best and brightest creatives.

Today, you’ve still got to make it up through the ranks.

But you’ve also got to build an audience so you can find either customers or individual patrons, not wealthy families.

You can’t just be an artist.

You have to be a marketer.

Here are twelve ways to make your break.

Keep a blog:

A blog is a great way to connect with your fans and give them an insight into your creative process. You can also use it to promote your upcoming shows and events.

Use social media

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great for connecting with your fans and promoting your work. Make sure to post regular updates and use attractive visuals to grab attention.

Make a website

A website is a great way to showcase your work and tell people about upcoming events and shows. Make sure to include plenty of high-quality images and keep the design clean and simple.

Create a press kit

A press kit is a great way to give journalists and bloggers all the information they need to write about you and your work. It should include an up-to-date CV, high-resolution images, and a press release.

Send out e-newsletters

An e-newsletter is a great way to keep your fans updated on your latest news, shows, and events. Make sure to include plenty of images and links to your website and social media pages.

Find mine here.

Hang up flyers

Flyers are a great way to promote your work in public spaces. Make sure to use bright colors and attractive visuals to grab attention.

Participate in open studios

Clayton J. Hester

Country boy. Explorer of the creative process & life, the arts, storytelling, innovation and history of ideas. Omnia in gloriam Dei facite — claytonjhester.com