How to Promote Your Art Online

Thanks to the meteoric rise of social media, promoting your art online is more important than ever. Though advertising your work on the web may seem complicated or unnerving, especially if you’re a more traditional artist, actually doing it is a fun and engaging process.

Method 1: Increasing Your Online Presence

Step 1: Create an Online Portfolio

• Showcase Your Best Work: Select 10 to 15 of your best pieces that demonstrate your style and technique. Include relevant information like titles, descriptions, mediums, and sizes.
• Use Portfolio Services: Create a unique portfolio website using services like Squarespace or Wix, or host your portfolio on free sites like Behance.
• Upload High-Resolution Images: Ensure your artwork is displayed in high resolution so viewers can see all the details.

Step 2: Start an Art Blog – promoting your art online

• Drive Traffic to Your Portfolio: Use your blog to keep people updated on your life and work. Regular posts will help direct people to your main portfolio.
• Engage in Writing: Discuss your artistic inspirations, favorite creators, and any other topics you’re passionate about.
• Popular Blogging Platforms: Use services like Blogger, WordPress, or Medium.

Step 3: Create Social Media Accounts to promoting your art online

• Reach New Fans: Sign up for various social media platforms and post regularly to connect with new fans and keep people interested in your work.
• Share Your Art: Posting your art allows people to share it, increasing your reach.
• Popular Platforms: Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest.
• Issue a Press Release: Hire a press release agency to write and distribute an article about you and your art to hundreds of news sites, reaching millions of viewers.

Step 4: Put Your Work on Specialty Websites

• Target Art Enthusiasts: Upload your work to art-specific websites to reach people who appreciate the craft.
• Specialty Art Websites: Consider sites like DeviantArt, ArtStation, 500px, CGSociety, and ConceptArt.

Method 2: Networking

Step 1: Join Online Art Communities

• Connect with Creators: Join and actively post in art forums and social media groups to find and interact with other artists.
• Find the Right Fit: Look for large communities for ideas and promotion, and smaller ones for more personal connections.
• Popular Communities: Check out WetCanvas forums, Artist Daily forums, and Facebook’s Artists Trying to Make a Living Creating Art group.

Step 2: Comment on and Share Other People’s Work

• Build Goodwill: Leave thoughtful comments on art you admire and share it with your followers to promote the overall community.
• Engage with Artists: Reach out to artists directly on social media, create fan art, or collaborate on projects.

Step 3: Participate in Community Projects

• Join Collaborative Efforts: Participate in online art projects, such as compilations or fan magazines, to meet other artists and gain exposure.
• Match Your Style: Look for projects that align with your interests and artistic style.

Step 4: Submit Your Work to Online Competitions

• Gain Publicity: Enter your art in online contests to expose your work to new audiences and potentially win prizes.
• Popular Contest Sites: Websites like Fine Art America and Artists Network host various competitions throughout the year.

Method 3: Creating Online Content

Step 1: Upload a Variety of Art Pieces

• Engage Your Audience: Regularly upload different pieces of art to attract new fans and keep current ones interested.
• Maintain Consistency: Aim to post art-related content daily, including unfinished versions and behind-the-scenes looks.

Step 2: Create Artwork Based on Popular Topics

• Increase Visibility: Create art inspired by trending topics to help people find your work during their normal browsing sessions.
• Stay Updated: Monitor trending sections on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to know what’s popular.
• Use Tags: Tag your pieces to ensure they show up in search results.

Step 3: Show Off Your Personality

• Build a Supportive Fanbase: Share posts that showcase your studio, inspirations, and creative process to help people connect with you personally.
• Record Vlogs: If you have a camera, record videos discussing your interests and artistic journey.
• Host Livestreams: Use platforms like YouTube and Twitch to livestream your creative process, allowing fans to interact with you in real-time.

By following these methods, you can effectively promote your art online, reach new audiences, and build a supportive community around your creative work.