ART PROMOTION: The Business Card – Never Leave Home Without it!

18 Aug ART PROMOTION: The Business Card – Never Leave Home Without it!

This is one biz card you won't throw away!

The Business Card…..

This is so basic, but I’m amazed at how many artists will walk into my office, ask me to refer them for this and that, and when I ask for their business card they say, “oh, I don’t have one.” And I promptly smack them on the head for being absurd…..and give them the following lecture:

Never go anywhere without your business cards in your pocket or wallet.  Place them in a spot that’s easy to get to (like a front pocket, coat pocket, whatever), that every time you meet someone and they say “what do you do” you’ll pull out a business card in 007 fashion, hand it to them and say, “I’m an artist.”

I find that when you tell someone you’re an artist, they get a picture in their head of what you do which is usually inaccurate. That’s why having a photo of your work printed on your card is essential. That way you don’t have to say “well, I do these really imaginative sculptures that…blah blah blah….” With a photo on the card, it makes what you do very clear.

ART SHOWS & EVENTS: Have your cards out in large quantity for people to pick up and take. Take it one step further and buy one of those nice little cardholders to put your cards in and place them in clear view at all events that you are involved in. You’ll look cool, too.

If you don’t have a business card, you are not taking your profession as an artist seriously. Business cards are your single most important tool (next to a website) and they are a cheap way of showing people what you do.

Your business card should be designed with the intention of making sure that it is so interesting that no one will ever throw it away!  This is usually easy to do with art….. I feel for all those attorneys and accountants that can’t help but have BORING cards!

An ideal business card will be one that is printed on both sides – one side a photo of what you do, or your best or most popular sample of work. The other side should clearly state what you do (Joe Crazy, Muralist), your phone number, address (optional), website and your e-mail address.

I want you to be successful. Now go, get yerself a business card!

Maria “Spunk” Brophy xxoo

PS: Here’s a great book on promoting yourself: 101 Ways to Promote Yourself: Tricks Of The Trade For Taking Charge Of Your Own Successby Raleigh Pinskey. Check it out!

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