Social Media for Artists

Are you a painter/cartoonist/tattoo artist/food stylist/photographer/an artistic individual in any other creative field? If yes, then you probably have a domain registered in your name, and have a website to showcase your portfolio, so that you can reach out to people and vice versa. But is that enough? Two years back, maybe the answer would have been in the affirmative. Now, however, you need to be aware of what you’re missing out on if you aren’t active on social media and have no presence in that scene.

Which channels suit me?

That’s a difficult question to answer, as there are a lot of well known social networking websites to express/present your work. Actually, the channels which you use the most, suit you the best! It is important, though to select media which are popular amongst the masses. Facebook and Twitter are the best to start with, and then, after you learn the social media ropes a little, you can explore other options. If you are already on these sites, you have to learn how to stand out from the crowd.

Later in the article, I have shared some tables which will help you select the correct media and type of content you can impart through them.

Whether to have a Blog?

Since sharing information tops the priority list, having a blog would be great. Keep in mind that whatever you share should be interesting for your intended readers. Do you need a separate blog or is it all right to have it as a tab on your website? Personally, I prefer it on the website, as claiming a domain separately will not be easy, and definitely not cheap.
For someone who only has a blog, blocking a domain name helps a lot. WordPress and Blogger help in building up a site through your blog. Also, migrating and collating multiple blogs isn’t difficult. This helps to brand your work and getting your own cyberspace.

One Liners /Quick glance through social media spaces

• Facebook: Mass reach, Fancy content
• Twitter: Crisp, trendy and appealing content
• Foursquare: If your art Is location based, or you own an art gallery
• Flickr: showcasing picture portfolio, exchange of ideas
• Path: Sharing daily activities, like a journal
• Tumblr, Posterous: Post on the move, via cell phones, short posts
• WordPress, Blogger: Elaborate content
• YouTube: Effective to share self creations in video form
• LinkedIn: Not recommended if you don’t want to hire co-artists

IDEA~Scope

Must have

It’s important to have a check on what your fans/readers are using, and then decide what the good social networking sites are, to use for your advantage. Some examples are cited below:

Photographer:

Sharing photos is of utmost importance for any photographer. The best way to do so is to have a page on Facebook, or tweet links to recent clicks. Blogging may not be absolutely essential, but there are a few who would like to know more about your thoughts and inspiration behind the photograph(s). As a photographer, a YouTube isn’t really necessary- neither is a foursquare account. Also, you can forego a Flickr account if you have a website, unless you are keen to interact with other photographers.

Tattoo Artist:

A Facebook fan page, which allows people to post their testimonials, is a must have space for tattoo artist. Presenting themes and designs on the same FB page will allow you to attract more people, as against a separate Flickr page. Twitter will also help in spreading your art. A YouTube channel will let potential clients see you in action while making tattoos and also glimpse inside your studio. Another smart move would be to add discount coupons on Foursquare – saying Redeem on Check-in, which will increase the number of visitors.

Likewise, I have listed down generic tables, Content Vs Social Media and Artists Vs Social Medium

*twitter can be used to share links from other social media pages

Table2: Artists and Social Mediums

*The dots represent must have presence social medium

Feature Image Courtesy Wharman