FACEBOOK, IS IT WORTH IT?
This painting of Waymouth Street from several years ago exploded on Facebook – it just took a share from a very popular Facebook page overseas.
Facebook, is it worth it? (A Blog by Mike Barr)
“The older we get the less we get to trust things like Facebook. Love it or hate it though, Facebook and particularly Instagram has become an important process of many artists.
The times are changing, and the destiny of artists is no longer solely in the hands of third parties.
A painting can have the finishing signature placed upon it, and in a few minutes a photo can be taken and people all over the globe can see it. Artists have never had that opportunity before, and we don’t have to wait for other people to promote what we do.
As well as getting your work out to the world, Facebook is a great way of making connections with other artists around the world or even just around the corner! Focused Facebook groups are there for advancement of many painting interests including water colour, acrylic, oils, plein air painting, impressionism and the list goes on. If you have a particular leaning in art, then there are others waiting to hear from you.
I have found Instagram and Facebook a good test of works and I know for sure that my best works get the best response.
If you are in the art business of either selling work or offering classes and workshops, then it is worth setting up a dedicated Facebook business page for these things. With this page you can use paid advertising to target a place, an age range and what these contacts are interested in.
When you venture into the business end of things it is important to give your profile some gravity. I know some may disagree with this, but people will not deal with you if you are posting controversial political, religious or social issues. Your particular views in these three things will get applause from those who agree with you, but those who don’t won’t be sticking around to argue – they will leave and you will not get their business. We don’t buy from people who insult our way of life or our beliefs.
The safe way is to only deal with art on your Facebook page.
Selling on Facebook and Instagram can be tricky, mention any hint of selling, sale or money and the reach of your posts will diminish amazingly. The way to do it is to present your art and at the same time have a link to your sales platform or gallery at the top of the page. You can do this on your dedicated Facebook artist page and in your Instagram profile. If viewers are genuinely interested, they will seek it out.
Facebook becomes more successful for artists if they engage with those who make comment – Facebook rewards connections and punishes attempts to sell – without them being paid for it!
Most of all, the best advice is to be respectful and nice. If you don’t like something, don’t comment – just move on and enjoy some of the amazing paintings and painters around the world that Facebook has revealed to us”.
Happy painting.