frequently asked questions- how to put your work out there

PUTTING YOUR WORK OUT THERE

intro from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.



GATHER A BODY OF WORK

a body of work from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIP:
Once you have a good body of work, take time to photograph everything. These photos can be used for your portfolio, media kit, your online shop, business newsletters, social media, etc.

CREATE A BRAND

create a brand from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:
I feel lucky to have always known that I want to be an artist but along the way I've had to do a lot work and reflection about who I am and what makes me unique. Regardless of the place you are at, I think it is so important to take time to "quiet the noise" of what everyone else is doing and really connect with things that make you special and unique. 

Try taking time to answer these question: What is your unique story? What drives or inspires you? What brings you joy? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What makes you different from everyone else out there? What do you want your life and business to look like? What are your short term and long term goals?  

Keep in mind that we are always growing and changing (especially if we are creative) which means the definition of who we are, the direction, our goals and brand will likely evolve with time and experience and that is ok.

NETWORKING

network and community from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:

While I've never had a giant network of friends and mentors that have helped me along the way, I do have a handful of really important people in my life that I reach out to for advice, brainstorming and general fellowship.

Take a risk and try reaching out to like minded artists and crafters. Shoot them an email and see if there are any ways that you can work together and market each other. The worst that can happen is they say no!

Utilize social media. Social media is a great way to market your work but it is also a really powerful way to connect with like minded people. Some of my closest creative friendships have started online either on Facebook or Instagram!

Start your own group! Put yourself out there and reach out to people in your community or online and find ways to connect and gather. Share ideas, support and opportunities with each other. 

FIND "YOUR PEOPLE"

find your people from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:

It is so important to identify your audience (or your customers) when you are trying to share your work. While your audience may evolve and change with time, you really want to have a good understanding who is reading your blog, taking your classes, looking at your social media or buying your products. This will help you make decisions about what things you put out there. 

Take time to do research- what might work for one business may not be right for you. Doing your research and really understanding "your people" will help you decide what works for you and your goals. 


UTILIZE FREE RESOURCES

utilize free resources from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:

Instead of feeling pressure to spend money sharing your work, look for free services or consider the things you already have at your fingertips.   

Social networking is probably one of the easiest (and free) ways to put your work out there and spread the word about the products or services that you offer. It is also a great way to connect with other people. 

I've found that taking the time to figure out what types of information/photos you want to share helps the process of using social media go smooth. Take some time to make a little social media plan. I like to create a simple plan regarding the things I will share via social media throughout the week- typically it is centered around my blog content, class announcements and then I keep a lot of flexibility and room for things that happen are more personal.  

Share your work on multiple platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) this will drive more traffic to your site and get more eyes on the things that you post. 


START SMALL

start small from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

TIPS:

Small steps can definitely add up to big things! Here are some of my favorite ways to put your work out there. And keep in mind, you don't have to do these things all once! Pick one things or things that fit with you, your goals and your schedule.

Don't be afraid to give away information, useful tips, inspiration and even free products and services. Business is not just about sell, sell, sell- it is also about connecting with the people that believe in what you do. One of the best ways you can thank those who support you is by being generous through the things that you share. 

Share photos of your latest products or artwork everyday on social media.

Start a blog! It is a great place to share what you are up with your customers or audience. While blogs might not be as important to a business as they have been in the past, I think if you are offering services (online classes, consulting, coaching) a blog is a great way to reach "your people".

One the the quickest easiest ways to get your work out there and sell your handmade goods (or even services) is by opening an online shop. The internet is such a great resources for connecting with customers all over the world. 

Selling work at craft shows isn't for everybody but it is a great way to gain experience making, preparing, selling and interacting with the public. Start by doing a little research to see if there are holiday arts and crafts shows in your community.

Trying to get your work into galleries, small boutiques or even selling wholesale is  another route to take when putting your work out there. Often artists will take this route after gaining experience selling online. It is not for everyone and it is a lot of work but another great way to build a creative handmade business.

Have a question you want me to answer? Feel free to leave a comment or email me alisaburke@gmail.com

To read more about my journey as an artist-

jump start a creative career- HERE

taking a leap into full time artist- HERE

coping with creative burnout- HERE

coping with failure- HERE

how to keep your work authentic- HERE

the art of chasing a dream- HERE

managing life and a creative business- HERE

the art of setting goals- HERE 

the art of blogging- HERE and HERE

the things I haven't shared- HERE

stronger than I ever knew- HERE