4 Marketing Tips for Preparing for a Photography Exhibit
If you have a show upcoming, congratulations! You’ve spent countless hours working to create the work and connect with gallerists. Now the really work starts.
- Kickstarter.
OK, its not really a marketing tool, per se, but it is a way to generate funds for the production of prints or framing if the gallery will not cover them.
From what I understand based on several friends who have used it for production costs, require an existing network of contacts and emailing them frequently: rarely do non-friends fund projects. If you do decide to use KickStarter, it is also a way to spread the word about your work and shows that you are a serious artist. - Social Media.
The other thing I would think of is to use social media to spread the word (I am both and fine art photographer and social media consultant and find this to be helpful to reach galleries that I would not normally have access to). Connect to LinkedIn and facebook Groups and be very active there, posting and sharing OTHER helpful information about photography and occasionally mention your show. Be sure to add key industry or gallery professionals. - Call, Email and Personal Contact.
I would also call all the curators and even other galleries that you know that might be interested, email them, call them again to follow up because they ignore the first emails, and invite them to the show. I would also personally drop by curator’s office if possible or other galleries or non-profit spaces to invite them and mention the exhibition. - Networking.
I’d also network with any other friends or artists, and mention your show. Many artists neglect this step–I really want to know if a friend is having a show.