Many artists and arts professionals are unsure of the benefits social media can have on their business. Social sites like Facebook and Twitter can either feel time consuming or just about socializing with friends. But in life, as in art, it’s all about who you know and in the 21st Century, knowing the right people is made a lot easier by social networking tools. Take, for instance, the Twitter chat that was hosted by Jennifer Preston of the New York Times back in March. The conversation was a back-and-forth discussion between journalists, social media pros and museum administrators offering tips on the industry’s use of social media . Not only did these experts offer more information on why and how to use social media in one hour than most blog posts do with lists of tips, but it was an opportunity to enter a discussion with the behind-the-scenes gatekeepers of the art world. Opportunities like this will continue to arise from time to time but you’ve got to seize the moment and join the conversation. You can still check out some screen shots of some of the best tips and tweets on Hyperallergic.com but to get the real benefit, I recommend Twitter to any artist or art professional looking to gain expert advice, build community and connect to the right people who can have a positive impact on the growth of your business.
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2 Responses to Social Media Tips for the Arts
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Sammy Sundae's COMIC 
I think artists in particular have a leg up on most “businesses” when it comes to social media because people recognize that it’s one person – so your fans are more likely to be genuine. I also love the tip about polarizing content, because it’s so right. “Boring” stuff won’t get any clicks – but interesting (both in form and in content) stuff is so valuable (and unfortunately hard to find).
You make a great point. Artists have a real opportunity to discover a genuine fan base through the inherently transparent nature of artwork. Deceptive messaging abounds in branded social media campaigns that make selling their primary focus rather than building relationships. Audiences demand transparency and authenticity, so, in that way, SM is democracy at its best.