Bright Sunlight, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 6"x6"

If you are in the business of being an artist today, you know that traditional methods of selling art are changing, and you may be investigating some new ways to reach your customers and clients, to keep in touch, to sustain relationships, and to let them know you're still in business.

For years I wrote a "Collector Letter" each year in the fall to share the successes and achievements of the past year with those who have a stake it in all by purchasing my work. When I was doing a large number of outdoor shows, I'd add my schedule so that they could stop by visit when they were in South Florida

Now I'm trying to do more, with a Blog, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account, and try to use each of them at least a little each week. I'm on Linkedin, too, but haven't developed that media as well as I should yet. Today I'll travel to Naples for a workshop on using social media, put on by Constant Contact, the company I use for email purposes. They've been terrific, and hope to learn more about how to use email marketing to let customers know where to see and purchase my work.

Painters need to paint wonderful paintings first. But if you want others to know about your work, keep up with the times and learn what's working. Otherwise, we'll be left behind.