{"id":4218,"date":"2011-12-09T03:00:10","date_gmt":"2011-12-09T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=4218"},"modified":"2011-12-08T09:59:52","modified_gmt":"2011-12-08T17:59:52","slug":"artist-entrepreneur-f-for-follow-up-and-follow-through%e2%80%94-the-artist%e2%80%99s-alphabet-guide-to-writing-about-your-art-by-aletta-de-wal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2011\/12\/09\/artist-entrepreneur-f-for-follow-up-and-follow-through%e2%80%94-the-artist%e2%80%99s-alphabet-guide-to-writing-about-your-art-by-aletta-de-wal\/","title":{"rendered":"Artist Entrepreneur: F for Follow-Up and Follow Through \u2014 The Artist\u2019s Alphabet Guide to Writing About Your Art by Aletta de Wal"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Welcome to\u00a0Artist Entrepreneur Fridays<\/strong>, where we talk about the fun, wild and scary ride of succeeding as an artist entrepreneur of all stripes and types and mediums.<\/p>\n

Welcome back\u00a0<\/strong>guest columnist, Aletta de Wal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>She specializes in helping visual artists succeed in their fine art careers. She\u2019s posting regularly on\u00a0\u201cThe Artist\u2019s Alphabet Guide to Writing About Your Art\u201d\u00a0<\/em>and other success tips for fine artists around writing. This week it\u2019s about follow up and follow through \u2014 essential keys to business and artistic success. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

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When I go to outdoor art shows and gallery exhibits I always ask artists, “How is it going?”<\/p>\n

The most common answer these days is “I’ve had a lot of traffic, but no sales,” or “Just a few card sales.” They are disappointed and look at me funny, when I say, “That’s great! How are you going to keep those people interested? If they did not buy today, they at least know what you have to offer.”<\/p>\n

Assuming that people will buy right away is like expecting to get married after the first date. It happens, but rarely, and it doesn’t always lead to happily ever after — but I digress.<\/p>\n

At the heart of your marketing is a series of conversations designed to build a bridge between you, your art and your audience. That\u2019s the romance and dating part.<\/p>\n

To get from marketing to sales, you have to nurture relationships with your audience until you convert spectators into buyers.<\/p>\n

Relationships are the bedrock of sales.<\/strong><\/em><\/span> People buy from people they like, know and trust. This is the part where you live happily ever after, agree to be friends or part ways.\u00a0 This takes follow-up and follow-through<\/span>. You pursue and explore the relationship thoroughly enough to arrive at an outcome that suits both parties.<\/p>\n

Follow-up conversations create the foundation for relationships.<\/strong> Follow-up shows the person that you care, demonstrates that you listen and that you pay attention to what matters to them. This simple act creates good feelings — both in writing and receiving the note.<\/p>\n

The Association of Sales Executives published a study that showed 80% of sales are made on the 5th<\/sup> to 12th<\/sup> contact. It takes time for people to make the decision that is right for them. Follow-up is the way to safeguard that they don\u2019t abandon the journey prematurely.<\/p>\n

Send your follow-up notes to potential clients and people in your marketing pipeline who have not yet purchased. What you write about varies for each group:<\/p>\n