by Marisa D. Aceves
An introduction to new and exciting platforms for promoting and sharing your artwork.
Art marketing has changed with the progressive arrival of new technologies and social media applications. As a result, artists must learn to embrace new ways to share their art with the world. While many artists are familiar with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, new social media platforms are promising for artists of all ages looking to market and promote their work.
Remember, not all of these suggestions will be appropriate for your art business. Therefore, I urge you to research before joining any new social media network.
Here are a few you can utilize as part of your art marketing strategy:
Social Media Platforms to Join
- TikTok
- Twitter Spaces
- Polywork
- Clubhouse
- Caffeine
- Discord
- Twitch
- Instagram Reels
TikTok
You’ve probably heard about TikTok, a video-based Chinese-owned networking service your teenagers love to use. Since its inception in 2017, it has quickly surpassed older networks like Facebook and Instagram. Users can watch and create 15-second videos on their cell phones. Artists of all ages have utilized its eccentric, bite-sized videos complete with sound effects and popular music to promote, market, and sell their art. The TikTok landscape is especially beneficial for artists because it allows them to communicate with their fans and collectors in real-time. In addition, there are many ways artists can entertain and engage their audience. From live-streaming clever duets to art process-oriented video posts, artists can showcase their work in a unique, colorful way that makes their brand more digitally accessible and collectible.
Twitter Spaces
While Twitter has been around since 2006, Twitter Spaces is a beta version of the app’s latest audio feature. Users can have live audio conversations, hosting them in a “Space” or audio chatroom. Moreover, they can invite other Twitter users to join. Whenever someone is hosting a discussion, Twitter will notify you at the top of your timeline. In addition, a purple icon will appear next to the user’s name during a new discussion. If you have 600 followers or more, you can host a Space. However, even if you haven’t grown your Twitter following, you can still attend a chat group as a listener. Twitter Spaces holds a lot of marketing potential as it could be an excellent place for hosting art and design industry discussion groups and networking events.
Polywork
Promising to free users from the “vanity” metrics of other social media platforms, Polywork is a social media platform that focuses on your current accomplishments. It helps polymaths, people who rely on multiple income streams, connect, and businesses looking to hire. You might call it “the relaxed LinkedIn.” When you first visit Polywork, you’ll notice it lacks the typical follower counts and stats that sometimes make other networks appear more intimidating and competitive. Instead, the platform claims to help its members “share their truth” and skills without shame, which is a worthy goal. In the future, it might be helpful for art networking, commissions, and other art-related freelance jobs. As of this date, you need an invitation to join, or you can sign up for the waiting list.
Clubhouse
The Clubhouse app is a unique social media audio platform to explore millions of chat rooms with various thought-provoking conversations. It’s easy to visit your favorite rooms and make new connections. In addition, the app is voice-only, so you don’t have to fret over how you look. While Clubhouse is relatively new, artists could use it for art-related discussions, as well as networking. At this moment, the app is in beta, so you must be invited to join. The more you participate in the app, you are rewarded and given a unique chance to connect with more advanced, higher-profile users.
Caffeine
The Caffeine platform specializes in social broadcasting, delivering content ranging from sports and gaming to various forms of entertainment. So, you can view your favorite TV programs with your friends and family, participate in chats, and make a branded interactive show. Although this new platform hasn’t been marketed to artists specifically, it might emerge as a welcome alternative to other video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. Soon, artists might consider employing it for networking, cross-promotional marketing, and creating an engaging branded live-interactive channel.
Discord
Discords’ fame has centered on it being a popular gaming app, but this digital distribution and instant messaging platform is also a remarkable artist hang out. Discord lets you create invite-only chat rooms that you can organize by topic. As an artist, you can share, collaborate, and network with other artists, art organizations, and a host of other creators and personalities. For example, you can create your community server or set up a drawing session screenshot share. Groups like Art & Commissions focus on connecting artists, buyers, and sellers. Some of these groups have sections for customer commissions, artist advertisement sections, and critique channels for helping you strengthen your portfolio.
Twitch
Another platform known for video game live streaming and esports broadcasting competitions, Twitch is currently being used by artists to live stream their art. Amazingly, some art Twitch streamers with thousands of fans can earn close to 600 dollars a night. So, if you’re an artist who creates fantasy or gaming art, or animation, this could be the app for you.
Instagram Reels
In response to TikToks’ rise in popularity, Instagram created Reels. Reels allows you to make brief, captivating videos to entertain your audience. Also, you can uncover unconventional ways to market your brand and promote your products and services creatively. Furthermore, you can utilize the app’s music and augmented reality effects to boost your contents’ engagement. Artists can use it to host tutorials, create process videos, take fans and collectors on studio tours, and so much more.
In Conclusion
Even though researching new social media platforms to market your art can be a bit overwhelming, it’s refreshing to discover additional ways to share your artistic vision with the world. So, take a chance on a new platform you find suitable for your business. Who knows, it might open doors to acquiring new leads, sales, and collectors.
Marisa D. Aceves is a multimedia artist, B2B freelance writer, and marketer. In addition to creating design-based art, she writes articles on art marketing, digital marketing, and tools and technologies. You can view her artwork and articles on her website.
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