“I have plenty of artists reading my blog, but what can I write to attract collectors?”

The assumption is that art collectors would only be interested in reading art-collectorish stuff. You’re imagining that art-collectorish stuff pertains to 1) money and the value of art, 2) buying “the right” artist, and/or 3) thinking about what to do with the work after they collect it.

The stereotypical topics we write for collectors include:

• Caring for the artwork


• Hanging/installing art


• Starting a collection


• Looking at trends in the art market


• Appraising and insuring your collection


• Loaning works to exhibitions

Collectors can get a lot of this information by just using Google. But you–not Google–are the expert on your art and your career. Collectors come directly to you because they want to connect with you.

True collectors are a sophisticated bunch. They collect art for the same reason you make it: Out of passion. So, show ‘em your passion. Collectors are interested in how things are made and why they’re made. They want to know the story behind the art . . . the secrets. Educate them, but never talk down to them.

Collectors want to know you’re going places. Reveal–through your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.–that your art career is active. Talk about the following:

• Exhibits you’re participating in


• Gallery talks you’re giving and attending


• Visitors who come to your studio (get pictures with them!)


• Openings you attend (mention names and what you like about the work)


• Works you’ve sold


• Commissions you received

We are energized by your enthusiasm, so show that you are active and connected. Make us want to come along for the ride.

Don’t blog for collectors. Blog for yourself and those who are interested in what you do. But do show us what you do–every nook and cranny of your art that you’re willing to share. Most of all, make sure you are interested in what you’re doing. If you’re bored by a process or event, we’ll be bored, too.

If your work is good and you present it with oomph, we’ll be interested. (No, this doesn’t mean that you just have to use a lot of exclamation points!!!) If you have good content, you will gain readers. More readers=more people to refer you.

The other assumption in the question that opened this post is that you don’t care whether or not artists read your posts–that it’s not doing you any good to attract more artists to your blog.

It doesn’t matter whether collectors read your blog regularly or not. You’re trying to get eyeballs. More eyeballs=more connections=more referrals, which could lead to all kinds of opportunities!

If you don’t like to think of yourself as competing against other artists, I hear ya. I understand where you’re coming from.

But we all have competition.

We know that if someone is looking for art and they don’t buy your work, they’re going to buy it from another artist. If someone doesn’t commission you, they’re going to commission another artist. If someone doesn’t enroll in your art classes, they’re going to enroll in another artist’s. If someone doesn’t read your art blog, their probably reading another artist’s blog.

Gwyn Vermeulen, Abstract Triptych Glass Mosaic. 24 x 22 inches. ©The Artist

Don’t think of competition as a bad thing. Instead, consider it a challenge.

Competition can get you up in the morning and motivated. Competition can drive you to do better work and become more focused on your career and where you want it to go.

[ Competition can also make you sick to your stomach or stop you cold in your tracks. If you're not motivated by competition, you should find a way to listen to and to trust your inner voice. ]

And remember: Just because you see someone as your competition, doesn’t mean that they view you in the same way. Their actions can motivate you without them even knowing it.

Your competition is probably someone who:

• Works in similar media, genre, sizes, and/or subject matter


• Has comparable pricing


• Has a similar education


• Is at an equivalent stage in his or her career


• Exhibits in similar venues (with a similar audience looking on)


• Offers classes or workshops along the same lines of those you offer

Who is your competition? Are you keeping an eye on them? Or do you prefer to ignore them and trust yourself?