I have been plotting this post in my head for over a month, but it took until now to have time to put it in writing. I am the administrator for a number of facebook pages, both in New Hampshire and in Seagrove. Most of these pages have numerous admins so thankfully I am not in it alone!
One of the tasks involved is sharing member events on the organization's page. These can range from exhibitions, awards, shows, and open studios. If the member posts on the page it is only seen by people going directly to the page. If an event is posted or shared by an admin, it shows up in the newsfeed of most everyone who "likes" the page. Over the last two months I had the opportunity to read many posts advertising holiday open studios. Prior to sharing or posting the events on the group page, I found myself asking each artist for the same details. Here is a list of things that will help to better promote your event on facebook.
1. Create a business/artist page on Facebook. Always post your events there. It doesn't mean you can't do it on your personal page too, but a business page allows for more opportunity to share the event. If you belong to a larger organization, such as an artist guild, the admin from that group can share your event from your business page. If it is on your personal page, the organization's page can't go there and share.
2. Include a photo with your post. People like to look at pictures and your post is less apt to go unnoticed in the stream of content if it includes a good image.
3. Be sure to include all the pertinent details - date, time, address, and perhaps a link to your website. I know this sounds like a silly thing to mention, but this is where many artists dropped the ball. Most everyone included the date, yet more than HALF had no address! How are people supposed to find your studio if you don't give an address? I guess the people posting their event on their personal page figured their "friends" know where they live... not always true, AND wouldn't you like to expand your buying audience?
I realize many people are afraid to post their address on social media, but if you are using it to promote your business you have to let go of that fear or only conduct business through shows and galleries. A few artists that I encountered over the holidays did have links to their websites. Most of those sites only had an e-mail contact and no address. If it's too much work to find out the location of a sale, most people won't bother with it.
Spring open studios will be here before you know it, and it's never too early to start planning. When thinking about advertising the most important thing to remember is the old fashioned, Who, What, When, and Where.
Should you have more tips on using social media to promote your work and events please share by commenting.
