Combining Forces

How well do your styles of art compliment each other? Have either of you created a fan base who knows you but not your partner? All things to consider.
Would it confuse buyers?
Would a larger account work better than two smaller ones?

Do it. Realtors I've seen do it, why not artists??

There is a lot to consider. Doug does photography, I do paintings. As far as FB we could drive more traffic to our fan page as he has different contact than I do, and I am thinking it would create more exposure for both of us. We are in the process of creating that page.

I am still on the fence though about us combining our FAA pages, or just keeping them as they are.

If it might be encouragement to you, Patricia, others team up on FAA and here is one that comes to mind:

http://pixels.com/profiles/debra-vanderlaan.html

I don't think it matters what type of art you each do, there is a way to branding if you are creative about it.

This is encouraging Frank. I think it would be great. I will just have to go to all the other sites I have uploaded my art and change the URL on them. This does give me something to consider. Thanks again!

I'd personally leave the FAA pages as they are and have a combined Facebook page, although I could also make an arguement for seperate FB fan pages as well. You could still cross promote. I had thought that if I started posting some of my art here I would do a seperate page to keep the photography and art seperate. It's something to consider. I think it's a little confusing when I see two people listed.

And yes Joseph. My thinking was also leave the separate FAA pages as they are and just combine (or create really) a FB page for both of us. My reason of thinking is, I have a lot of friends on my friend list he does not have and vice versa. This way I would have more people invited and potentially going to my page from his contacts and he have more exposure likewise from my contacts.

I am leaning toward this way but just wanted some feedback if anyone else has done this.

Thank you!

Thinking about it, Patricia, it might not be a bad idea to send a direct message to Debra and Dave that I linked to and ask them for insight from their experiences.

I sure wouldn't recommend it, especially if you are both working in different styles and mediums. You destroy individual identity. Two names on a website, FB page; two heads in an avatar -- someone always looks like the weaker artist. One artist talks, one artist follows. One is the star, one is in the shadows. One is serious, one is along for the ride. One wants to soar, one is the anchor. One is the artist, one is there to keep an eye on the artist. NONE of that may be true, but that's the perception.

The better solution is to create two strong identities and then cross-pollinate.

What if someone wants out of the relationship? Statistically, someone always does. If you've built your own art identity you simply cut back on the cross-pollination and carry on.

Compromising your account is compromising your art. Don't compromise the last place where you can truly be you.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online