Promoting Yourself When There's No Time.

Candice, one website you might want to check out is http://www.xanadugallery.com/.

Jason Horejs, he and his wife own Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, constantly is giving advise to artists on his site on how to evaluate, approach and get into galleries.

Bill Tomsa

http://billtomsa.blogspot.com/

Thanks a bunch! That's a huge help! I'll do it.

Basically, check out the gallery first and see if it fits what you do.

If it does, ask one of the people working there how you would go about getting your work in the gallery. Most are quite helpful.

Set up a time when the manager or decision makers are there. If it is a co-op you will likely put the work before a committee to get juried in.

Now, if you are talking gift shops and other retail establishments and not galleries per se then I would bring some samples of what I wanted to sell, a plan of how it will work within their existing framework AND how the establishment will make money off the art. (eg I sell these, I have a display that would go here, you keep 50% of the retail and I get 50% of whatever sells.) Just one way of doing it. Personally, I am not that fond of putting my work out on consignment but that is the easiest way to establish a foothold.

Hi Candice,....

I also live in a very small somewhat remote town.

I have been fortunate to have my work exhibited on the walls and in the offices of the local bank.

Next thing I did was put my FAA premium website onto the town's webpage with other local artists where hopefully it might attract visitors and buyers.

I also became a member of a high profile local association which displays my work and greeting cards at their visitors gift shop.

I have recently been welcomed by other shops that they would gladly display a couple of images.

I do virtually no marketing online though,....... and,.... am not active on social media sites.

My images are synonymous with several local locations .

I submit images occasionally for local good cause fund raising auctions,...my images have always been received well.

I publicize my FAA premium website at each site where my photography will be seen.

I also display an assortment of FAA greeting cards at a shop location 23 miles away,..sales are slow but good.

How remote is it here,...well,...it's 50 miles distance to the nearest traffic light,....but that is one of the reasons many visitors come here.

I'm trying to maintain an excellent FAA portfolio,..... so that visitors will be enticed to search my work for unique photographs of the local attractions.

Time will tell,...have made several individual sale to locals who identify with my locations I have photographed.

I get a few complementary recognitions,....and a lot of tire kickers....too many ;-((

I constantly try to produce interesting compositions,.... that hopefully will stand apart from other local artists.

Like FAA,...there is much talent out there,...but I'm proud to be in the mix.

I have positive aspirations as my portfolio grows to include more and more.

So that's my small town strategy,...or lack thereof,....;-))

Become a visible part of your community in some way,...at least.

Just a few of my thoughts Candice

Marty Saccone