Artist mailing lists, and why you need one.

This article shares a fabulous podcast that focuses on why mailing lists really are that important for artists. The podcast is by UK artists Peter Keegan and Tom Shepherd and is called "“Ask an Artist”. Why are we sharing this podcast? Because artists who have engaged mailing lists of people who love your art are more likely to have successful long term careers. Peter and Tom dive into why mailing lists might seem boring, but are actually GOLD DUST - plus what mailing lists are, why they are so important, and some practical tips on how to manage your mailing list.

“The vast majority of my art sales come from my mailing list. It’s like gold dust.”

Peter Keegan of Ask an Artist Podcast

Highlights

Peter and Tom give an overview on what mailing lists are. This is really useful if you are new to the concept.

Mailing lists – on the face of it, not the most exciting of topics but a crucial part any working, creative business and a fantastic way to stay in touch with an already keen and receptive audience. Both Peter and Tom have developed a newfound love for their mailing lists during the past couple of years and in this episode they talk about what they are, how to collect and manage one, why they can be such an amazing tool and also some of the nitty gritty of being responsible for other people’s information.

So, what is a mailing list? Traditionally it was probably a list of postal addresses but nowadays, it is most likely a list of email addresses. Either way, it is a way of connecting and communicating directly with the customer, with people who want to hear from you, which is what makes a mailing list unique as opposed to social media or a blog.

Both Peter and Tom discuss how they started their mailing lists, how they grow them and how they find is best to utilise them.

They recommend asking for email addresses, rather than giving a business card and hoping someone signs up. Especially if you are running something in person, like an exhibition or a fair booth.

They also make us feel a bit better if people unsubscribe. It never feels nice, and we can feel a bit rejected, but it is actually getting your email list to only the best people who really do love your art. That’s definitely useful perspective to have.

Are you an artist who would like to create a reliable career?

Join the online course The Full Time Artist Formula.

We dive into how to create a mailing list of your Ideal Art Buyers in the course.

The course provides you with the seven step formula you need to transition from feeling stuck as an artist to knowing how to have a thriving art career. This course includes what actually works and leaves out the time wasting stuff that you don’t need.

Here is what other students said:

“I now have a clear plan for moving my art practice forward, and all of the anxiety and stress is gone.”

“The most significant benefit of this course is the renewal of my artistic energy and creativity.”

“I’m finding the course amazingly helpful, and it’s nice to know where I should put my energy to get results.”