Marketing as an Artist: How I Use Email Automation to Grow My Business

As an artist, my heart is in the studio, mixing colors, layering paint, and watching pieces come to life. But as anyone running their own business knows, the work doesn’t end at the easel. Wearing multiple hats as a creator, marketer, and salesperson is part of the job, even if some of those hats aren’t quite as exciting to put on.

One of the tools I’ve leaned on to lighten the load is email automation. It’s been a great tool for sharing my work, connecting with the right audience, and building relationships with potential clients. I use a combination of MailChimp and PopUP Email Automation, each serving a different but equally important purpose in my business.

MailChimp for Newsletters and Promotions

MailChimp is my go-to for staying in touch with people who already know and appreciate my work. I use it to send out newsletters that:

• Highlight upcoming events like art shows, open studios, or fundraisers.
• Share occasional discount codes for my prints or paintings.
• Offer a behind-the-scenes look at my creative process, which helps keep my audience engaged and connected to my work.

What I love about MailChimp is how easy it is to design professional, visually appealing emails that reflect the vibrancy of my art. Plus, the analytics let me see what resonates most with my audience, helping me refine my approach over time.

For artists starting their own business, a newsletter is a powerful way to nurture relationships with your supporters. Whether it’s a loyal collector or someone who visited your show once, it’s a way to stay top of mind and gently remind them of the joy your art can bring to their lives. Oh yea, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter!

PopUP Email Automation for Outreach

While MailChimp helps me stay connected with my existing audience, PopUP Email Automation is what I use for reaching new ones, specifically, interior designers. This tool allows me to:

• Create personalized, semi-customized emails at scale, saving hours of time.
• Share information about my commercial line of framed canvas prints, which are designed to fit beautifully into professional spaces like offices, therapy practices, and hospitality settings.
• Automate follow-ups, ensuring no opportunity slips through the cracks.

Cold outreach isn’t always glamorous, but it’s essential for growing the commercial side of my business. PopUP makes it efficient and approachable, so I can spend less time drafting emails and more time creating.

For artists who, like me, are both the creative and the salesperson, this tool is invaluable. It helps you reach the right people without feeling overwhelmed, giving you more time and energy to focus on your art.

Why Email Automation Is a Must for Artists

Running an art business is more than painting, it’s about building connections and getting your work in front of the people who need to see it. Email automation has allowed me to manage that side of things without sacrificing creativity.

If you’re an artist wearing all the hats of a small business owner, I can’t recommend these tools enough. They help you stay organized, save time, and approach the less-exciting aspects of the job with confidence. After all, the more efficient you are behind the scenes, the more time you have for what you love: creating art that brings joy to the world.