Inviting Your Audience Online
When showing at your first convention, or your 20th, grabbing your audience's attention and making sales in the moment is usually the #1 goal for any artist. But once you have them, taking that captive audience online with you for the longer journey is key to growing a sustainable business.
Inviting your audience to join you online can happen in many forms. It can be as easy as giving out a business card or mentioning the fact that you have a website or Instagram account. Here are some ways I make it easy for fans to maintain the connection past our in-person experience at the convention.
Business cards
Business cards are an inexpensive reminder for someone that they liked what they saw and want to come back later, either in-person at a show the next day when it’s “shopping day”, or later that week online. Yes, many of your business cards will end up in the trash but it is an inexpensive advertising option.
Your business cards don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Moo business cards are classy and eye-catching,, but cards from Vista Print or GotPrint (or anywhere else) will do just fine and not burn a hole in your convention budget. On your cards, include your most essential information (name and website) and an image or two of what you create to remind them who you.
Social Media Cards
I like to remind people that I’m easy to find online but I don’t always get the chance to mention it to every person that stops by my table. That is why I made a simple social media card that stays at my booth for people to quickly look me up or photograph for later. The more eco-conscious fans appreciate it as well since they can easily snap a photo and leave a business card.
Newsletter signups
First off, it goes without saying that if you’re an artist, at any level, you should have a newsletter already. With that out of the way, having a signup sheet at a show is one of the easiest ways to get people to subscribe to your list.
Your signup sheet doesn’t have to be fancy, a sheet of lines and an indication of what information you want is enough. I recommend collecting a name and email to keep things simple.
Typing in names can be a little tedious once you reach a certain number of signups so I’ve taken it a step further and have an iPad to collect emails from shows. I use MailChimp’s signup application called “MailChimp Subscribe” to collect information easily. My iPad is an early generation iPad that can hold a charge throughout a show, and I keep it in a locked case that is latched to the table for added security and peace of mind.
Patreon Cards
This year I began the exciting journey by joining Patreon and have been thinking of inventive ways to share the platform to those interested in joining me. I got the idea for a card from Pete while I was at ACEN this past spring and thought it was genius! My Patreon cards use the Patreon branding so they’re easily recognizable by those that are familiar with the platform.
Having a dedicated card to advertise my new Patreon presence has done 2 things. First, it gives people, at a glance, the opportunity to see that I am now on that platform without needing to mention it. I have been pleasantly surprised by how many people are already familiar with it. “Oh, you have a Patreon! Excellent!”
The second reason I have the card is to introduce the concept to new people. If someone is unfamiliar with my work I honestly don’t expect to get Patreon signups from them. But introducing the concept to someone through a small card is one way I can help build the growing awareness towards this new and exciting platform.