Louis CK  on Conan O’Brien

“Everything is so amazing & nobody is happy.”

What has happened to the world? Why cant we appreciate technology? This is true for artists as well as any other person wanting to make a living today. Technology, especially social media, is your ticket to freedom of expression for the rest of your life.

I know you may be thinking that I have lost my mind…and you could be right. But what if…what if you could tap the power of this technology and grow a list of 1000 TRUE Fans who are willing and able to support your dream?

The gist of 1,000 True Fans can be stated simply:

A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author – in other words, anyone producing works of art – needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.

A True Fan is defined as someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. They will drive 200 miles to see you sing. They will buy the super deluxe re-issued hi-res box set of your stuff even though they have the low-res version. They have a Google Alert set for your name. They bookmark the eBay page where your out-of-print editions show up. They come to your openings. They have you sign their copies. They buy the t-shirt, and the mug, and the hat. They can’t wait till you issue your next work. They are true fans.

A more important caution: Not every artist is cut out, or willing, to be a nurturer of fans. Many musicians just want to play music, or photographers just want to shoot, or painters paint, and they temperamentally don’t want to deal with fans, especially True Fans. For these creatives, they need a mediator, a manager, a handler, an agent, a galleryist — someone to manage their fans.  Nonetheless, they can still aim for the same middle destination of 1,000 True Fans. They are just working in a duet.

So how do we get those 1000 Real Fans?

Hustle, apply oneself, be conscientious, press on, use elbow grease…yeah, good old fashioned work! You must collect the name and contact information of every person who stops at your booth at a show. You must collect the e-mail addresses of every person who visits your blog or website. You must entertain them and compel them to open their pocket books. You must stay in touch with them and update them about your new work. You must respond to them in a timely manner. You must nurture, bolster, cherish, cultivate, develop, educate, foster, instruct, nourish, nurse, provide, raise, rear, school, support, sustain, tend, train, uphold…love them and tell them so!

The best way to do this is through social media…yes, that technology thing again. It is easy and free…how much better could it possibly get that that?

Top 5 DoABLE Social Media Tricks for Artists

1. Post a picture of your new work on FaceBook with a link to your shop.

2. GET A BLOG!!!! Yes, I am yelling here. It is the essential tool for every artist’s tool kit today. You can be discovered!

3. Have a FliCKr account for images of your work. People get discovered this way too!

4. Tweet about your process on Twitter. When you finish the work, tweet a link to it! People will feel connected when they are part of the creation process.

5. Have someone video you while you create. It does not have to be on your face. Keep the artwork in view. Same thing here, people will feel connected when they are part of the creation process.

Then Be Prepared for Success

Thomas Lierzer

There is no shortage of opportunity. Everyday you are presented with countless chances to be, or do whatever you desire. Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. Don’t miss out on an opportunity because you’re not prepared.

Your preparation is absolutely essential. To achieve success, you must have self discipline. You must increase your knowledge and develop your skills.

You’re always in the right place at the right time when you’re prepared!

Please leave a comment below and tell us your favorite doable Social Media tips!!!