The impact of COVID-19 means that getting your art out into the world through digital means is more important than ever, not only professionally, but as a creative strategy too.
Regardless of whether you want to collaborate with other creatives in a COVID-safe manner or simply ensure that people can find and buy your work online, these days everyone – not just digital natives – needs to have some grasp of operating online beyond the limits of a basic Facebook post for your friends.
Our Artists Essential Toolkit series – produced in partnership with Creative Victoria and filmed on Kulin Country – is designed to help you make that all-important pivot into the digital world. From the basics, such as creating a blog and posting more effectively on social media, to more complex ideas including the ins and outs of live streaming, we hope these six videos will help equip you for the COVID-19 era and beyond.
If you missed any of the videos, which ran over six weeks, here’s a link to each individual video and its accompanying story, which includes full transcripts of each video and supplementary material on related subjects.
Happy viewing!
Video 1: How to get your art online
Getting your art online is easy. Designed for creators starting their own website or other digital presence, this first video looks at easy and affordable ways to get your artwork online. Presented by Jini Maxwell.
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit video #1: how to get your art online
Video 2: Getting your art noticed online
For anyone making content online, getting noticed is key. In this video we’ll look at how to promote your brand, the benefits of different social media platforms, the basics of the Google algorithm and Search Engine Optimisation, and how to create content for it. Presented by Richard Watts
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit video #2: Getting your art noticed online
Video 3: Making money from your art online
Thinking of ways to sell art online and earning an income as an artist can be overwhelming. So here are 5 easy ways you can make money from your art online to get you started from Bandcamp to your own site. Presented by Sabine Brix
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit #3: Making money from your art online
Video 4: Promoting your art with Social Media
There’s more to social media marketing than just uploading a striking photo to Instagram. Successful online marketing requires thought and strategy. In this video we’ll look at how to identify your target audience, create engaging content, and find the right voice for your brand. We’ll also identify your big picture goals, explore the benefits of using social media management tools, discuss paid advertising and learn about re-targeting existing audiences. Presented by Vyshnavee Wijekumar.
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit #4: Promoting your art with social media
Video 5: How to write about your art online
Knowing how to write about your art online is an important component for reaching new audiences. In this video, we’ll be looking at how people read online, how to structure your words with personality while keeping it clear and writing specifically for social media. Presented by Jini Maxwell.
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit video #5: How to write about your art online
Video 6: How to document and live stream your art online
Documenting your work is an important part of promoting yourself as an artist. Images of your work are what get people interested in what you are doing. In the last video of our Artists Essential Toolkit Series, we’ll cover ways to digitise your arts practice – the basics of photography, using your smartphone camera, next steps with equipment and the ins and outs of live streaming. Presented by Leela Schauble.
Read: Artists Essentials Toolkit #6: How to document and livestream your art online
