How to Gather Emails at an Art Market
Bonus Ballot Sheet printables at the bottom of the page!
Art market/outdoor sales season is upon us, or will be very soon. While we love or hate them, they definitely take a toll. All that lifting and toting and packing and unpacking and packing again- just thinking of it makes me feel tired.
But… they are important part of marketing your work, getting it out there and talking to people about your art. Art markets are a rite of passage, an essential part of your art sales ladder, and a great way to get to know your audience (and gather their emails for your list!)
Every time you are at an event selling your art, offer a giveaway in exchange for emails. Put out a small piece of art or a print and a sign and that says “Win This Art!” and have small ballots with room for their name and email, and a pen on a string. I keep it all together with a dollar store clipboard.
Put out a transparent container or bowl for the completed ballots so people can see that others have entered - yes, we are all sheep! I even put a couple of blank folded ballots in there to get things rolling.
At the bottom of each ballot you need to add a sentence that says “by entering this draw, you consent to being added to my email newsletter”. That keeps you on the right side of the email laws by getting their consent.
After the show, enter all of your new fans' emails and announce the winner in an email! I suggest you specify that the work is to be picked up at your studio rather than go to the expense of shipping it.
There you are- you have a new group of true fans that have met you and opted in to hearing from you about your art. Congrats!
Every new email gathered is an eager reader and another potential sale down the road.