![]() |
« Research expert uses start-up trends to launch biz event in Seattle | Main | How to get your letter to the editor published »
Dear Whitney,
I'm an artist from out of town and need to know how to contact galleries and art critics in the Seattle area. I'm going to be in town on Monday and if you have any last-minute thoughts about how I can market to them or contact them, I sure would appreciate the help. I'll be bringing some marketing materials that I can leave with prospective galleries but have I missed anything? - Artist without a Rep
Dear Artist,
I'm glad to hear you're heading to Seattle to track down some galleries. The first thing I'd recommend you do is a quick bit of market research to be sure you use your time driving around town efficiently and contact only the galleries that are the best fit your art. Hhere is a great online resource you for all of the Seattle galleries with links to their individual sites.
Many galleries aren't open on Mondays, but for those that are, I'd suggest just popping in and trying to meet the owner or manager. But here's the challenge, most business owners don't want to be approached by sales people, especially without an appointment.
I remember when I managed my family's gallery; it was much easier to talk to an artist if she came in as a customer first. For example, if she said hello, took some time to look around a bit, and naturally struck up a conversation with me about a piece of art or the history of the gallery, I would already have a positive, baseline connection with her.
At that point, if she casually mentioned she was an artist, I would be more apt to ask her about her artwork and want to see some of her images, even without an appointment.
Unfortunately, what would usually happen is this: an artist would walk off the street, slap a briefcase down on the counter, often interrupting me making a sale with a customer, and shove slides or a marketing kit in my face.
Here's a tip: when you start to talk about you and your art, try saying something like, "I happen to have some images of my art in my (fill in the blank: car/purse/briefcase). Would you like to take a look?"
If the gallery owner declines, don't take it personally. If the owner asks you to make an appointment for a future date, respect that. And if the owner asks you to share your images there and then, get down to business!
Whitney Keyes www.WhitneyKeyes.com
Want more free tips, ideas, information, and inspiration to take your business to the next level? Click here to sign up for The Biz Bite.
! Login below to post a comment.
Unregistered users, sign up now
Or post anonymously (About this feature)

Recent entries
· Happy "almost" New Year!
· PR 101: Top 10 Tips to Pitch Your News to the Media
· 2009 Prediction: businesses will mix and match
· Company culture: where does yours come from?
· Service still matters
Books & Blogs
· CareerChic
· Duct Tape Marketing
· E Myth
· The Girls' Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business
· In Good Company
· Made to Stick
· Purple Cow
· Start Her Up
· Startup Nation
· Startup Nation: Open for Business
Magazines & Sites
· Advertising Age
· Colors NW
· Entrepreneur
· Fast Company
· Inc
· Seattle Business Magazine
· Seattle Mag
· Seattle Metropolitan Mag
· Seattle Woman
· Washington CEO
Newspapers & Columns
· Business Examiner
· Dan Voelepl, TNT Business Column
· Eastside Business Journal
· Inside Entrepreneurship
· New Yorker: Malcolm Gladwell
· New York Times: Michael Pollan
· Puget Sound Biz Journal
· Seattle PI
· Seattle Times
· Seattle Weekly
· Workplace Coach
Trade Organizations
· Counselors to America's Small Business
· Marketing
· Public Relations
· Small Business Administration
· Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training
Career & Bliss
· Finding Your Own North Star
· Make Your Creative Dreams Real
· Now Discover Your Strengths
· Single Minded Women
· Wishcraft
Web TV
· Small Business Television Network
· WhitneyandWyatt.com
Fun & Friends
· Josh Keyes
· Barb Minas
· Susan Metters
· Brett Renville
· Barbie Hull
· Wyatt Bardouille

Reader Blog: Career Chic
Reader Blog: The Biz Bite
Reader Blog: In Good Company
Reader Blog: Start Her Up
more
more

101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
