Thriving as an Artist in a Flashy World
Oppenheimer girl in a Barbie world
This week's double-header release of Barbie & Oppenheimer has me deep in thought.
Oppenheimer, a film based on a Pulitzer prize-winning book, studded with Oscar winners and nominees, is facing off against a stylish feature about one of America's favorite dolls: Barbie.
Personally, I've seen a landslide of promos for Barbie over Oppenheimer. From Margot Robbie sporting Barbie's iconic looks on the red carpet, to Barbie selfies inundating my Instagram feed, it's got me pondering…
Is Barbie all hype, no substance? Will Barbie's opening week out-gross Oppenheimer? If so, will it owe its success solely to the pink-tinted hype? And most importantly…is life in plastic really that fantastic?
Good food for thought.
I can't help but think about how we market our art and how we are marketed to.
Because idk about you, but I kind of dig my Birkenstock-clad heels at the thought of joining most TikTok trends. And I've also been charmed into spending thousands of my hard-earned dollas on professional development offers (courses, group coaching, masterminds, etc) that are more glitter than gold.
On one hand, you're creating art with substance… leaving bits of your story in each layer of paint, grain of clay, educational offers, etc. Your work is meaningful, soulful, and important. But on the other hand, it's up to you to get your art seen by people waiting to fall in love with it.
Aaaand we are visually-driven entrepreneurs craving aesthetic experiences even in our investments.
So, what’s an Oppenheimer-person to do in a Barbie world?
Here are my spicy hot takes:
Be Genuine
Authenticity sells, not just in terms of your work, but also in how you market it. People are more likely to connect with you and your art if they feel they are seeing the 'real' you.
Transparency is Key
Communicate clearly about your work and your process. Don't over-hype, don't under-sell. Keep it real and your audience will appreciate it.
Know Your Work's Worth
You’ve poured your soul into your work and it has inherent value. Don't compromise on it just to make a quick sale.
Tell Your Story
Every piece of art has a story behind it. Share it with your audience, let them see your journey and connect with your work on a deeper level. This is marketing from the heart. I go into detail here.
Quality Over Quantity
Focus on creating high-quality work you are proud of, rather than mass producing pieces for the sake of selling more. It's better to be known for the incredible ways you bring value to your network's lives, than to sacrifice quality and connection for scaling (at least around my side of the street).
Harness Social Media
Use social media platforms to showcase your work, but don't get lost in the follower count. Engagement from your people is the key metric, not just random likes or shares.
Create Community
Building a community around your work can help in its organic promotion. Stay in touch with your collectors. Write back to your followers' comments. Your people will be your biggest cheerleaders and their word of mouth will go a long way.
Embrace Slow Success
Be patient. Creating and selling art isn't about instant gratification. You're building your legacy, and that takes time.
Don’t Fall for Hype
It’s easy to get drawn into flashy gimmicks or offers that promise quick results. Always evaluate opportunities on their merit, not their marketing.
Trust Your Instincts
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut when it comes to making business decisions.
Nurture Your Network
Foster genuine relationships with other artists, gallery owners, and customers. These relationships can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and a stronger presence in the art community.
Ok. That's all I got, but I don't want to let you go without a major disclaimer because I don't want you to get the wrong impression about me…
While I do love great, moving films, I also love a fluffy feature as much as the next gal... Devil Wears Prada (soundtrack to my life), Mean Girls (still quoting it to this day), etc. Here's to embracing our multi-dimensional selves, am I right?
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