Networking for Artists. Why It's Important and How to Build Connections

"During my first semester in college as a STEM major, one of my advisors noted that getting a job after graduation depended on networking. As an introvert, the thought of rubbing elbows to get a job I wasn’t sure I even wanted sounded so unpleasant to me that I’ve held onto that interaction for over 15 years." - writes artist Kelly Helsinger on her blog.

The foundation of a successful business in most fields lies in the power of networking. For artists, networking is more than just a strategy. It’s an essential tool for developing personal and professional relationships that can significantly impact your career and business growth.

But the problem is that the concept of "networking" is often misunderstood

Think of networking as "business friends." You have friends, don’t you? Imagine your friend John, whom you’ve known for 5 years, comes to you and asks to borrow a camera, some money, or for any other favor. You’ll most likely say "no problem" because you’ve known him for a long time, and he’s your friend.

Now, imagine another situation: a stranger named Mike stops you on the street, introduces himself, starts a conversation ("networking"), and then offers his services or asks for a loan. What would you say? You’d most likely refuse.

So, business networking, like friendship, develops over time when you don’t need anything. Then, if one party needs something, a mutual exchange can occur.

Now let’s consider this in the context of the online environment

When a person frequently comments, likes, and actively engages with the community online, it fosters a sense of trust and even creates an impression of personal acquaintance, even if you’ve never met this person in real life.

Imagine you see this person’s posts or comments very often. Each of their contributions to the network, whether an interesting comment, a review, or useful advice, enhances the impression of them as an active and engaging conversationalist. Moreover, when you see that this person has a large number of connections and followers, it can also enhance the perception of their influence and authority in their field.

At some point, you may decide to offer this person a collaboration or contact them for experience exchange. And despite never having met in person, your impression of them as an active and influential network participant will facilitate the establishment of professional connections and joint projects.

Thus, networking is the art of forming and maintaining relationships, and it is very important to invest in long-term relationships.

"But now, deep into my career as an artist, I regret to inform you and my past self that networking is indeed a crucial skill to have in your career. Over the years, I have worked on my introversion and social shyness to the point where people don’t believe I prefer alone time over social events. Through practice and determination to speak to people easily and not turn beet-red when the spotlight is on me (still working on that one), “people-ing” has, like any other skill, gotten easier over time." -  adds Kelly Helsinger.

Helsinger's words demonstrate that networking is a skill that can be improved with time and practice. For artists, this is especially important as it can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career growth.

For effective networking, artists need not only to attend gallery openings but also to "friend" and "follow" the right people and organizations on social media, maintaining deeper long-term relationships. Befriending those who are older and more experienced helps to open doors that would otherwise remain closed, while interacting with younger artists ensures the exchange of ideas and inspiration.

Additionally, networking can lead to joint projects, exhibitions, or other opportunities to promote your creativity. Active participation in communities and groups that unite artists can also help expand your circle of acquaintances and gain access to new opportunities. All this helps create a network of contacts that supports not only professional development but also personal growth.

As with everything else, networking in the art world should be done in a style that best suits your personality. It is advisable to approach it in the same way we approach making friends. It’s better to be sincere and carefree than artificial and desperate. Don’t take anything for granted and give as much as you take. Be there for people, be kind, open, and have a good time.

If you don't know where to start with "networking" begin by assessing your current network. Ask yourself:

- How many people know you are an artist?

- How many of them have referred potential buyers to you?

If the numbers are low, you definitely need to focus on expanding your network of contacts. Remember, any new connection can become a potential catalyst for your career growth, so it’s important to be open to new acquaintances and opportunities.

What other benefits does networking offer artists?

- Personal connections often lead to repeat purchases and provide a stable foundation.

- Networking can lead to strong friendships and professional relationships that are crucial for ongoing growth.

- Word-of-mouth recommendations from your network can increase recognition and boost sales.

- Unlike many digital marketing tactics, networking doesn’t require financial investment.

Online Platforms and Artistic Communities for Networking

Social networks like LinkedIn and Instagram offer endless opportunities to attract the attention of a wide audience. However, the reality is that most users are not interested in content that doesn’t align with their needs or areas of interest. This can cause your profile to get lost among thousands of other accounts or require significant time and effort in marketing and promotion.

Moreover, most existing community websites cover all types of art, including digital. Traditional artists can easily get lost among the multitude of other users and digital works. Additionally, such diversity can hinder the sense of belonging to the right community and finding oneself among like-minded and art-interested people.

The platform Arts.Center is created exclusively for traditional artists. We aim to unite traditional art in one place, allowing everyone to purchase art, fans to enjoy the works, and artists to thrive in a supportive environment of like-minded individuals.

We are actively working on implementing additional features that will enable users to blog, share ideas, communicate easily, and build strong professional connections. Arts.Center strives to be a hub where art is valued and supported.

If you create, promote, buy, or collect art with passion -  join us today!