When you are selling art in person, it is vital to engage with your customer and share enough of your story to connect with them. These meaningful connections translate into building a relationship and selling your art and products.

The words "relationship" and "genuine/meaningful connections" can be scary and intimidating, especially when, as an artist, you've already put so much of yourself out there in the world.

Seriously, how can anyone possibly ask for more?!

I get that, so let's break down these words in the context of employing them in your sales experience and customer interactions.

When I talk about a genuine connection, I'm not saying that you need to go out for coffee and engage in dialogue for hours on end with each customer. In this context, a genuine/meaningful connection is a few moments of eye contact and a conversation about your art, in which both parties come to an agreement. The agreement is a simple one. We both like or are interested in the same thing - your art. You come to this agreement through conversation and sharing of experiences. All aspects of your art-making are tools in the discussion that establish the connection with your customer.

That's it.

It is a moment in time, but the key is - it's a moment that your customer can take with them and share later. The connection is what your customer will take with them and see when they look at their new purchase in their home. They will pass along that connection to their friends and family when showing their new art (your art, by the way).

The above should not be intimidating because you will be talking about the thing you know most about - your art.

So, where do relationships come in?

When referring to "relationships" with your customers, we are not talking about swiping right. There are no long-term commitments or sharing secrets. No one is coming to dinner. In this context, a relationship is simply two people relating to one another. You make a product, and they like the product = recognition, and relation.

A relationship with a customer looks like them signing up for your newsletter, following you on social media, or even coming to your studio - if you want them to. You might send your repeat customers Direct Messages on social or individual emails - provide them with personal attention - this is deepening the relationship in this context.

That relation/recognition will be a bit one-sided initially, and that is okay. If someone follows you, likes and comments on your posts, and you make a point of responding to their comments and following them back - that is a relationship, a simple one, but a relationship nonetheless.

To reiterate, when I say it's vital that you talk to and connect with your customer, it's because your customer wants the connection. If they didn't, they would buy their art from Target or Amazon. Your customers are coming to you because they want more, and it's something that you have and is easy to share.

I talk about this concept at length in my workshop. We go over ways for you to guide the conversation to ensure your customers get what they need, even if they might not be aware of what they are looking for at the moment.

Please drop a comment below if you have questions.

Registration is open for the March and April workshops. Link to register below.