This Post is by Daniel J. Keys, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.  Find out how you can be a guest author.

I sometimes wonder:  What would great master artists of old have thought of today’s technology and how it’s impacted the craft that we share along with them; How would this technology have affected them and their ability to market the great masterpieces that they created, and connect with like-minded artists of their day; and would more secondary artists have advanced further in their skill if they’d had had opportunity to chat with the likes of Michael Angelo via facebook? 

Well, the answers to these few questions will probably forever remain a mystery, but did you know that many of the “Michael Angelo’s” of our day can be found networking on their computers regularly? Successful artists recognize the importance of taking advantage of all the technology around us; Do you? 

We have a far greater advantage than those that have gone on before us did 

I’m a firm believer that the internet has made possible things that were once out of the question for pre-twenty-first century artists, and unless you are employing what it has to offer, your marketing is limited.

networking [net-wur-king] – noun a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest 

Networking is one thing we have that they did not. They were limited to corresponding through letters and postcards, and were often only able to take in one protégée in their lifetime - leaving others to find another Master teacher, or just fend for themselves, if they desired to improve their skills. 

We however can tap into a wealth of knowledge in the convenience of our own homes - and acquire information that can revolutionize our own works. By making use of the Internet, “How-to” Books, and DVDs made available to us by some of the greatest artists who ever lived, and connecting with other artists that are after the same things in life, we can experience a degree of success in a shorter amount of time than it would have taken using former methods.

Connecting through networking 

The advantage of networking is two-fold: It allows you to gain the information that you’ll need to improve your ability to create good work, and it also builds up your collector –and friend/fan/follower - base.  

How to begin networking with others 

First –Make use of this newsletter

Subscribing to this newsletter is a great start! Not only will it regularly give you ideas for marketing your work, but will hopefully introduce you to some great artists, and writers, that you can network with. 

Second – Invest in a professional website

I simply must have a website containing photos of my work, as well as all of my biographical and contact information on it, if I intend to network successfully.  Without a website to refer potential friends and collectors to, I’m just wasting my time. 

I must also make sure that it’s up to date, and uncluttered; doing maintenance if need be. 

This method of reaching out is simple and can be very affordable, and the effort is far outweighed by the benefits. 

Third – Show people what you’ve got

Getting out there and meeting new people can be as easy as joining an artist’s forum or latest networking craze such as MySpace, twitter, or facebook. There are a lot of artists who share common goals with us that we would probably benefit from knowing. It’s all part of building up our team, and these friends will act as our support group cheering us onward, and keeping us focused. Remember, there’s strength in numbers.

Four -Network with collectors using a monthly newsletter

Having a monthly newsletter is an invaluable marketing tool. It’s also the best way that I know of to network with my collectors, and those following my career. When people subscribe to my e-newsletter they're making it clear to me that they want to know more and it’s my job to give it to them.  

Let people know what's going on in your business: Tell them of all the exciting happenings, and attentions that your work is getting. When they see that you’re staying busy, they’ll associate it with being successful. 

 
Five - Start a blog, and follow through with it by updating it regularly

A blog is where I can post things about myself and career that are necessary to market effectively, but might make my website appear cluttered if posted on it instead. Having both my professional website and an art related blog keeps my “regulars” satisfied - showing them that I’m taking the extra step to make my mark in the art world - and makes a good first impression to those who’ve never previously seen my work. 

I make every effort to post to this blog consistently, and always reply to comments made by my followers. 

Wrapping up 

By using the internet to network and educate myself I find that my marketing is far more efficient, and I can continue learning from artists who I admire (albeit from afar) - being productive all the while never leaving my studio. I’ve seen all of the advice given above work in my own career, and continue to utilize what equipment I have to further my relationships with those of like mindedness – as well as establish relations with new collectors and investors everyday. 

-Daniel