5 networking tips for artists

If you’re an artist, you’d probably rather be at the studio or your drafting desk than out networking. Who wants to change out of their comfy paint-splattered pants or put down the pen to go out and rub elbows, right?

But networking could be the best thing for your art career. It may lead to more sales and opportunities, which translates to more money for you – money you can make doing what you love. You might even be able to quit that part-time job you don’t love.

You don’t have to take our word for it. Just look at the statistics on the power of networking. According to Forbes, as many as 70% of jobs are never posted online – they’re scored by job seekers with a personal or professional connection. So you may have to put in a little facetime now, but you’ll be glad you did when it pays out later.

Read on to learn how you can successfully network as an artist.

5 tips for networking as an artist

Here’s the thing about networking: It sounds painful, but it’s really not so bad. If you’re imagining a stuffy cocktail party or the business world’s take on speed dating, think again. So how do you network in a way that doesn’t feel painfully awkward?

You can think of networking as making new friends. You’ll be rubbing elbows, that’s true – but it’ll be with people who care about art as much as you do. Remember that networking isn’t a one-way street, and you may bond with someone you could help in the future. It’s all about making connections.

Here are some tips to take with you to get the most out of this time:

1. Have a plan: Before you head out the door, know what you want to accomplish. Tailor your goals to the kind of event you plan to attend. If you’re going to a casual hang at an art gallery or open studio, the goal can simply be to expand your network and connect with like-minded artists and businesspeople in the industry. If you’re going to an event that’s specifically designed for networking, shamelessly pitch your novel to an agent. Part of the art of networking is being able to read the room. You don’t want to overwhelm potential new connections by selling too hard – unless, of course, that’s the nature of the meetup. Whatever kind of gathering it is, go in knowing what you have to offer so you’ll be prepared for any conversation.

2. Know how to explain what you do: Talking about art isn’t easy. There are 50-page critical essays out there dissecting just one poem. So it’s worth spending some time creating talking points around what you do, what your values are as an artist, what kind of work you make and what themes you’re particularly interested in.

3. Tell people where and how to reach you: End your conversations on a high note (yep, that’s a “networking for musicians” pun) by leaving the door open for further communication. Let anyone interested in your work know how to find you. If you don’t have a stack of business cards on you, offer to exchange numbers, or show people how to find you on social media. If appropriate (like at those events for networking and networking alone), you could even bring a sample of your work or portfolio with contact information on it.

4. Talk to everyone: Don’t spend your time talking to just a few people. If you go to a networking event to meet specific big names in your industry or people who work in a particular field, you’ll miss out on potentially fruitful connections if you let these conversations take up all your time. Talk to everyone, no matter who they are and what they do. You never know what opportunities someone may have to offer – even if that opportunity is just a friendship.

5. Offer help: Asking strangers for favors usually doesn’t feel good. It’s uncomfortable. But if you treat networking events as a way of building relationships in the art community, it can relieve some of the pressure. Offer to help fellow artists. You could meet a graphic designer working on a magazine looking for a writer like you for a collaboration. And down the line, when you need a graphic designer's help to revamp your website, you’ll know just who to call.

Why is networking important for artists?

Networking got its name for a reason. Picture a literal network in your head – you’re probably imagining a web that branches outward. As you network, you’re trying to build a web of colleagues, mentors and friends. Networking isn’t just about making a single connection with a big shot in your industry – but if you do happen to make that connection, good on you!

As your artist network grows, this growth will gain momentum. You’ll get more followers on social media, which leads to – you guessed it – getting even more followers, and so on. Use your social media accounts to post about gallery openings, performances, album releases and publications, and keep your audience of art lovers engaged. You never know when someone else’s re-post will lead to being discovered by a curator, producer or agent. Keep a close eye on your DMs. And put a Linktree URL in your social media bios so viewers can delve deep into the rest of your internet presence and explore your online portfolio and LinkedIn page.

There’s an art to networking – literally. It’s not all about business. Networking is an opportunity to skip the small talk and start deep conversations about the medium you love, discover upcoming shows and performances and stay up on the latest news in the art world.