Why You Need to be Creative with an Email Newsletter

One of the most effective ways to grow your art practice is to have a subscribe to an email newsletter option on your website. A newsletter is a regular email that you send to your subscribers, who are people who have signed up to receive updates from you.

In the article Using Email to Sell Your Art we wrote about how email can be a powerful tool to help you promote and sell your art. We highlighted the ways to build your email list and referenced the need to add a sign-up form to your website and from other opportunities to add to the list. Having subscribed to receiving updates your followers are expressing their interest in you and your work and their willingness to be kept in the loop about your art practice.

If you are an artist, you might wonder how an email newsletter can help your art practice. A newsletter is a great way to share your work, your process, your insights, and your inspiration with your audience. It can also help you build a loyal fan base, get feedback, cement your brand and generate sales.

benefits of having an email newsletter for your art practice:

• A newsletter allows you to showcase your portfolio and tell the stories behind your creations. You can share your latest projects, your sketches, your experiments, and your challenges. You can also explain your artistic vision, your influences, and your techniques. This way, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and show them what makes your art unique.
• A newsletter helps you grow your audience and reach new people who might be interested in your art. You can use social media, your website, or other platforms to invite people to sign up for your email newsletter. You can also encourage your subscribers to share your newsletter with their friends and networks. This way, you can expand your exposure and attract more potential customers.
• A newsletter enables you to communicate with your audience and build trust and loyalty. You can use your email newsletter to engage with your subscribers, ask them questions, answer their queries, thank them for their support, and invite them to give you feedback. You can also offer them exclusive content, discounts, or giveaways. This way, you can show them that you value them and that you care about their opinions and needs.
• A newsletter allows you to promote your art and generate sales. You can use your newsletter to announce new products, upcoming events, special offers, or collaborations. You can also include links to your online store, your portfolio, or other places where people can buy or view your art. This way, you can drive more traffic to your platforms and increase your chances of making sales.

As you can see, a newsletter can be a powerful tool for your art practice. It can help you showcase your work, grow your audience, communicate with your fans, and promote your art. If you want to start a newsletter for your art practice, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a platform that suits your needs and preferences. There are many options available for creating and sending newsletters, such as ConvertKit, recommended, but do some research and compare the features, costs, and ease of use of each platform before deciding which one to use.
• Define the purpose and goals of your newsletter. Think about what you want to achieve with your newsletter and what kind of content you want to share. Do you want to educate, entertain, inspire, or sell? Do you want to focus on one topic or cover various aspects of your art practice? Do you want to send it weekly, monthly, or sporadically? Having a clear vision and plan for your newsletter will help you create consistent and relevant content for your audience.
• Write in a friendly and authentic tone. Your email newsletter is a way to connect with your audience on a personal level, so don’t be afraid to show some personality and emotion in your writing. Use simple and clear language that reflects who you are and how you talk. Avoid jargon, slang, or acronyms that might confuse or alienate some of your readers. Be honest and respectful in expressing your opinions and views and avoid being divisive unless that is your intent and part of your manifesto.
• Use visuals to enhance your message. Your newsletter is also a way to showcase your art, so make sure to include high-quality images of your work in every issue. You can also use other types of visuals, such as videos, gifs, infographics, or charts to illustrate or explain some points. Use colors, fonts, and layouts that match your brand identity and style.
• Test and optimise your newsletter before sending it. Before hitting the send button, make sure to check your email newsletter for any errors or issues that might affect its delivery or appearance. Use tools such as Grammarly to proofread and improve your writing. Use tools such as Litmus to test how your email newsletter looks on different devices and browsers. Use tools such as Google Analytics or Mailchimp Reports to track and measure the performance.
• Include a clear call to action in every newsletter. You want your subscribers to act after reading your email newsletter, whether it’s visiting your website, buying your product, sharing your content, or replying to your email. Make sure you tell them what you want them to do and why it’s beneficial for them.

Having a newsletter on your website can be a powerful way to grow your online business and connect with your audience. If you follow these tips, you can create a newsletter that delivers value and results.