How to gain followers on Facebook for artists: 5 tips that work for me

[@johnbayer4056]

Great Tips! Thanks! List of tips covered in detail on video listed to refresh memory here: 1. Join fb groups that might connect with your work. But DON'T "SELL"! 2. Do some work designed to be 'shared' by others, i.e. holiday or tending subject matter. 3. Do some work themed toward a CHARITY OR RELIEF CAUSE, that can then be donated to be sold to raise money for it. Your page info gets exposure. 4. Host a giveaway. Stir up interest within your group of followers. 5. Ask questions/ opinions/ favorites, etc. of your followers. Do challenge games (guess what this is an image of...), etc. to stir interest & involvement. Give a prize, maybe. That's all. Again, thanks. These are great ideas and strategies.

[@tiacook5615]

Would really appreciate a video on how to find your specific type of clients. I've always only created for my own enjoyment and never realized I could make a living as an artist so this is all new to me. Thank you so much. I appreciate this resource more than you know.

[@ejsgraphix4201]

Ellen by far you have the most vital information that any artist needs for marketing, networking and establishing their presence online. I have spoken in front of many classes and by far I love your straight forwardness. I have recommended your channel to many of my friends who want to be online and how to begin. THUMBS UP and God bless you for sharing your insight.

[@mandododo2]

Ellen I just discovered your channel and you have so much useful information in your channel, really clear, straight to the point and from such a mature point of view. Thankyou so much :)

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Patricia, I so appreciate your kind feedback and I'm grateful to know that you've found my videos helpful! If you ever have any questions on anything in particular or would like more info on a certain subject, don't hesitate to ask :)

[@pupawupagus]

I love you and your channel! I need to go back and watch all your videos. I just left the workforce to launch my business. You’re such an inspiration

[@dantarradellas7351]

Awesome Ellen. Would love to see your video about narrowing down and identifying your base.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Dan! You can find that video here; I hope it's useful to you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHRn318p66HnZY

[@dianehill4019]

Awesome ideas Ellen, you are a treasure trove of helpful stuff! Thank you!

[@christopherpaul2459]

Yes Ellen, please have a vlog on establishing a customer base. That would be great. Thanks

[@WhiteKeyBlackString]

I just found your channel and I've been listening to two of your videos while doing sudoku as a way to relax but gain insightful knowledge; thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us! I'll be watching more of your content! I love your honrst and direct way of talking as well, without any frills and too much unnecessary excitement, it was very pleasant to listen to 🌸

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your kind comment; so glad you're finding my content useful! :)

[@leisacollins4860]

Just stumbled across this and want to thank you Ellen. It is excellent. I make a decent living with my art, using a number of more traditional tools, but have been stumped as to how to use social media and particularly FB and this video really opens the door as to how to do it in an elegant and dignified way that also helps others at the same time.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Leisa Collins I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thank you for your kind comment 😊

[@onlythetruth208]

I would love it if you did a video on how to determine your customer base. I love your channel and the information you share is so helpful. Thank you.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for watching! 😊 I have a short video on target marketing which you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHRn318p66HnZY

[@janicestubbs3846]

Thank you Ellen, you’ve given me lots of advice and ideas which I can use for my art. 😊

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad! Thank you for your kind words, Janice :)

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

YES,YES,YES.. PLEASE do an in depth video on finding your ideal customers. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Im sooo overwhelmed with all of this. Sometimes i think" whr am i even painting this pic? What am i going to do with it , just put it in a box". Soooo frustrating. Im writing these down 🤔

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

So glad you found this video helpful! I have several videos that might be helpful to you - just peruse through my channel and you'll see quite a few specifically for beginners. The in-depth one about finding your ideal customers is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHRn318p66HnZY and even though it was recorded a few years ago, many of the things I discuss still hold true today.

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio Ellen thank you so very much. I want to get this going. I just get stuck on things sooo easily. It's very frustrating

[@joyhellosunshine6645]

Truly appreciate all your videos and guidance for new artists like me!

[@joannestephens1061]

Wonderful tips! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@tzipporahbragg9798]

Yes, interested in understanding how to establish your customer base. Thank you, Ellen. These videos are so helpful.

[@fineartca]

I am also interested in how you find a customer base for my art.

[@sydneycicourel2224]

Just discovered your channel! It's great! I would love to hear you speak about how to know who your customer is! Thank you! Sydney

[@pamhayward4470]

What great information Ellen!! Thank you so much for all of your input! :D

[@petitpapillonart3065]

Ellen, you are so cute and definitely NOT old, my friend! Great tips! I've done some of them...giveaways have been fun and successful on IG and I just like sharing animal holidays like 'save the vaquita day' LOL. I've also been asked to donate art but I get what you are saying about YOU being the one to donate...still, if it's an animal organization, I will do it. I'm working on a project for a local senior dog rescue-stay tuned! I tried the quote tip on my IG posts yesterday and got some unique followers...I've done that a lot in the past, but was not consistent and never kept track so I'll keep you posted!I really need to rethink the whole FB thing...and I'd love a vid on establishing one's customer base! Again, thanks for your videos! and love your sweet pooch nuzzling in.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your lovely comment, Angela! It seems like you are following all the bases and I've seen some unique ideas of your own on IG that I never considered before! Exciting news about the senior rescue! VERY near and dear to my heart :) Yes, please do let me know what you're experience is regarding the quotes! And you know, I have great success on FB but fail to thrive on IG. I know many artists that are like this; one works but the other doesn't. I think this has a LOT to do with who your customers are and where they gravitate.

[@petitpapillonart3065]

Oh, I'm glad I have some ideas to share, Ellen! I'm gearing up to do some in person selling this summer, so I hope that can drive traffic back to my Etsy shop, as well. It's all a learning experience, testing different markets, etc. and I've only been selling less than a year. I'm also trying to connect with local artist communities, which is challenging since I work out of my home. Again, thanks for your videos! I look forward to more!

[@lauramaskell1653]

I would appreciate a video on finding your customer base. I would find a video on this helpful.

[@laurenseamsodd]

Oh great thank you! I looked under your videos tab but I must have missed it. :-)

[@vincentvanpot4333]

I wanted to thank you for your very informative videos. I am always so motivated during them and they give me good ideas for the differing unique styles of new art projects I can create :)

[@Chrislm8]

Ellen thank you for your insightful information. How do you balance your time between being an introvert and extrovert? I think Social Media is a time warp and a distraction. But it is a way to engage viewers to not only like your work but to ultimately purchase your work. You have a lot of great information here and thank you for sharing.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Great question; for me, social media doesn't affect me too much as an introvert because I am in control of what I share. It IS however, mentally draining from a business sense because it takes some time to prepare posts and responding to emails, messages, etc. I've learned to do the important /dire things in a timely manner and tend to the rest when I am in a good place mentally to do so, even if it takes a week. Balance is key

[@silviaklahm2604]

thank you so much for your very informative helpful videos! so kind and generous of you!! very well done!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm glad you found it helpful! :)

[@tzipporahbragg9798]

Wow, that is really helpful advice. I love these ideas. Thank you so much for sharing these strategies that are really legitimate ways to get your work seen and to do good things to help other people too. Awesome!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are most welcome! Thank you for the feedback, so glad you're finding these things useful! 😊

[@ekaterinazaytseva58]

Hallo Ellen, I just discovered your excellent channel. I would REALLY appreciate it if you indeed made a video on how to know one's customer. THANKS!

[@WhiteRavenBookRook]

Baby party done this but I wouldn't mind to see something about identifying your target market as well

[@Pspencer01]

Just found your channel. So glad I did because I relate to so much of what you are saying. And love all the common sense information you offer!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Thank you for your comment, Patsy - so glad you're finding it useful! :)

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

Could you please explain a bit more about how you might run a give away?? I like the posting a close up of a painting and asking for guesses as to what it is.

[@treasuretroves5497]

Thank u so much! Lots of awesome information in your channel.

[@mandysowell5556]

I just found your channel and I’m so glad I did. I’ve already learned so much from your videos.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

So happy to read this, Mandy - thank you!

[@sharondavis3561]

Hi Ellen. I agree with Patricia on the fact that you have such useful and straight to the point info on so many different topics. I have one question though, I’m an abstract artist, who’s trying to get their work out there by find the right audience. What is your advice on finding an audience who enjoys looking atabstract?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Sharon :) This video may help answer your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaHRn318p66HnZY

[@FrenchyBunnyStudio]

Thank you for sharing great tips and helpful advice for artists! !

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are very welcome! So glad you're finding it helpful 😊

[@Sunandshine1234]

Ellen , thank you for sharing your insights, very helpful .

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're quite welcome, Chris :)

[@catherinejenkins2868]

Those were some good suggestions. Thanks! 🥰

[@ChelseaLang]

I love your suggestion and comments about donating to a charity! I'm actually really interested in supporting a cause around wild parrots, but I can't afford to fully miss out on revenue while I create the piece(s) I'd like to donate. If I were to create a collection of work and say that a percentage of proceeds supported that charity (and hopefully also got the charity to spread the word), is there a percentage that's considered appropriate?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I have donated anywhere from 15-30%, Chelsea. I think it's just a matter of preference and how much you feel comfortable giving ☺️

[@nikkispracklinbis3962]

I can’t handle how beautiful your dog is 💖 Oh and thanks for the awesome tips!!

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Nikki Spracklin / Bis oh my gosh, she does that ALL of the time when I’m filming! She’s such a ham! 😂. Thank you for your comment!

[@nikkispracklinbis3962]

You're welcome! Your videos are life changing, for real!

[@deborahbarbaccia6813]

Hi Ellen, thank you for all the great tips. There are sooooo many things I'd like to paint that I get overwhelmed. Does this happen to you? How do you handle that? Thanks for sharing your ideas ☺️

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Deborah! I do get overwhelmed sometimes, yes! I usually have a few paintings going at once; when one is drying I move on to the next one. It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing more even though (and I think I actually am!) 😃

[@awandererTJ]

This makes sense, thank you!

[@nightmaher5735]

Ellen thank you for sharing your tips and experience, I am unfortunately being unjustly misrepresented by Face Books real name policy and I wish there was a way around it without having to legally change my name but I'm thinking it's just something that has to be done as I feel awkward and feel like I can not connect with anyone. Anyhow, thank you.

[@tryxlr8m8]

Good advice, thanks

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbarasilvaart9916]

I'm loving your videos. Thank you

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I'm so glad!

[@BJones-yw4dd]

YAY animal lovers and supporters of wildlife protection orgs! I support the David Sheldrake Trust, too, among so many others. Hear, hear! I've yet to seriously paint animals, but that's an interesting idea. Thank you! Btw, we can now hold our own donation collections on FB -- that would also be a good way to sell (auction) a painting for charity, wouldn't it?? Hmmmmm....! You're the best!

[@julieratzlaff9049]

This was very informative. Good advice👍

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

So glad you've found it helpful, Julie! Thank you for watching! ☺️💕

[@gretaf471]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@tiacook5615]

Thank you for this video

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@AussieMarksvideos]

New fan, supporter and dog lover

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Always nice to connect with a fellow dog lover!

[@lindaweldon1927]

Anything to do with Facebook and selling art and managing your site. I come from central america and I need to know more about the art scene in the USA

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Linda :) I recommend checking out the other videos I have on my channel. Several involve FB and my thoughts on selling there.

[@heidipreslicka6855]

Hi Ellen, thank you for the info!!! I noticed you don't sell your work on Facebook. You have the button go to your Etsy shop. Is there a reason for that?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Heidi Preslicka thanks so much for your question! I offer and sell my original paintings on Facebook, and direct all print sales to Etsy. I do this because I receive quite a few orders for print sales and they are much easier to manage via the Etsy platform than trying to do it myself through Facebook. I hope that helps answer your question! 😊

[@sarahconroy3634]

Heidi Preslickai

[@sandracampbell9822]

Love the furbaby.

[@hib3449]

Thank you Ellen for your honest brilliant advice. I was just wondering did you join groups using your personal page or your art page? Xx

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Hannah - and thank you for your kind comment 😊. Unfortunately you cannot join a group as a page; only from your personal page can you do this.

[@artbyamandapratt]

Aww you have a golden! I have two :) love them

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Well hello there, fellow golden lover! 🐶 They are just the most amazing dogs, aren't they? 💕

[@artbyamandapratt]

Ellen Brenneman Studio yes! Ours are like our children - they have so much personality and are just the sweetest

[@deborahbarbaccia1109]

Ellen , I'm assuming you would donate an original painting, correct? Not a print?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

It would depend on the circumstances and what I have time for. Most organizations will gladly accept either. If it is something I'm extremely passionate about I usually donate an original, though :)

[@sharonjones6617]

Ellen, I love your art and just discovered it here. Your videos are very informative... I have a question... you say you are selling your art on Facebook, but when I went to your Facebook page, it kept directing me to Etsy. Is there somewhere on Facebook that I missed? Thanks for your help. Sharon from Washington DC

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Sharon! Thank you for your comment :) When I sell my art on FB I do it directly from my feed. I'll create a piece and then offer it up for sale within a post; this is usually where it is sold. If it doesn't sell, I'll move that piece to either Etsy or to my webpage. Thank you for your great question - hope this helps!

[@dogloverjb6873]

I love how you are a true animal lover

[@tamaramorrissette4688]

Hi, just responding to your comment about selling....I'd like you to do a video about finding our customer base, thanks !

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Tamara, thanks for taking the time to respond to my video :) I will work on a topic that covers this as you're not the first to ask about one. It's taken me some time to figure this out but I think it should be useful - thanks for asking! :)

[@tamaramorrissette4688]

Thank you, I'm looking forward to it

[@davidamos3477]

How do you set up a giveaway on FB, is like setting up an event?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, David :) I set up giveaways through my FB posts. I describe the rules of the giveaway, beginning and end time and when I'm going to announce the winner all from that post. When it's time to choose a winner I'll sometimes create a video to draw the winner's name or do FB Live.

[@annvargas2421]

When you join other groups, do you join as your art page or with your personal facebook account?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

HI, Ann :) When I first started joining groups I did it as myself, mainly because FB didn't offer any other options. I haven't joined any additional groups since they started offering that option but when/if I do join another I think I'll likely stick to my personal account just because it shows me as a real person instead of a brand. Great question, by the way - thank you!

[@SysterYster]

At some point through the video I started wondering why you were sitting on the floor, and not on the couch behind you. :P But thanx for the tips. Very good video!

[@carolyndaniele4932]

so she is face to face with the computer on the coffee table.

[@GRAYnomad]

National elephant day, that's a huge one. Ha ha 😁

[@dshe8637]

National elephant day; that's a HUGE one 😁

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

😂 nice one!

[@barbarajane543]

Wonderful informative video!!!Thank you. One question: to gain more facebook followers..you mentioned having a "give-away"...so would I ask people to "like" my page...and put their name in a hat? What about people who have already liked my page...do they have to re-like it? (I've never really understood that when I've seen other people do it....when they say to "like" their page, and you'll be put into a draw for such and such...if I've already liked their page...do I have to unlike it and then like it again? Or am I automatically in the draw...confusing to me....I hope I'm not confusing you, lol)...thank you xo

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

BARBARA JANE good question! You can hold a giveaway and ask your followers to follow any rules you wish. You can hold a drawing just for those who already like your page, or you can ask people to share a particular post in order to be entered into your drawing or you can hold a drying exclusively for new followers. I normally don’t like to exclude anyone from entering a drawing so what I normally do is have three general rules set in order to enter one of my drawings: the person will have to like my page if he or she hasn’t already done so, then share my post, then comment that he/she has done so. All the people who then comment that they’ve done those things will be entered. I like to hold my drawing on video and just pull a name from a bowl from all of those who entered. … And once you like someone’s page you don’t have to Unlike it, then Re-like it. Pages who make Liking a their page a requirement do so as a way of making sure that those who have entered are already following that page. I hope this isn’t confusing to you and that it helps!

[@barbarajane543]

Ellen Brenneman Studio Thank you!!! Yes, that was VERY helpful💜 Thank you for taking the time to explain it so well.

[@annemariekovach3437]

Thank you for sharing your valuable information and experience. How long do you run your giveaways?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

AnneMarie Kovach my giveaways generally run 3 to 4 days at the most, but many times I will run a pop-up giveaway that will last through one day. For example, sometimes at random I will ask my followers to contribute to a question I’ve asked and will draw a random name based on their answers, and share the name of the winner the following day. When I do a several day giveaway it most always goes through a weekend and ends on a Monday or Tuesday. I hope this helps!

[@RhondaSuhrie]

What if you are a representational artist who wants to be in galleries but the minority of artists in galleries are representational? I can't help but notice the most prestigious galleries generally only show abstract artists.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Good question! I'm curious about that as well...

[@tessahlberg7972]

How did you get a shop now button to link directly to your Etsy site?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi, Tess :). Here is a link directly from Facebook that will guide you through it, whether you want customers to shop and checkout without ever leaving FB or if you want them to shop from a different website: facebook.com/business/help/912190892201033/?ref=u2u

[@tessahlberg7972]

Thank you Ellen so much!! Do you think you get customers from people watching your KZbin Channel?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

You're welcome! :) To answer your second question: although I don't have access to stats of whether KZbinrs make purchases from me on FB or Etsy, my Etsy stats share that I do have some traffic that comes from visitors here on KZbin.

[@tessahlberg7972]

Thanks I put the button on one of my pages but couldn't get it on my painting page. Thanks for tips trying them out... You must have thousand of followers for your Facebook page .

[@totonow6955]

There is National Elephant Day...that's a HUGE one. 😂

[@daveovenden9794]

nice thanks

[@salsidnerprojects9164]

Customer base? Video?

[@LoriFahy]

i tried facebook, didnt work for me, and I have since gotten rid of fb out of my life. I find Instagram much more of a positive experience. Facebook was full of people doing the exact same thing, trying to sell goods, artwork, services etc, and groups were the same, just full of people throwing up their pages, and items, and no real discussions, and if one happened to spark, it was always full of synical, middle aged smartasses who would say ' how many times are people going to ask that?" or something to that affect. I think since this video is a year old, facebook has undergone a LOT of changes, and none of them particularly good. They are also one of the most intrusive social media platforms on the net. This comment is based on my opinion and experience with facebook, and each to their own.. but for me, its a definite no.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

FB has changed quite a bit since this video. Still many relevant points for those who wish to sell but I think it has to be the right fit. 90% of my artist friends have made the switch to IG and I would love to spend more time there simply because I love how straightforward it is, but my sales still come from FB so I will likely remain there until my customers point me elsewhere. Thank you for your insightful comment!

[@LoriFahy]

@@EllenBrennemanStudio i think for those that have already set up a base on fb its a bit different, and if it works, why change it! For me, facebook is such a distraction lol.. ( she says as she sculks off and walks away from youtube :P) ..

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

LOL! I completely understand! ☺️

[@eyakem651]

Have you made that video yet? The client base one.

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

Hi! I've made a few videos discussing Facebook - not sure exactly the one you might be referring to, but please do have a look through this playlist to see if any might be useful to you! :) kzbin.info/aero/PLp9VXy4mobAhYA2F2GjlHjdEgkqDQdsmZ

[@eyakem651]

Ellen Brenneman Studio will do!! Thank you for the response.

[@eyakem651]

My main concern is that I’m always creating and I’m starting to gain a certain group of following but now I don’t don’t know how to make marketable artworks based on my style that people enjoy looking at. What should I do more of?

[@daveovenden9794]

Another nice video thankyou, I loved your fury friend helping out 😊, you will enjoy the short clip I put on KZbin of our furry friend Oscar titled...... Oscar having one of his lovely moments. Thanks again & keep the videos coming. 😊

[@estarz25]

Facebook art page cost money

[@cynthiadavis3102]

❤❤❤

[@gabej2]

Just came across your channel! Do you have a Instagram account?

[@EllenBrennemanStudio]

I do! @ellenbrennemanstudio 😊

[@informatics-sx8zu]

hey you have a doggy :)

[@sandracampbell9822]

Love the furbaby.