The Ultimate Guide to Defining Your Target Audience as an Artist

As an abstract expressionism artist, you create art that is unique, expressive, and often open to interpretation. But when it comes to selling your art, defining your target audience can be a bit more challenging than it is for artists who work in more traditional styles. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the process of defining your target audience as an abstract expressionism artist, with practical examples and tips to help you boost your sales.

Define your unique style

Before you can start to define your target audience, you need to have a clear understanding of your own unique style. Abstract expressionism is a broad term that can encompass many different approaches, from the gestural brushstrokes of Jackson Pollock to the more geometric shapes of Mark Rothko.

Take some time to analyze your own work and think about what sets it apart from other abstract expressionism artists. What themes or emotions do you explore? What techniques or materials do you use?

Having a clear understanding of your own style will help you better target your marketing efforts.

Example: Let's say you're an abstract expressionism artist who uses vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes to create pieces that evoke a sense of energy and movement. Your style might appeal to a younger demographic that is drawn to bold, expressive art.

Downloadable PDF guide for artists: ”The Artist’s Guide to Defining Your Target Audience”.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll find practical tips and creative exercises to discover your artistic identity and connect with your ideal audience.

Learn why defining your audience is essential, how to research and analyze your followers, and explore effective marketing strategies to promote your art.

Additionally, gain valuable insights from Researched Descriptions of People Who Love Specific Art Styles, allowing you to understand and resonate with your art's biggest fans.

Discover valuable platforms and resources to boost your art career.
Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your artistic success and connect with your audience on a deeper level!

Identify your ideal customer

Once you have a clear understanding of your own style, you can start to think about the type of person who would be most interested in your art. This is your ideal customer - the person who is most likely to connect with your work and purchase it.

To identify your ideal customer, consider factors like age, gender, income level, and interests. Think about the type of person who would be drawn to your style of art and what they might be looking for in a piece of abstract expressionism. Are they collectors who are looking to invest in emerging artists? Are they interior designers who are searching for unique pieces to add to their clients' homes? Are they art lovers who are drawn to the emotional power of abstract expressionism?

Example: Continuing with the previous example, your ideal customer might be a young professionals in their 30s or 40s who is passionate about contemporary art and looking for bold, statement pieces to add to their home or office.

Research your target audience

When you know who your ideal customer is,  it's time to do some research to better understand their needs, preferences, and behaviors. This can help you tailor your marketing efforts to better reach and engage with your target audience.

Start by researching art blogs, social media accounts, and websites that your target audience might follow. This will give you a sense of the type of art they are drawn to and the language they use to talk about art. You can also look at demographic data and market research reports to better understand your target audience's buying habits and preferences.

Example: If your target audience is young professionals who are passionate about contemporary art, you might look at popular art blogs and social media accounts to see what types of art they feature and what types of language they use to talk about art. You might also look at market research reports to see what types of art are popular among this demographic and what their buying habits are like.

Tailor your marketing efforts

With a clear understanding of your ideal customer and their needs, preferences, and behaviors, you can start to tailor your marketing efforts to better reach and engage with your target audience. This might involve creating a strong brand identity that speaks to your target audience, using social media and online marketplaces to showcase your work, and attending art fairs and exhibitions that cater to your target audience.

One key aspect of marketing to your target audience is using the right language and messaging. This means speaking to your target audience in a way that resonates with them and speaks to their interests and values. For example, if your target audience is interested in contemporary art and design, you might use language that emphasizes the innovative and cutting-edge nature of your work. If your target audience is more interested in emotional expression, you might use language that emphasizes the powerful emotions and experiences that your art conveys.

It's also important to consider the channels you use to reach your target audience. Social media is a powerful tool for reaching younger audiences and engaging with potential buyers, while Art Fairs and exhibitions can be a great way to connect with collectors and curators who are interested in discovering emerging artists.

Example: Let's say you've identified that your target audience is interested in contemporary art and design. To reach this audience, you might create a strong brand identity that emphasizes the innovative and cutting-edge nature of your work, and use social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase your art and connect with potential buyers. You might also attend contemporary art fairs and exhibitions to connect with collectors and curators who are looking for new and exciting artists to add to their collections.

Test and refine your approach

Defining your target audience is an ongoing process, and it's important to constantly test and refine your approach as you learn more about your audience's needs and preferences. This might involve experimenting with different marketing channels, messaging, and branding to see what resonates most with your target audience. You can also use analytics tools to track your marketing efforts and see how well they are performing.

There are many analytics tools available, including Google Analytics which is a free tool offered by Google that helps you track and understand your website traffic. You can access it at https://analytics.google.com/. Google Analytics shows you how many people are visiting your website, which pages they are looking at, and how long they are staying. You can also set up goals to track things like purchases or sign-ups. By using Google Analytics, you can measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions to improve your website and overall strategy.

Piwik PRO - A paid analytics tool that provides detailed reports on website traffic, including visitor demographics, behavior, and conversion rates, as well as advanced features like data privacy and security. https://piwik.pro/ 

It's important to keep in mind that not every marketing approach will work for every artist or every target audience. It's okay to experiment and try new things, and to be open to feedback and suggestions from your audience.

Example: Continuing with the previous example, you might experiment with different types of social media content to see what resonates most with your target audience. You might try creating short videos that showcase your creative process and give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at your studio, or you might collaborate with other artists or influencers in your niche to reach a wider audience. By tracking your analytics and monitoring feedback from your audience, you can refine your approach and better engage with your target audience over time.

Well folks, I've covered a lot of ground today! Defining your target audience is a critical component of any artist's marketing strategy, but it is particularly important for abstract expressionism artists who create work that is often open to interpretation. By taking the time to define your unique style, identify your ideal customer, research your target audience, tailor your marketing efforts, and test and refine your approach, you can better connect with your audience and increase your sales.

Last but not least, remember that quote floating around that goes something like, "If you're trying to sell to everyone, you're really selling to no one."

That's why it's so important to hone in on your target audience and build a brand identity that speaks to their unique interests and values. By doing so, you'll attract a tribe of dedicated collectors and enthusiasts who are head-over-heels for your art. So, keep on creating and let your passion shine through - your fans are out there waiting for you!

Good Luck!

Marisol