Build Your Art Career With People Power

14 Ways to Grow and Nourish Your Relationships

You may spend years creating an outstanding body of art work, however, if you ignore the importance of building relationships your art career may suffer. To build a better art business I suggest you practice the art of “People Power.”

Early in my career I made a commitment to invest my time and effort in building relationships based on the principles of camaraderie, cooperation, and collaboration. It was a practice I initially started as a youth and later as a Student Council Representative in high school.

I learned the life-changing fact that when you invest in helping others and strive to achieve mutual beneficial goals you gain more fulfillment than if you choose to remain isolated.

You can start building your “People Power” anytime during your art career, in art school, and in your local art community.

My Giant Move to Manhattan

As a young adult when I moved to Manhattan to attend art school I promised myself I would succeed as an art professional. With just enough money to cover rent for only one year and no regular income I reminded myself “I refuse to give up!” I discovered that although I didn’t have financial power I could build “people power” as my path to success.

I hosted social gatherings in my small apartment every week and as I introduced many people to each other the groups expanded into larger gatherings in private clubs and galleries. My success in networking grew into a profitable business and was hired by corporations to organize art events.

It worked because I have always enjoyed helping others and that has been my priority.

The Importance of Generous “Mentorship”

I was extremely fortunate early in my career to have found mentors. As a writer, I was offered a position to write art reviews for a major art publication. The owner took me “under his wing” and taught me about writing, art promotion, dealing with galleries and so much more.

When I decided to launch my own magazine I was blessed again to have met an international correspondent who agreed to assist me as an editor. His connections, knowledge and mentorship were priceless and guaranteed my success.

I never forgot the spirit of generosity that was bestowed upon me and I vowed to to pass this mentorship opportunites forward to help others.

The Rewards of Reaching Out to Others

One artist who has become an expert in practicing “People Power” is John, who contacted me for coaching sessions when he was facing financial bankruptcy.

John was a talented artist with a strong professional resume but when we discussed his professional relationships it was clear he spent a lot of time in isolation. He was paying the price financially for not paying attention to the importance of relationships.

John agreed he would benefit spending a few hours a week reaching out to others he knew through emails, phone chats, and lunches. We crafted business proposals that emphasized mutually beneficial business agreements he could discuss with them.

You can imagine his surprise when he immediately received gallery and exhibition leads from people and more opportunities and resources he hadn’t dreamed of before.

In the weeks that followed John gained more confidence so we added new prospects and refined the proposal letters. He discovered the power of social media and he reached out to build alliances through his connections in LinkedIn and friends on Facebook.

In three months John transformed his business into a very profitable enterprise. He discovered the joys of being a successful artist using the “People Power” formula.

14 Ways to Build “People Power”

*  Think about all the talents, connections, and skills you can offer to other people.

*  Create a “People Power List” of friends, customers, business associates, fellow artists, etc. Arrange it in priority order and then put it to use!

*  Reach out today to a colleague, friend or fellow artist with a spirit of camaraderie. Even the smallest gesture can reap rewards.

*  Make an introduction, recommendation or referral to someone who needs it in person and in social media. Don’t wait for them to ask you.

*  Brainstorm and imagine all the powerful ways you can exchange mutual support with others to take both of your careers to higher levels.

*  Share your professional connections with others with feelings of generosity. Don’t expect anything in return.

* Join or launch a group with other proactive people who share a purpose or mission that speaks to your heart.

* Set up a phone chat with someone new every week to discuss networking ideas.

* After you begin a collaborative project with others make a commitment to follow through no matter how many challenges arise.

* Enjoy every step of the collaboration process without conditions or expectations.

* Seek and create opportunities to engage in cross-promotion with people outside your inner circle and outside your comfort zone.

* Show others you’re the kind of person other people want to know and collaborate with. Demonstrate your trustworthiness.

* Express your appreciation freely, often and publicly to everyone who has contributed to your career success.

* Don’t be shy. Ask your friends and associates for referrals and introductions to like-minded people.

Looking for more ideas? Read these articles…
“The Many Benefits of Cross-Promotion For Artists”
“Helpful Art Organizations and Resources”
“The Many Rewarding Ways Artists Can Help Charities”