If you’re an artist who wants to get your work out into the world to be seen, appreciated, and even purchased, you will face the need for self-promotion. If that idea makes you squirm, you are not alone --and this podcast is for you. Why do so many artists hate the idea of promoting themselves? Probably because many of us were taught from an early age to be modest, to avoid mentioning our achievements, and to be grateful for whatever life handed us without seeking more. But dealing with the art world requires a different approach. You need to let people know who you are and what you do if you want to advance your career. Today we’ll talk about ways of self-promotion that may be comfortable even if you have a reserved, humble, or quiet personality.

If self-promotion is stressful to you, you may be struggling with overcoming these early lessons. Or you may have a truly humble or quiet personality that you're happy with, but it holds you back from things you need to do to get your work into the world. However, self-promotion does not mean you have to change who you are. In fact, the best way to handle it is to be yourself, and not present yourself in a way you believe will impress others. If your true personality is low-key or reserved, that is the tone to use in your self-promotion. That doesn't mean being self-deprecating, which is never helpful, or on the other hand exaggerating your achievements. Being honest and direct is the key.

Although avoiding self-promotion may be an ingrained habit, you need to acknowledge that it is necessary to operate in the art world. Your potential collectors and others in the position to help you want to know about you and what you do. A confident attitude is important in these situations, whether you are crafting a written statement or speaking in person. If you have trouble with this, remember that sticking to facts about yourself and your achievements is a safe and comfortable entry point. Simply stating these in a straightforward manner is never objectionable to other people.

Different types of self-promotion require different approaches, so it helps to know what is expected in each situation. This can range from a formal communication like a press release to something that is less formal, like a blog or newsletter. Lots of times you have some leeway in how to phrase things or how personal to make them, and you can find a tone that suits your true self. With practice, all types of self-promotion become easier to tackle.

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