Tell us about SerafinArt.
I first picked up a paintbrush in 2002. Completely self taught, I mainly paint in oils but have dabbled in pastels too with my main interest being for seascapes. Art is a hobby for me, for it to become a business would be my greatest dream. However, to achieve the sort of success that would generate enough sales to even start making a profit, would mean taking a huge ‘plunge’. As a business woman, I have to calculate the risks, so for the time being it remains a passionate hobby!
How have you been using social media to benefit your business and which areas of business has social media been most useful?
I started using social media less than a year ago with the main objective of promoting my art to a wider audience.
How much business can you attribute to social media marketing in comparison to other forms of marketing you are using?
Selling art is not an exact science and paintings really need to be seen in the ‘flesh’. Previously I have only sold through exhibitions, social media, whilst it may not increase sales directly, has increased awareness of exhibitions etc, therefore increasing the chance of sales.
What problems have you come across using social media?
For me, its time!! Running my own business (as well as finding time to paint!) leaves me with very limited free time and I believe social media works best if you can devote enough time to keep things, fresh, exciting, up to date, and constantly changing to keep the interest going.
Which platform have you found the most success with for your business?
Twitter. By far the most successful in promoting my art beyond the limits of Guernsey.
Have you found that opening your business up to social media has got you more success locally or from a wider audience?
It depends what you class as success! For me, awareness and appreciation of my art to a wider audience is a huge success, whilst increasing my local awareness helps to sell a painting. So its probably a 50:50 split!
Have you come across any misconceptions that you would like for those getting into social media marketing to understand?
In my opinion, you need to know why you want to go into social media marketing and what you hope to achieve from it. I think it depends on the product that you’re trying to promote or sell and the audience you’re trying to reach. Social media marketing success should also be measured in many ways, not just with sales! I recently had a lady buy a painting from me that she originally saw in an exhibition more than two years ago! Who knows where I’ll be after two years of awareness through social media marketing! Watch this space!
Want to know more about SerafinArt? Follow her on Twitter