Build out your year of sales: Fall Edition
Let’s get planning!
Welcome to the fall edition of my 4-part guide to building out your year of sales. In this article, you’ll learn how to structure each month to take advantage of crucial buying times.
Fall is a great time for sales, as people go back into their homes after summer. Kids are back in school, families are establishing routines.
September
Plan: September is a wonderful month for being creative and making plans! Make a schedule for studio time in the autumn months leading up to the busiest sales time of the year. Plan to spend quite a lot of time in the studio this month, and create excess artwork that will carry through to the holiday season.
Marketing: Ensure your website is up to date, and take a look at your overall marketing strategy. Tip: remove posts from Instagram that don’t improve the look of your ‘grid’, or are no longer relevant.
Sales opportunities: Coming inside after the summer months means people will re-evaluate what is on their walls. Be ready for those opportunities with social media outreach and a clean website.
Avoid: The first 2 weeks are too busy for families with kids. Don’t plan to have an artwork release or in person event until at least Sept 15.
October
Plan: You will be in full-tilt holiday sale planning this month. Don’t forget to look ahead to possible in-person show opportunities. Also plan enough studio time to create work for the holidays!
Marketing: Take some time out of your busy schedule to improve or create your Pinterest business page. If you don’t have Pinterest going yet…don’t wait any longer! Pin some artwork related to holiday shopping and always link back to your website.
Sales opportunities: Yes, it’s time to start thinking about holiday sales! If you sell prints, you may want to plan a print release so you can get everything printed and delivered by Christmas.
Avoid: Nothing! This is a busy month.
November
Plan: Along with working on sales leading up the holidays, you’ll need to ensure you have plenty of time in the studio to keep creating artwork to satisfy your clients.
Marketing: Add any new work to your website. If you use e-commerce, ensure your pricing is accurate across all sales channels.
Sales opportunities: Consider hosing an artwork release on your website - it could also be an opportunity to invite other artists to show on your website too. What about an exchange of presentation? That could be a good way to invite new traffic!
Avoid: Nothing!
December
Plan: Buckle up! I’m sure you have a busy month personally, and that combined with a busy retail month might mean less time in the studio. (Good thing you planned ahead!)
Marketing: Does your website offer a gift card option? These are helpful for last-minute shoppers.
Sales opportunities: In-person pop-up shows are great in December, as well as online artwork releases.
Avoid: Don’t plan any in person events or online releases after December 18th.
