Local artists, writers, musicians, actors, and other creative types may express themselves in different ways, but they all share a common problem in that it's difficult to gain recognition in one's own community. People seem to think that you can't be "anybody" if you haven't made it big in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or some other major city, and you must not be "anybody" if you live HERE!
The truth of the matter is that everyone had to start somewhere, and a greater number of people live in places other than a megalopolis. There are more opportunities to be a big fish in a little pond than the other way around.
If one is famous, he or she has little trouble getting publicity. On the other hand, if an artist can't get the press to cover his or her latest art show or review a performance, there's just one thing to do. Self-promote. Some may be uncomfortable with the idea, but if you don't toot your own horn, nobody else is going to do it for you.
This point was made abundantly clear just before an election in my junior high school homeroom. Before the ballots were cast, the teacher talked about the propriety of voting for oneself. Today one wouldn't think twice about the point, but, at the time, children were taught to vote for the other candidate. At any rate, the teacher encouraged the students to cast ballots for themselves, noting that one vote could mean the difference between winning and losing. She also talked about believing in oneself, and she ended with a quote saying, "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me?" I can't recall if that one vote made a difference in the election, but the teacher's words have remained with me all these years.
Similarly, if shameless self-promotion is what it takes to gain the recognition you deserve, fine. Those who have "arrived" or are famous do this all the time—by way of the public relations firms they pay to do the promoting for them. Until you have that luxury, you'll have to do it yourself. While the following are written from a visual artist's point of view, they can be adapted to fit one's particular interest or discipline.
One of the best ways to gain recognition is to give something back to your community. You are, after all, taking up space and using the resources provided where you live, so using your talents to enrich your community makes sense. There are many ways to contribute:
Volunteer, especially in schools. In the next decade, there will be a tremendous teacher shortage, so use your talents to help in the classroom. If you have some college training, you may qualify as a substitute teacher, and you can always teach private classes.
Become a mentor to a junior high or high school student. While you may not know it all, you probably know enough to inspire a young person who's interested in your field of endeavor.
Utilize your talents by becoming a member of the board of directors for a nonprofit organization. Such groups depend heavily on volunteers, and they value your expertise. Serving on a board will help make your name more recognizable, and you will be contributing to the community.
Visit a nursing home or the pediatric section of the hospital, and demonstrate your art or craft.
Speak to clubs or civic groups about your work and what you have planned for the future.
In order to build your reputation as an artist, you have to get your work out where the public can see it. These are some ways to use exhibit opportunities to gain recognition:
Talk to your frame shop about hosting a show of your work. Have an art opening, and send invitations to friends, family and people who buy art.
Inquire about the possibility of hanging your work in bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and other public places. Team up with other artists to hang work on a rotating basis so that the work is fresh and changes every two months or so.
There is strength in numbers. Stage a group show or collaborate with other artists to create a piece of art. People may be more likely to attend such an exhibit, and if all the artists invite friends, family and patrons, you'll have a great turnout.
Design logos for nonprofit organizations and create poster graphics for annual events such as art shows and concerts.
Donate your work to good causes. Organizations often will place your name in a program or on a recognition list, and it serves as a gentle reminder to those in your community that your are a painter or craftsman.
Make special appearances or demonstrate your art or craft at your historical society, or the Boys' and Girls' Club. Volunteer to entertain at an outing sponsored by the Big Brothers and Sisters.
Enter local, regional and national art shows. Report your successes!
Send thank you notes to those who buy your work.
Keep a guest book at art openings. Ask for addresses so you can send updates about your work and news of awards you've won.
Host a cable access television show, and demonstrate your art or craft.
Start a discussion/support group for like-minded individuals.
Join local, state and national professional art groups that support your discipline. Attend the groups' conventions, and volunteer to demonstrate or speak about your art.
One day you may be able to hire that PR firm, but for now here are some ways to get the word out about what you're doing:
Host a website and publicize your work to an international audience.
Write press releases about new work or any awards you receive. Newspapers need news and if you have information about yourself that's noteworthy, then you should submit it to your local paper. There are lots of articles and books to guide you in writing your release. Just check with your reference librarian or search the Internet.
If a particular topic comes up that you know something about, write letters to the editor of the local newspaper. Perhaps the local school board will soon vote on cutting art programs, and you can share why it's important to keep art in the curriculum.
Submit articles to regional and national magazines. If your work is published, write press releases about your success.
Enter contests and apply for grants and awards. Write press releases about any honors you receive.
Keep a "running tally" of your successes and update your resume. All of the above will help build a solid reputation as an expert in your field. Eventually, you will be the one people call or turn to when they need advice about your area of expertise. Of course, this assumes that you are an expert, but that's another story! At any rate, utilizing some of these points can help you gain the recognition you deserve in your own community. Carpe diem!
