How This Artist Earned Nearly 100,000 Facebook Page Fans

Incredibly, within a few months my talented friend Tony O’Connor will reach 100,000 Facebook page fans. (*Since writing this post, Tony has reach over 100,000 and has been verified!)

Tony is an extraordinary artist and has the wit, charm, and humor to match his painting skills. But, his tips below will help anyone gain a loyal Facebook page following.
Here’s how to make your Facebook page, Tonylicious!

5 Tips on How To Have an Awesome Facebook Page That Promotes You, Your Art & Your Sales

1. INTERACTION
Facebook isn’t a “professional website” or “faceless corporation” type place. Facebook is supposed to be fun. It’s somewhere people come to waste a few hours when the boss isn’t looking, to watch videos about kittens, and ‘stalk’ old flames … or so I hear!
Basically, its people orientated! People want to connect with like-minded souls and YOUR art can do that.

“Ask your followers questions. Answer their questions (as much as you can) and build up your rapport with your fans.” ~Tony O’Connor 

Of course, relationships go two ways with both parties benefiting from the association.
Remember, this is your art business page! Do not rant, use swear words, or vent political, or religious views.

“It’s been proven that when people feel a connection with the artist, they are more likely to buy from that artist.” ~Tony O’Connor

By taking time to interact with your followers, at some point you will most likely sell to them – you want to be their go-to guy (or gal)!
2. DO NOT HARD SELL
Don’t just sell to sell. People mostly use Facebook to chill-out on, not to shop. If your fans feel like they are constantly being bombarded by sales pitches, you’ll find yourself losing them pretty quickly.
Sure, you need to sell. The whole object of having the page is to present and promote your work, and to actually make enough dough to keep you in canvases, and overpriced caffeine based beverages.
I suggest having albums with available works, a ‘notes page’ with info on commission work and anything you feel people need to know, like a FAQs category.
Facebook is pretty good for smaller value sales, say from €20-€200 (approx. $25.00-$275.00 USD) If you have products in this range, you can make a pretty snazzy income for yourself.  If you had nothing better to do … but hey, we’re artists, and we like to create stuff, so selling all day will bore you to death.

3. POST REGULARLY (and post relevant)
Unfortunately, Facebook settings/algorithms have kinda screwed things up for the smaller business pages. They get lost in the feed of pages paying to promote things.
Make sure your posts are regular and relevant to you. The regularity of the posts is one thing but the timing of when you post them is also key.
I like to post 2-3 times a day ensuring that followers in different time zones will get to see at least one of them.
Keep your posts relevant to your art at the start of building your page. This is key. Post your prep sketches, your works in progress – people like to see this. It’s sort of a behind the scenes peek, something that we’re not usually privy to and this has its appeal.
Cautionary note – I’m somewhat of a workaholic, so I have a lot to show and say on a daily basis. If you don’t have something fresh to show, don’t just post for the sake of it! You’ll risk appearing insincere, and that’s not the relationship you’re aiming for.
Do not share other artists’ pages unless there is a specific/relevant reason for so doing e.g. collaborative ventures/people who genuinely inspire you. You want people to see your work and people follow you for your work! You have to have an intention (what it is you want from your Facebook page) and remain true to that intention. Showcasing others takes away from you showing your work to your followers and opens up a whole array of people wanting you to share their work – often of varying relevance and calibre on your page.  It’s harsh but its business, it’s not a free-for-all!
4. PERSONALITY
The downfall of many a page in social media, is if you have the personality of a wet sponge, no matter how awesome your artwork is, you won’t get too far.

Be humorous, without being too rude. Facebook favours slightly cheeky, yet with some humility, rough around the edges, yet possibly good looking (if major surgery were applied) … ohh hang on, that’s me I’m talking about! The main thing is to try and be yourself as much as possible. If your artwork is good, and if you’re a nice person with ambition, you’ll go a long way.
5. BE INSPIRING
As you find your Facebook following growing, it’s because of two things: your artwork is pretty shamazing, and you haven’t be too much of a jerk either.
People do like a success story, so if they see an artist doing well and living their life the way it’s meant to be lived – combining your passion and your work, it can inspire others.
If you appear positive and motivated, it can have the spirit of reciprocity. If you have an off-day your followers can lift your spirits and spur you on.
One last thing: this is by no means meant as an exhaustive list. I’m sure many of you are using Facebook in numerous other clever and creative ways. I know there are many more things I could be doing to have an even better business page, like adding a shop for instance – watch this space! I’m working on new things all the time.
Of course, it’s ever-possible that the powers that be at Facebook could change everything as we know it at the drop of a hat. You have to be ready and prepared to deal with any and all changes – to adapt, to evolve. If and when that happens just see it as an opportunity to do something even better!
Guest artist/author: Tony O’Connor
*****
Thank you Tony. You are a rockstar artist and an inspiration to us all! Thanks for sharing your tips with your fellow artists.
You can find more great tips on Fine Art Tips Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter, Google Plus and on Pinterest. Be sure and check out and my fine art prints and notecards on Fine Art America.  Or see my art on my website,  LoriMcNee.com.  ~Lori