Get noticed.How to get your art noticed by San Diego media

Survey Select | San Diego Visual Art Network | Workshop

A talk by Kinsee Morlan, San Diego CityBeat arts editor

Ten things you can do today

1. Google “San Diego Artists”

Why? A journalist, gallery, curator will do the same thing at least once in theircareers, just to see if they’re missing anything.

• Google 10-pack• San Diego Visual Artist Guild• Craigslist• San Diego Art Institute• SDVAN is on the first page!

2. Google yourself

Why? There better be valid information about you in at least the top four hits on the first page.

• What if someone sees your work andwants to find out more about you?• People trying to contact you• Facebook, Twitter, Blog are easy ways to get good Google results

3. Send out press releases

Why? Why not? You are allowed to bug journalists. They get hundreds of propositions a day. A few press releases from you might be a nice change of pace.

• Good “press release” and copy the format• Send it out whether you have a show or not,but put some sort of hook in the intro• Send low-res samples of your work and directthem to a website where they can find more• Follow up

4. Invite someone to meet you for coffee

Why? They might say yes.

• A chance for them to put a face to an email• A chance for them to see your work in person• Face-to-face contact is powerful• Follow up

5. Get involved

How? Group shows, put on your own shows,join groups or just get out and go to other people’s shows

• Thumbprint Gallery• Walk the Walk• Set & Drift• SD Space 4 Arts• SDVAN• If you’re not good at promoting yourself,let the pros do it for you.

6. Bypass the media and promote yourself

How? So many inexpensive ways.

• Print fliers/posters• Use Facebook/Twitter/blog• Sell your work to your friendsand family• Put your work in public places• Start an email list and send outyour new work

7. Get your image on CityBeat’s cover

Submit your images tonight when yougo home.

• Send low-res samples to kinseem@sdcitybeat.com andadamv@sdcitybeat.com • Follow up• Be patient

8. Get your event featured

Give us at least a week or twonotice

• Email kinseem@sdcitybeat.comand calendar@sdcitybeat.com• Send one or two hi-res photos forPrint• Send the title of each piece and the nameof the artist (make it easy for us!)

9. Email me with your story

Some of my favorite stories start with emailsfrom people just like you.

• Whatever is on your mind:kinseem@sdcitybeat.com

10. Email other people, too

• acarone@kpbs.org• jeff.light@uniontrib.com• Research contacts and go for it!