You can subscribe to my writing here and I will eventually take you into a separate mailing list and happy to. I also still bravely maintain a website with an actual blog running on movable type. Very old school.
A reason I use Substack is actually because I can offer paid subscribers a drawing in exchange. This gives people who love my strange thought processes a chance to get access to my original work in a new way. It’s all very early on still.
Thank you for responding so positively and so quickly. I had a few excruciating minutes here thinking that maybe it was so wrong for commenting like that. Oh dear what has this medium done to some of us
Agree 100%! Instead of jumping on more social media platforms we have no control over, we need to build own thing. I’ve had a newsletter from day one and I love it
Grt post, thank you. I feel like such an old fart…. Getting my website built at the moment and starting to hate using IG as I really want to keep away from the noise and awful people running these things and not pay them penny! As SS is also SM, I’m really wondering if I should go for a blog on my website too? Not everyone is on SS and they ‘own’ our work don’t they as in it could all disappear as in contacts…? Gosh this is all overwhelming. I think a good old fashioned newsletter will suffice for now!
I completely agree with this! I’ve been seeing the shift and feeling the pull. There is something refreshing and nostalgic about how things are moving towards direct connection that is not always possible with social media platforms.
I started mine so long ago I forgot how I actually started, but I think finding something that is simple, easy to set up and figuring out what you would want to communicate on the newsletter helps. I started out with Mailchimp, but I think Substack is great for a blog/newsletter hybrid. I have a friend who moved over from Substack to Hey! (https://www.hey.com) and they seem to like it. Others seem to enjoy Flodesk. There are so many great options out there now! Simple is key, otherwise it starts to feel like a chore. :)
Hi Tatum! I love your newsletters! the Ceal Floyer stairway installation at the MOCCA was just as good as you said it was. And then I used that reco in my own newsletter. So thank you. I’ve been sending a once a month message proceeded by a post urging followers on IG to get updates there. I try to include my current obsessions or interests as sidebars or links. IG provides more immediate feedback with the little hears but it’s also possible to measure responses in my Squarespace newsletter program. All in all I’ve found it to be a lot of effort that I actually have started to enjoy.
I’d love to have you on my mailing list. You can sign up on my website.
I had an artist update email newsletter awhile back but it fell into disuse over the course of my MFA. You've got me thinking about starting it up again! One thing I struggled with when I was releasing it though was that I always felt like I was shouting into the void, whereas socials are more immediate. How do you combat that?
I get it! I think having faith that things are happening even if you don't know it immediately. Newsletters are like planting seeds where you don't know where they'll grow. I often hear from people in person how much they love my newsletter + it leads to opportunities I can't anticipate, even if I don't get any traction online
Nice analogy! That is a good way to put it. Yes and I do like how email feels more intimate than social, and how the people who do open will likely be more engaged. Just need to work on my consistency if I restart it heh heh
Anyone have any best practices tips? Wondering the following:
- Timing: how many weeks before a show or opening, to be not to early that it is forgotten but not too late for planning ahead?
- Frequency: what about a slow year? Do people typically send them based on events or based on a biannual or quarterly schedule?
- Adding people: do you just go ahead and add previous contacts if you feel comfortable enough, or is it better to ask everyone before adding?
I'm about to graduate my MFA program Instagram-free and would really like to keep up with people via newsletter. Most of my faculty are either big instagrammers or not showing much so I haven't gotten to ask anyone with a larger newsletter following.
Yes absolutely agree! I ve had a newsletter for years...and just recently moved it over th Substack last month. Still learning how it is slightly different than a traditional newsletter, but so far. I love it. Happy to come across your publication! My publication/newsletter is Art of Awakening.
I always think the easier we make something, the more likely we are to stick to it! I would subscribe to an artist newsletter that was just a photo from their studio once a month (I will subscribe to anything you do, though!)
Thanks for the shout-out (and all my new subscribers!). Glad to know my list resonates with you, and always grateful for encouragement and support.
You can subscribe to my writing here and I will eventually take you into a separate mailing list and happy to. I also still bravely maintain a website with an actual blog running on movable type. Very old school.
A reason I use Substack is actually because I can offer paid subscribers a drawing in exchange. This gives people who love my strange thought processes a chance to get access to my original work in a new way. It’s all very early on still.
Sorry this comment is getting quite long.
Agree with you. Very much so.
Thank you!
Lovely! I just subscribed. I love the idea of an actual blog as well
Thank you for responding so positively and so quickly. I had a few excruciating minutes here thinking that maybe it was so wrong for commenting like that. Oh dear what has this medium done to some of us
Agree 100%! Instead of jumping on more social media platforms we have no control over, we need to build own thing. I’ve had a newsletter from day one and I love it
Grt post, thank you. I feel like such an old fart…. Getting my website built at the moment and starting to hate using IG as I really want to keep away from the noise and awful people running these things and not pay them penny! As SS is also SM, I’m really wondering if I should go for a blog on my website too? Not everyone is on SS and they ‘own’ our work don’t they as in it could all disappear as in contacts…? Gosh this is all overwhelming. I think a good old fashioned newsletter will suffice for now!
It is indeed a super useful tool, I keep telling everyone to make one! Sign up here: https://www.shoshanawalfish.com/mailing
done! and love your paintings
Oooh thank you 💜🙏
I completely agree with this! I’ve been seeing the shift and feeling the pull. There is something refreshing and nostalgic about how things are moving towards direct connection that is not always possible with social media platforms.
I completely agree! do you have any tips for artists wanting to start their own newsletter?
I started mine so long ago I forgot how I actually started, but I think finding something that is simple, easy to set up and figuring out what you would want to communicate on the newsletter helps. I started out with Mailchimp, but I think Substack is great for a blog/newsletter hybrid. I have a friend who moved over from Substack to Hey! (https://www.hey.com) and they seem to like it. Others seem to enjoy Flodesk. There are so many great options out there now! Simple is key, otherwise it starts to feel like a chore. :)
Hi Tatum! I love your newsletters! the Ceal Floyer stairway installation at the MOCCA was just as good as you said it was. And then I used that reco in my own newsletter. So thank you. I’ve been sending a once a month message proceeded by a post urging followers on IG to get updates there. I try to include my current obsessions or interests as sidebars or links. IG provides more immediate feedback with the little hears but it’s also possible to measure responses in my Squarespace newsletter program. All in all I’ve found it to be a lot of effort that I actually have started to enjoy.
I’d love to have you on my mailing list. You can sign up on my website.
www.kristin sjaarda.com
Thanks again for everything you bring to this publication and to the art scene.
Best
Kristin
Kristin! Thank you so much for your kind reply. I'm so happy you enjoyed Ceal Floyer's installation—I'm looking forward to reading your mailing list!
I had an artist update email newsletter awhile back but it fell into disuse over the course of my MFA. You've got me thinking about starting it up again! One thing I struggled with when I was releasing it though was that I always felt like I was shouting into the void, whereas socials are more immediate. How do you combat that?
I get it! I think having faith that things are happening even if you don't know it immediately. Newsletters are like planting seeds where you don't know where they'll grow. I often hear from people in person how much they love my newsletter + it leads to opportunities I can't anticipate, even if I don't get any traction online
If you start it back up again, sign me up and I'll do my best to reply to them so you don't feel like you're shouting into the void!
And thanks, I will! Very kind of you to offer 😊
Glad to hear it leads to unexpected opportunities for you as well!
Nice analogy! That is a good way to put it. Yes and I do like how email feels more intimate than social, and how the people who do open will likely be more engaged. Just need to work on my consistency if I restart it heh heh
Hear, hear!
I know you get it!
Anyone have any best practices tips? Wondering the following:
- Timing: how many weeks before a show or opening, to be not to early that it is forgotten but not too late for planning ahead?
- Frequency: what about a slow year? Do people typically send them based on events or based on a biannual or quarterly schedule?
- Adding people: do you just go ahead and add previous contacts if you feel comfortable enough, or is it better to ask everyone before adding?
I'm about to graduate my MFA program Instagram-free and would really like to keep up with people via newsletter. Most of my faculty are either big instagrammers or not showing much so I haven't gotten to ask anyone with a larger newsletter following.
Really enjoyed this post by the way--encourages me to stay off Instagram even as I'm entering this new stage!
Yes absolutely agree! I ve had a newsletter for years...and just recently moved it over th Substack last month. Still learning how it is slightly different than a traditional newsletter, but so far. I love it. Happy to come across your publication! My publication/newsletter is Art of Awakening.
This is sound advice. I've had only good responses to my studio newsletter that has gone out on the Equinoxes for the last 5 or 6 years
I always think the easier we make something, the more likely we are to stick to it! I would subscribe to an artist newsletter that was just a photo from their studio once a month (I will subscribe to anything you do, though!)