Promoting Your Society6 Shop: Tips & Strategies for Artists

Society6 provides a fantastic platform for artists to showcase their work and earn passive income. But with a vast marketplace filled with talented creators, how do you make your Society6 shop stand out? The “Society6 promote button” doesn’t magically bring customers to your door; it’s about strategic marketing and active promotion. This guide delves into the tips and strategies to effectively promote your Society6 shop and turn your artistic passion into a thriving business.

So, how to promote society6? you ask? Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

I. Building a Strong Foundation

Your success on Society6 starts with a solid foundation—high-quality designs optimized for the platform’s diverse product range.

A. Creating High-Quality Designs

  • Know Your Audience: Before you start designing, consider your target audience. What are their interests? What type of art resonates with them? Understanding your audience helps you create designs that appeal to them.
  • Showcase Your Best: Prioritize quality over quantity. Each design you upload should be something you’re genuinely proud to showcase, representing your unique style and talent.
  • Diversify Your Portfolio: While quality is paramount, offering a varied portfolio increases your visibility on Society6. Aim for at least 100 designs to start, spanning different styles, themes, and color palettes.

B. Optimizing for Society6 Products

  • Unique Product Advantage: Society6 offers a distinct range of products, from yoga mats and furniture to wall clocks and even bedding. Utilize this advantage by creating designs specifically tailored for these unique items. This sets you apart from artists only designing for standard prints and phone cases.
  • Mockups: A Professional Touch: Mockups showcase your designs professionally on different products, helping customers visualize how your art translates onto real-world items. They make your shop look more polished and appealing.
  • Precision Matters: Don’t neglect the technical aspects. Meticulously resize and position your artwork for each product, ensuring it looks its best across the entire product range. Society6 gives you the option to disable products that don’t properly display your design—use it!

II. Driving Organic Traffic

The “Society6 marketing” game relies heavily on organic traffic—bringing people directly to your shop who are genuinely interested in your art.

A. Pinterest Marketing

Pinterest is a visual search engine where people discover ideas for home decor, fashion, and more—it’s a goldmine for Society6 artists.

  • Pinterest for Business: Create a Pinterest business account to gain access to analytics and promotional tools.
  • Curate Relevant Boards: Organize your designs into themed boards that align with your target audience’s interests. Given Society6’s strength in home decor, boards like “Modern Wall Art,” “Bohemian Bedding,” or “Minimalist Phone Cases” can attract the right customers.
  • Optimize for Visibility: Use eye-catching images of your designs on products and craft compelling descriptions with relevant keywords to make your pins more discoverable.

B. Leveraging Instagram

Instagram is another visual platform where you can connect with art enthusiasts and build a community around your work.

  • Showcase Your Art: Create a dedicated Instagram account to post high-quality photos and videos of your art, your creative process, and your products.
  • Engage, Engage, Engage: Interact with your followers, respond to comments, and ask questions to build relationships. Run contests or giveaways to further boost engagement and brand awareness.
  • Direct Traffic with Ease: Use the link in your bio to direct followers to your Society6 shop and regularly feature your designs in stories with clickable product links.

C. Optimizing for Search

Society6 has its own internal search engine, and optimizing your products for this search engine is crucial for getting discovered.

  • Keyword Research: Utilize Society6’s search bar to see what keywords people are using to find designs like yours.
  • Single Word Power: Society6 recommends using single keywords in titles and tags rather than full phrases. For example, “floral,” “abstract,” “cat,” instead of “floral pattern” or “abstract art.”
  • Hyphenated Phrases: If you do use multiple words, separate them with hyphens, like “geometric-pattern” or “watercolor-painting.”
  • Clear and Concise Descriptions: Write compelling product descriptions using targeted keywords to enhance discoverability within the Society6 marketplace.

III. Expanding Your Reach

Think beyond the Society6 platform to cast a wider net and build a more sustainable art business.

A. Building Your Own Website

Creating a personal website gives you greater control over your brand and opens up new income streams.

  • Strengthen Your Brand: A website serves as your artistic hub, letting you tell your story and showcase your work in a curated environment.
  • Diversify Income: Sell digital downloads, original artwork, or even offer workshops and tutorials directly from your website.
  • Leverage Society6 for Fulfillment: Link your website to your Society6 shop for seamless order fulfillment. This allows you to capitalize on Society6’s production and shipping infrastructure while expanding your product range to platforms like Redbubble or Zazzle.

B. Email Marketing

Building an email list is a valuable way to nurture relationships with potential customers and keep them updated on your latest work and promotions.

  • Offer Value: Grow your email list by providing valuable content, such as free printables, behind-the-scenes insights, or exclusive discounts.
  • Visually Appealing Newsletters: Services like Flodesk make it easy to create visually appealing newsletters that capture attention.
  • Personalize and Engage: Share stories about your creative process, studio updates, and exclusive offers to your subscribers, building a deeper connection with your audience.

C. The Society6 Affiliate Program

The Society6 Affiliate Program is a hidden gem that lets you earn a commission on any sale generated through your unique affiliate link, even if it’s not your design.

  • Free to Join, Easy to Use: Joining the affiliate program is free, and Society6 provides you with a custom code to add to your shared links.
  • Share Curated Collections: You can earn a 10% commission by sharing curated collections of designs from different artists, aligning with your audience’s interests.

IV. Content Strategies and Engagement

Marketing isn’t just about pushing your products; it’s about providing value, building relationships, and engaging with your audience.

A. The 80/20 Rule

  • Focus on Value: The 80/20 rule suggests dedicating 80% of your content to providing value to your audience and only 20% to direct promotion.
  • Build Trust and Authority: Share valuable insights about art techniques, inspirational mood boards, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your studio, or tutorials to establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

B. Engaging with Your Audience

  • Be Responsive: Respond to comments, messages, and questions promptly and authentically to show your audience that you value their interaction.
  • Foster Community: Run contests, giveaways, or challenges to encourage participation and build excitement around your brand.
  • Join Art Communities: Participate in relevant society6 for artists communities, like those found on Reddit (searching “Society6 Reddit” will reveal relevant communities), to connect with fellow artists and potential customers.

C. Staying Informed

The art market is constantly evolving, and staying informed is essential for success.

  • Society6 Resources: Subscribe to the Society6 blog, follow their social media, and pay close attention to the Creative Brief for valuable insights into design trends, popular products, and upcoming promotional opportunities.
  • Broaden Your Knowledge: Stay up-to-date with design trends, explore popular art styles, and research seasonal themes to align your designs and promotions with current customer preferences.

V. FAQ Section

  • Q: Why shouldn’t I use paid traffic for Society6?
    • A: Unlike platforms with individual shops, paid traffic to Society6 might lead to sales for other artists, as customers can easily browse the entire marketplace. Focus your efforts on organic strategies that bring a targeted audience directly to your work.
  • Q: How can I upload designs to Society6 faster?
    • A: Prepare multiple design files beforehand in the various sizes and formats required for different Society6 products. Having everything ready streamlines the upload process.
  • Q: How much does it cost to build my own website?
    • A: Web hosting costs can vary, but you can find plans starting around $20 per month. You can also explore free website platforms like Google’s Blogger to get started.

By embracing these promotional strategies, you’ll create a powerful engine for driving traffic to your Society6 shop and boosting your sales. Consistency, genuine engagement, and a dedication to delivering high-quality art will set you apart in the competitive world of online art sales. Remember to track your progress, analyze your results, and adapt your approach over time. Your creative journey on Society6 is unique—approach it with passion, persistence, and a touch of strategic marketing, and you’ll be well on your way to success!