You’ve finally bit the bullet: you’re pursuing your long-time passion, whether that’s singing, drawing, making jewelry, etc. You want people to know about your work, so it’s not all for nothing.

Some people just want exposure, but others want to make a little money too. Regardless, it’s vital that you take the right steps. That way, you’ll get the appreciation you deserve.

Read on to see eight steps you need to take to get your work out there.

1.  Identify Your Target Audience

Not everyone will like or be interested in your work, and that’s ok. You need to keep this in mind so you don’t end up annoying people. Plus, you can concentrate your efforts on the people who will be intrigued.

By identifying these consumers, you’ll have a more targeted approach to marketing your work. For example, you’ll know where to find them, which can save money and time.

If you’re having trouble, then try using some market research and surveys. This can help you understand what your target audience wants. As a result, you can tailor your work to cater to them.

2.  Determine Your Unique Value Proposition

Having a unique value proposition is necessary to make your work stand out, especially if you’re trying to break into a saturated industry. Differentiating yourself from your competition can mean gaining a large audience fast.

It’s easy to get stumped, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get a unique value proposition. It could be that you have your drawings printed by the local comic book printing company that has a crowdfunding partnership. This shows that you care about supporting the little guys and small businesses.

Make sure that your unique value proposition aligns with your target audience’s values. For instance, it wouldn’t make sense to center yours on eco-friendly/sustainable materials (which are more expensive) if they value cheap and low-cost products.

3.  Create a Strong Online Presence

One of the best ways to reach your target audience is through the internet. Most consumers conduct online research before they purchase anything, and they spend hours every day on social media.

You’ll want to start off with a user-friendly website that showcases your work. Ensure that your contact details are easily found, so if anyone is interested in collaborating or has further questions, they can get in touch.

Next, sign up for social media accounts if you don’t already have them. Make them separate from your personal account so you can build your brand. You can then use these accounts to highlight your work and show the person behind it.

4.  Network in Your Field

Social media marketing won’t be enough to get your work noticed. It’s important to proactively network and collaborate with people in your field and related ones.

Online channels include forums, social media groups, and video conferences (such as seminars and workshops). And offline channels include trade shows, conferences, and meetups.

These connections can help you spread the word about your work, and you can do the same for them.. And you might meet people who can aid your future work. Using the above comic book example, maybe you’ll find an excellent illustrator to bring your ideas to life! You’ll form lasting relationships that’ll bring deserved attention to your work.

5.  Share Your Work Often

No one’s going to know about your work unless you actively share it. So one of the most essential steps you need to take is to share your work often.

Post all across your social media accounts, and don’t be afraid to reshare the same content, so long as it doesn’t come off as spammy. It can be beneficial to use a scheduling tool so you can plan ahead and have it make posts for you.

You can use these posts to raise engagement with your audience. Take advantage of the opportunity and ask them for feedback too. Not only can you improve your work based on their comments, but they’ll also feel involved and will be loyal followers.

6.  Utilize Collaborations

IMAGE SOURCE: https://unsplash.com/photos/-uHVRvDr7pg

Mutually beneficial relationship can only further your exposure, so go for it! You’ll find that your skills complement another person’s, and you can build on each other’s success.

Take a look through social media and other channels to see who’s interesting. Reach out by introducing yourself and your work, then propose a plan for the collaboration. This can either be some guest work or joint projects.

You should also get in touch with thought leaders. These are people who are already well-established in your field, so if you can get their endorsement, that’s gold!

7.  Get a Boost From Paid Ads

Get an even wider reach by paying for ads. It can take some time to get your website to the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) with organic marketing, which is admittedly more cost-effective.

However, paid marketing can give you a quick boost. This is ideal if you want to start off with a bang.

While paid ads can be more expensive, the good news is, you can set a budget with the publisher. Once you hit that amount, they won’t run your ads anymore.

8.  Always Measure and Adapt

No matter what industry you’re in, you need to always measure and adapt. Stagnation is your worst enemy, and it can be what kills your work. Industries and people change, so it’s vital that you evolve with them.

You can use analytic tools to see which pages people are visiting on your site, and how long they’re spending. You can also see which files are downloaded the most, and which aren’t receiving any love.

With this information, you can adjust your marketing and ensure your work receives the attention it deserves.

Make Your Work Known to the World

You’ve spent lots of effort and time to create unique work. Don’t let it fade into obscurity, as it’d be a huge waste of your talent.

By following the steps we’ve outlined here, you’ll be able to get your work in front of your desired audience. And as a result, you’ll flourish. Keep reading our blog page to find more insightful advice