Comments on: Can two bodies of work go in one ad?

By: Diane Clancy

Diane Clancy — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:30:04 +0000

I agree with those who have said to use both images – I think they can work together (I am also an artist with different directions that I market together.) I agree fewer words and definitely the blue horse painting too. It makes sense to me to mainly market the established site now … and have a prominent link to the blue horse site. Yes to one ad!! Sorry to take so long to post … gotten behind here. ~ Diane Clancy http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog

By: Henry Patton

Henry Patton — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:55:51 +0000

Wow! Thank you everyone for you comments. These are very helpful. I am still mulling it over but I think that I will do what lots of people point out, and use both images (a portrait and a blue horse) in one ad with only one web site address and very little type. The other idea I am working on is placing the ad over several months, rotating between blue horses and portraits. You have given me a lot to think about in a short time. Again, thanks to everyone for your comments. And thank you Alyson for all your help.

By: Daniel Sroka

Daniel Sroka — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:51:29 +0000

My advice is to only advertise the portrait art. Why? First, I think you should only use print ads for products that can generate revenue to pay for the ad. Second, while the customers for the two types of work may be the same (horse enthusists), the *markets* are different: People will buy the two products for different reasons, and will therefore respond to marketing in different ways. While print ads may work for one, it doesn’t mean it will work for the other.

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:18:25 +0000

Wow, Henry, you’re receiving some terrific feedback from people. Sounds like everyone wants to see your blue horses. Here’s what I’m wondering . . . What if you distinguished the background more so that it looks like two different ads? Maybe one has a dark background and the other a lighter one?

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:25:35 +0000

Nice work Henry. This caught my attention because I too am venturing two (ok multiple)different directions with my my work and am curious how I’ll market it. Ditto some of the above comments: blue image, text. I was sort of considering the name/basic info on top, then splitting vertically with creative works on one side and commissions on the other. I know ad space is valuable and you want to use it the best you can for all areas of your work. Does it matter where you are in your career? Does it depend on which service would you like to market? If you wanted to start spreading the word about the Blue, could you just add a little blib on the bottom about custum portraits? Which do you want to market more? Tracy http://www.tracywall.com

By: Carla Sanders

Carla Sanders — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:14:44 +0000

Henry, I think all you need is a horse portrait, one of the blue horse paintings, I suggest one of the race, your name and your web address, maybe your physical address line at the bottom like you have it. Your art says enough to attract your niche client. Same goes for your website. And I do not recommend selling Tee shirts and original paintings in the same ad or website. Two different markets, price points, and ways of looking at the work in my opinion.

By: becky nielsen

becky nielsen — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:22:33 +0000

I also would like to see Henry use the actual work rather than the logo for the Blue Horse art – it is so appealing. And I think it could be done in one ad with his traditional work – but I wouldn’t separate the graphics so distinctly – I’d use his name as the unifier, and the source of contact, and then indicate the two separate styles – Henry Patton – does this AND this. I think it is really a neat alternate path!

By: Kristi Johnston

Kristi Johnston — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:38:52 +0000

I would agree that less wording is better. Something I constantly struggle with. Work on writing just the most important point ( singular) about each of your art styles, and go ahead and put them both in the ad. I also agree with Allyson that an actual blue horse image would make a bigger impact than the logo. Good luck!

By: Melissa Spurlock Firminger

Melissa Spurlock Firminger — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:36:30 +0000

One can feature two works of art in one ad – I can’t tell you the number of promotional gallery cards I have gotten that feature two different artists exhibiting together with totally different styles of work. However, it’s usually done by showing the work and highlighting the differences, rather than spelling it all out for the potential patron. I would showcase the art in the ad with a clear delineation between the two styles of work. I would also have fewer words in the ad. Perhaps a statement and contact information. At this stage, what is more confusing to the user experience is the two different websites sites. Is it necessary to separate the two at this point? I would only list his first site because it is what people know. The best source of business is your existing customer base, right? Until the blue horses series takes off and he can afford to run separate ads, it seems to me that it would make more sense to only focus on one site and use it as a conduit to promote his new work – Again, I don’t think a second site is required to do this. Good Luck!

By: Stacey Apeitos

Stacey Apeitos — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:47:25 +0000

I know money is tight, but the only way you will ever know with any certainty is by testing. Run both ads and evaluate your response rates. It could save you money in the long run.